Sometimes the most unexpected styles creep in and suddenly become super on trend. That’s what’s happening with ‘dad’ sandals for summer 2026, and believe it or not, you’ll actually want to get on board. The chunky appearance packs a ton of comfort — hey, dads are always moving and grooving! — so they make for a seasonal shoe your feet will be happy to wear all day long.

Just like any other shoe, dad sandals come in all different looks. So, whether you want a classic pair you can wear with every outfit or prefer something sleek that feels very ‘rich mom,’ you can do so in a utilitarian silhouette (i.e., arch support). Let’s just say you’ll be thankful you own a pair when a whole lot of walking is on the agenda.

18 Dad Sandals That Are Actually Chic

1. Our Favorite: These flexible dad sandals have everything we’re after: soft, plush insoles, non-slip outsoles, water resistance and adjustable straps. Basically, they’ll remain on your feet all summer long.

2. Leather Look: Need something sleek to pair with sundresses or to give your go-to T-shirt and shorts combo an elevated twist? Coutgo’s strappy option is easy to slip on, but looks like a designer find, enhancing your outfit in an instant.

3. Hiking-Approved: Who says you need to wear sneakers for prolonged outdoor activities? These non-slip dad sandals offer serious arch support and anti-slip texturing on the footbeds.

4. Hint of Hardware: For a little something extra, these double-strap sandals have a faux hardware lock that adds bling. We like the six color choices, including an unexpected metallic option.

5. Cool Crocs: Yes, Crocs is in on the dad sandal game, too, and its version even has a wedge detail. You can expect comfort to take top priority in the chunky Brooklyn sandals, with an adjustable strap to keep your feet in place.

Related: Look Taller With These Trendy Summer Sandals — No Heels!

Nothing elongates your legs like the right sandals, and with mini dress season in full swing, we want all the length we can get. There’s a reason platform sandals are trending, especially among people who know the flattering secret. We found 13 chic summer pairs that make you look inches taller! Whether you’re searching for […]

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6. Easy Espadrilles: These Sam Edelman sandals scream summer with espadrille detailing. The bold buckles and metallic touches are the cherries on top.

7. Buckled Beauties: Ugg isn’t just a brand for fall and winter, and these buckled dad sandals are proof. The 1-inch platform adds a little height without any discomfort.

8. Colorful Choice: Each strap on these $21 dad sandals is a different color, so they’ll go with your summer wardrobe. Or, if you tend to keep your looks neutral, this pick will make the statement you need.

9. Extra Height: For a clean, simple look, platform wedge sandals are the ideal base for any outfit. Plus, the footbed pads keep comfort top of mind.

10. Cute Closed-Toe: For a little more coverage, the Quince fisherman sandals feature multiple chunky straps. The 100% Italian cow leather upper means they’ll last for years to come, too.

11. Y2K Vibes: No matter which variation you choose, you’ll get a chunky dad shoe with two different colored straps. Your footwear will instantly become the coolest, most nostalgic part of your outfit.

12. A+ Adjustability: Not only is the ankle strap adjustable, but so are the two straps that go across the top of the foot. Pair that with the solid color offerings, and these easy-to-wear summer sandals are a winner.

13. Joyful Jelly: Jelly shoes have been everywhere lately, and we like how we can combine two trends in one. These jelly dad shoes are meant to slip on and head out the door with ease.

14. Sweet Straw: Your outfit will automatically feel more beach, thanks to the raffia details. These double-strap platform sandals can be worn on vacation — or every day that you wish you were on one.

15. Animal Instinct: Animal print can be a neutral, so style these leopard-print dad sandals with that in mind. They have a soft, bouncy footbed, allowing you to go all day without pain complaints.

16. Pool-Friendly: Thanks to being waterproof, Cushionaire’s dad sandals will be the hero of summer. The designer-inspired look has an adjustable strap for an optimal fit.

17. Lovely Leather: Made with an Italian nappa leather upper, these Quince platform sandals are simple in the best way. The no-fuss design means they’ll be a workhorse when it comes to your summer outfits.

18. Butter Yellow Babe: It’s the seasonal color that keeps being a favorite, and now you can add it to your footwear. These butter yellow dad sandals instantly make your ensemble cooler and on-trend.

Related: As a Comfort Snob, These Are the Sandal Styles I’m Stocking This Summer

I’m extra particular about most things in life, so naturally, my summer sandals are no exception. My go-to sandals can’t be too heavy, flat, chunky or dull — and they certainly can’t rub. Basically, they have to be perfect, and I found 11 chic shoe styles that check my boxes. These staple sandals range from […]

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PlayStation has been making headlines for all the wrong reasons of late. Last month, Sony delivered a harsh reminder that there’s no such thing as “ownership” in the digital age when they announced users would lose access to over 500 StudioCanal movies and TV titles they purchased through the PlayStation Store after their licensing agreement with the studio expires. More recently and alarmingly, given that action, however, the company decided it would end production of physical games in January 2028. It’s a crushing blow for physical media collectors who want to live without the fear that the things they purchased could be wiped away in an instant at a corporation’s whim.

For developers and publishers, however, it’s similarly disheartening to know there is a future where their games may never physically exist on PlayStation. A proper disc, or, in the Nintendo Switch‘s case, a cartridge release, is a bit of a badge of honor for indie titles, showing there’s enough of a demand from fans to warrant creating something they can put on their shelves. Publishers like Lost in Cult and iam8bit have made businesses out of preserving games and creating high-quality collectibles like vinyl albums of their soundtracks and books that dig into their development. “As a company on a mission to preserve video games, we are deeply saddened by the recent news from PlayStation on ending physical disc production from 2028,” the former wrote in an official statement on X in response to Sony’s move. “We aim to do everything in our power to preserve video games to the best of our ability and will continue to do so for as long as we can.”

Since the announcement, more voices from throughout the industry have spoken out about the move away from physical games, with fears for the future of the medium and personal disappointment for their own titles. Among the most prominent names to come forward is Michael Douse, the director of publishing at Baldur’s Gate 3 developer Larian Studios, who decried the decision for PlayStation as “genuinely heartbreaking,” reflecting on their own experiences. The Game of the Year-winning RPG originally released digitally only, but later released a lovingly crafted deluxe edition that included the actual disc with additional DLC alongside plenty of physical goodies for collectors. He called the work “both my pride AND quite literally my joy” and considered the cost more than worth it for all the people who loved it.

‘The Binding of Isaac’ and ‘Animal Well’ Creators Speak Out for Physical Games

Independent developers Billy Basso and Edmund McMillen also spoke to the personal side of the shift away from physical games on social media. Basso, who created the puzzle adventure darling Animal Well, lamented the thought that “I’ll never release another physical game for PlayStation,” while the Binding of Isaac, Super Meat Boy, and most recently, Mewgenics mastermind McMillen expressed hope that more outlets like Lost in Cult will continue to pick up the slack where PlayStation has faltered. “I collect physical media and will always find a way to release my games physically,” he wrote. “The fact is, if mainstream publishers stop, independent boutique publishers will continue making collector’s editions that will be way better anyway.” Whether that will even be possible in the future is up in the air as more consoles are being eyed as digital-only without a disc drive to begin with.

The outcry over PlayStation’s decision has reached some pretty high-up places. Recently, 2027 French presidential candidate Jean-Luc Mélenchon weighed in on Sony’s move and the recent news that Grand Theft Auto 6 will launch without a physical disc on social media, saying that games were “cultural assets, and the law in force must apply to them.” He believes the issue of preservation will need to be addressed at the highest level, both for the preservation of culture and the protection of consumers.

“With GTA 6 without a disc in 2026 and Sony’s announcement of the end of physical disc sales for games in 2028, the question arises of how we view these products. Tomorrow, you will pay without owning anything. No loan, no resale, no guarantee of keeping what we’ve paid for.”

Stay tuned here at Collider for more on the future of PlayStation and the video game industry as a whole.

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Released

August 3, 2023

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M

Developer(s)

Larian Studios

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Larian Studios

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Baldur’s Gate

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Taylor Swift‘s favorite teacher died the day of her massive wedding to NFL superstar Travis Kelce. According to new reports, Kirk Schwabe, who taught criminal justice to the pop star in 2004 and later became her personal security guard, died from his battle with metastatic kidney cancer on Friday, July 3. He was 69.

Schwabe’s family confirmed that the 69-year-old passed away on Friday—the same day as Swift’s wedding to Kelce in New York City, according to The Telegraph.

His wife, Jane, told the outlet that he saw Swift “like he did his daughters,” while his daughter said the former high school teacher “had a remarkable way of making people feel seen, valued, and protected.”

“Whether you were family, one of his students, or someone like Taylor whose path crossed his, he cared deeply about people. That’s the legacy he leaves behind,” they added.

Schwabe was a Chicago police officer before he became a criminal justice teacher at Hendersonville High School in Nashville. Years later, Schwabe quit his job to become Swift’s personal security guard right around the time her career started taking off.

Schwabe Recalls Having A Deeply Personal Conversation With Swift Early In Her Career

In an interview with The Telegraph, the former police officer said he left his job as Swift’s security guard behind due to the job’s demanding nature.

“I said, ‘Taylor, look, I’m burnt out, I can’t keep up. I think you’re better getting a professional security guard to come and protect you,’” he recalled.

There wasn’t any “Bad Blood” between them, though.

He later recalled telling the singer that she was a “superstar” and could do anything she put her mind to.

“This is not fun and games no more. You are it. Everything keeps going up and up and up, and the sky’s the limit for you,” he said.

Schwabe’s Daughter, Sarah, Posted About His Health On Social Media

Schwabe’s daughter, Sarah Gordon, posted about her father’s health on Facebook just two days ago, revealing the former high school teacher had been moved to hospice after his health “declined rapidly.”

“I love my dad deeply. Watching someone you admire slowly lose his health and memory has been incredibly hard. Even through all of this, he is still the same caring man who has impacted so many lives,” she wrote.

More About Swift’s Wedding With Kelce

According to previous reports from The Blast, Swift married Kelce in a massive wedding ceremony at New York City’s Madison Square Garden.

There were over 1,000 guests, from family and friends to major celebrities such as Bradley Cooper and Jay-Z.

Actor Adam Sandler officiated the wedding, and Swift’s brother, Austin, served as her Man of Honor. Kelce’s brother, Jason Kelce, served as his Best Man.

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Details about the event have been sparse, but it’s been confirmed that the two A-listers walked down the aisle in custom Christian Dior and Christian Louboutin red-bottom shoes.

The wedding comes just under a year after the pair were engaged in a floral-filled garden in August 2025.

Before the wedding, Swift spoke with Jimmy Fallon about her engagement ring, saying she looks at it “constantly” and is instantly reminded of her love for Kelce.

“Because he’s just my favorite person I’ve ever met, no offense to everyone else I’ve ever met,” she said. “The fact that this is the person I get to hang out with every day forever, that’s the whole thing of it, that’s the win, and this represents that.”

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How Taylor Swift Ensured She Wasn’t Stressed With Wedding Planning

In 2025, Swift said that she was actually excited to plan her wedding with Kelce, adding that she refused to be stressed out about it.

“I think the only stressful weddings are the ones where you have a small amount [of guests] and people are on the bubble, right? And you have to evaluate and asses your relationship with them to see if they should be there,” she said. “I’m not gonna do that.”

According to Swift, “anyone” she’s ever “talked to” received an invite.

The same couldn’t be said for Kelce, though. The Blast reported on his former teammate, Chase Daniel, who joked that he was stunned to learn he hadn’t been invited to the ceremony, considering he threw Kelce his first-ever NFL touchdown.

“Can’t believe my invite to Taylor & Travis’ wedding never came…” Daniel posted. “Feels like throwing Travis Kelce his first NFL TD should’ve at least earned me a seat at the kids’ table.”

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Lil Wayne is facing backlash after fans claimed he arrived nearly two hours late to his recent concert at BankNH Pavilion in Gilford, New Hampshire. While the rapper later suggested on social media that the show went off without a hitch, frustrated concertgoers flooded online platforms with complaints about the delayed start. The criticism comes just days after Lil Wayne—born Dwayne Michael Carter Jr.—also faced backlash for failing to appear at a scheduled performance in Maine.

Lil Wayne was supposed to take the stage in Gilford around 9 PM ET, according to TMZ. However, the “Lollipop” rapper didn’t start performing until 11 PM. To make matters worse, concertgoers claimed the 43-year-old only performed an hour’s worth of songs before bailing.

Lil Wayne posted about the concert to his personal social media page after the show, implying everything went according to plan. “New Hampshire! It’s your man-ster. I told you man, that sh-t was awesome. You can see I don’t even have no voice. You all took my voice. You all took everything, man. It was f—in awesome,” he said.

He ended his message by letting his fans know he was headed to Iowa for his next show. Despite his claims, it’s unclear whether he’ll actually make the concert, which is currently scheduled for July 16 at Casey’s Center.

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The drama surrounding Lil Wayne’s most recent concert was shared on Reddit, and passionate pop culture fans weighed in, blasting the rapper for allegedly failing to consider his fans.

“Insanely disrespectful when performers do this. So gross and why I have so much more appreciation for Broadway actors who are so much more professional,” someone wrote.

“He’s been doing this for years, homie and I were supposed to see him like 2015 prob. He was supposed to take the stage at 10, openers finished at like 9:30. He didn’t come out till close to midnight, mad people had left,” another claimed.

A third said, “At this point, expecting punctuality from these legacy rappers is like setting yourself up for disappointment. 2 hours is just disrespectful, period. like, do you not value the people who literally pay your bills?”

Someone else wrote, “I don’t understand why artists do this. You knew the date and time at least a freaking YEAR in advance. This is your job as well. Be a professional, respect your fans. You should be thanking them for making you rich and famous ffs.”

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Lil Wayne Under Fire After Leaving Fans High And Dry In Maine

The backlash Lil Wayne is receiving for his latest stunt comes only days after the “A Milli” rapper failed to appear at his scheduled concert in Maine. The rapper was supposed to hit the stage at the Bangor waterfront with 2 Chainz at 10:45 PM. Minutes before the start time, though, a staffer told the crowd that Lil Wayne had bailed on the event.

Like the most recent concert, social media users slammed Lil Wayne for the last-minute cancellation, and in a recent post, they warned his followers not to purchase tickets to any of his future shows. “Wayne doesn’t show up for his shows,” someone posted. “Maine wasn’t the first time. He goes on hours late or no shows. Lil Wayne is a lil boy.”

Lil Wayne made headlines in August 2025 when he canceled a performance in Canada moments before the show was set to begin. In 2024, he dropped out of a California music festival at the last minute, and in 2023, he walked off a stage moments after it began.

Wayne Will Reportedly Make It Right For His Fans

According to The Blast, Lil Wayne broke his silence days after missing his scheduled performance in Maine and apologized to fans for the no-show. He also confirmed the concert had been rescheduled for July 28 and assured ticketholders that all previously purchased tickets would be honored. Lil Wayne thanked fans for their continued support, saying he wouldn’t be where he is today without them. He closed by promising to deliver the “show you deserve” when he returns in a few weeks.

Wayne Was Upset With The NFL For Choosing Another Rapper For The Super Bowl Halftime Show In 2025

Lil Wayne garnered much attention in early 2025 when he slammed the NFL for choosing rapper Kendrick Lamar to perform at the Super Bowl halftime show in New Orleans (his hometown) over him. In a previous interview with Rolling Stone, Lil Wayne said he wouldn’t consider doing it today, even if they asked him.

“They stole that feeling. I don’t want to do it. It was perfect,” he said. “To perform, it’s a bunch of things [the NFL] going to tell you to do and not do, asses to kiss and not kiss.”

Lil Wayne went on to mention that he started hanging out with people like Tom Brady and Michael Rubin in hopes of securing the coveted gig. “You ain’t never seen me in them types of venues. I ain’t Drake. I ain’t out there smiling like that everywhere. I’m in the stu’, smokin’ and recording,” he said.

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When the NFL announced Lamar as the performer in late 2024, Lil Wayne admitted that the decision “hurt” him.

“I blame myself for not being mentally prepared for a letdown and for automatically mentally putting myself in that position like somebody told me that was my position,” he said. “But I thought there was nothing better than that spot and that stage and that platform in my city, so it hurt.”

Summer is in full swing, but our penchant for sundresses never goes out of season. Especially for women over 55, loose, figure-flattering sundresses offer that sophisticated, warm-weather polish that’s always cool and chic. Right now, there’s no better place to shop sundresses for women over 55 than Amazon, which is packed with options in every style, fabric and length you could want.

Whether you’re on the hunt for a youthful-but-modest mini dress, a rich-mom-inspired maxi, a midsection-slimming sundress or something that will earn endless compliments, you can’t go wrong with these 17 loose sundresses — starting at just $15! — that’ll have you soaking up the season in style.

17 Comfortable Loose Sundresses For Women Over 55

1. Our Favorite: Sophisticated and summer-ready, this smocked maxi dress earns rave reviews for its flattering fit. It’s a budget-friendly find that rivals a $220 Hill House Home style — and we’re officially obsessed.

2. Work Ready: For an outfit that moves effortlessly from weekends to workdays, reach for this breezy shirt dress. The gathered waist adds definition, while the flowy skirt keeps things light and easy.

3. Fan Favorite: Over 800 shoppers have snagged this cap-sleeve maxi dress this past month, and we don’t blame them. With a figure-forgiving fit that’s loose but not too loose, it’s an easy go-to for everything from errands to evenings out.

4. Luxe and Loose: Getting out the door never looked so chic as this ruffle-sleeve summer dress. It has the ease and feel of a favorite tee, with the sophistication of a refined and reliable frock.

Related: I Hate Tight Clothes — These 17 Loose Sundresses Slim Much Better

I love summer dresses in theory, but the second something starts clinging to my waist, hips or stomach, I’m out. When temperatures climb, I want pieces that feel airy, comfortable and easy to move around in. The good news is that some of the most flattering sundresses happen to be the loosest ones, too. Relaxed […]

5. Midsection Friendly: Disguising the midsection is easy with this empire-waist sundress, which breaks things up elegantly and efficiently. One 62-year-old shopper said the flattering pick “completely hides” her “menopause belly.”

6. Flirty and Fun: Sure, it’s technically a T-shirt dress, but this maxi is anything but basic. The petite-friendly piece hugs in all the right places, and even features a flirty side slit that’s not too daring.

7. Buy Every Color: Weary of showing off your arms but don’t want to be too covered? This cap-sleeve option disguises extra arm softness without feeling heavy or restrictive, giving you that coverage and confidence you deserve.

8. Country-Club Chic: Quiet luxury comes alive in Dokotoo’s striped empire-waist dress, which looks like it came from a pricey boutique. Ruffle sleeves, a chic V-neck and elongating stripes work in tandem to flatter from every angle.

9. Event Ready: From a well-deserved ladies’ lunch to a humid outdoor wedding, this flowy maxi dress understands the assignment. It has the flattering fit and fashion-forwardness of a pricey Anthropologie design for a fraction of the price.

10. Modest Mini: Who says mini dresses are just for the twenty-somethings? This loose puff-sleeve find has that just-right length that won’t have you second-guessing your outfit. It’s fashionable, fun and totally wearable at any age.

11. Easy-Breezy: This loose V-neck sundress is completely customizable. Dress it up with an oversized tote, a slimming belt, statement sunnies and cozy sandals for the ultimate summer look. Or keep it casual and let it shine on its own.

12. Breathe Easy: Not too tight, not too loose, this elegant summer sundress meets your body where it’s at. One reviewer said she “loved this dress for traveling,” and honestly, that’s the only endorsement we need.

13. Versatile Pick: Not one for billowy silhouettes? This button-up sundress is the perfect compromise: cute, chic and just as at home on the beach as it is dressed up for a work meeting.

14. All-Around Flattering: This arm-flattering and midsection-flattering puff-sleeve sundress is an all-ages favorite. Shoppers say the breezy, beautiful dress is especially great for Southern heat.

15. Statement Piece: Far from forgettable, this easy-to-style black and white sundress proves you don’t have to go overboard on colors. The fan-favorite maxi features a striking graphic print that gives the dress a boutique-worthy quality.

16. Anything But Basic: It’s the thoughtful design details — like the chic V-neck, youthful ruffle sleeves and figure-flattering tiers — that take this soft sundress to the next level.

17. Vacation Fit: Adorned with a flattering tie-waist and subtle slit, this slimming and soft sundress is a must-pack for your next summer getaway. It’s a power piece that’s just as right at 25 as it is at 55.

UsNow Summer Sale Alert: These Chic Fashion Finds are over 30% off – Plus Free Shipping

Welcome to summer with our biggest sale of the year. This summer’s chicest dresses, tops and swimsuits are all over 30% + free shipping. Inventory is limited so hurry before they’re gone.

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Cillian Murphy is undoubtedly one of the greatest actors of our generation. The role he’s arguably most iconic for is Thomas Shelby from Peaky Blinders. Murphy was insanely charming as the troubled gang leader with a moral code, and it’s hard to imagine the character becoming such a cultural phenomenon if anyone else had played him.

But long before he was walking the streets of Birmingham in a flat cap, Murphy had already built one of the most impressive filmographies in modern cinema. For more than two decades, he has been one of the most compelling screen presences on the big screen, and his body of work is the kind that film students will likely be studying for years to come. In this list, we’re taking a look at the Cillian Murphy movies that stand as true masterpieces and showcase exactly why he’s considered one of the finest actors working today.

‘Inception’ (2010)

Image via Warner Bros.

Ask someone what their favorite movies are, and there is a very good chance the list includes Inception. Christopher Nolan‘s 2010 sci-fi thriller became a genuine cultural phenomenon and one of those rare films that an entire generation of moviegoers claims as their own. The film follows a team of specialists who use experimental technology to enter their targets’ subconscious minds and steal or plant information directly in their dreams. Murphy plays Robert Fischer, the heir to a corporate empire whose mind becomes the team’s most ambitious target.

Nolan takes a concept that should be impossible to follow and makes it not only comprehensible but thrilling at every turn. The rules of dream architecture, the ticking clock of the sedative, the way each dream level runs on a different time dilation. Most filmmakers struggle to make audiences care about exposition scenes, but Nolan somehow turns those scenes into the most fascinating parts of the movie. It’s a cerebral masterpiece that consistently blows minds on first, fifth, and even tenth viewing.

’28 Days Later’ (2002)

Image via Searchlight Pictures

Before 28 Days Later, zombies were usually slow, undead creatures that shuffled around waiting to be avoided. They were creepy and grotesque to look at, sure, but they rarely felt like a real threat. Danny Boyle completely changed that in 2002. The infected in 28 Days Later sprint at terrifying speeds with manic agility, and just one drop of their blood entering the body is enough to turn someone. That simple creative choice made zombies infinitely more threatening and set a whole new standard for the zombie genre going forward.

The entire film was also shot on consumer-grade Canon DV cameras on a shoestring budget, which gave the film this dirty, murky feel that polished studio horror simply couldn’t replicate. And at the centre of it all is Murphy’s Jim, a bicycle courier who wakes up in an abandoned London hospital 28 days into the outbreak. The character became such a fan favorite that audiences would repeatedly call for Murphy to return whenever a new sequel was discussed. More than two decades later, the franchise finally gave audiences what they had been asking for by bringing Murphy back in 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple.

‘Dunkirk’ (2017)

Image via Warner Bros. Pictures

Nolan is no stranger to playing with film structure, and he does something similar in Dunkirk. Set during World War II, the movie takes place across three timelines running simultaneously at different speeds. The Land storyline follows soldiers stranded on the beach over the course of a week. The Sea storyline follows a civilian boat crossing the Channel over a single day. And the Air storyline follows Spitfire pilots locked in aerial combat over the course of a single hour. And in the end, all three converge in one breathtaking sequence.

Murphy plays a shell-shocked soldier rescued from the Channel by the civilian vessel, and his performance is a masterpiece of restraint. There is almost no dialogue for his character, but you understand everything about his state of mind from the way he sits and stares and flinches. The film is a war movie that almost completely refuses to show you combat in the conventional sense. The enemy is an unseen, faceless force represented by constant aerial bombings, sniper fire, and torpedo attacks, and yet it is one of the most anxiety-inducing films ever made.

‘Oppenheimer’ (2023)

Image via Universal Pictures

Many consider Oppenheimer to be the magnum opus of Nolan’s career so far, and it is very hard to argue against that. The film stars Murphy as J. Robert Oppenheimer, the theoretical physicist who headed the Manhattan Project and oversaw the creation of the first atomic bomb. When Oppenheimer came out, it was a global cultural event in a way that rarely happens with serious, character-driven historical films. People who normally wouldn’t even go for this kind of dense, dialogue-heavy cinema lined up on opening weekend, and it went on to become the highest-grossing biopic of all time.

And the entire film is almost single-handedly carried by Murphy. His portrayal of Oppenheimer was a masterclass in internalized agony; in every scene, you could see the guilt clawing at him just from his eyes. The Academy recognized it accordingly, and Murphy took home his long-overdue Oscar for Best Actor.

‘Steve’ (2025)

Image via Netflix

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Steve is a heavy, slow-burn character study that follows Murphy as Steve, a head teacher at a reform school who is trying to hold his students together while quietly falling apart himself. The students are difficult to deal with. The institution is underfunded. And the movie does not offer tidy resolutions or redemption arcs tied up with a bow. It just lies down with the messiness of being human and lets you feel it alongside its characters.

Murphy is especially extraordinary in it. He has always been good at playing men who keep everything locked inside, but here he takes that quality further than he ever has because there are moments in Steve that feel genuinely private, like you are watching someone at their most unguarded. If you’re a fan of artsy, heavy movies like The Banshees of Inisherin or The Holdovers, Steve should be at the top of your watchlist.

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Steve

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Release Date

October 3, 2025

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Runtime

92 minutes

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Tim Mielants

Writers

Max Porter

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Prequels often suffer from a lack of suspense, since the audience knows where the story is headed in the end. Back in its first season, House of the Dragon had an explosive solution for this issue — it confirmed for the first time that House Targaryen had prophesized the Long Night and the return of the White Walkers, and that prophecy had guided their actions for generations leading up to Game of Thrones. It was a long-time fan theory, but by confirming it, House of the Dragon showed that Westeros has many mysteries left to uncover, and they could come from any spinoff media. Now, with the series hurtling towards its end, fan theorists have many ideas about what other revelations might be coming before the Dance of the Dragons is over. One tantalizing possibility concerns Aegon’s prophecy, House Stark, and the future king of Westeros.

It’s been nearly four years since House of the Dragon revealed that Aegon the Conqueror dreamed of the White Walkers in a prophecy he called the “Song of Ice and Fire.” In that time, fans have teased out many of the implications this might have on the story — characters who passed it down, characters who were influenced by it, and characters who failed to get the message. In all that digging, many fans feel that House Stark must have known about the prophecy, and likely cooperated with House Targaryen because of it in some cases. Evidence for that theory is mounting, but the real question is if or when it might be confirmed. It would make sense to put another monumental lore dump at the end of House of the Dragon, and the show itself is giving us some hints about what’s coming.

‘House of the Dragon’ Says ‘Winter is Coming,’ Though It’s Still Summer

Image via HBO

There are plenty of clues to support the theory that House Stark knew about Aegon’s prophecy and passed that knowledge down in secret — too many to include in this article. What’s important is how House of the Dragon is drawing attention to those clues, and perhaps setting up a grand revelation towards the end of the series. Northmen have only appeared in a few scenes scattered throughout the series so far, but that’s about to change, as we’ve already seen with Roderick Dustin’s (Tommy Flanagan) dramatic entrance into the Riverlands this season.

“We have come to die for the dragon queen,” he said bluntly in the season premiere. This stellar line is taken straight from George R.R. Martin‘s book Fire & Blood, and it’s not just melodramatic wording. Lord Dustin leads a force known as the “Winter Wolves,” who are all old, gray-bearded warriors from throughout the North. They do not expect to survive the war whether they win or lose — it’s part of a brutal custom in the North where old men risk their lives in battle or hunting expeditions around the time the seasons change, knowing they’ll likely die. This way, they leave their community with one less mouth to feed through the winter.

House of the Dragon is not shying away from this fatalistic aspect of Northern culture — if anything, the show is calling attention to it. In Season 2 Episode 1, the show depicted Jacaerys Targaryen (Harry Collett) meeting with Lord Cregan Stark (Tom Taylor) on the Wall, rather than at Winterfell. Lord Stark claimed that he could not send all his forces south to war because he would need them in the winter to guard the Wall. He asked Jace, “Do you think my ancestors built a 700-foot wall of ice to keep out snow and savages?” According to Cregan, the Wall is really there to keep out “death.” However, the Lord of Winterfell rarely visits the Wall, allowing the Night’s Watch to operate independently. Cregan’s personal interest in the Wall might be a hint that he knows something we don’t.

Cregan’s focus on the Wall and the Winter Wolves’ willingness to die are both surprising, since House of the Dragon has given us no real indications that winter is coming to Westeros. This fantasy world is defined by its irregular seasons, but there is usually quite a bit of warning of the onset of winter. Characters in the south have not complained about unusual cold or storms, and the maesters of the Citadel have not sent out their albino ravens to herald the changing seasons. It’s possible that Cregan, Roderick, and other Northmen can sense a different kind of winter coming on. Cregan might even have knowledge of Aegon’s prophecy passed down to him, and he may believe there are signs that the White Walkers’ attack is imminent.

Prophecies Could Completely Recontextualize ‘Game of Thrones’

In general, Game of Thrones did not examine the magical elements of Westeros very closely — especially toward the end, when it mattered most. For years, fans and critics have speculated that spinoffs like House of the Dragon will try to vindicate the main series, and in some ways, it looks like they’ve been right. House of the Dragon has magic centered in its story, from the haunting mysteries of Harrenhal to Helaena’s (Phia Saban) clear psychic abilities. Prophecies and telepathy are arguably more important to this franchise than dragons and ice monsters, and we should expect to see more of them in the back half of House of the Dragon.

So far, dreams and visions in this show have already shown us glimpses of important things coming in the main series. In Season 2, Episode 8 Alys Rivers (Gayle Rankin) leads Daemon (Matt Smith) to the Weirwood tree, where he sees the White Walkers, and Daenerys hatching dragons in the desert. He even sees Brynden Rivers, a.k.a. Bloodraven, the future Targaryen who will become a Greenseer and eventually teach Bran Stark (Isaac Hempstead Wright) to do the same. Bloodraven is an important character in the books, though his presence was downplayed in the TV adaptation. The younger version of him on House of the Dragon is played by Joshua Ben-Tovim, while on Game of Thrones he was played by Struan Rodger, then recast as Max von Sydow.

Readers know we should never take a vision of Bloodraven lightly. It’s possible that we’ll see him again in House of the Dragon as more characters interact with the Weirwoods and the bloodshed of the war awakens the trees. However, it’s possible this show will go one step farther by showing us Bloodraven’s successor, Bran Stark. We know that Bran can use his powers to reach backward in time to influence people and events — he did so when he commanded Hodor (Kristian Nairn) to “hold the door,” and in the books, it’s implied that he can reach other characters as well.

If Bran appears in a vision, it would be a fitting magical climax for House of the Dragon, and it would mirror some of the other tie-ins we’ve seen in the show so far. Some fans and critics would inevitably call it cheap, but it’s a move that would definitely appeal to HBO executives and creators who want to keep this franchise alive. In the long run, Easter eggs like that could become a central feature of Game of Thrones spinoffs, further complicating the web of causes and effects around the wars in Westeros.

‘House of the Dragon’ Has Just as Much Ice as Fire

House of the Dragon is ostensibly about a civil war among House Targaryen’s dragon-riders, yet the show has dedicated a surprising amount of time to the other end of Westeros’ magical spectrum — the old gods and the Weirwood trees, which are strongest in the North. The show has given us two glimpses of the mythical “Green Men,” and shown an immense amount of Greenseer magic at play around Harrenhal and the God’s Eye lake. According to Game of Thrones, this same branch of magic was responsible for the creation of the White Walkers in the first place, so it makes sense that the prequel is still highlighting this connection.

In some ways, Fire & Blood tells us where these Weirwood-heavy plots are headed, but because of the book’s unique nature, there’s a lot of ambiguity in the upcoming parts of the story. We’ve already seen connections that fans didn’t expect, such as Helaena’s intrusion on Daemon’s Weirwood vision, implying that dragon-dreamers and Greenseers have access to the same astral plane. We should expect a carefully-planned show like this to save some of its best spectacles for the end, so it’s not unreasonable to imagine a fully-realized King Bran appearing by the series finale. Alternatively, revealing that House Stark was also acting on Aegon’s prophecy could serve as one final revelation without the need for magical dreams.

Of course, the creative team will want to be careful not to overdo it with Easter eggs and lore drops. They could also be wary of delving into the lore without the involvement of Martin. The author is not pleased with this prequel, and doesn’t seem to be as closely involved as he was in Season 1. It’s possible that he already agreed to another big revelation when the show first started, but it’s also possible that the creators won’t want to rock the boat now that he’s not closely involved anymore.

At the time of this writing, there are only 14 episodes left of House of the Dragon — assuming showrunner Ryan Condal fulfills his plan of finishing the series with four seasons. That doesn’t leave much time for new information to sink in, so we should have our eyes peeled for any more big clues coming our way. Season 3 continues on Sunday nights at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and HBO Max. Martin’s books are available now in print, digital, and audiobook formats.

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Release Date

August 21, 2022

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Network

HBO

Showrunner

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George R.R. Martin

Directors

Clare Kilner, Geeta Patel

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Writers

Gabe Fonseca

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• 
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  Fabien Frankel

  Ser Criston Cole

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