Taylor Frankie Paul is in the middle of serious allegations of domestic violence regarding her ex-boyfriend Dakota Mortensen, but as “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” star inches closer to the premiere of her debut as “The Bachelorette,” some of the men on the cast have come to her defense.

The reality star is known for drama-filled behavior on “Mormon Wives,” but the male cast members say they saw a very different side.

‘Bachelorette’ Cast Say Taylor Frankie Paul Was ‘Softer’ And ‘Pleasant To Be Around’ Following Domestic Violence Allegations

Several members of the season 22 cast of “The Bachelorette” recently spoke with TMZ and sang Paul’s praises, notably pointing out how different she was on the show in stark contrast to what “Mormon Wives” fans see and the current domestic violence allegations against her.

The contestants told the outlet that while filming Paul was “kind, genuine, and well-intentioned,” and displayed “a softer, more authentic side.” They also added that overall she was “consistently pleasant to be around.”

Regarding the recent domestic violence allegations, they said that while the claims are “troubling,” they believe there are many misconceptions about Paul and want the public to refrain from rushing to judge, and that the full truth of what happened during the incident will be revealed in time. 

‘The Bachelorette’ Season 22 Still Airing Amid Allegations Against Taylor Frankie Paul

According to TMZ, ABC has decided that the premiere of “The Bachelorette,” starring Paul will still air as planned on March 22, despite recent allegations of domestic violence against her.

Per the outlet, Paul is currently in New York City on a press run to promote the show, which is still slated to air the full season in its entirety.

Additionally, TMZ also shared details about “The Bachelorette” team being laser-focused on casting Paul for the show despite her drama-filled past and prior domestic violence arrest.

An inside source close to the show, told the outlet that “Bachelorette” producers wanted Paul badly for the show because they felt that due to the massive success of “Mormon Wives” and her immense social media following she could increase the show’s lagging ratings.

However, since they wanted her at all cost, the source said they admittedly “cut corners” during the vetting process. 

ABC has since hired a public relations crisis manager amid the news of Paul’s alleged domestic violence incident involving ex-boyfriend Dakota Mortensen.

#MomTok Members Previously Said Paul Was In A Positive Mental Space While Filming ‘The Bachelorette’

Mere days before the news of domestic violence allegations against Paul circulated, “Mormon Wives” cast members Mayci Neeley and Mikayla Matthews spoke exclusively with Us Weekly about Paul’s mindset while filming “The Bachelorette.”

“While filming, we were able to see her, and you could tell while filming [‘The Bachelorette’] that she was in a better mindset,” Neeley told the outlet.

As for Matthews, she said that while she initially felt that Paul “wasn’t ready” for the show, she was excited to watch her journey.

“That was an opportunity for her to be forced to be away from the toxic cycle that she was in with Dakota, at least for a period of time, to hopefully figure out what she wants and what she needs,” she said. “I’m excited to watch ‘The Bachelorette’ back, because I don’t know [what happened].”

‘Mormon Wives’ Cast Reportedly Refusing To Film With Taylor Frankie Paul Over Domestic Violence Allegations

The domestic violence allegations against Paul have reportedly caused the “Mormon Wives” cast to completely distance themselves from her. “None of the women want to be associated with her,” an inside source connected to the show told PEOPLE.

The behind-the-scenes drama on the show, which was initially not revealed, was discovered to be a domestic violence incident between Paul and Mortensen, who are also parents to son, Ever.

According to PEOPLE,  the Draper City Police Department confirmed to the outlet that an open “domestic assault investigation” exists between Paul and Mortensen. Per the police department’s spokesperson, “allegations have been made in both directions” and “contact was made with involved parties on [Feb] 24th and 25th.” 

An inside source connected to the show confirmed the production pause. “They are not filming,” the source said. “Taylor [Frankie Paul] has some pretty serious stuff happening regarding her past, and they will see what happens. Until that resolves, they are off.”

Paul And Mortensen Set To Undergo Psych Evaluations Amid Domestic Violence Incident

Per TMZ, Mortensen has made calls to the Utah Division of Child and Family Services multiple times alleging Paul has been physically abusive to their son, which Paul firmly denies. 

According to the outlet, in late February, the former couple got into a verbal altercation while inside Mortensen’s car after Paul reportedly spilled a drink. Inside sources shared that Mortensen became “enraged” and “got physical” with Paul, however, he called the police and told them that she was the one who assaulted him. 

Following the incident, a source close to Paul told TMZ that Mortensen disappeared for weeks and ditched filming, which led to production being put on pause. However, sources with “Mormon Wives” said that filming stopped because cast members refused to film amid the domestic violence and child abuse allegations, despite production wanting to continue filming season 5. 

Additionally, due to Mortensen repeatedly calling DCFS on Paul, alleging abuse, both are now required to undergo psychological evaluations. 

When production on “Mormon Wives” resumes, it has not been decided what capacity, if any, Mortensen will be part of the show.

Taylor Frankie Paul’s recent domestic violence allegations continue to trickle down to other aspects of her life, which now includes brand collaborations.

Per recent reports, Cinnabon has announced that it is cutting ties with a joint collab with the upcoming season of “The Bachelorette” and the currently streaming “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” following the allegations against Paul.

Cinnabon Axes Joint Collab With ‘The Bachelorette,’ ‘Mormon Wives’ Due To Taylor Frankie Paul Allegations

According to Entertainment Weekly, popular baked goods company Cinnabon has officially ended its collaboration with both “The Bachelorette” and “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” following the domestic violence allegations against the star of both shows, Taylor Frankie Paul.

“Cinnabon has made the decision to terminate its collaboration with ‘The Bachelorette’ and ‘The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives,’” a spokesperson told the outlet on Tuesday, March 17. “Recent developments and allegations surrounding the lead cast member led us to reassess this collaboration as it no longer aligns with our brand values.”

The company initially announced the collaboration with both shows on March 9, ahead of the March 22 premiere of “The Bachelorette” and March 12 release of “Mormon Wives” season four.

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The products tied to both shows included a Swirled Soda, which was “inspired by the viral beverage trend popularized” on ‘Mormon Wives,’ and a “limited-time ‘Bachelorette’-themed packaging for CinnaPacks and ‘The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives’ –themed cup sleeve for the Swirled Sodas.”

A joint Instagram post from “The Bachelorette” and “Mormon Wives” accounts sharing a look at the products has now been deleted.

‘Bachelorette’ Still On Track To Air New Season Despite Fallout From Allegations Against Paul

According to TMZ, as of now, ABC has decided that the premiere of “The Bachelorette,” starring Paul will still air as planned, despite recent allegations of domestic violence against her.

Per the outlet, Paul is currently in New York City on a press run to promote the show, which is still slated to air the full season in its entirety. She is also still set to appear at the Los Angeles premiere for the show.

Additionally, TMZ also shared details about “The Bachelorette” team being laser-focused on casting Paul for the show despite her drama-filled past and prior domestic violence arrest.

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An inside source close to the show, told the outlet that “Bachelorette” producers wanted Paul badly for the show because they felt that due to the massive success of “Mormon Wives” and her immense social media following she could increase the show’s lagging ratings.

However, since they wanted her at all cost, the source said they admittedly “cut corners” during the vetting process. 

ABC has since hired a public relations crisis manager amid the news of Paul’s alleged domestic violence incident involving ex-boyfriend Dakota Mortensen.

‘Bachelorette’ Cast Members Describe Taylor Frankie Paul As ‘Softer’ And ‘Pleasant To Be Around’ During Filming

Several members of the season 22 cast of “The Bachelorette” recently spoke with TMZ and sang Paul’s praises, notably pointing out how different she was on the show in stark contrast to what “Mormon Wives” fans see and the current domestic violence allegations against her.

The contestants told the outlet that while filming Paul was “kind, genuine, and well-intentioned,” and displayed “a softer, more authentic side.” They also added that overall she was “consistently pleasant to be around.”

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Regarding the recent domestic violence allegations, they said that while the claims are “troubling,” they believe there are many misconceptions about Paul and want the public to refrain from rushing to judge, and that the full truth of what happened during the incident will be revealed in time. 

Domestic Violence Discovered To Be Root Of Production Shutdown Of ‘Mormon Wives’

Shortly after reports surfaced that “Mormon Wives” season 5 had shut down production, new details emerged revealing it was due to a domestic violence incident between Paul and ex-boyfriend Dakota Mortensen, who is also the father of her son, Ever.

According to PEOPLE, the Draper City Police Department confirmed to the outlet that an open “domestic assault investigation” exists between Paul and Mortensen. Per the police department’s spokesperson, “allegations have been made in both directions” and “contact was made with involved parties on [Feb] 24th and 25th.” 

An inside source connected to “Mormon Wives” confirmed the production pause. “They are not filming,” the source said. “Taylor [Frankie Paul] has some pretty serious stuff happening regarding her past, and they will see what happens. Until that resolves, they are off.”

Things are reportedly so serious that Paul’s fellow #MomTok members have all distanced themselves from her. “None of the women want to be associated with her,” the source told the outlet.

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The Allegations Have Resulted In Paul And Mortensen Being Ordered For Psych Evaluations

Per TMZ, Mortensen has made calls to the Utah Division of Child and Family Services multiple times alleging Paul has been physically abusive to their son, which Paul firmly denies. 

According to the outlet, in late February, the former couple got into a verbal altercation while inside Mortensen’s car after Paul reportedly spilled a drink. Inside sources shared that Mortensen became “enraged” and “got physical” with Paul, however, he called the police and told them that she was the one who assaulted him. 

Following the incident, a source close to Paul told TMZ that Mortensen disappeared for weeks and ditched filming, which led to production being put on pause. However, sources with “Mormon Wives” said that filming stopped because cast members refused to film amid the domestic violence and child abuse allegations, despite production wanting to continue filming season 5. 

Additionally, due to Mortensen repeatedly calling DCFS on Paul, alleging abuse, both are now required to undergo psychological evaluations. 

When production on “Mormon Wives” resumes, it has not been decided what capacity, if any, Mortensen will be part of the show.

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Lori Loughlin left fans in awe of her ageless beauty during a rare appearance on the red carpet of a Hollywood event last week.

The sighting comes several months after her split from her ex-husband Mossimo Giannulli, allegedly due to “incriminating” texts and emails on his phone.

Sources close to the couple also claim that their marriage was never the same after their college admissions scandal, as Lori Loughlin “never fully forgave” the fashion designer.

Lori Loughlin Stepped Out For A Hollywood Event Looking Noticeably Younger

Loughlin turned heads as she attended the Women’s Cancer Research Fund’s Unforgettable Evening 2026 gala on March 11.

The “Full House” alum’s chic outfit wasn’t the only thing that caught fans’ attention, as the actress appeared more youthful and vibrant on the red carpet.

For the recent outing, Loughlin donned a plunging black and white dress and let her hair flow down freely while rocking a side part.

She seemingly wore light makeup as her face only highlighted smoky eyeshadow and nude lips. The actress then completed the look with silver drop earrings.

Loughlin attended the gala with her two daughters, Olivia Jade and Isabella, whom she shares with her estranged husband, Giannulli.

Just before she made her appearance on the red carpet, makeup artist Lyndsay Zavitz posted a picture of her face beat on Instagram, causing many fans to point out that she looked much younger.

Fans Praise The Actress’s Youthful Look Following Her Split From Mossimo Giannulli

Fans of Loughlin took to social media to gush over her youthful look; however, some speculated she’d gone under the knife to achieve the taut appearance.

“Wow! She looks amazing! What’s her secret?” a fan said, while another added, “Wow, perfection!!!!”

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“Amazing! She looks so youthful,” someone else wrote.

Commenting on a picture of Loughlin at an event, a critic noted, “She looks like she’s had some work. Here she is at 59. Either she had work, or she’s aging backwards all of a sudden.”

Another said, “That’s not Lori L. Unless she had a face-off.”

Someone else commented, “As if she just rolled out of bed looking 20 years younger. She looks great, but can we not pretend we are baffled by her youthful appearance?”

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“Love it when they say someone looks half their age without pointing out they look like a completely different person after plastic surgery,” another person penned.

Lori Loughlin And Mossimo Giannulli’s Marriage Never Fully Recovered From Their 2019 Scandal

Loughlin’s rare red carpet outing comes months after her split from Giannulli, whom she was married to for 28 years.

Sources told Us Weekly in January that the 2019 College admissions scandal, for which they were arrested after offering bribes to get their children into a top university, changed the state of their marriage.

“The school scandal was a turning point, and they never really connected or recovered their relationship after that,” the insider said, adding that Loughlin felt he “got her involved” in the situation.

“She didn’t fully blame him, but he spearheaded it,” the source also shared, noting that Loughlin “never fully forgave him and never fully got over it.”

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According to a source who spoke to Page Six, “incriminating” texts and emails Loughlin found on Giannulli’s phone also caused their marriage to fall apart.

“Mossimo had used Lori for years,” one of her friends told the news outlet. “She was hoping maybe he would change when he got out of prison, but he got worse.”

Mossimo Giannulli Raised Eyebrows Over Frequent Sightings With A Young Stylist

Meanwhile, Giannulli has sparked rumors about his relationship status as he has been seen several times with much younger stylist Hannah Harrison.

The pair was first spotted together in October last year when they went shopping as reports of his split from Loughlin dominated headlines.

However, Harrison denied anything more than platonic was going on between them and said the misunderstanding was an issue of “bad timing.”

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“I feel like it was bad timing. I went to the [G/FORE Supply] store not knowing that his separation had been announced,” she told Us Weekly at the time. “I was going there to meet him.”

“We did not drive together. We drove separately,” Harrison added.

The following month, they went clubbing at Zouk nightclub in West Hollywood and looked particularly cheerful as they walked side-by-side. Reports claimed they left together and went to Harrison’s house, where they chatted until 3 am.

They were last seen together in February when they grabbed a drink at Lynx Coffee in Los Angeles.

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Lori Loughlin’s Close Pal Called Mossimo Giannulli A ‘Narcissist’

Following reports of Loughlin and Giannulli’s marriage, the actress’s “Full House” co-star, John Stamos, addressed the situation, openly blasting Giannulli during an appearance on the “Good Guys” podcast.

Stamos called the designer a “terrible narcissist” and even accused him of dragging her into the college admissions scandal.

“I’m just heartbroken for her right now,” Stamos said about Loughlin at the time. “I’ve really tried to be there for her during this time.”

“It’s heartbreaking,” the actor continued, per The Blast. “She was married 27, 28 years. Her kids are good girls. She’s beautiful inside and out. But I told her, ‘Every bit of negativity or hardship you’ve been through has been connected to this guy.’”

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By Jennifer Asencio
| Published 1 hour ago

Video game pundit Geoff Keighley posted on X that he was disappointed with the Academy Awards ceremony’s In Memoriam segment because it excluded his father. David Keighley, he reasoned, made “immeasurable contributions to IMAX and cinema,” and deserved to be recognized among the entertainment industry figures whose deaths were remembered in the famous yearly Oscars tribute.

I spent the In Memoriam segment of this year’s Oscars ceremony on March 15, 2026, looking for Brigitte Bardot. I knew the starlet was controversial in Hollywood because of views about immigration and cultural change that are considered “far right” by some, especially in the entertainment industry. When she wasn’t there, I was about to fume like Keighley, until I followed the link to the 2026 Oscars In Memoriam website.

The Full List Couldn’t Be Covered During Ceremony

If Brigitte Bardot was snubbed, then so were thespians of the caliber of Joe Don Baker, Jean Marsh, Loni Anderson, and James Van Der Beek. Robert Carradine of the famous Hollywood dynasty also was not featured in the In Memoriam segment, a fact which cannot have been overlooked, since he is featured on their web page. Famous comedienne Ruth Buzzi died this year, along with famous Musketeer and original Allan Quartermaine, Richard Chamberlain.

We also lost child actor Bud Kort, Star Wars actor Kenneth Colley, and ALS-sufferer Eric Dane. Sitcom stars Wings Hauser and Polly Holliday, who was also in Gremlins, were not featured in the segment, but are listed on the page. Horror movie actor James Ransone, who made his name on the show The Wire, left this mortal coil. Both Zed (Peter Greene) and The Gimp (Stephen Hibbert) from Pulp Fiction also died in the past year, and not because of Marcellus Wallace.

So Much Talent Lost This Year

The In Memoriam segment focused on some of Hollywood’s most famous losses this year. Dedicated speeches were given for Rob Reiner, Robert Redford, and Diane Keaton. Longer clips of actors like Robert Duval and Diane Ladd showcased some of their more famous roles. Japanese actor Tatsuya Nakadai, star of many films that influenced American culture, was given a moment of silence. However, superstar Val Kilmer barely got a few seconds’ notice, and more behind-the-scenes types, like cinematographers, directors, and even entertainment attorneys were given time in groups of two and three.

We just had too many deaths in the entertainment industry this year for the Academy to pack them all into a segment that could be shown on television during the awards. If they had paid tribute to everyone who is on their web page, the segment might have been almost as long as the ceremony itself.

We lost celebrities this year to a variety of causes (I know this because I wrote a lot of their obituaries… too many). A few committed suicide in tragic ways that reflected inner struggles that may or may not have been public. Some of them succumbed to long-term battles with cancer and other diseases. Famously, the Reiners were murdered by their son during a psychotic episode. The joke that celebrity deaths come in threes worked overtime this year.

Yet they have all been part of our culture and influenced our everyday lives. Zed and The Gimp are instantly identifiable and the lines “Bring in The Gimp” and “Zed’s dead, baby” are as famous as Annie Hall; Robert Carradine is the most famous nerd in the world; Richard Chamberlain sang “Owa Tagu Siam” but also “love Me Tender;” and James Van Der Beek is as well-known for Friday Night Lights as for Dawson’s Creek.

Brigitte Bardot was so influential for dying her hair blonde that the Beatles got their girlfriends to mimic her, and David Keighley did amazing work in IMAX and other cinematic techniques. They all contributed to the zeitgeist in their own ways, and it’s a pity that there wasn’t enough time for them all to be memorialized on television.

Blac Chyna has nothing but love for ex-fiancé Rob Kardashian.

Chyna, 37, took to Instagram on Tuesday, March 17, to mark the reality TV star’s 39th birthday.

“Happy Birthday @robkardashianofficial,” the entrepreneur, who shares 9-year-old daughter Dream with Kardashian, wrote via her Instagram Stories. “You’re the best dad to our baby girl, and I appreciate you more than words can say.” (Chyna, whose real name is Angela White, is also mom to son King Cairo, 13, whom she shares with ex Tyga.)

The tribute text was paired with a throwback photo of Kardashian sitting with a baby Dream on his lap while wrapping an arm around Chyna. All three family members smiled as they posed for the cameras.

Related: Rob Kardashian Makes Rare Comment About His and Blac Chyna’s Daughter Dream

His favorite people! Rob Kardashian had a sweet response after Khloé Kardashian offered a glimpse at her bonding time with his 6-year-old daughter, Dream. Khloé, 38, took to Instagram on Tuesday, May 16, to share a selfie of her and her niece. “Dreamy Dream….. such a love,” the Good American cofounder captioned the post, to […]

The pair dated on and off for one year between 2016 and 2017, welcoming Dream in November 2016 and even launching their own reality TV show, Rob & Chyna, as a couple at the time. In October last year, Chyna seemingly teased that she and Kardashian may have reconciled, gushing about her ex during an appearance at the Los Angeles Women’s Expo.

“Me and Robert, we’re healing, and we’re communicating, and we’re just going with the flow,” she told the event’s guests from the stage. “ And if God be, then it will be something.”

An October 2025 Instagram post fuelled rumors further, with Chyna tagging Kardashian in an Instagram post and writing, “This love is forever.”

Us Weekly later confirmed that the exes were not back together. Additionally, Chyna confirmed in December 2025 that she and Kardashian had not rekindled their romance. “Guess who’s ending the year single. You knew it, You and I,” she wrote via Instagram at the time.

While Chyna shares an amicable relationship with Kardashian, Us exclusively reported in January that she filed December 2025 court documents that accused ex-boyfriend Twin Hector of spitting on her and choking her during a 2023 incident.

One year earlier, in September 2024, Hector, a singer and actor, had sued Chyna, claiming that she abused him throughout their 2020 to 2023 relationship.

Court documents filed by Chyna, and obtained by Us in January, showed that she denied Hector’s abuse claims. Us also confirmed that month that Hector adamantly denied the claims lodged against him.

Chyna’s filing, which revealed that she was representing herself without an attorney, also alleged that her actions during the 2023 incident were conducted on grounds of self-defence.

By Robert Scucci
| Published 1 hour ago

2016’s Nocturnal Animals does the unthinkable by boasting a story-within-a-story framework without ever coming off as patronizing or confusing. Adapted from the 1993 Austin Wright novel Tony and Susan, it respects the source material by bringing its essence to life through a visual medium and has zero fat in its storytelling. What impressed me most was how the film actually plays like a novel. Scenes jump from the main narrative to the in-universe fiction seamlessly, as if you’re picking up a great book, reading a flashback sequence, and then being thrust back into the present the second you turn the page and start a new chapter, complete with the context needed to keep the story moving.

A dark romantic thriller with a gritty neo-noir bent, Nocturnal Animals sees Susan Morrow (Amy Adams) and Edward Sheffield (Jake Gyllenhaal) come to terms with their lives as fiction becomes reality, the past bleeds into the present, and regret takes on a life of its own through art and the lingering question of what could have been if things had turned out differently.

The Breakup And The Book

We first learn about Susan Morrow’s present-day life in Nocturnal Animals, and it’s an unhappy one despite her success. Susan owns an art gallery, and her latest installation is a resounding success and the talk of the town. At home, however, her life leaves much to be desired. Her husband Hutton Morrow (Armie Hammer) constantly travels for work, cheats on her, and remains emotionally absent from their relationship.

When Susan receives a package from her ex-husband Edward, whom she hasn’t spoken to in 20 years, her curiosity is piqued. Inside is a manuscript for the novel he’s trying to publish, Nocturnal Animals. Not only does the title reference the nickname he gave her when they were married, but the book itself is dedicated to her. Feeling unfulfilled in both her career and her current marriage, she cracks the book open to see what he has to say and is immediately sucked in.

The Story Within The Story

In Nocturnal Animals, the fictional novel depicted in Nocturnal Animals, we’re introduced to Tony Hastings (also portrayed by Jake Gyllenhaal), who is traveling along a remote West Texas road with his wife Laura (Isla Fisher) and daughter India (Ellie Bamber). They are accosted by three thugs, Ray Marcus (Aaron Taylor-Johnson), Lou (Karl Glusman), and Turk (Robert Aramayo), who kidnap Laura and India after terrorizing the family on the dark highway.

Tony, separated from his wife and daughter during the encounter, has no idea what has happened to them after he is dragged away and left stranded in the middle of the night. He eventually learns the horrifying truth that Laura and India have been brutally assaulted and murdered.

Grieving the loss of his wife and daughter, Tony seeks help from Detective Bobby Andes (Michael Shannon), who reveals he has terminal lung cancer and will soon be forced into retirement. When pressed by Detective Andes, who’s got an axe to grind and nothing to lose, Tony becomes convinced that pursuing revenge by any means necessary is the only path forward because doing things by the book will never bring him the justice his family deserves. Dead set on identifying the men who destroyed his family and killing them himself, Tony’s grief slowly transforms into rage, and the hunt begins.

As Susan reads through Nocturnal Animals, memories of her tumultuous relationship with Edward resurface. Here we see a much younger, well put together Jake Gyllenhaal who is wide-eyed and idealistic because they still have their entire lives ahead of them. While we don’t fully grasp the symbolism embedded in the novel until the film’s third-act reveal, it becomes increasingly clear why their relationship fell apart and why Edward is suddenly so eager to reconnect with Susan after decades of silence.

Not A Baby-Bird Endeavor

With so many layers in its narrative structure, Nocturnal Animals is far from a passive watch. It’s obvious that the grief depicted in the novel within the film serves as a metaphor for Edward’s past relationship with Susan, among other things, but we aren’t given all the details right away, nor should we be. If you watch the film a second time, you’ll notice a breadcrumb trail of clues that probably slipped past you during your first viewing.

Despite its many layers, watching Nocturnal Animals is a fluid and visceral experience. Since we are seeing events through Edward’s eyes as he wrote them in his novel, which is dark, violent, and sexually graphic at times, none of the more heightened sequences feel out of place. The fictional narrative plays like pulpy crime fiction designed to provoke this exact reaction through its brooding tension and grimy atmosphere.

At some level, any seasoned thriller fan will recognize where this story is headed, but the road getting there will haunt you long after the credits roll. To experience the story within the story for yourself, you can stream Nocturnal Animals on Paramount+ as of this writing.

By Jennifer Asencio
| Published 29 seconds ago

The 2026 Academy Awards are in the books, and, despite a plethora of nominees, the race came down to two movies: Sinners and One Battle After Another.

Six movies were nominated for Best Picture in addition to those, for a total of eight: Bugonia, Train Dreams, Sentimental Value, Marty Supreme, F1, Frankenstein, Secret Agent, and Hamnet. A few sleepers that earned nominations in other categories included Weapons and Song Sung Blue, but for the most part, the nominations in almost every major category included Sinners, One Battle After Another, Frankenstein, and Sentimental Value. Sinners alone had 16 Oscar nominations, the most in the history of the Academy Awards to date.

Sinners Secured Four Oscars

I have to be honest: I haven’t felt the compulsion to watch the Oscars in years. But with such a compelling slate of contestants this time, as well as the potential to make history, I had to check it out. The show wasn’t actually too bad. Most of the jokes were tasteful and despite Conan O’Brien’s warning that the show would “get political,” it very rarely did.

But Sinners only took away four Oscars: Best Original Screenplay for Ryan Coogler, Best Actor for Michael B. Jordan, Best Original Score, and Best Cinematography. In one respect, Sinners did make history, as cinematographer Autumn Durald Arckapaw became the first woman to win in that category. Sinners was a movie about music, so it was great that Ludwig Goransson took that Oscar.

The surprise of the night (at least for me) was the Best Original Song category, which I thought for sure would go to “I Lied to You” from Sinners, but instead went to “Golden” by the K-Pop Demon Hunters, whose movie of the same name won Best Animated Feature. The singers from popular Korean cartoon entertained the audience with an extravaganza show during the ceremony, as did Miles Caton and Raphael Saadiq, performing the Sinners song.

One Battle After Another Cleans Up

Although One Batlle After Another bested Sinners, it was only by two awards. Paul Thomas Anderson won Best Director, and the movie won Best Picture, Best Editing, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Supporting Actor for Sean Penn, and a new category for Best Casting. Leonardo DiCaprio was once again passed over for Best Actor, making his record only one win (2015’s The Revenant) for eight nominations.

Aside from the surprise of K-Pop Demon Hunters, the biggest winner of the night wasn’t a movie, but a genre. The horror genre took home eight Oscars between three movies: Sinners, Frankenstein, and Weapons. Genre movies like fantasy, science fiction, and horror don’t usually perform well at the Oscars except in the special effects category; The Return of the King was a notable exception but not the norm.

Overall, this year there were a lot of notable films and not enough awards for all of them. Besides, the Oscars play by Highlander rules most of the time: there can be only one. But even that rule got broken when there was a tie for Best Live Action Short Film (The Singers and Two People Exchanging Saliva). So no matter who won, it was truly a night of ups and downs, where two very worthy movies fought each other for the top prize, and came out nearly even.