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By Jennifer Asencio
| Published 25 seconds ago

The Insidious franchise has followed psychic heroine Elise (played by horror and comedy classic Lin Shaye) as she helps other psychics learn to cope with or even suppress their powers, as she did for the Lambert family through much of the series. For many of the people she helped, the problem was that they could visit a world she calls The Further, a place of demons and ghosts. The most recent Insidious movie, The Red Door, shows Elise, who was trapped in The Further in the previous movie, observing a college-aged Dalton Lambert as he escapes from the other dimension.

Insidious: Out of the Further introduces a new family in the form of single mom Gemma (Amelia Eve) and her daughter Maya (Island Austin), who live together on what looks like a quiet little block in a neat suburban neighborhood. Gemma works in dentistry, and lives a happy, peaceful life with Maya until horrific nightmares begin invading her sleep and causing her to see what she thinks are hallucinations. Somehow, she is led to a psychic (Maisie Richardson-Sellers) who, after a brutal preparation process, channels Elise from The Further.

Elise explains, as viewers are treated to a montage of warped, otherworldly human-looking demons that seem to be stalking Gemma, that Gemma’s psychic abilities not only consist of the typical ability to cross into The Further, but also the potential to bring things back with her. This makes her a huge target for the malevolent demons that lurk beyond the Red Door.

The trailer’s highlights are its numerous jump scares and a cringy moment involving a Novocain needle, but director Jacob Chase seems heavily guided by the producer and the original film’s director, James Wan. Wan’s signature is all over the eerie faces and shadowy places that lurk around Gemma, Maya, and their home. Chase also co-wrote the script, indicating that his vision was already aligning well with the franchise’s premise; the other writers are Davis Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick and Leigh Whannell.

It also expresses some interesting potential for lore geeks who have followed the series. Elise has been the expert on The Further all along, aiding families who’ve had brushes with it at great risk to her material and mental health. Her character is the thread that has tied the rest of the movies together, even after she herself was lost. The hint from The Red Door that she has been sneaking around The Further all along, keeping an eye on things from the other side and aiding the escape of anyone unfortunate enough to find their way there, has been confirmed with this trailer.

The obvious question is, if the demons can get through from The Further, will Elise be able to come through, too? Or will she decide she should stay behind and continue to defend humanity by guiding lost souls back home? In the delicate interaction between The Further and our world, this is even more central of a question than whether or not the demons make it through. Whatever side Elise stays on will have an impact on how much damage the demons can do to our world. This glaring question almost overtakes the premise and becomes more important than whether anything else passes through.

How powerful will Elise be from beyond The Further? What will happen if humanity is overrun by demonic entities? Have Gemma’s gifts been inherited by her innocent pre-teen daughter? Insidious: Out of the Further releases the demons in theaters sometime in August.

Each movie in the Insidious storyline has seemed more like a chapter from a book as they have added to the lore behind Elise. She even started the series almost like a rock star, with two paranormal investigators flanking her and filming her adventures with the beyond. While The Red Door did follow the Lambert family whose tribulations started the series, I know I for one was looking for Elise’s more competent experience with The Further. And now, she has been residing there for an indeterminate amount of time and have probed even more of its secrets.

The sci-fi genre has given us some of the most acclaimed films of all time, ranging from exciting action adventures to deeply philosophical dramas. Using scientific (and science-adjacent) concepts to explore various aspects of the human condition, these films are an integral part of the global cinematic landscape. But while many sci-movies are universally beloved, there are also quite a few that have caused very mixed reactions from viewers and critics.

Sometimes these movies are divisive because they lean too heavily into the science of it all, leading to a dense story that isn’t easily palatable to the general audience. Other times, it’s simply because they faltered in execution or failed to fulfill the expectations of their fan base. Whatever the reasons may be, the one thing all these films share is the fact that they’re not meant for everyone, but they can still be enjoyable to certain audiences. Read on to discover our ranked selection of the most divisive sci-movies of all time.

8

‘The Core’ (2003)

Image via Paramount Pictures

A sci-fi disaster film, The Core follows a group of scientists on an impossible mission to save the world. When the planet’s molten inner core inexplicably stops spinning, it prompts a team of daring people to take up an experimental mission to drill to the core and set off nuclear explosions that they hope will restart the core’s rotation. The film features an ensemble cast led by Aaron Eckhart and Hilary Swank, with Delroy Lindo, Stanley Tucci, D.J. Qualls, Richard Jenkins, Tcheky Karyo, Bruce Greenwood, and Alfre Woodard in key roles.

The Core premiered in March 2003 to highly negative reviews and was a box office flop, drawing widespread criticism for being one of the most scientifically inaccurate Hollywood movies of all time. The fact that it’s a terrible film is almost universally accepted, but while some viewers consider it unwatchable garbage, others regard it as a deliciously campy movie that’s so bad it’s good. Again, it’s not a good film, but its combination of ridiculous self-seriousness and a highly unrealistic plot makes it an entertaining watch for fans of absurd unintentional comedy.

7

‘War of the Worlds’ (2005)

Image Via Paramount Pictures

Based on H. G. Wells‘ eponymous 1898 novel, Steven Spielberg’s War of the Worlds is a 2005 science fiction action-thriller starring Tom Cruise as an American dockworker who must protect his children during an alien invasion. The film follows his attempts to keep his family safe and reunite them with their mother while the mysterious extraterrestrials cause devastation across the world using seemingly indestructible war machines. Besides Cruise, the movie also stars Dakota Fanning, Justin Chatwin, Miranda Otto, and Tim Robbins, with narration by Morgan Freeman.

War of the Worlds was critically and commercially successful at the time of its release, but it still divided audiences because of its ending. On the one hand, the film is a faithful adaptation of the novel that captures the suspense of its story while enhancing the action with modern special effects, but it’s that same faithfulness that proves its downfall, as the book’s ending is quite anticlimactic and unsatisfying. It’s one of the rare cases where a movie adaptation would have been better off straying a bit more from its source material, but it’s still a pretty entertaining experience nonetheless.

6

‘Solaris’ (2002)

Image via 20th Century Studios

Adapted from Polish author Stanislaw Lem’s eponymous 1961 novel, Solaris is a psychological science fiction drama set aboard a space station orbiting the titular planet. George Clooney stars as psychologist Dr. Chris Kelvin, who is invited to the station to investigate some mysterious phenomena. The film also stars Natascha McElhone, Viola Davis, Jeremy Davies, Ulrich Tukur, and John Cho in key roles.

Solaris premiered in 2002 to positive reviews but an underwhelming box office performance, which has been largely attributed to its slow pacing and meditative storytelling. The film isn’t as concerned with the usual sci-fi space tropes as the general audience might like, focusing more on an intimate exploration of grief and memory. Ultimately, it’s not a movie that’s exciting or really even that entertaining, but it does have some great performances and a compelling philosophical narrative.

5

‘About Time’ (2013)

Image via Universal Pictures

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A romantic science fiction comedy-drama, About Time follows a young man who inherits a family ability to time travel and decides to use this power to find love. With the guidance of his father, he embarks on a life-long journey of self-discovery and romance, helping the people he cares about in any way he can, but not everything goes according to plan. The movie stars Domhnall Gleeson in the lead, with Rachel McAdams, Lydia Wilson, Lindsay Duncan, Richard Cordery, Bill Nighy, and more in supporting roles.

About Time premiered in the United Kingdom in 2013 to a mixed critical reception, but it had a solid box office run and has developed a dedicated fan following in the years since. The film has proven somewhat divisive due to its shaky time travel rules, and some audience members have found the protagonist’s use of time travel for romance to be problematic. However, it’s also a warm, sentimental film with a heartwarming story and great performances, making it a great watch for fans of slice-of-life sci-fi movies that explore the value of human connection through sci-fi tropes.

4

‘Don’t Look Up’ (2021)

Image via Netflix

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A satirical black comedy film, Don’t Look Up stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence as two astronomers who discover a comet on a collision course with Earth that would wipe out life on the planet. However, the government refuses to accept this, driven by corporate interests, and encourages the public to deny their impending extinction. Besides DiCaprio and Lawrence, the film also stars an ensemble supporting cast that includes Rob Morgan, Jonah Hill, Mark Rylance, Tyler Perry, Timothée Chalamet, Ron Perlman, Ariana Grande, Kid Cudi, Cate Blanchett, and Meryl Streep.

A biting allegory about climate change, Don’t Look Up premiered in 2021 to a highly mixed reception. Though the movie was praised for its performances and production, writer-director Adam McKay’s approach left critics divided between those who found it insightful and intelligent and those who thought McKay was just being smug and holier-than-thou. Whether the film’s satire is cynical or thought-provoking is really a matter of personal opinion, but the movie is undoubtedly well-made and has a very important core message, and it earned numerous accolades, including four Academy Award nominations and four Golden Globe nominations.

3

‘Eternals’ (2021)

Image via Marvel Studios

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The 26th film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), Eternals follows an ancient group of immortals tasked with protecting the Earth and humanity from violent, invasive entities called Deviants. The film charts their story over thousands of years and follows their attempts to deal with a world-ending event in the present day that turns them against each other. The movie features an ensemble cast led by Gemma Chan, with Richard Madden, Kumail Nanjiani, Lia McHugh, Brian Tyree Henry, Lauren Ridloff, Barry Keoghan, Don Lee, Kit Harington, Salma Hayek, and Angelina Jolie in key roles.

Released in theaters in 2021 as part of the MCU’s Phase Four, Eternals was the first film in the franchise to receive largely negative critical reviews. A unique combination of Marvel’s bombastic superheroics and director Chloé Zhao’s intimate, artful storytelling, the movie was highly polarizing as it didn’t give the fans of either camp what they truly wanted. Despite its divisive storytelling choices, the film did receive praise from some viewers and critics for its inventive deconstruction of superhero tropes, touching emotional beats, and stunning visuals.

2

‘Tenet’ (2020)

Image via Warner Bros.

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Tenet is a sci-fi action thriller that takes a unique approach to time-travel stories. The film stars John David Washington as a former CIA agent who is recruited into the titular secret organization and tasked with thwarting a complicated conspiracy involving objects that are traveling backward through time. Besides Washington, the movie also features Robert Pattinson, Elizabeth Debicki, Dimple Kapadia, Michael Caine, and Kenneth Branagh in key roles.

A highly layered work of science fiction, Tenet was the first major Hollywood film to open in theaters during the COVID-19 pandemic, which may have contributed to its critical and commercial failure. The film was highly divisive, largely because its extremely dense plot was far too confusing for most critics and audience members. It’s not an easy movie to understand, but it’s arguably the most ambitious film Christopher Nolan has ever made, and while it may not be to everyone’s tastes, it’s still an important work of cinema with intricate sci-fi storytelling and amazing visual effects.

1

‘Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi’ (2017)

Image via Walt Disney Studios

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The second film in the Star Wars sequel trilogy, Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi is an epic space opera adventure film that picks up immediately after the end of 2015’s The Force Awakens. Starring Daisy Ridley as new Force user Rey, the film follows her attempt to seek the aid of Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) in the fight against the villainous First Order. The movie also stars Adam Driver, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Andy Serkis, Kelly Marie Tran, and more, with Carrie Fisher featured posthumously.

The Last Jedi premiered to a positive critical reception and was a massive box office success, becoming the second-highest-grossing film in the franchise. However, it was highly polarizing among Star Wars fans, largely because its climactic twist broke the expectations set by the previous film. The situation got even uglier as angry fans resorted to racist and misogynistic harassment of actress Kelly Marie Tran. Despite the division the film caused in the fanbase, it’s arguably one of the best movies in the franchise, taking bold risks and presenting a genuinely entertaining story that prioritizes thematic development over fan service, a choice that was disastrously reversed with the 2019 sequel Rise of Skywalker.

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Release Date

December 13, 2017

Runtime

152 minutes

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Director

Rian Johnson

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Writers

Rian Johnson

Producers

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Kathleen Kennedy, Ram Bergman, Leifur B. Dagfinnsson

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Layering season is almost out the window. With the sun shining and temperatures rising, it’s time to pull out loose and slimming sundresses. Whether you’re headed to the office, taking in a well‑deserved vacay or just knocking out endless weekend errands, these one‑and‑done dresses make getting dressed the easiest part of your day.

Embrace that perfect middle ground in fashion with slimming, loose dresses that offer movement, flattering fits, and well-deserved confidence at any age. I scoured the internet to find 19 loose and flattering sundresses that deserve to shine bright in your warm‑weather wardrobe. Shop the top picks below from retailers like Nordstrom, Amazon and Walmart — starting at just $12.

Loose, Flattering Sundresses for Every Summer Adventure 

1. Our Favorite: Sultry and stylish, this loose backless sundress prioritizes comfort while looking undeniably chic. It’s a piece that looks just at home at a 5‑star resort as it does running endless errands every day.

2. Investment Piece: Wrinkle‑free and breathable? You better believe we’ll be stocking up on this loose maxi dress, which earns rave reviews for its softness, value and versatility.

3. Slimming Silhouette: Stay loose and define your waist in this fit‑and‑flare sundress. The defined waist and easy skirt make it especially flattering on curves.

4. All Ages Pick: Flowy, fun and fashionable, this Anrabess maxi sundress is ready for anything. Women of all ages, but especially those over 40, love its drape, forgiving fit and endless polish.

5. Feminine Flare: Admirers will be convinced you bought this maxi eyelet dress at a high-end boutique, but the price says otherwise. The summer-centric dress even features a trendy tie sleeve that adds a fresh, feminine touch.

6. Throwback Style: This bubble‑hem sundress brings a vintage touch, finished with a breezy skirt and a removable belt to shape your waist. Pro tip: reviewers recommend sizing up for the best fit.

7. Elevated Occasions: Whether for a destination wedding or a well‑deserved date night, this loose tulip sundress has a draped shape that still manages to slim. Even better, the tie‑back finish offers a flirty accent that’ll easily turn heads.

8. Minimalist Finish: If quiet luxury is your go-to, don’t miss this organic cotton sundress that’s simple but striking. The loose silhouette gives you breathing room, while the drawstring waist lets you customize just how defined you want your shape to be.

9. Power Print: As a long‑time fan of Julia Jordan, I can vouch for the brand’s gorgeous sundresses — they’re true Oscar de la Renta lookalikes. The brand’s slimming floral sundress features a fitted bodice that opens into a flowy A‑line skirt, giving you that coveted hourglass shape.

10. Vacay-Friendly: For a travel‑friendly dress worth stocking up on, don’t miss this loose maxi dress. Despite its oversized fit, it’s incredibly flattering on every shape and size.

11. Office-Approved: It’s rare to find a work‑appropriate sundress, so it’s safe to say this sleek Petal & Pup dress is an immediate add to cart. It works with sandals and oversized sunnies on vacation, just like it works with stilettos and a blazer at the office.

12. Natural Fibers: Lean into linen season with this linen‑blend sundress from Time and Tru. The breezy mini offers that just‑right fit and finishes with a ruffle hem that’s equal parts poised and playful.

13. Size Inclusive: Don’t drown in a sea of monochrome and florals when you can stand out in a bold color. This plus‑size sundress proves that bold is beautiful, with vibrant hues like neon yellow, purplish red and more.

14. Festival-Friendly: It’s festival season, and whether you’re headed to an all‑day concert or a food‑themed fest, you’ll want to stay cozy without sacrificing style. This slimming ruched sundress delivers both — soft, stretchy, easy to move in and flattering all day long.

15. Sporty Chic: If sporty style is your vibe, don’t miss this athletic sundress with built‑in shorts. It has a touch of feminine fashion while still delivering the functional details that keep you — and your figure — looking great.

16. Date-Night Ready: Breathe easy while still looking beautiful in this v‑neck maxi sundress, which comes in vibrant summer colors like rose red and blue. The ruched bodice gives you a defined waist without ever feeling restrictive.

17. Budget-Friendly Style: Just because your wallet may be tight doesn’t mean you should miss out on top‑tier fashion. This affordable loose sundress works with your budget, boasting a surprisingly slimming silhouette that flatters every shape.

18. Everyday Ease: With a wide range of colors and prints, this button‑front sundress flatters without even trying. It’s just as functional as an everyday dress as it is a slimming swimsuit cover‑up.

19. Drop-Waist Beauty: From a flirty red to a pristine white, this breezy drop‑waist cotton dress is what summer is all about: easy, breathable style that moves with you no matter the destination.

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Related: 21 Linen-Like Outfit Sets Missing From Your Warm-Weather Wardrobe

Recent fashion trends make it clear — linen is officially taking over this season. Airy dresses, breezy pants and billowy skirts are all having a moment, but I’m especially obsessed with the matching linen-like sets popping up everywhere. Breathable, beautiful and endlessly wearable, these easy-going sets are the secret to looking demure and put together […]

Spanning September 1, 1939, to September 2, 1945, WWII remains the most disastrous conflict in human history, involving dozens of countries and resulting in the highest death toll of any war. In the decades since it ended, the war has inspired countless film and television projects, many of which continue to provide an authentic recounting of the devastating events. One standout is The Pacific, widely regarded as one of the best WWII miniseries ever made, which remains compelling nearly two decades later.

Having aired on HBO from March 14 to May 16, 2010, The Pacific offers a brutal look at WWII through the eyes of U.S. Marines in the Pacific Theater. As a spiritual successor to Band of Brothers, the 10-episode series focuses on real soldiers involved in some of the war’s toughest campaigns, combining large-scale battle sequences with intimate storytelling. Its honest, unflinching portrayal—paired with emotional depth and a strong commitment to historical accuracy—cements The Pacific as one of the most powerful war dramas ever created.

‘The Pacific’ Delivers a Ruthless Take on WWII

There are relatively few stories about the Pacific Theater of WWII—and even fewer that truly stand out—but The Pacific rises above the rest. For much of the miniseries, especially its premiere, “Part One,” the focus centers on three key Marines: Private First Class Robert Leckie (James Badge Dale), Corporal Eugene Sledge (Joseph Mazzello), and Gunnery Sergeant John Basilone (Jon Seda), who serve in the 1st, 5th, and 7th Regiments of the 1st Marine Division. Their interconnected perspectives, shaped by vastly different backgrounds, unfold across some of the war’s most significant campaigns, including Guadalcanal, Cape Gloucester, Peleliu, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa, all fought against the Japanese.

The Pacific opens in the weeks following the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, beginning with the story of Guadalcanal. Leckie enlists for reasons that are not entirely clear, while Sledge, eager to fight, is unable to serve after being disqualified due to a heart murmur. Meanwhile, Basilone and his fellow non-commissioned officers, Manny Rodriguez (Jon Bernthal) and J.P. Morgan (Joshua Bitton), learn from Chesty Puller (William Sadler) that the Marine Corps is entering the Pacific Theater to face the might of the Japanese Empire. In August 1942, the Guadalcanal campaign began.

Unlike its predecessor, Band of Brothers, often regarded as almost poetic in its portrayal of war, The Pacific feels more like a nightmare, adopting a darker, albeit more intimate style that makes viewers invested in every characters’ fate. And by highlighting distinct campaigns, the miniseries underscores why so many young men enlisted—to serve their country and make their families proud.

However, before they are deployed, viewers are shown the quiet moments leading up to it, when family dinners carry greater emotional weight, and even finding someone to write home to feels essential. As the story unfolds, the men’s intertwined journeys span multiple fronts, offering a broader yet personal perspective of the Pacific Theater—an approach later carried forward in Apple TV’s Masters of the Air—while firmly establishing its own distinct identity.

‘The Pacific’ Is Rooted in Firsthand WWII Accounts

Since The Pacific is inspired by real-life events, it draws heavily from firsthand accounts, particularly Sledge’s With the Old Breed: At Peleliu and Okinawa and Leckie’s Helmet for My Pillow. Additional inspiration comes from Sledge’s memoir China Marine as well as Red Blood, Black Sand, the memoir of Chuck Tatum (Ben Esler), a Marine who fought alongside Basilone at Iwo Jima. Basilone himself, who died during the five-week Battle of Iwo Jima (February 19 to March 26, 1945), did not leave behind any written account of his experiences.

Beyond its source material, the miniseries was developed by Bruce McKenna, who also served as principal writer, researcher, and co-executive producer. He executive-produced alongside Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks, and Hanks’ Playtone co-founder Gary Goetzman. McKenna had also previously contributed to Band of Brothers, writing three episodes of the acclaimed 2001 miniseries.

Upon release, The Pacific was widely praised for its striking visuals and unflinching depiction of the brutality of WWII in the Pacific, quickly becoming a favorite among critics and audiences. However, compared to Band of Brothers, it was sometimes criticized for a more fragmented narrative structure. Despite this, the series—HBO’s most expensive—earned 24 Emmy nominations, including a nod for McKenna for Outstanding Writing for a Miniseries, and won eight awards overall, including Outstanding Miniseries.

All in all, The Pacific remains one of the most realistic portrayals of WWII and does not try to soften the brutality of war. Based on vivid firsthand memoirs and created by an experienced team, the miniseries perfectly blends large-scale battles with personal stories in a way few war dramas ever manage. Even years later, it still stands apart—not just as a companion to Band of Brothers, but as an unforgettable experience of the Pacific Theater.

The Pacific streams on HBO Max.

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Release Date

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2010 – 2010-00-00

Network

HBO Max

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