Editor’s note: The below contains spoilers for the Furious Season 1 finale.

Hulu had a major summer hit on its hands — so much so that it was renewed before the season finale even debuted. Created by Liz Meriwether, the first season of Furious primarily revolved around a complicated cat-and-mouse chase between FBI agent Alice Black (Emmy Rossum) and serial killer Catherine Grace (Lola Petticrew). In the wake of an explosive finale, Season 2 is on the verge of embracing an even darker path for one of its central characters.

After facing trauma all season long, Alice is initially framed as someone with the strength to prevail, but there were glimmers of darkness brewing within her pursuit of Catherine and her decision to confront past wounds. After the finale concluded, it was clear that Alice had killer instincts, and knowledge of which individuals are connected to the flash drive in her possession may set her down a dark path of vengeance — that is, if she’s willing to sacrifice newfound happiness in the process.

The ‘Furious’ Finale’s Biggest Twist Involves Alice and Jay Easton

Alice Black isn’t just an agent on a mission, but also a woman with a traumatic past that affected her present. She was demeaned and minimized by the NYPD and not seen as strong enough for the FBI. Nora Washington (Quincy Tyler Bernstine) may have told Alice that she was too “soft,” but the biggest revelation of the finale is that Jay Easton (Peter McRobbie) died at Alice’s hands. After being taunted by Catherine about the euphoric feeling of taking a life and Easton’s trigger of recalling her from one of the videos on the drive, the episode reveals that the businessman’s death wasn’t coincidental, as Alice initially reported.

When Alice reunites with Catherine, the now-imprisoned woman has successfully deduced her role in Easton’s demise, and poses a telling question: “Did you like the way it felt?” If Alice truly enjoyed killing, the FBI’s list of the individuals who downloaded her video may send her down a similar path. Will she go on a quest to bring them to justice, or will she pursue a bloodier crusade? Her smile at the very end of the episode doesn’t confirm that answer one way or another.

Alice Has To Choose Between Happiness and Revenge in ‘Furious’ Season 2

Alongside this major finale twist is the fact that Alice has now officially begun a romance with her longtime friend and ally, NYPD detective Danny Kelly (Scoot McNairy). Previously, they hadn’t been able to take their relationship to the next level because of personal obstacles and Alice’s trauma as a result of the abuse she endured at the hands of her ex, Marshall Connelly (Jake Lacy). The irony is that Danny choosing to hand over the flash drive to Alice may now be the action that rips them apart.

With Danny purposefully stepping back from the darkness while Alice stays put, there is tension destined to arise from the drive’s existence, as well as the dark secret Alice now harbors about Easton’s death. As Rossum explained to Collider, “They are at very different points in their lives, so we’ll have to see what happens for them next.” Alice can live a happy life with Danny, or she can choose to pursue revenge, but the decision will be hers and hers alone when Furious returns. As Meriwether indicated to Decider, Season 2 will explore another case, but the events of Season 1 will still be a part of Alice and inform her next moves.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Release Date

July 27, 2026

Network

Hulu

Advertisement

Directors

Brian Kirk

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Nicole Kidman has Us ready to trade lightweight summer dresses for something a whole lot cozier. We’re talking about the kind of chunky knit dress you’d spot on a New York rich mom grabbing coffee before Pilates, heading to lunch or running around the Upper East Side in tall leather boots. It’s easy-going for a packed day but polished enough that you’d never guess comfort was the priority.

The actress was spotted earlier this spring at a Chanel dinner wearing a beige knit turtleneck dress that had a comfy, relaxed silhouette. The cozy-chic style looks polished without feeling overly fitted, making it an especially flattering choice for women over 40. And while hers is likely a pricey designer find, we found a $40 Amazon lookalike that’s just as luxe.

Get the Merokeety Turtleneck Chunky Knit Sweater Dress for $40 (was $50) at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change.

The Merokeety Turtleneck Chunky Knit Sweater Dress captures that same expensive-looking aesthetic without the designer price tag. The oversized silhouette gives it an effortless quality that makes a simple knit dress feel surprisingly elevated. Bonus: The relaxed fit also leaves plenty of room to move around.

Related: Jennifer Aniston’s Latest Take on Cargo Pants Is Her Chicest Yet

Advertisement

Jennifer Aniston has been wearing cargo pants since the ’90s, so when she finds a new way to make the longtime staple feel fresh, we pay attention. Her latest pair trades the trend’s traditionally utilitarian feel for something much sleeker, thanks to a flowy silhouette and luxe-looking satin finish. They might just be the chicest […]

A high turtleneck, drop shoulders and ribbed hems add to its chunky, comforting look, while side slits keep the midi silhouette from feeling too covered up. It comes in sizes S to XL, and is available in several rich, fall-ready shades, including khaki, olive green and chocolate brown.

This find may be a newer arrival on Amazon, but shoppers are already finding plenty to love about it. One shopper said it’s “super cozy, warm and cute for fall,” adding that the knit is soft, stretchy and feels like “good quality.”

Another reviewer praised how you can “dress it up or down with accessories.” They also noted that the dress doesn’t have a lot of shape to it, so they suggest adding a belt, which “helps bring out some hidden style.”

Add knee-high leather boots and a structured tote for the full New York rich mom treatment, or keep it relaxed with flats and an oversized coat once temperatures really drop. From weekday coffee runs to dinner plans, the $40 Amazon find makes Kidman’s cozy, expensive-looking formula surprisingly easy to recreate.

Get the Merokeety Turtleneck Chunky Knit Sweater Dress for $40 (was $50) at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change.

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

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

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

Shop the UsNow Fall Sale –>

Related: Jennifer Lopez’s Exact Metallic Flip-Flops Are a Year-Round Staple

Advertisement

Jennifer Lopez reminded Us that flip-flops don’t have to be strictly summer shoes. Her chic metallic pair has all the laid-back ease of a warm-weather staple, with a shiny gold finish that’s polished enough for post-vacation wear. In other words, these aren’t the flimsy beach sandals getting shoved to the back of the closet come […]

Roommates, a 16-year-old Welsh student has been sentenced after an incident with a teacher left her with a gash on the back of her head. Now, the teacher, Vicki Williams, is speaking out about the near-fatal encounter, recalling what happened inside her classroom.

RELATED: Sheesh! Teen Suspect Arrested After Fight At Georgia High School Escalates Into Student Shooting 

Teacher Recalls The Frightening Moment Inside Her Classroom

A 16-year-old male student appeared at Swansea Crown Court on Thursday, September 3, as his History teacher Vicki Williams addressed the attack. The teen, who was 15 at the time, attacked Williams with a knife inside her classroom at Milford Haven Comprehensive School in Wales back in February. Williams previously told the court that the teen approached her for help with a history assignment before following her into an empty classroom. She recalled becoming suspicious after he shut the door behind him and allegedly claimed the school’s temperature was his reason for closing it.

Footage shown in court this week captures the teen calmly walking into the room before suddenly rushing out. Moments later, Williams runs out behind him while holding a large knife and rubbing the back of her head. While addressing the court, Williams recalled thinking she was going to die and fearing she would never see her daughter again. Vicki also described a look of “pure hatred” on the student’s face after the incident and that the attack came out of no where. Per New York Post, the incident left Williams with a scalp injury from the stab to her head, a 2.8-inch gash on her back and defensive wounds on her hands.

In her personal victim statement, Williams opened up about the emotional toll the attack has taken on her, sharing that she has struggled with feeling sadness, anger and guilty. She also revealed that she plans to begin therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder. “Sadness is the most predominant, I focus too much on what could have happened to me,” Williams added. “I’m in disbelief about what’s happened.”

What’s Next For The Teen?

In July, a jury found the teen not guilty of attempted murder but convicted him of wounding with intent and unlawful wounding. During Thursday’s hearing, a judge sentenced the teen to four and half years in a youth detention facility. The male teen has pushed back against Williams’ account in court, claiming the assault happened by accident and that Vicki tried to grab the knife. He also reportedly said that the only reason he brought the knife as a part of a game with friends. He added that the group competed to see who could sneak the most ridiculous items into the school.

Judge Weighs In On The Traumatic Incident

Judge Paul Thomas also weighed in on the incident during the sentencing hearing. He said he believes the teen brought the knife to school with the intention of hurting Williams and added that she was fortunate to escape the attack without fatal injuries.

“What I do know for certain is that you took a knife that day to school because you wanted to really hurt her with it.” Thomas continued, “It was pure luck that she didn’t have far worse injuries, even fatal injuries.”

RELATED: Two Texas Teens Arrested Months After Allegedly Tampering With Evidence In Drowning Death Of 18-Year-Old Daniel Erving 

Not to be dramatic, but the mere thought of tight, scratchy jeans makes me shudder. Thankfully, there’s no reason to make myself suffer with stiff denim. Flowy pants are totally ‘in’ for fall this year, and I’m taking advantage of the trend with chic yet comfortable styles.

These 13 stylish pants are on my radar, ranging from couch-casual styles to boardroom-polished options. Each one has a unique flair, however, they all have a classic comfy waistband and billowy legs in common. Read on to see the trendy fall pants I’m eyeing from Amazon, Nordstrom, Old Navy, Quince and more!

13 Flowy, Flattering Fall Pants — From $3

1. My Favorite: Equally laid-back and luxe, these tie-waist trousers channel Hamptons vibes like no other. The lightweight fabric feels like wearing nothing at all.

2. Bye, Denim: These dainty, crochet-embellished bottoms give boring old jeans a run for their money. Shoppers say they look much more expensive than they are.

3. Office-Ready: In-office days call for these classy pleated trousers that have a secret elastic waistband in the back. They’re a life hack.

4. Another Pair: Full disclosure, I already have these European linen pants in white, but I’m tempted to grab a fall version in this olive shade.

5. Cargo Queen: Leaning into the cargo trend? These slouchy printed wonders are the easiest way to nail it.

6. Silky Satin: A-listers like Katie Holmes and Margot Robbie are wearing silky fabrics lately, so naturally, these dreamy satin pants made it into my cart.

7. CEO Vibes: With ten sizes, six colors and three lengths, these polished trousers are truly for everyone.

8. On Repeat: My significant other, who rarely notices my pieces, said these ribbed lounge pants ‘look elevated.’ He’s right, and they feel like butter.

9. Late-Summer Staple: It’s still hot outside, which is why these airy pants caught my eye. Leopard print is optional but not really.

10. Elegant Joggers: Harem pants scream ‘Cali cool mom,’ and this laid-back, edgy pair proves why. It makes you appear effortlessly chic and confident.

11. Pretty Print: Flowers, ruffles, wide legs! These darling palazzo pants belong in a fancy boutique, yet cost only $25 on Amazon.

12. Worth It: These striped dress pants feel like sweats, which you’ll appreciate for long work days and late-night client dinners.

13. Impulse Buy: At only $3, you can snag these boho-inspired pants without a second thought. Pockets, ruffles and a smocked waistband are just a few highlights.

If you’re one of the lucky few who has an extended Labor Day weekend, Watch With Us has a few suggestions about how you should spend that extra time.

The war movie genre has been popular since the 1930s, and Hollywood continues to crank them out due to their almost universal appeal.

Netflix’s Operation Mincemeat, featuring Colin Firth and an all-star UK cast, takes a look at a little-known World War II event that helped the Allies eventually win the war.

HBO Max‘s Warfare features Joseph Quinn, Will Poulter and pretty much every twentysomething actor in an arresting true-life story about the Iraq War.

If you’re a Gladiator fan, you’ll surely like Centurion on Prime Video, a bloody war film starring Michael Fassbender that’s set during the height of the Roman Empire.

‘Operation Mincemeat’ (2022) — Netflix

It’s 1943, and the Allied forces are doing everything in their power to defeat the Axis powers. English Prime Minister Winston Churchill (Simon Russell Beale) wants to invade Sicily, but he can’t do it without them knowing his troops are coming. One of his admirals, John Godfrey (Harry Potter‘s Jason Isaacs), suggests an elaborate plan to trick their enemies into believing they plan to invade Greece instead. All they need to do is find a fresh dead body, plant false documents detailing the proposed attack and have the right German authorities find it. But this plan has to be 100 percent convincing, and it’s going to take an entire operation of Britain’s best officers and spies to make sure it’s a success.

Operation Mincemeat’s plot sounds so far-fetched, it can only be based on a true story. While the movie embellishes some facts here and there, most of what it depicts actually happened, including some officers stealthily transporting the corpse onto a submarine, where i can be dumped in the right area so it could be discovered. Operation Mincemeat is a fascinating war movie because it depicts the hard work that occurred beyond the battlefield, where Britain’s best minds had to constantly outwit and outmaneuver their enemies. The ensemble cast, which includes Colin Firth and Succession’s Matthew Macfadyen, is terrific, and the immersive production design really puts you right into the heart of war.

‘Warfare’ (2024) — HBO Max

There are plenty of great World War II movies, but not a lot of good films set during the Iraq War. Warfare is one of them, and its atypical approach makes it stand out as a war film that’s unsettlingly immersive. Directed by Alex Garland, this intense 2025 movie chronicles a day in the life of a US Navy SEALs team as they seek cover at a local Iraqi house after the Battle of Ramadi in 2006. There’s no time to rest, though, as Iraqi soldiers surround the house, making it impossible for the soldiers inside to leave. With their ammo running low and no backup coming soon, these American soldiers don’t think they’ll make it out alive.

Warfare is brutal to watch, which is exactly how it should be. War isn’t pretty, and the film doesn’t make it easy to watch by providing conventional comforts like a main character to attach yourself to. Instead, the ensemble cast, which includes Beef’s Charles Melton and Heartstopper’s Kit Connor, all blend together – they’re all scared as s**t, and they don’t have time to bond or share stories about their loved ones like the troops in Saving Private Ryan. Anyone can die at any time, which provides most of the almost unbearable tension that runs throughout the film. Still, Warfare is an unforgettable watch and one of the few war films that makes you feel like you’re on the frontline dodging bullets. It’s that good.

Thank You!

You have successfully subscribed.

Advertisement

‘Centurion’ (2010) — Prime Video

One of ancient history’s greatest mysteries is the disappearance of the Legio IX Hispana, otherwise known as the “9th Hispanian Legion,” around 120 AD during the Roman Empire. No one knows what happened to the elite fighting unit, which is fertile ground for a director like Neil Marshall to hypothesize why these elite Roman warriors suddenly disappeared from history.

When centurion Quintus Dias (Michael Fassbender) is captured by the murderous Pict tribe, Rome sends its finest general, Titus Flavius Virilus (Dominic West), and his Ninth Legion to save him. They’re aided by the mute tracker Etain (Olga Kurylenko), who is still recovering from a traumatic event in her past. When a betrayal compromises their mission, Virilus will have to figure out how to save what remains of his men while still completing his mission to free Dias.

There’s not a lot of war picture set during this period, which is one of the reasons why Centurion is special. Marshall is less concerned with concentrating on character development than he is with recreating a long-ago world where brutality ruled the day, and anyone could betray you when you least expect it. Fassbender is terrific as a veteran soldier who knows how to hold his own in battle, while Kurylenko is captivating as a woman who uses what she has to satisfy the one thing in the world she desires — revenge.

We’re now less than a month away from the return of Tom Cruise to the big screen, following his final mission as Ethan Hunt in Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning in the summer of 2025. For the first time since 2017’s American Made, Cruise is starring in a non-franchise movie, namely the satirical black comedy Digger, which hits theaters on October 2, 2026. Directed by Alejandro G. Iñárritu in his first English-language film since his 2015 hit The Revenant, the film is already earning Oscars buzz for Cruise and co, despite not yet having been released.

Cruise’s next movie features a stacked cast including the likes of John Goodman, Riz Ahmed, Jesse Plemons, and Sandra Hüller, following her Harry Styles-singing role in Project Hail Mary. If all goes to plan, Digger will continue Cruise’s great run of films post the COVID-19 pandemic, which includes the film widely cited as having saved cinema during one of the industry’s darkest periods. Cruise’s biggest action movie of this decade, 2022’s Top Gun: Maverick, was the long-awaited legacy sequel to the 1986 action classic, penned by The Final Reckoning director Christopher McQuarrie and directed by F1‘s Joseph Kosinski.

The introduction of Miles Teller, Monica Barbaro, and Glen Powell to the cast helped bring the action to a new generation, but it was those who already loved the film who flocked in their many millions to the theater. In total, and against a reported budget of $177 million, the movie returned an eye-watering $1.45 billion worldwide, becoming one of the highest-grossing films in the process. But the need for speed has now turned into the need to stream, with Top Gun: Maverick officially ranking as one of the ten most-watched movies on Paramount+ in the U.S. at the time of writing.

A ‘Top Gun’ Threequel Is in Development

Following the mind-blowing success of the 2022 sequel, the announcement was made at CinemaCon earlier this year that a third Top Gun movie is currently in development. Crucially, Cruise is back in the pilot’s seat for the threequel in early development at Paramount, with McQuarrie reportedly lined up to help craft the story and produce alongside super-producer Jerry Bruckheimer, who was a big contributor to the first two films.

Top Gun: Maverick is streaming on Paramount+. Make sure to stay tuned to Collider for the latest streaming stories.

Advertisement

Release Date

Advertisement

May 27, 2022

Runtime

131 minutes

Advertisement

Director

Joseph Kosinski

Writers

Advertisement

Christopher McQuarrie, Ehren Kruger, Eric Warren Singer, Peter Craig, Justin Marks

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

The 2020s have been full of incredible movies, many of which are outright classics in the making. From Westerns like The Power of the Dog to war thrillers like Oppenheimer and subversive horrors like The Substance, this decade has been anything but safe when it comes to cinema. Virtually every genre has seen the release of at least one major, acclaimed movie, proving that the seventh art is in good hands, a comforting thought in uncertain times like these.

Logically, with such a wealth of quality in the movies themselves, the performances in them are equally standout. Indeed, the 2020s have produced several truly incredible performances, many of which have a timeless quality to them that all but guarantees they’ll be remembered among the all-time greats in the medium. We’re here to celebrate the best performance of every year of the 2020s, a relatively easy task for some years (2020 is particularly weak, it must be said), but an incredibly difficult one for some others (2022, in particular, was a bloodbath). Also, since 2026 is still underway and many movies are still to come, this list will only cover up to 2025.

2020: Anthony Hopkins in ‘The Father’

Image via Sony Pictures Classics

In a career spanning over sixty years, Sir Anthony Hopkins has delivered many powerful performances. From his iconic villainous turn in The Silence of the Lambs to his subdued and quiet turn in The Remains of the Day, Hopkins is a true master of his craft. It’s particularly impressive, then, that at the age of 83, Hopkins delivered what’s arguably his best performance to date in Florian Zeller’s drama, The Father.

In the movie, Hopkins plays Anthony, a man slowly succumbing to dementia. As the life he knows becomes unknowable to him, Anthony becomes despondent, both resisting the deterioration of his mind and holding on to an idea of the reality he once knew. Hopkins delivers a masterclass in controlled despair, portraying every side of Anthony, both the soft and confused and the thornier and confrontational, with remarkable commitment, never shying away from the intricacies of playing such a man. The ending, which sees Anthony reduced to an infantilized version of himself, is particularly heartbreaking, capturing the universal fear of becoming a stranger in one’s own shoes. For this year, the extremely close runner-up is the late Chadwick Boseman, whose visceral performance in Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom is a true tour de force.

2021: Hidetoshi Nishijima in ‘Drive My Car’

Image via Bitters End

2021 was a curious year for cinema. Reeling from the pandemic, the year seemed to last forever, with an absurdly prolonged award season and countless movies going directly to streaming because of the still-closed movie theaters. Many great movies came out, though, including a few that were genuinely celebrated as masterpieces but which failed to receive individual nominations for their leading performers. Case in point: Drive My Car, which became the first Japanese movie nominated for the Best Picture Oscar, but whose lead actor, Hidetoshi Nashijima, failed to break into the Best Actor category.

A veteran of the screen, Nashijima plays Yūsuke Kafuku, a theater director grieving the death of his wife while attempting to mount a multilingual version of Uncle Vanya. The performance is largely silent, yet Nashijima conveys so much with his face: his eyes become the centerpiece in multiple scenes, weary and observant, interested yet detached. Nashijima conveys an all-too-relatable feeling: the struggle to simply be. He carries the weight of everything — the pain, the longing, the burden of surviving, and the years themselves — all while trying to remain present, both for his sake and for the work itself. For this year, the runner-up has to be Renate Reinsve, whose breakthrough work in The Worst Person in the World captured the aimlessness of an entire generation.

2022: Danielle Deadwyler in ‘Till’

Image via Orion

2022 may very well be the best year for performances this decade. We had an embarrassment of riches, from Cate Blanchett‘s furious, career-best turn in Tár to Tang Wei‘s mesmerizing, mysterious efforts in Decision to Leave to Colin Farrell‘s devastating, melancholy work in The Banshees of Inisherin. Any of these would be the best in any other year, but in 2022, and after much deliberation, the title for the best performance must go to Danielle Deadwyler‘s utterly heart-wrenching portrayal of Mamie Till in Chinonye Chukwu‘s Till.

The film is based on the true story of Mamie Till, whose 14-year-old son, Emmett, was brutally lynched. Till then became an educator and activist while pursuing justice for her son. Deadwyler is, quite simply, superb in the movie, fully embodying Till’s devastation and desperation, not to mention her hunger for justice and her determination to see it through. What Deadwyler does here is nothing short of extraordinary, maintaining a subtle hint of determination that borders on anger throughout, even during Mamie’s most vulnerable and heartbroken moments. Her resoluteness is commanding to the point of being chilling, and it’s an utter disgrace that the Academy snubbed this tremendous performance, especially because Deadwyler was a constant presence in almost every precursor, as she should’ve been.

2023: Emma Stone in ‘Poor Things’

Image via Searchlight Pictures

Emma Stone was already a Best Actress winner and a three-time Oscar nominee when she stepped into the shoes of Bella Baxter in Yorgos Lanthimos‘ absurdist sci-fi comedy Poor Things. An adaptation of the eponymous novel by Alasdair Gray, the film offers a new take on the classic tale of Frankenstein, focusing on a Victorian woman brought back to life by an eccentric scientist with the brain of a baby. Bella Baxter then goes on a journey of self-discovery, involving debauched lawyers, pastries, unexpected friends, and multiple sexual escapades.

Bella Baxter is a wholly singular character, and it takes a remarkably courageous and confident actress to bring her to life. Stone is completely unrestrained in the role, creating a spirited, vibrant, multifaceted heroine that ranks among the best in the new millennium. Bella is such an original creation, and Stone loses herself in the role. She embodies Bella’s innocence and hunger for discovery, using the inherent absurdist humor in Tony McNamara‘s screenplay to enhance the text’s themes of autonomy, self-discovery, and sexual liberation. Stone won a second Best Actress statuette, arguably the best choice the Academy has made this decade. The runner-up this year is Andrew Scott for his soulful, restrained performance in All of Us Strangers, a modern masterpiece in every sense of the word.

2024: Marianne Jean-Baptiste in ‘Hard Truths’

Image via Bleecker Street

Mike Leigh is well known for making movies that rely on organic and reactionary dynamics, thus bringing out some truly stellar work from his performers. His latest effort came in 2024 with the drama Hard Truths, starring Marianne Jean-Baptiste as Pansy, a confrontational, angry, and anxiety-ridden woman whose harsh attitude alienates everyone in her life—except for her cheerful sister, single hairdresser Chantelle (Michele Austin).

Pansy is a truly difficult character: she’s abrasive, short-tempered, always ready to attack, and chronically anxious. In other words, she’s someone who’s very difficult to sympathize with. It’s all a testament to Jean-Baptiste that not only do we sympathize with her, but we actually understand her plight. Leigh has always excelled at crafting character studies, and Hard Truths is not the exception. It’s a glimpse into the life of a woman who doesn’t know how she got to that point, who struggles to relate to a family she doesn’t quite recognize, and whose life is slowly passing before her while she’s too insecure, scared, and reluctant to do anything about it. For this year, the runner-up is Sebastian Stan for his stunning and haunting work in the criminally underrated A Different Man.

2025: Rose Byrne in ‘If I Had Legs I’d Kick You’

Image via A24

Finally, for our most recent performance, we have yet another depiction of a challenging woman dealing with a chaotic situation the best way she can. In If I Had Legs I’d Kick You, Rose Byrne plays Linda, a mother at her wits’ end: her daughter is suffering from an eating disorder, her husband is constantly away, and her house is undergoing repairs, forcing mother and daughter to live in a cheap motel. As the crises mount, Linda spirals into mental distress.

If I Had Legs I’d Kick You is one of the most stressful movie experiences you’ll ever see, so anxiety-inducing that even the Safdies would take a deep breath after seeing it. The film lives and dies with Rose Byrne, who delivers a tour de force as a mother slowly descending into a mess from which there seems to be no escape. Some of it is her own making, and some of it is just life being its usual difficult self, but her actions go from curious to puzzling to questionable to outright reprehensible. Through it all, Byrne is resolute and sympathetic, the living embodiment of desperation. It’s a tremendously courageous performance, fully committed to exploring the most complex and difficult side of the human psyche, the one that pushes itself towards the abyss because the alternative is simply too much to bear. As runner-up, we have Amanda Seyfried‘s equally daring, career-best turn as Ann Lee in the sadly ignored The Testament of Ann Lee.

Ed Sheeran brought all the stops to MetLife Stadium on his Loop Tour — including a special surprise duet with Camila Cabello.

Sheeran, 35, performed at the New Jersey venue on Friday, September 4, in which he sang “Bam Bam” with Cabello, 29. (The former Fifth Harmony singer teamed up with the Grammy nominee for the track in 2022. They also collaborated on 2019’s “South of the Border.”)

Just ahead of the performance, Sheeran gushed about his decade-long friendship with Cabello.

“It’s rare to form strong and real friendships, and I’ve been friends with this person for over a decade,” he said on Friday during the show, which Us attended. “She was in New York, we saw each other earlier today, and I said, ‘We should sing together.’ It’s one of my favorite songs, I can’t wait to perform it.”

Related: Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello’s Relationship Timeline: The Way They Were

Looking back at young love! To the satisfaction of many longtime Shawnmila shippers, Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello’s longtime friendship transitioned into a steamy relationship in 2019, and they shared many sweet moments before splitting. Five years earlier, Mendes and Cabello met while they were both opening up for Austin Mahone on tour. At the […]

Cabello, dressed in a white cardigan and green sequined shirt, concluded the number with a shout-out to her pal, gushing, “I love you.”

Sheeran, who will play MetLife for a second night on Saturday, September 5, and Cabello have previously been candid about their enduring friendship and frequent collaborations.

“I’m such a huge Ed Sheeran fan, when he first asked me to work with him on ‘South Of The Border,’ I was like, ‘Uh yea, duh,’” the “Havana” singer gushed to Australia’s The Music in 2022. “Even though we’re friends, he’s such a top-tier artist and I didn’t know if he would say yes to being on my project.”

“Bam Bam” appears on Cabello’s 2022 album, Familia.

“I’ve gone over to his world before, and for ‘Bam Bam’ he was coming to my world, into the studios with my collaborators that I worked with on this album, and singing in Spanish on a song that I had written the chorus for,” she recalled to the outlet. “It was just really cool, and I was honoured that he wanted to be a part of it.”

Thank You!

You have successfully subscribed.

Advertisement

She continued, “When he came into the studio, he had an idea for the verse, and even though I had a version of the song I was attached to, I trusted him and trusted his ear, and it turns out he was right and made it a million times better!”

Cabello last released her C, XOXO (Magic City Edition) record in 2024. Sheeran, for his part, dropped Play in 2025 before embarking on his latest tour ahead of a hiatus.

“I might take some time off once this tour has ended, and do the dad thing,” he said during a June concert in Arizona, referring to his two daughters with wife Cherry Seaborn.

Julia Stiles is preparing to take on a new challenge as she joins the upcoming season of Dancing With the Stars, but she won’t enter the competition without support.

The actress has received encouragement from the prestigious Juilliard School, despite not having studied there before beginning her career in Hollywood.

Stiles will be dancing on the show with Ezra Sosa and has described her appearance as a “dream come true.”

For the 35th season of Dancing with the Stars, actress Julia Stiles will be making her first appearance on the show.

Interestingly, she has now found support for her appearance in the competition from Juilliard, the institution her character in the movie Save the Last Dance trains hard to audition for.

In an Instagram post, Juilliard shared a picture of the actress in a furry sky-blue outfit, then showed their support for her and promoted their upcoming festival.

“Checks registrar* No, Julia Stiles did not, in fact, attend Juilliard. But we love her anyway. You can see ~actual~ Juilliard dancers (and musicians and actors) on Opening Night of the Juilliard Fall Festival,” read the post.

“Good luck on DWTS, Julia… we’re cheering you on!”

The Actress Thanked The School For Its Support

4

The support appeared to catch Stiles by surprise, as the actress expressed her gratitude in the post’s comment section.

“Oh my goodness! Thank you! Best of luck to your amazing students,” the actress wrote.

Some fans took the school’s support in a more lighthearted direction, jokingly referencing Stiles’ character, Sara Johnson, from Save the Last Dance.

“…but did you check her alter ego Sara Johnson? We have video proof she unofficially got in,” one user joked.

“She definitely got into Juilliard…. Just can’t say it on record,” another individual commented.

“Now Juilliard is LYING wooowowwww. We all saw her dance to get in, bestie,” one more wrote.

Julia Stiles Called Her ‘DWTS’ Debut ‘A Dream Come True’

4

Stiles’ casting sparked excitement among both fans and some of her famous friends. However, the excitement may have been even greater for Stiles herself, as appearing on the show was something she had long wanted to tick off her bucket list.

“I just can’t resist a challenge,” she told USA Today. “I like getting out of my comfort zone – it’s how we grow. This is a dream come true. I absolutely love this show, and I can’t believe I’m here.”

The actress echoed the sentiment in a separate interview with GMA, where she described herself as a big fan of the show.

“I’m truly obsessed with the show. I have been for over a decade,” she revealed. “It has been a secret dream of mine to be here, and I was always just too scared to say yes until now.”

Julia Stiles Is Partnered With Ezra Sosa For The Show

4

On the show, Stiles will be dancing with Ezra Sosa, a Latin and ballroom dancer with years of experience.

Speaking to USA Today, the 25-year-old said he is already excited about the collaboration, especially because it will help bring her dream of appearing on the show to life.

“[I feel] so lucky and honored to be able to give this experience to someone who’s such a big fan of the show,” he said, adding that he admires the actress.

“I’m just seeing someone’s dream come true, and the fact that person is Julia Stiles, it’s just unreal,” he added.

Stiles Thinks ‘Save The Last Dance’ Could Hurt Her On ‘DWTS’

4

While Stiles isn’t a professional dancer, her time in Save the Last Dance shows that she can move her body well.

However, the actress thinks that project is a “bit of a disadvantage” to her, as she isn’t as good as many people already think she is.

“I stopped taking dance classes after that movie because people expected me to be a great dancer,” Stiles told Entertainment Weekly.

She added, “I’m a home dancer. I love dancing at home, and part of my reason for coming on this show is to like find the joy and dance again, find my confidence and dance again.”

Despite his absence from the ballroom competition, former Dancing With the Stars pro Sasha Farber still plans to keep up with season 35.

“You guys, the Dancing With the Stars cast announcement was so bloody good,” Farber, 42, gushed in an Instagram video shared Friday, September 4. “I mean, the celebs are going to be phenomenal and it literally ticks every box of genre and style, and I know who I’m voting for.”

He continued, “I mean, I want to know who you are voting for ‘cause, I mean, I have my idea. I have two or three.”

DWTS revealed the star-studded cast on Good Morning America on Wednesday, September 2, featuring Julia Stiles, Tatyana Ali, Giada De Laurentiis, Harry Shum Jr., Ciara Miller, Jenna Dewan, Tyler Cameron, Amber Glenn, Taylor Hanson, Maura Higgins, Ezra Frech, Jackson Olson, Conner Leavitt, Connor Wood, Sarah Jane Nader and Guillermo Rodriguez.

Related: Sasha Farber Breaks Silence on Absence From ‘DWTS’ Season 35 Cast

Dancing With the Stars pro Sasha Farber broke his silence after being absent from the season 35 lineup. Farber, 42, posted a TikTok on Wednesday, September 2, after ABC confirmed the full list of pros and celebrities competing for the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy on the upcoming season. In the comments section, Farber was asked […]

On GMA, it was also announced which pro dance partners would cha cha with each celebrity contestant. While fan-favorites like Val Chmerkovskiy, Mark Ballas and Farber’s ex-wife, Emma Slater, are all set to return, the Australian choreographer was not included on the roster. (Farber last appeared on DWTS during season 33.)

Despite his absence, Farber remains enthused to watch his fellow ballroom performers on television.

“I’m also so excited for Hailey [Bills] to be a pro. I mean, she is phenomenal,” he gushed, referring to the first-time pro, 20, who was promoted from the troupe to dance with model Nader, 24, in a rare same-sex partnership. “I’m so excited to watch her shine. You watch, she’s going to kill it.”

Farber concluded, “Anyway, guys, leave your comments in my comments … and tell me who you’re voting for. I’m super excited, and this is going to be a season [to remember], one for the books.”

Advertisement

Related: Breaking Down the ‘DWTS’ Pros Who Won’t Return for Season 35: Gleb, More

The Dancing With the Stars ballroom will look a little different for season 35. While returning faves like reigning mirrorball champ Witney Carson, Val Chmerkovskiy, Rylee Arnold, Sharna Burgess and Ezra Sosa will all be back to cha cha with a celebrity, a number of the show’s well-known choreographers will be absent this year. The […]

He captioned his post, “Guys how good is the @dancingwiththestars CAST this year!!! Who are you voting for????”

Thank You!

You have successfully subscribed.

Advertisement

While it’s not known why Farber was left off the pro lineup for the second year in a row, the dancer coyly hinted via TikTok comment earlier this week that it was “not [his] choice.”

Farber recently visited Bills, Witney Carson and more of his former colleagues during a Thursday, September 4, set visit documented via social media.

Dancing With the Stars season 35 kicks off with a two-night premiere on ABC and Disney+ Tuesday, September 15, and Wednesday, September 16, at 8 p.m. ET.