Entertainment
Netflix’s ‘Lord of the Flies’ Miniseries Is a Powerful Adaptation With a Few Missteps
If you’re of a certain age, there’s a very good chance you’ve read William Golding‘s classic 1954 novel Lord of the Flies, which has been required reading in many schools. The book, about a group of young boys stranded on an island after a plane crash, has inspired many other works since, including Showtime’s Yellowjackets. It’s also been adapted a few times on screen, most notably via films in 1963 and 1990. Now, Lord of the Flies is back as a four-part miniseries set to premiere on Netflix in the U.S., and if you’ve read the book, you know what to expect. Not content to simply let things play out exactly as they do in the novel, though, creator Jack Thorne (Adolescence) and director Marc Munden (The Secret Garden) take some creative risks that don’t always work.
What Is ‘Lord of the Flies’ About?
The first thing this new version of Lord of the Flies does right is that it doesn’t give in to temptation and update the source material for the modern age. The miniseries isn’t set in the 21st century, with whiny kids missing their cellphones. The BBC is involved, which means it’s not Americanized either. Lord of the Flies isn’t interested in slowly establishing the characters before hitting viewers with the inciting incident. From the first scene, the plane crash has already happened, with the focus on a survivor lying in the muck.
Each of the miniseries’ four episodes revolves around a different major character. The premiere revolves around Piggy (David McKenna), a short kid with asthma and the smarts to lead everyone, if only the others would listen. In the second episode, the plot shifts to Jack (Lox Pratt), the angry blonde kid and head of the boys’ choir, who quickly assumes leadership of the hunters. Episode 3 belongs to Simon (Ike Talbut), a boy torn between two sides and mentally breaking down, while the finale centers on Ralph (Winston Sawyer) as he struggles to hold on to his role as chief.
This approach allows for an understanding of how different personalities adjust to being stranded when they’re much too young to process the situation. Some rise to lead, while others crumble and let selfish desires take over. Piggy is the brains of the group, but isn’t respected because of his appearance. Increasingly, it’s him and Ralph against the insanity spreading in Jack’s group. How many of them will make it out alive?
‘Lord of the Flies’ Doesn’t Try to Modernize the Story
How do you add something new to such a well-known story, especially when the choice has been made not to modernize it? In some respects, you don’t. Munden and Thorne seem to recognize this and allow this tale to mostly play out as is, since throwing in too many ideas would cut a classic off at the knees. Golding’s story stands on its own, and its powerful themes about societal breakdown remain timely today.
Still, this Lord of the Flies adaptation is more than a simple, straightforward retelling; it’s a work of art. Munden contributes an impressive cinematic flair that becomes its own character at points. Shots twist or go fuzzy in the chaos. Colors brighten or become more saturated when one character starts to fall apart. When the group of survivors is being introduced, the camera often finds them, one by one, in uncomfortable close-ups on numb faces, like end-of-the-world school photos.
The score, created in part by the iconic Hans Zimmer, has the same unnerving personality. It’s never too aggressive, but it doesn’t allow the viewer to relax either. It begins with simple woodwinds and strings, putting the audience in the story’s era, before becoming more frantic, reaching a crescendo of horror in later episodes. These artistic touches are a treat for the eyes and ears, but they also feel a bit too overwrought at times, mostly as a consequence of the overall series length.
‘Lord of the Flies’ Phenomenal Young Cast Keeps the Miniseries Afloat
Golding’s novel is just 224 pages long, which means that Lord of the Flies works perfectly as a two-hour film. As a four-hour miniseries, the story is strained midway through, with repetitive scenes and meandering shots leading up to bigger moments. There’s one crucial scene where the new adaptation goes in a direction it should’ve avoided. Rather than being sudden and terrifying, it’s drawn out too long, with prolonged goodbyes that diminish the immediate shock of the original moment, removing the pain of immediacy where things can go to hell in an instant. It’s the only time when the miniseries makes a misstep, becoming too modernized after rejecting it elsewhere.
Thankfully, this divergence can be somewhat forgiven due to the young cast’s phenomenal performances. Talbut’s wide eyes convey Simon’s breakdown, while Sawyer displays the calm and steadiness that make Ralph a chosen chief. Yet Lord of the Flies is especially buoyed by two cast members. Lox Pratt’s Jack is awful in the best way possible. He’s a horrible jerk, a selfish kid who deserves the worst, yet he’s also shown to be scared and weak when he’s not showing off. It’s easy to see why Pratt was cast as Draco Malfoy in the new Harry Potter TV series. McKenna’s Piggy is the tragic heart of Lord of the Flies, and the miniseries is at its best every time it finds him. The character is wise beyond his years, a lonely soul forced to grow up all too young, all conveyed without the necessity of dialogue.
Another adaptation of Lord of the Flies arguably isn’t necessary, especially if you’re already familiar with the story, but this new interpretation is a solid way in for the uninitiated. Its cinematic style is effective, and its performances are outstanding. If its four episodes had been a bit shorter, and a few changes to the source material had been reversed, Lord of the Flies could have achieved greatness; instead, it settles for being pretty good.
Lord of the Flies is now streaming on Netflix.
- Release Date
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2026 – 2026-00-00
- Network
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BBC One
- Directors
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Marc Munden
- Writers
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Jack Thorne
Cast
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David McKenna
Nicholas (Piggy)
Pros & Cons
- The plot stays in its era and isn’t modernized.
- Marc Munden adds an unnerving cinematic flare to many shots.
- The score, made in part by Hans Zimmer, becomes chilling when needed.
- The performances, especially from David McKenna and Lox Pratt, are superb.
- The episodes are a little too long, causing the story to drag in the middle.
- One death scene is altered and too drawn-out, thus lessening the impact.
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Cracow Monsters has been described as the “perfect series” for those who love the horror genre, and although it is not immediately obvious why, as soon as you sink your teeth into the series, it grabs you by the throat and doesn’t let go. Effortlessly, it blends the supernatural viciousness of demons with a sultry sense of intrigue that reflects the gloomy streets of its setting. Due to its serial format, it isn’t restricted to focusing on one antagonist, choosing to have a primary villain who brings and revives other demons into the world. This allows the show to explore creature design in an indulgent way that horror fans will love sinking their teeth into.
Outside the horror elements, the show utilizes a small ensemble of close-knit students, who, as the protagonist Alex (Barbara Liberek) begins to trust them, add a real sense of community to the story. Each has a distinct persona as well as a unique ability that creates this Scooby-Doo-esque team at the center of all the horror. It adds moments of lightness but, more importantly, plays into the aspect of horror cinema where there is often a core friendship group for the viewer to root for. The core difference here is that the extended runtime means they aren’t picked off one by one instantly, and you are given time to get to know and care about them.
What Is ‘Cracow Monsters’ About?
Cracow Monsters centers around Alex, a college student who is haunted by troubling visions that relate to her past. Her mother had similar hallucinations, and Alex believed her to be schizophrenic. However, her view shifts after Alex’s professor recruits her for a group of students who study and hunt demons. Although the series starts slowly, as Alex is understandably confused and wary of their intentions, after coming face-to-face with one of the creatures, she joins the group. The group’s abilities include foresight, which means the show offers snippets of what is to come without any context, allowing the viewer to attempt to piece together the mystery. It turns Cracow Monsters into something all-consuming that doesn’t just get under your skin because of the creatures, but also because of the intensity of the intrigue.
Unlike a horror movie, which usually features a cold open to immediately reel the audience in, Cracow Monsters takes a slow burn approach, instead choosing to start the series in a sweaty, illuminated nightclub. It instantly sets the mature, sexy tone of the series, but shows a confidence that the show isn’t relying on creature design or special effects as the primary source of intrigue. Rather, protagonist Alex is drenched in mystery, and the allure of her presence throughout the season is akin to the final girl trope, albeit darker and less idealized.
‘Cracow Monsters’ Biggest Strength Is Its Creature Design
Despite the obvious strength of the tone Cracow Monsters delivers, the creatures are the major appeal for any horror fan. The show experiments with different styles of demons, from human-presenting, sexual creatures to giant, brutish beasts. However, it is the way the show weaves in Slavic mythology that makes these creatures feel so developed and tangible. The show takes time to indulge in folklore and art due to its academic setting, and its characters don’t just care about defeating these creatures; they actually want to understand them. The library montages where characters attempt to uncover the truth are a popular trope within horror movies, and they often feel like a plot device for an exposition dump. However, in Cracow Monsters, the discoveries are earned and spread throughout the series, which makes it much more engaging for a horror audience. The books themselves are decadent in design, with gorgeous illustrations that make them feel like old scripture and give so much more personality to the already embellished creatures.
Yet, what is most impressive about the variety of creatures in the show is their physical design. Each has a distinctive appearance and unusual manners of movement that make every single one unpredictable. The one element they all have in common is their bloodthirsty nature, which keeps the body count high. There is a creature for fans of every horror subgenre, as the series seamlessly blends zombies, the occult, and folk horror. Cracow Monsters intertwines beings that feel like they can’t co-exist and finds a way to integrate them into the story. Although the big bad being a small child sometimes requires a suspension of disbelief, the creatures he pulls from the earth don’t require any at all – they are terrifying by nature.
‘Cracow Monsters’ Is Based on Real Folklore
Image via Netflix
The show doesn’t just pick pockets of folklore for the sake of its creature design, but threads it through the whole narrative, bringing elements of the occult subgenre into a modern, urban setting. Alex is given sage as a part of a cleansing ritual by one of her fellow students, and the group uses symbols of demonology to perform an exorcism. If your favorite aspect of horror is the creation of a rich sense of lore and history, Cracow Monsters provides that at the highest level. This is mostly due to its connection to real Slavic folklore.
The core group that Alex is initiated into provides the show something to ground itself in, giving it the use of unorthodox techniques and areas of study to feel more integrated. Having Alex as the audience surrogate entering an environment where the characters are already well-versed in the art of the supernatural allows the show to have a natural flow and gives horror lovers what they want to see without focusing too much on exposition and character discovery. The use of unusual medications or practices doesn’t come with any jeopardy, as the cast are already familiar with them. It allows the show to concentrate on the dynamics of the group, providing a balance between the supernatural side of the show and the more warm community feel.
In eight episodes, Cracow Monsters brings numerous components for horror movie lovers to feast on. Not only does it indulge in detailed creature design, giving audiences diverse and unpredictable antagonists, but it crafts an extremely likable group of heroes to engage in the mystery as well as provide moments of genuine heart. It is a slow-burning story, but any horror lover should stick with it and reap the rewards.
Cracow Monsters is available to stream on Netflix in the U.S.
- Release Date
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2022 – 2022-00-00
- Network
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Netflix
- Directors
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Kasia Adamik
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Barbara Liberek
Aleksandra “Alex” Walas
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Andrzej Chyra
Profesor Jan Zawadzki
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Stanisław Linowski
Lucjan “Lucky” Szczęsny, asystent Zawadzkiego
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Alex Cooper built her brand on control, confidence, and knowing exactly how to steer a conversation, but now, that control is being tested in a very public way.
The “Call Her Daddy” host is facing growing scrutiny after serious allegations surfaced about her husband and business partner, Matt Kaplan.
As reports describe tension behind the scenes of their company, the spotlight has shifted from Cooper’s success to the cracks forming within her empire, and the pressure is only building.
Alex Cooper found herself at the center of controversy after calling out former collaborator Alix Earle, an unexpected move that quickly snowballed into something much bigger.
Instead of the focus staying on that feud, attention shifted to Cooper’s husband, Kaplan, and his alleged behavior at their company, Trending.
A recent investigation claimed the 42-year-old created a difficult work environment, with accusations that he “berated” and “yelled” at employees.
There were also claims that Kaplan threatened to blackball staff from working in Hollywood. As the reports gained traction, insiders suggested the situation hit at something deeply personal for Cooper.
“This is Alex Cooper’s biggest fear: bad press,” a source told the Daily Mail, adding, “It matters to her. She wants to control the narrative, always. She is insecure and cutthroat all in one. She really doesn’t have that many friends.”
Cooper’s Company Hit With Workplace Complaints And Staff Turnover
According to reports regarding the recent investigation, Matt Kaplan allegedly “berated the staff on set” of the Unwell Winter Games and warned them they could lose future opportunities if mistakes were made.
One experienced crew member was said to have broken down in tears. Another claim involved a production manager who nearly quit during Alex Cooper’s 2023 live tour, citing concerns about Kaplan “disrespecting staff by yelling and swearing at them.”
Footage later showed the film producer telling his wife that the manager had simply “snapped.”
While their creative agency, Unwell, reportedly employs around 100 people, several high-level executives have left within the past year, including key leadership roles in marketing and growth.
Alex Cooper’s Marriage To Matt Kaplan Faces Strain Behind The Scenes
Beyond the business concerns, sources suggest the pressure has also affected Cooper’s personal life.
Insiders claim that tension has been building within her marriage to Kaplan, particularly as their professional partnership has deepened.
“There’s a lot of tension in their marriage right now,” a source said, adding that the couple is not sleeping in the same room.
The insider also described a shift in Kaplan’s behavior over time, noting how their relationship changed after they began living together.
“Matt fully courted Alex and was so sweet with her in the beginning. Once they moved in together, that’s when things changed,” the source explained.
The couple’s decision to combine their business ventures has also raised concerns among those close to Cooper. According to the same source, Kaplan plays a dominant role in her career decisions.
“Matt pushes her to do things in her business,” they said, adding, “She doesn’t have a manager. Matt is always in the room. Everything goes through Matt.”
Cooper’s Expanding Vision Raises Questions About Sustainability
Even as controversy swirls, Alex Cooper’s ambitions remain massive. The Unwell brand has expanded into live events, reality-style content, merchandise, energy drinks, and streaming projects like “Love Overboard” and “Call Her Alex.”
However, some critics believe the scale of these efforts may be part of the problem. Courtney Babbin, who interviewed for a role at Unwell, described her experience with Kaplan as unsettling.
“Alex and Matt truly think they are the smartest people in the world,” she said, recalling what she called “the most uncomfortable two hours of my life.”
She also claimed Kaplan asked “inappropriate” personal questions and avoided eye contact during their meeting.
Babbin questioned how the company operates internally, adding, “If my interview is that rough, I could only imagine what happens behind closed doors.”
She also raised concerns about the company’s ambitious expansion. “They’re trying to do everything,” she said. “It’s reality TV, it’s events.”
Babbin added that the film producer openly shared business plans without requiring a non-disclosure agreement, calling it unusual.
Alex Cooper’s Business Empire Built With Kaplan Now Under Pressure
Cooper’s personal and professional life became deeply intertwined after meeting Matt Kaplan in 2020.
Introduced over Zoom, he quickly became a major figure in her life, both romantically and in business, earning the nickname “Mr Sexy Zoom Man” among fans.
Kaplan brought his own success into the partnership, having founded ACE Entertainment and produced projects like “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before” and “XO, Kitty.” Together, they expanded Cooper’s brand into a full-scale media operation.
In 2021, the 31-year-old signed a $60 million deal with Spotify. By 2023, she and Kaplan were engaged and launched Trending, which became the parent company of Call Her Daddy and ACE Entertainment.
That same year, they introduced the Unwell Network, bringing in creators like Earle and Madeline Argy.
The couple tied the knot in April 2024, and just months later, Cooper secured a $125 million deal with SiriusXM.
They continued expanding with ventures like the Unwell Creative Agency, aimed at connecting brands with Gen Z audiences.
Bindi Irwin’s mom, Terri Irwin, provided a health update on her daughter after she failed to attend the 2026 Steve Irwin Gala.
During a red carpet interview with E! News at the Saturday, May 2, event inside at Las Vegas’ Bellagio, Terri, 61, spoke about Bindi’s ongoing battle with endometriosis — and why it prevented her from attending alongside her and brother Robert Irwin.
“Bindi is doing so much better now,” Terri told the outlet while standing alongside Robert, 22, at the 3rd annual Steve Irwin Gala that celebrated her late husband’s conservation achievements. “Things like a lot of travel are a bit challenging for her at the moment and so she’ll be here next year to celebrate this wonderful night.” (Steve Irwin died in September 2006 after a fatal snorkelling interaction with a short-tail stingray in Queensland, Australia. He was 44 years old.)
Terri, who was married to Steve for 14 years, added that Bindi, 27, was at Saturday’s event “in spirit” along with her husband Chandler Powell and the couple’s daughter Grace, 5. “This year she’s just staying a little close to home,” Terri told the outlet. “So, ironically, it’s less taxing for her to be home feeding crocodiles.”
Bindi Irwin missed her late father Steve Irwin’s annual gala in Las Vegas on Saturday, May 10, after suffering a ruptured appendix. “She’s going to be OK, but surgery — out of all the things we were ready for, that was not one of them,” Bindi’s brother Robert Irwin told People in an interview published […]
In May 2025, Bindi opened up to Us Weekly about her ongoing struggles with endometriosis, which is described by Mayo Clinic as “an often-painful condition in which tissue that is similar to the inner lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus.”
Speaking to Us just one day prior to emergency surgery as a result of a ruptured appendix, and the day before the 2025 Steve Irwin Gala, Bindi said, “If you have good health you can do anything, but when you’re feeling unwell it’s impossible to function in life.” (Bindi was forced to skip the 2025 event as a result of her health struggles, too.)
Later that month, Bindi shared a progress report with fans via Instagram. “Healing,” she captioned a carousel of photos that showed the Dancing With the Stars season 21 champion recovering in the hospital. “Thank you for your incredible words of support and kindness. The reason I share my health journey is because more girls and women desperately need answers to their undiagnosed pain.”
More recently, Bindi reflected on her endometriosis journey via a lengthy post that urged other sufferers to seek increased support during March’s Endometriosis Australia Awareness Month. “In the last three years, I’ve had over 50 endometriosis lesions cut out of my body. A chocolate cyst that was adhering my ovary to my side was removed. An appendectomy and a hernia repair. I’ve felt indescribable, inescapable pain,” Bindi candidly shared via Instagram on March 31. “Trying to keep my invisible illness to myself after being told by doctors it was just “part of being a woman.” I spent 10 years being undiagnosed.”
Bindi’s post concluded, “No one deserves to suffer in silence. For more information I turned to @seckinmd and @endofound. If you’re in pain, my heart breaks for you. I believe you. Please find answers. And don’t give up on yourself. I know how hard that can be.”
Robert Irwin isn’t done collecting “Dancing with the Stars” wins for his family just yet.
After both he and his sister Bindi Irwin took home Mirrorball trophies, the 22-year-old is now setting his sights on getting their mom, Terri Irwin, onto the ballroom floor.
During a recent interview, the wildlife conservation family opened up about the possibility, with Robert making it clear he’s determined to turn the idea into reality, whether Terri is fully ready or not.
Robert Irwin is making it his personal mission to see his mom compete on “Dancing with the Stars.”
After winning the most recent season alongside partner Witney Carson, he didn’t hesitate to share his next goal for the family.
“I’ll get her. Don’t worry. We’re gonna get her on the next season. I’m gonna make it happen!” Robert told E! News, confidently insisting that Terri will eventually step onto the dance floor.
Terri, however, is taking a more cautious approach. Speaking alongside her son at the Steve Irwin Gala in Las Vegas, she joked about needing time to consider the idea.
“I’ll review the petition,” she said, adding that she would “get back to you in five to seven business days.”
Still, the 61-year-old admitted that the opportunity is appealing. “I am honored to be asked if I would do it because it’s an amazing thing,” she shared.
Robert Shares Why Terri Would Thrive On The Show
Robert Irwin isn’t just pushing for his mom to join, but he already has a vision for how she would succeed.
Drawing from his own experience, he believes Terri would genuinely enjoy the process and the energy of the show.
The zookeeper even went a step further by suggesting a potential partner for his mom. He believes professional dancer Val Chmerkovskiy would be the perfect match.
“Mum, I’d think you’d dance so well with Val,” he told her, adding that it would make the experience even more enjoyable.
Terri herself reflected on what she has seen from her children’s time on “DWTS,” recalling how Bindi once described the experience.
“This is the closest you’ll ever get to flying. You feel free. It’s euphoric. It’s amazing,” she remembered her daughter saying.
She also spoke about the physical side of ballroom dancing, noting how demanding it can be.
“The dancing has gotta be the most athletic, incredible, moving experience that you could have, so I think it would be really special,” Terri explained.
Robert Irwin Gets Backup As ‘DWTS’ Pros Support Terri Casting
Robert isn’t the only one campaigning for Terri to join the show. His former dance partner Witney Carson is fully on board with the idea and agrees with his choice of partner.
“I think that she would be best paired with someone who’s seasoned, but can really have fun with her,” Witney said, before adding, “Dare I say Val.”
She also explained why Chmerkovskiy would be a strong fit, noting that he can balance discipline with a fun rehearsal environment.
Witney already sees potential in Terri based on past experience. She pointed to the conservationist’s brief appearance during a performance earlier in the season.
“She’s the last Irwin. We’ve got to get Terri on the show. I think she would do incredible,” she said.
Recalling that moment, Witney added, “She was adding things. She wanted to do a passé. She was adding a flick. I was like, ‘Go Terri!’”
Robert Calls ‘DWTS’ Win ‘Life-Changing’ After Emotional Finale
Robert Irwin won Season 34 alongside Carson after a highly competitive finale in which five couples performed multiple routines, with judges’ scores and audience votes combined to determine the winner.
Despite entering the finale with a rib injury, he delivered strong performances, earning near-perfect scores and ultimately winning after one of the closest vote results in the show’s history.
As The Blast shared, the TV presenter said the victory meant “everything” to him. Speaking after the finale, Robert shared, “To follow in those footsteps and to do the same has meant everything to me.”
He described the experience as life-changing, saying, “This has absolutely changed my life.” Robert also reflected on watching Bindi’s win years earlier, explaining how it inspired him.
“When I watched her lift that Mirrorball, I saw her lifting that message,” he said. Overall, Robert expressed gratitude for the journey and his dance partner, calling the experience unforgettable.
Robert Irwin Weighs In On ‘Bachelor’ Speculation: ‘Never Say Never’
Robert has addressed growing speculation about whether he could become the next lead on “The Bachelor,” and he’s not shutting the door on the idea.
According to The Blast, the wildlife conservationist said, “Never say never,” adding, “I’m in this realm right now where I’m like, never say never.”
He continued to tease the possibility, saying, “Watch this space. Who knows. It’s a strange world. Anything could happen.”
Despite the buzz, Robert made it clear that reality TV romance isn’t his main focus. He emphasized, “I’m a zookeeper. I’m an animal conservationist. That’s my thing,” noting that his life is very different from what’s being reported.
He also downplayed his dating life, admitting, “My life is a lot more boring than you might think. I’m pretty vanilla.”
Entertainment
Bob Dylan Agreed to Make ‘A Complete Unknown’ After James Mangold Honored This Moving Request
A Complete Unknown has officially become one of the year’s most talked-about films. James Mangold’s masterful take on the life of Bob Dylan—portrayed by Timothée Chalamet—has not only reached new heights for a musical biopic; it has garnered the all-important award buzz. But the real standout of the picture isn’t Chalamet’s take on Dylan but his muse, as Elle Fanning’s Sylvie Russo is more than just a fascinating character. In a world filled with eccentric characters, Russo acts as a beautiful proxy for the audience, helping moviegoers care for Dylan beyond the musician they already know, as they watch his rise to stardom. However, unlike many of the other characters the “Like a Rolling Stone” singer encounters throughout, Sylvie is technically fictional. But she was inspired by an incredibly important force in Dylan’s life and left an incredible legacy of her own behind.
Sylvie Russo Was Inspired by Dylan’s Real-Life Muse
Like most biopics, A Complete Unknown takes quite a few liberties with Dylan’s story. While Sylvie is technically one such modification, she isn’t as fictional as many think. Per Rolling Stone, the character of Sylvie was inspired by Suze Rotolo, an Italian-American artist whom Dylan first met in 1961 and who was a force to be reckoned with. Rotolo, a New Yorker from birth, moved to Greenwich Village to find herself. “[…] it was to Greenwich Village that people like me went—people who knew in their souls that they didn’t belong where they came from,” Rolling Stone quoted. “I was drawn to the Village with its history of bohemia—where the writers I was reading and the artists I was looking at had lived or passed through.”
Much like her movie counterpart, Rotolo became Dylan’s muse—in one of the film’s more accurate sequences, Dylan met Rotolo when he performed in an all-day concert at Riverside Church. Rolling Stone claims she inspired “Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right,” as well as much of his work, even famously appearing with Dylan on the iconic cover of 1963’s The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan. But music and art weren’t the only things Rotolo inspired in Dylan’s life; as with Fanning’s fictional take, Rotolo was heavily involved in various social movements. According to Forbes, she was suspended from school after distributing “Stop the bomb” petitions and participated in the first-ever Civil Rights march in Washington, D.C. As stated by Rolling Stone, she got Dylan interested in civil rights after turning his attention to the murder of 14-year-old Emmett Till, which, of course, inspired his song on the subject. Sadly, the couple would part ways in 1964; however, they continued to speak of each other fondly in later years. Perhaps most telling was Dylan’s decision on how to handle her story when it came to A Complete Unknown.
Bob Dylan Wanted To Change Rotolo’s Name For ‘A Complete Unknown’
When it came time to start making A Complete Unknown, Bob Dylan himself had a very specific request for director James Mangold. The two had been through quite a lot together, including an abortion, as well as an extended distance when Rotolo went on an eight-month trip to Italy, yet Rotolo’s life was kept largely private. “It was a character who I felt—and I think Bob very much agreed when we talked early on—was the only one who wasn’t a celebrity and an icon in and of themselves with a kind of public persona,” Mangold reflected. Sadly, Rotolo passed away in February 2011, thus the decision to change her name for the movie was likely the right one. Still, the film completely honors Rotolo’s legacy.
Russo is an easy character to fall in love with and is key to crafting the film’s gorgeous romance. It additionally honors the amazing work she did for people all around the world. Rotolo involved herself in some of the most meaningful causes of all time and helped bring them into the public consciousness through Dylan—a sort of legacy that cannot be understated. Sylvie Russo may be a creative liberty of sorts, but the legacy of Suze Rotolo lives on through her, through the music she inspired, the art she created, and the love she brought to the world.
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Whitney Leavitt has announced that she will be exiting The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives.
According to a Sunday, May 3, article by The Hollywood Reporter, Leavitt, 32, revealed during her final Broadway performance of Chicago earlier that day that she “is departing” the Hulu reality TV show. The outlet, along with Deadline, confirmed the news in the hours that followed.
Us Weekly has reached out to a representative for Leavitt for comment.
One day prior to the news, Leavitt had celebrated the end of her on-stage portrayal of Roxie Hart via an Instagram video. “Closing night is tomorrow and I’m just feeling a roller coaster of emotions right now 😭,” she captioned the Saturday, May 2, clip. “Never let anyone convince you your dream is impossible. Do the work to make it happen ✨I love you guys sm! Thank you for everything!!!! xx- Roxie Hart 💋✨.”
Whitney Leavitt is playing coy about her future on The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives. “We’re figuring it out in real-time. I don’t really know,” Whitney, 32, said of whether she’ll return to the show during a Wednesday, April 8, interview on Good Morning America. “I feel sometimes that it’s like time to venture out.” […]
The video included no mention of Mormon Wives, of which Leavitt has appeared as a full-time cast member since debuting on Hulu in September 2024. The show has charted a group of Mormon mom influencers, including Leavitt, whose lives were forever changed following a high-profile cheating scandal.
Leavitt made her Broadway debut in Chicago in February after news of her leap from TV to stage broke in December 2025. The news came after Leavitt competed in season 34 of Dancing With the Stars, finishing the dancing competition in sixth place.
Leavitt will also make her acting and executive producing debut in a holiday rom-com for Ninth House Productions later this year, per reporting by The Hollywood Reporter.
Whitney Leavitt weighed in on whether she would leave The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives “soon” in the wake of a few new career opportunities. “Well, I’m figuring it out in real time,” Leavitt, 32, told The Hollywood Reporter in an interview published on Monday, March 16. “We’re figuring it out together, but it feels […]
The multiple-threat’s exit from Mormon Wives comes amid a string of controversies that have plagued the show in recent months, including a police investigation focused on an alleged domestic violence altercation between Taylor Frankie Paul and her ex Dakota Mortensen that saw production of Mormon Wives halted. (Us Weekly confirmed on April 14 that Paul, 31, will not face charges in relation to the investigation.)
The reality TV series’ executive producer Jeff Jenkins addressed speculation that Paul will also not be returning for season 5. “I certainly hope [she will film with the other women],” Jenkins, 58, told fans at Deadline’s “Reality TV Summit” on Friday, May 1. “Again, first and foremost, is she healthy of body and mind, then we’ll talk about it.”
One month prior, the ex-husband of Mormon Wives star Miranda McWhorter, Chase McWhorter, said during the April 7 episode of Harry Jowsey’s “Boyfriend Material” podcast that he believed cameras on the reality show may not pick up again at all.
“I think that’s kind of up in the air at this point,” Chase, 30, claimed at the time. “Hoping they do. All the other women have a bunch of great stories and story lines that haven’t been told. I think that’s a great thing they could look into. So I think they should, but we’ll see.”
Apple TV’s crime-drama bench is crowded right now, which makes this show’s chart movement particularly interesting. On April 23, one day after its Season 2 launch, FlixPatrol had it at No. 5 among Apple TV shows worldwide, behind only Margo’s Got Money Troubles, Imperfect Women, Your Friends & Neighbors, and Monarch: Legacy of Monsters. In the U.S. that same day, it also hit No. 5 on Apple TV’s TV chart, jumping four spots, which is a strong early signal for a returning thriller.
The better sign is that it did not vanish after the premiere curiosity cooled. By April 30, it was still sitting at No. 8 on Apple TV’s U.S. TV chart and had climbed to No. 7 overall on Apple TV’s U.S. list, above bigger Apple library names like Ted Lasso, The Last Thing He Told Me, and For All Mankind. By May 1, it remains visible globally at No. 7 among Apple TV shows, ahead of For All Mankind, Shrinking, and The Last Thing He Told Me.
The series is Criminal Record, Apple TV’s London-set detective thriller starring Peter Capaldi as DCI Daniel Hegarty and Cush Jumbo as DS June Lenker. The show’s Season 2 premiered globally on April 22, 2026, with eight weekly episodes running through June 10. The new story forces Hegarty and Lenker into an uneasy alliance after a young man is killed at a political rally, pushing the case toward a far-right bomb plot and the same moral rot that made Season 1 such a tense sleeper.
‘Criminal Record’ Season 2 Debuted to a 100% RT Score on Rotten Tomatoes
Criminal Record Season 2 opened with the kind of Rotten Tomatoes score that instantly strengthens the sleeper hit argument: early critics had it at 100%, signaling that the Apple TV thriller had returned with more than just residual goodwill from Season 1. The score has since shifted as more reviews were added, with Season 2 critics’ score on RT currently in the high-80s, but the debut reaction still matters.
Criminal Record is currently trending on Apple TV, and Season 2 will air its remaining episodes through June 10. Stay tuned to Collider for more updates.
- Release Date
-
January 10, 2024
- Network
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Apple TV
- Showrunner
-
Paul Rutman
- Directors
-
Jim Loach
- Writers
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Thomas Eccleshare, Ameir Brown, Paul Rutman
-
Andrew Brooke
Clive Silcox
-
Charlie Creed-Miles
DS Tony Gilfoyle
The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox allowed Grace Van Patten to work with sister Anna Van Patten, who then went on to appear in a graphic sex scene as Kitty on Euphoria.
Grace, who is Anna’s older sister, grew up with her siblings in New York City before attending Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School. After being directed by her father, Timothy Van Patten, in an episode of The Sopranos, Grace continued to find success with roles in Boardwalk Empire, Maniac and Nine Perfect Strangers.
Grace skyrocketed to fame after being cast as Lucy in Hulu’s Tell Me Lies. She went on to score the lead role as Amanda Knox in a limited series, which will chronicle the period after Knox was wrongfully accused in Meredith Kercher’s murder trial, her time in prison and her journey to freedom. Margaret Qualley was originally set to play Knox in Hulu’s scripted series, but she exited the project and Grace replaced her.
The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox paved the way for Grace to work with Anna, who plays Knox’s real-life sister.
“I’ll say that Grace is f***ing amazing. That’s what I will say,” Knox exclusively told Us Weekly in March 2025. “I’m in a very, very privileged position as someone who is a subject of a story. Typically someone in my position — the subject — doesn’t get to be an executive producer of their own show.”
Keep scrolling for what to know about Anna after she collaborated with Grace on The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox:
What TV Shows Did Anna Van Patten Work On Before ‘The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox’?
Anna made appearances on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, FBI: Most Wanted, Gossip Girl and she has been cast in season 3 of Euphoria.
Who Else Is Part of Grace and Anna’s Famous Family?
Grace and Anna’s father is director and producer Timothy Van Patten and mother is Wendy Rossmeyer Van Patten. Their uncle is comic actor Dick Van Patten and their cousin is actress Talia Balsam, who is the daughter of Joyce Van Patten. Grace and Anna have a younger sister: June.
What Has Anna Shared About Her Career?
During a joint interview with her mother in January 2025, Anna spoke with Modern Luxury about breaking into the industry.
“I went to a performing arts high school where you could major in a subject. I majored in drama, and then I went to the New School for college where I studied film,” she explained. “I think learning all aspects of film can only teach me more about the art as a whole. I think that having Gossip Girl as my first job is teaching me a lot, because there’s really nothing like learning from being on set.”
Anna continued: “I’m so thankful for that, but I really want to learn to be more hands-on behind the camera. I think this is all teaching me a lot for potential future projects.”
Have Grace and Anna Worked Together Before?
The sisters shared the screen for the first time in Hulu’s The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox, which premiered in August 2025. Grace played Amanda while Anna Van Patten was cast as her sister, Deanna. The rest of the Knox family was portrayed by Sharon Horgan and John Hoogenakker.
What Role Does Anna Van Patten Have in ‘Euphoria’?
Anna appeared in season 3 as a newcomer at the strip club. The dancer — who is named Kitty — has a brutal start at her new job when she has to have sex with a group of men.
There have been movies made about World War II since its conclusion, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t more stories to tell. The conflict was the largest in human history, and was filled with countless stories of heroism, many of which have never been addressed. “Operation Mincemeat” was an operation by the British military told by author Ben Macintyre in a 2010 novel that described the unusual plan. Although the novel had helped to publicize a story that hadn’t received much attention, Netflix’s Operation Mincemeat brought to life one of World War II’s strangest moments with the help of some of the greatest British actors working today. Beyond the fact that Operation Mincemeat is legitimately informative, it’s also a great work of entertainment that understands why World War II is such a compelling cinematic subject.
Operation Mincemeat examines a particularly dangerous moment in World War II when the Allies had prepared an invasion of Sicily, which could’ve turned the tide of the war through the advantages of European expansion. In order to ensure that the attack is a surprise, Admiral John Godfrey (Jason Isaacs) came up with a strategy to leak false information about an invasion of Greece that would confuse the Nazis, forcing them to mount their defenses elsewhere. The only way to pass along the fake details to the Nazis was to create false plans that were placed on the body of a fallen soldier, who could be intercepted. The unlikely heroes of Operation Mincemeat are Lieutenant Commander Ewen Montagu (Colin Firth) and Flight Lieutenant Charles Christopher Cholmondeley (Matthew Macfadyen), who are tasked with identifying the corpse and giving it the necessary preparations. While it is a war movie, first and foremost, Operation Mincemeat contains elements of the espionage and heist genres.
Netflix’s ‘Operation Mincemeat’ Uncovers an Undiscovered WWII True Story
Operation Mincemeat is effective at showing the substantial pressure put upon the Allied forces at this point in the war, which has already proven to be devastating and responsible for millions of lives lost. The film shows how the Allies became more interested in untraditional strategies, as to simply wage war through endless combat zones would only become more destructive. The irony of the film is that Montagu and Cholmondeley find that the body of a vagrant could end up being responsible for an operation that brings forward peace. Even though this man, who is disguised as a soldier, did not get to enjoy the virtues of life in his own time, he may be helpful in awarding those freedoms to countless others. Although there is some humor in how the film describes how inherently unusual this mission was, it also shows a respectfulness for the deceased that is necessary for the given subject.
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Operation Mincemeat is distinct from other World War II films because it examines the unspoken heroism of those who were not in positions of authority. Among the complications of the secret mission is that Cholmondeley and Montagu understand that their actions will have to be classified in the immediate aftermath, and they may not receive the laudatory praise of their peers if their operation is successful. This opened the door to a deeper understanding of the ethics of spycraft, especially since future James Bond author Ian Fleming is a character in the film, played by Johnny Flynn. While being able to work in secret could have given Montagu and Cholmondeley the excuse to take a more ruthless, immoral approach, their insistence on remaining honorable shows the importance of retaining ethics. Montagu and Cholmondeley believe that victory cannot be attained through malicious means, as they don’t want to fall into the same path of deceit and manipulation that hallmarked their enemies.
Netflix’s ‘Operation Mincemeat’ Examines the Complexity of Victory
Operation Mincemeat is a terrific ensemble film, as it shows that all of those that participated in the operation were integral to its success, and that a war could not be won by simply one brave soldier. Firth has had some experience starring in World War II films, such as The King’s Speech and The Railway Man, but he gives one of his most underrated performances ever as Montagu. Montagu is distraught throughout because he is separated from his family, who have been sent to remain in safety in the United States, which makes him feel even more alienated as he remains in Europe. He’s also Jewish, and there have been rumors about what Adolf Hitler did to the population of Poland, even if the more disturbing details of the Holocaust were not uncovered by the Allies at this point in history. While both of these stresses weigh down on Montagu, Firth shows the integrity of a man who put his best foot forward and served as a role model for those under his command.
The Operation Mincemeat story has strangely become even more popular since the film’s release, as a Broadway musical of the same name became incredibly successful, even if it took a slightly more comical approach. However, Operation Mincemeat is unique among war films because it showed how many of the most pivotal moments in the conflict were made in meetings and boardrooms. While this may not seem as inherently exciting as a film like Saving Private Ryan that is set within the trenches, Operation Mincemeat showed that heroism takes many forms, and that some of the most valiant efforts are kept secret.
Over two decades have passed since Denzel Washington played one of his most iconic characters, John Creasy, in the cult classic action film Man on Fire. The film was directed by his frequent creative collaborator, the late filmmaker Tony Scott. While Man on Fire wasn’t exactly a major blockbuster — it grossed around $130 million worldwide against a reported budget of $70 million — it became a home-video sensation in subsequent years. In many ways, it paved the way for Liam Neeson‘s Taken and for Washington’s own The Equalizer movies. Netflix is aware of the film’s popularity, which explains why the streamer greenlit a reimagined series. The new show debuted this week and emerged as an instant hit on the platform.
Headlined by Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, the seven-episode Man on Fire series is created by Kyle Killen. The show’s first two episodes were directed by Steven Caple Jr., who rose through the Hollywood ranks with Creed II and Transformers: Rise of the Beasts. He’s now putting together a sequel to I Am Legend, starring Will Smith and Michael B. Jordan. Abdul-Mateen II has appeared in two major superhero projects, James Wan‘s Aquaman and Damon Lindelof‘s Watchmen series on HBO. His Man on Fire series offers direct competition to Prime Video’s rival titles Reacher and Jack Ryan, but it wasn’t as well-received as either of those shows.
‘Reacher’ Fans Have Something to Bide Their Time with While They Wait for a New Season
Man on Fire currently holds a 60% score on the aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, which is higher than the 39% score of the 2004 movie, but is simply not good enough for long-term success. In her review, Collider’s Carly Lane described it as a “perfect binge for Reacher” fans, but noted that it “is more of a slow burn than an instantaneous firestorm.” Despite the mixed initial reactions from critics, the show emerged as Netflix’s number one title both domestically and worldwide, according to FlixPatrol. Meanwhile, Washington is gearing up to reprise his role as Robert McCall in two more movies in The Equalizer franchise. The series’ three movies so far have each generated higher global box-office returns than the Man on Fire movie, and have remained hot favorites on streaming. Stay tuned to Collider for more updates.
- Release Date
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April 30, 2026
- Network
-
Netflix
- Showrunner
-
Kyle Killen
- Directors
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Steven Caple Jr., Vicente Amorim, Clare Kilner, Michael Cuesta
- Writers
-
Kyle Killen
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