By Robert Scucci
| Updated 33 seconds ago

2010’s The Ward (or John Carpenter’s The Ward) is such a tough film to talk about because it’s a run-of-the-mill psychological horror flick. It’s not terrible, just incredibly derivative. Think 2003’s Identity meets 2005’s The Jacket, both of which cost around $30 million to produce, but with only $10 million to pull it off.

The Ward leans into its limitations well, and it’s a fun way to spend 89 minutes, but it’s also from the guy who brought us Dark Star, Halloween, The Thing, and They Live. In that context, it almost makes me glad Carpenter is now in his side-quest era, popping up on Gunship albums and narrating retrofuturistic dystopias over ripping synth lines.

Amber Heard Is An Unreliable Witness. There’s A Joke Here Somewhere. 

Set almost entirely in a psychiatric hospital, The Ward centers on Amber Heard’s Kristen, who is locked up after burning down a farmhouse for no clear reason. There, she meets a group of troubled young women, including the freewheeling and impulsive Emily (Mamie Gummer) and the flirtatious mean girl Sarah (Danielle Panabaker). Rounding out the group are Iris (Lyndsy Fonseca), a creative type with an artistic streak, and Zoey (Laura-Leigh), whose past trauma has left her in a state of arrested development, complete with a stuffed animal and a habit of sucking her thumb.

Supervising the girls is Dr. Stringer (Jared Harris), whose treatment methods include hypnotherapy, electroshock therapy, and more extreme measures that escalate as the film moves into its second and third acts.

Kristen struggles with her captivity while maintaining her innocence. She doesn’t know why she burned down the farmhouse, and she can’t recall much about her life before the incident. But that’s only part of her problem in The Ward. One by one, starting with Iris, the girls are killed off in increasingly brutal fashion, and they begin to believe they’re being hunted by the ghost of a former patient named Alice Hudson (Mika Boorem).

Kristen learns that before she arrived, the other patients murdered Alice (portrayed by Sydney Sweeney in flashbacks in one of her earliest roles) because of her violent tendencies, claiming no one would listen to their concerns. With no one believing she’s sane, Kristen must either escape the hospital or face the entity that’s been haunting her since she arrived.

Been There, Done That

As a John Carpenter film, The Ward is an underwhelming effort. Knowing what he’s capable of when he’s fully in his element, it’s hard to reconcile this with his classics. This is where you might expect me to throw writers Michael and Shawn Rasmussen under the bus for a lackluster screenplay, but I’m not going to do that. It’s derivative and painfully standard, sure, but it was always aiming to be that kind of psychological thriller.

This is a low-budget, not-quite B-movie effort, and it carries that kind of charm. As a film from two writers I don’t have much history with, it works well enough as a straightforward genre piece that I’d recommend to casual viewers.

My disappointment mostly comes from Carpenter himself. He’s always been known for subverting expectations and bending genre rules, but that just isn’t happening here. It feels like he showed up, did the directing job, and moved on. There’s nothing inherently wrong with that, but it keeps The Ward from being anything close to iconic, and closer to forgettable.

The Ward is a solid, reliable psychological thriller that has some fun with its premise. It works as an entry point if you’re not burned out on the genre, but if you’ve seen it all before, this one might not do much for you.

As of this writing, The Ward is streaming for free on Tubi.

Meghan Markle‘s return to Australia is generating buzz over the alleged rules she has set for her husband, Prince Harry.

The former senior royal is said to have joined his wife on what is being described as her Aussie tour, and he is expected to avoid contact with former partners and stick to a curfew.

Prince Harry and Meghan kicked off the trip with a visit to Melbourne’s Royal Children’s Hospital, and will attend various charity engagements as well as public and private events throughout their stay.

Meghan Markle is currently on tour in Australia, with the visit marking her first time in the country in eight years.

She is joined by her husband, Prince Harry, which is not surprising, as the couple has often accompanied each other to events, including international trips. However, this recent tour is said to come with the twist of Harry allegedly being given strict rules to follow while in the country.

One of the alleged rules is that he is not to have any unintentional contact with former female associates, including Natalie Imbruglia, a singer and songwriter he was once rumored to have dated.

“Meghan’s drawn a hard line on making sure there are no ‘accidental run-ins’ with [Harry’s] rumoured Aussie exes, including Natalie Imbruglia,” an anonymous source informed Woman’s Day.

During the Aussie tour, Meghan also wants the Prince to be “low-key proud husband mode,” especially as he recently courted controversy over his past flirty messages to a reporter becoming public in a court matter.

The Duchess Reportedly Imposed A Curfew On Her Husband

While in Australia, Meghan also expects Harry to restrict his movements. According to the source, the mother-of-two has placed a “non-negotiable” curfew on the Prince as she feels he might act out of character during nights out.

“There’s no denying he has a terrible track record when it comes to his judgment once the drinks are flowing, so this comes down to Meghan feeling he needs to be on a tight leash,” shared the source.

Despite the reported conditions, Harry is still believed to have some freedom to socialize with friends, as long as his interactions do not attract negative attention or scandal.

“[Meghan] is fine with that as long as it’s limited to a civilized dinner and a glass or two of wine,” added the insider.

Meghan Markle Requested Tighter Security For Her Luxury Women’s Retreat

Meghan is also said to have demands for herself, beginning with heightened security for the entire length of the tour.

“Security is tight for the entire tour, but especially the women’s retreat – after trolls vowed to disrupt and secretly record the event, which has a strict no-cameras policy and a social media ban,” an unnamed source claimed.

“In fact, Meghan’s demanded even tighter controls, in addition to the professional security they’ve funded,” they added.

The Duchess reportedly also kept tight control over the media activities, including not spotlighting anyone who would take the attention from her and her As Ever brand.

“The duchess didn’t want anyone interviewing her who could potentially steal away the spotlight,” the source alleged.

They added that the “focus of this tour should be 100 percent on As Ever and her and Harry’s philanthropic work.”

All About Meghan Markle And Prince Harry’s Australian Tour

Meghan and Harry kicked off their Australian tour on Tuesday with a visit to Melbourne’s Royal Children’s Hospital, per ABC Australia.

Hundreds of fans gathered outside as the couple arrived, and they spent time interacting with several of them. The pair then toured various wards and sections of the hospital, where they gave comfort and kind words to the patients.

During the visit, they also took part in a therapy session with patients in the hospital’s therapeutic garden.

Later that same day, Meghan and Harry visited McAuley Community Services for Women in Footscray and the Australian National Veterans’ Art Museum.

Wednesday’s itinerary is also packed for the couple, including a meet-up with players from the Western Bulldogs AFL team at a Movember event.

Before the trip concludes, the couple is also expected to make stops in Canberra and Sydney, as well as attend a range of public and private events and visit additional charities.

By Chris Snellgrove
| Published 26 seconds ago

Here’s a question sci-fi nerds have been debating for about 60 years: who’s the hottest actor in Star Trek? Many Original Series fans would name the late, great Uhura actor Nichelle Nichols (unless, of course, they preferred Susan Oliver as the glamorously green Orion slave girl). Strange New Worlds fans, meanwhile, might name Jess Bush, whose Nurse Chapel is cute enough to make even a Vulcan blush. For those of us who grew up during the Golden Age of Star Trek, though, there’s only one answer: Marina Sirtis, who played Counselor Deanna Troi on Star Trek: The Next Generation.

Because Sirtis was so beautiful, you might think this is how she landed the role, especially since Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry was known to be easily swayed by a woman’s appearance. But her beauty wasn’t the real secret to getting the coveted role of Deanna Troi; instead, she utilized the same superpowers that her exotic alien character would be known for. You see, Sirtis only got the role because a director told her to use the empathy she had unknowingly been exhibiting throughout the audition process.

Sorry, Fellas: She Already Knows What You’re Thinking

In Star Trek: The Next Generation, Marina Sirtis plays Deanna Troi, an alien from the planet Betazoid. Full-blooded Betazeds like her mother are fully telepathic and can read your mind as easily as they can read a book. However, Deanna had a human father, so she is only half-Betazed. Instead of outright reading thoughts, she is only capable of reading emotions. This superpower is typically referred to as an empathic ability, differentiating it from the telepathic abilities possessed by full Betazeds.

Originally, Marina Sirtis had no plans to audition for Deanna Troi. As weird as it is for fans to imagine, she originally read lines for Tasha Yar, the no-nonsense Security Chief that would ultimately be played by Denise Crosby, who originally auditioned to play Troi. The producers were originally quite happy to have these women play the roles they originally signed on for, but Gene Roddenberry himself suggested that Crosby should play Yar and Sirtis should play Troi. On the DVD special features for The Next Generation Season 1, Crosby said that Gene looked at the two women and decided that “Troi should be this exotic, otherworldly creature” and not an “American golden girl.”

Alien Superpowers Save The Day?!?

However, Sirtis needed more than her astounding beauty to get the part of Deanna Troi. She was given only an hour to memorize lines for three scenes, and she was understandably nervous about having to audition for a completely different character. As mentioned in the book Trek: The Next Generation, she ended up getting some life-changing (and very Troi-like) advice from director Corey Allen. “You have something personally that the character should have… an empathy, so use it.’”

It’s good advice, but Sirtis wasn’t entirely sure if it really applied to her. While Deanna Troi might have world-class empathic abilities, the actor later admitted to Starlog that she found Allen’s advice “funny” because she considered herself more of a hot-headed Worf-type and didn’t have that much empathy in real life. Still, his advice gave her the confidence she needed to close herself in the room, learn her lines, and read her part with confidence. In an interview with Star Trek: The Magazine, she admitted that she leaned into the “emotional” aspects of her lines and started “playing it like it was a Greek tragedy,” which allowed her “to get my teeth into it.”

While Marina Sirtis worried she didn’t have the empathy required for Deanna Troi, she ultimately ended up getting the part. To her credit, she played the role remarkably well, often rising well above the frankly awful writing that her character was given. She became a mainstay of the franchise, appearing in Voyager, all four TNG movies, and two seasons of Star Trek: Picard. She never would have gotten this role, however, if a director hadn’t believed she possessed the same superpowers as her exotic alien character!

2026 has already been a big year for Guy Ritchie, and the legendary crime thriller director isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. Ritchie has already debuted the entire first season of his hit new British mystery series, Young Sherlock, which dropped on Prime Video as a binge on March 4. The show earned strong reviews of 84% from critics and 83% from audiences on the aggregate site Rotten Tomatoes, and it spent weeks atop streaming charts. Ritchie is soon to return to the big screen next month with his new Henry Cavill-led action thriller, In The Grey, which premieres on May 15. The film co-stars Jake Gyllenhaal and Eiza González, and it will be the first time Ritchie and Cavill have worked together since their 2024 World War II action blockbuster, The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare (starring Alan Ritchson).

Still, Young Sherlock has been the biggest new release for Ritchie so far this year, and it’s too early to tell if In The Grey will take this title from his hit crime show. It’s now been long enough since the premiere of Young Sherlock that fans around the world are beginning to question if there are more episodes in store, but Prime Video has been eerily silent on this front until today. The streamer officially announced this afternoon that Young Sherlock has been renewed for Season 2, with Guy Ritchie returning to direct and executive produce new episodes in the show’s sophomore season. There’s no word yet on when production on Season 2 will begin or when the show will be released, but as popular as it’s been since its premiere in March, it’s a safe bet that Amazon has it at the top of its priority list for a quick return.

What Is ‘Young Sherlock’ About?

The official synopsis for Guy Ritchie’s Young Sherlock reads as follows:

“When a charismatic, youthfully defiant Sherlock Holmes meets none other than James Moriarty, he finds himself dragged into a murder investigation that threatens his liberty. Sherlock’s first ever case unravels a globe-trotting conspiracy, leading to an explosive showdown that alters the course of his life forever. Unfolding in a vibrant Victorian England and adventuring abroad, the series exposes the early antics of the anarchic adolescent who is yet to evolve into Baker Street’s most renowned resident.”

In addition to Hero Fiennes Tiffin, Young Sherlock Season 1 also stars Dónal Finn (The Wheel of Time), Zine Tseng (3 Body Problem), Joseph Fiennes (The Handmaid’s Tale), Natascha McElhone (Halo), Max Irons (Condor) and Colin Firth (The King’s Speech).

Check out the first season of Young Sherlock on Prime Video and stay tuned to Collider for more updates and coverage of Season 2.

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Release Date

March 4, 2026

Network

Prime Video

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Showrunner

Matthew Parkhill

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The parents of influencer Ashlee Jenae, whose real name is Ashly Robinson, are speaking out after she was found dead during a birthday trip with her fiancé, Joe McCann, in Zanzibar.

RELATED: UPDATE: Jarvis Butts, Man Recently Sentenced For Death Of 13-Year-Old Na’Ziyah Harris, Reportedly Found Deceased In Prison

Parents of Ashlee Jenae, Real Name Ashley Robinson, Speak Out

According to 6abc Action News, the parents of Ashley Robinson, a.k.a. Ashlee Jenae, spoke with the outlet and shared that they “have not received clear information from officials in Tanzania or from her fiancé about what happened to her.” In a report published on Tuesday, April 14, Yolanda Denise Endres and Harry Robinson spoke about their daughter.

“My daughter Ashly, she’s no longer here with us, and we’re trying to find out why,” Endres explained. “She was starting the next chapter of her life. She called us to FaceTime us to share with us her travel and her vacation.”

Then, a week later, Jenae was found dead.

Per the outlet, Ashlee Jenae traveled to Zanzibar with her fiancé to celebrate her 31st birthday. While they were there, Joe McCann, who was her boyfriend of one year, proposed.

Furthermore, according to Ashlee Jenae’s mother, on April 8, she had called, sharing that she and McCann had been in an argument and were moved to separate rooms. The next day, Endres reportedly received a call from McCann.

“He told me that Ashly did something to herself and she was being taken to the hospital, and he told me she was stable. I said what happened, and he told me it had been 11 hours prior,” Endres recalled.

More On Ashlee Jenae Being Found Dead During Birthday Trip With Her Fiancé, Joe McCann, In Zanzibar

According to the outlet, Ashlee Jenae’s family was ultimately informed that she had passed away. Furthermore, a medical report asserted that she “had an unidentified mark around her neck.” Additionally, the report also asserted that “according to her husband, he found she hung herself on the door.”

Per 6abc Action News, a second hospital listed the cause of her death as “cerebral hypoxia by strangulation and suffocation.”

“She’s never done anything that would ever ever lead me to believe that she would do something to harm herself like that. She was happy,” the mother of Ashly Robinson told the outlet.

Furthermore, the outlet reports that Jenae’s family has not received additional information about her death. Additionally, their attempts to contact Joe McCann have reportedly been unsuccessful, and they are now considering traveling to Zanzibar themselves.

“She was loved. She was not just going to be discarded and forgotten about,” the mother of Ashly Robinson told the outlet.

Social Media Reacts To The Death Of Ashley Robinson During Her Birthday Trip With Joe McCann

Social media users continued sharing reactions to the death of Ashley Robinson, also known as Ashlee Jenae, in TSR’s comment section.

RELATED: U.S. Army Vet Sentenced After Allegedly Striking Girlfriend’s 8-Year-Old Son More Than 100 Times, Beating Him To Death

A fleeting moment under Coachella’s neon glow has sparked major buzz, but insiders suggest the reality behind Kendall Jenner and Jacob Elordi’s headline-making kiss may be far less serious than it appears.

While the sighting ignited speculation of a new Hollywood pairing, those close to the duo say the story is more about timing, chemistry, and circumstance rather than lasting romance.

Kendall Jenner And Jacob Elordi Spotted Getting Close At Coachella

It all unfolded during one of the festival’s most talked-about nights. Attendees claimed they witnessed Kendall Jenner and Jacob Elordi sharing an intimate moment at a star-studded after-party.

Eyewitnesses who reported the sighting to Deuxmoi alleged they saw the pair “enjoying each other’s company at the [Justin] Bieber after party, making out and all over each other.”

The setting, late night, high energy, and filled with A-list guests, only added to the intrigue.

The rumored moment quickly spread across social media, fueling speculation that a new celebrity couple might be emerging.

Yet, despite the viral attention, insiders caution that what happened may not carry the weight many are assigning to it.

Kendall Jenner And Jacob Elordi’s Romance Faces Early Doubts

According to a source who spoke to the Daily Mail, expectations for a long-term relationship between Kendall and Elordi may be misplaced.

“Nobody should hold their breath on this becoming the next celeb it couple,” the insider said.

The same source pointed to the nature of the environment where the kiss happened, adding, “Late at night at Coachella isn’t usually the place to start a new love.”

While sparks may have been present in the moment, the insider suggested that it’s unlikely to evolve into something more substantial.

In fact, they noted that Elordi simply “isn’t her type.”

Even though “there is a flirtation” between the two, the insider believes their connection may not have the staying power fans are hoping for.

Busy Lives And Different Paths Could Keep Them Apart

Another factor working against a potential relationship is timing. Jacob Elordi’s career has been on a steep upward trajectory, leaving little room for anything serious.

The actor has been juggling high-profile projects, including his role in “Wuthering Heights” alongside Margot Robbie and his Oscar-nominated performance in “Frankenstein” directed by Guillermo del Toro.

He also continues to play Nate Jacobs in “Euphoria,” which recently returned for its third season.

Behind the scenes, Elordi has also been linked to several high-profile names, including Kaia Gerber and Olivia Jade Giannulli.

Kendall Jenner, on the other hand, has her own dating history filled with well-known figures, from athletes like Devin Booker and Ben Simmons to music star Bad Bunny.

With both leading fast-paced, high-profile lives, aligning their schedules and priorities could prove difficult.

Kendall Jenner And Jacob Elordi Share A History Beyond The Kiss

Despite the sudden buzz, Kendall and Elordi are not strangers. Their connection stretches back years, which may explain the ease seen in their recent interaction.

Elordi attended Kendall’s birthday celebration in 2022, and the two were spotted deep in conversation at the Vanity Fair Oscars party just last month.

Their familiarity suggests the Coachella moment may have been more of a continuation of a long-standing friendship than the start of something new.

According to the insider, the pair are “friendly and flirty and don’t mind the talk” surrounding their interaction, but there is no indication that their dynamic has shifted into anything serious.

That context adds another layer to the situation, making it less about a sudden romance and more about a natural, if unexpected, moment between two people who already know each other well.

Kylie Jenner’s Reaction Adds Another Twist

While Kendall Jenner and Jacob Elordi may be keeping things casual, the situation has reportedly caught the attention of someone close to home: Kylie Jenner.

According to the same source, Kylie is apparently “rooting for something to happen.”

Their reasoning goes beyond simple curiosity. As the insider explained, “Kylie sees Kendall quite a bit, they still have their own life and don’t hang out as much as they once did,” and a shared romantic dynamic could bring them closer again.

Kylie has been dating Timothée Chalamet since 2023, and the insider suggested a potential pairing between Kendall and Elordi could create opportunities for shared experiences.

“Kylie would fully support a relationship between the two as she has mentioned on many occasions that they could do a bunch of fun double dates,” the source said.

They added, “They both can have their Oscar nominated men and just have the best times ever.”

Still, for now, that vision remains purely hypothetical. Despite the excitement surrounding their Coachella moment, all signs point to Kendall Jenner and Jacob Elordi’s connection being fleeting rather than foundational.

Netflix just never seems to run out of movies to watch, no matter which month of the year it is.

The downside of having so many films to choose from is that there are inevitably going to be flicks that don’t get the views they deserve.

That’s why Watch With Us is selecting our picks for the four underrated Netflix movies you need to watch in April 2026.

Our selections include a sci-fi/action story, a romantic fantasy, an action comedy from the ’70s and an upcoming college comedy.

Related: New on Netflix in April 2026 — The Full List of Movies and TV Shows

Netflix just announced it’s increasing subscription prices for the second time in under two years, but the streamer has the content library and future slate to justify that move. Don’t believe me? Well, just check out what Netflix has scheduled to release in April 2026. Watch With Us has compiled the full list of all […]

‘Lucy’ (2014)

Meet Lucy Miller (Scarlett Johansson), the most powerful woman on Earth and possibly the most intelligent person who has ever lived. The events of Lucy represent a big step up for a woman who was forced to become a drug mule by Mr. Jang (Choi Min-sik). The cruelty of Jang and his men inadvertently sent a large quantity of an illicit drug into Lucy’s body, which triggered her radical transformation.

Unfortunately for Lucy, all of that power and knowledge comes at a price. With her body breaking down and her fate uncertain, Lucy turns to Professor Samuel Norman (Morgan Freeman) for help in passing on everything she’s learned. However, Mr. Jang isn’t through with Lucy, and he may kill her before her purpose is fulfilled.

Lucy is streaming on Netflix.

‘The Age of Adaline’ (2015)

Blake Lively plays the title character of The Age of Adaline, and she seems destined to live forever as a woman just under the age of 30. Adaline Marie Bowman technically died in a car accident decades ago, but her revival from a bolt of lightning has rendered her immortal. When too many people notice that she’s no longer aging, Adaline is forced to leave her life behind, including her grown daughter, Flemming (Cate Richardson).

In the present, Adaline is romantically drawn to Ellis Jones (Michiel Huisman), but their courtship is complicated by the fact that Ellis’ father, William Jones (Harrison Ford), loved Adaline when he was a young man. And William’s ability to identify Adaline threatens her secret and her ability to potentially find love with Ellis.

The Age of Adaline is streaming on Netflix.

‘Smokey and the Bandit’ (1977)

Do you know what the second biggest hit of 1977 was? It was Smokey and the Bandit, which trailed only Star Wars when it became a box-office smash almost 50 years ago. Burt Reynolds plays Bo “The Bandit” Darville, a trucker who agrees to take on an illegal beer delivery alongside his friend, Cledus “The Snowman” Snow (Jerry Reed).

After giving a ride to a runaway bride named Carrie (Sally Field), the Bandit and the Snowman find themselves being pursued by Sheriff Buford T. Justice (Jackie Gleason), aka Smokey Bear. Justice wants to drag Carrie back to the altar so she can marry his son, Junior (Mike Henry). But the Bandit will lose everything he has if he allows Smokey to bring his beer run to an end.

Smokey and the Bandit is streaming on Netflix.

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Related: 5 Movie Masterpieces You Need to Watch on Netflix in April 2026

You don’t have to look very hard to watch some of the best movies ever made. While Netflix‘s movie library doesn’t go back very far in history, they’ve got a great selection of modern masterpieces that can contend with some of the old classics. Watch With Us recommends watching five movie masterpieces that are streaming […]

‘Roommates’ (2026)

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Can Sadie Sandler follow in the footsteps of her famous father, Adam Sandler, and become a movie star in her own right? Her first real test will be the Netflix original comedy, Roommates. Sandler plays Devon, a shy college freshman who doesn’t have all of the confidence she needs to succeed. She also doesn’t seem to have too many friends, which is one of the reasons she asked Celeste (Chloe East) to be her roommate.

While there is initially a bond of friendship between Devon and Celeste, it’s severely damaged by the conflicts between them once they’re living together. Their passive-aggressive behavior towards each other is rapidly becoming truly aggressive, and that might come back to haunt both young women.

Roommates will stream on Netflix on April 18.

Wrinkles between your eyebrows are one of those things you don’t notice — until you really notice them. Suddenly, they’re all you can see in every mirror, selfie and Zoom call. If you’ve been searching for a way to smooth fine lines without adding another complicated step to your routine, this 3-minute treatment might be the easiest (and least invasive) fix yet.

The Wrinkle Retreat Pro LED Face Mask, which is now on sale, is an FDA-cleared device that has caught the attention of celebrities like Sydney Sweeney and Nicole Kidman, who have both incorporated red light therapy into their routines. It targets fine lines, wrinkles and uneven skin tone, give you a salon-worthy treatment from the comfort of your home.

Get the Wrinkle Retreat Pro LED Face Mask for $399 (Was $499) at Solawave!

The Wrinkle Retreat Pro LED Face Mask features 320 LEDs and four targeted wavelengths that work together to boost collagen, improve elasticity and visibly smooth skin. Translation: fewer lines, firmer texture and a more even-looking complexion over time.

Even better? It’s designed to fit into real life. Each treatment takes just three minutes, and you only need to use it three to five times per week. The lightweight, flexible silicone design is completely hands-free, so you can wear it while making coffee, answering emails or winding down at night — no appointments or downtime required.

Shoppers are just as impressed, with many pointing to visible results over time. One reviewer shared they saw “drastic improvements” in their “face, neck and chest,” adding their skin is “definitely smoother.” Another 66-year-old user said they could “definitely see a difference,” noting their “lines are less deep.”

Consider this your sign to finally do something about those between-the-brows lines — no needles required! With just three minutes a day, the device delivers smoother, firmer-looking skin without disrupting your routine.

Right now, you can score it on sale for $100 off — just in time for Mother’s Day gifting!

Get the Wrinkle Retreat Pro LED Face Mask for $399 (Was $499) at Solawave!

Alec Baldwin is looking at his future very differently after years of legal battles, health scares, and emotional fallout tied to the fatal “Rust” shooting. 

During a recent chat, the veteran actor reflected on how the tragedy changed his priorities. 

After decades of nonstop work, Baldwin said the ordeal left him wanting something he once never seriously considered: stepping away from Hollywood and staying home with his family.

Alec Baldwin Says The ‘Rust’ Tragedy Changed His Life Completely

Alec Baldwin made it clear that the 2021 “Rust” shooting altered the course of his life in ways he is still trying to process.

Speaking candidly at “The Hollywood Reporter’s Awards Chatter” podcast at the Boulder International Film Festival, Baldwin revisited the on-set tragedy that killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and injured director Joel Souza. 

The actor was holding a gun during a scene rehearsal when it discharged. Baldwin has long maintained that he did not pull the trigger and believed the weapon had been checked and cleared before it was handed to him.

The incident triggered years of legal uncertainty. Baldwin was first charged with involuntary manslaughter in January 2023, but that charge was dropped in April of that year. 

He was charged again in January 2024, only for the case to collapse in July 2024 after a judge found that prosecutors had withheld evidence from Baldwin’s defense team.

Although the charges were dismissed with prejudice, the movie star said the damage from the case went far beyond the courtroom.

Reflecting on the tragedy, he said, “We had this incident, this tragedy, in New Mexico, where Halyna Hutchins was killed on the set of the film, and that was unspeakably difficult to deal with.”

Baldwin Says Years At Home Changed His View Of Work

For someone who spent decades moving from blockbuster films to acclaimed TV roles, Alec Baldwin now says the idea of leaving home feels harder than ever.

The 68-year-old explained that the aftermath of “Rust” forced him into a life he had rarely known before, one centered almost entirely around his family. Because of the case and its fallout, Baldwin said he spent years mostly out of the spotlight.

“Because of the situation in New Mexico, which was very painful, I wound up staying home a lot,” he shared. That extended time at home changed how he saw both his career and his personal life.

“I was home with my kids for three-and-a-half years — I hardly worked at all — and that’s just changing now,” he added.  Baldwin and his wife, Hilaria, share a large family, and he said those years at home made him realize how much he values everyday life away from sets and cameras.

That realization has made returning to work far less appealing than it once was. “I’m going to go off and do a bunch of things. But I was home and I got used to it, and I don’t want to leave my house anymore,” the “Boss Baby” star noted.

Then came the most striking part of his confession. “I don’t. I don’t want to work anymore. I don’t. I really don’t. I want to retire and stay home with my kids,” Baldwin said.

Alec Baldwin Opens Up About Health Crisis During ‘Rust’ Return

The legal battle was not the only burden Baldwin carried after the shooting. While discussing Rory Kennedy’s documentary “The Trial of Alec Baldwin,” the actor revealed just how badly the stress affected his body.

Kennedy followed Baldwin during and around the trial, capturing what he described as one of the darkest periods of his life. According to Baldwin, the pressure of the case impacted him financially, professionally, and physically.

“And it impacted me in every way — financially, career-wise, my wife, my kids, my health. I was so sick,” he said. Part of that health struggle came while he was required to return to finish filming “Rust” in Montana as part of a settlement agreement with Hutchins’ husband.

Baldwin said he was dealing with orthostatic hypotension, a condition that caused him to black out. In his words, “I blacked out three times during the St. Patrick’s Day weekend of that year, and fell on top of my wife once. It was crazy. It was horrible.”

His condition became so severe that he was bedridden and couldn’t walk for about eight days. Baldwin shared that he then had to undergo physical therapy before traveling back to finish the film, despite still feeling far from healthy. 

Even then, he said he was unable to deliver the performance he wanted because he felt so sick.

Baldwin Reflects On Career That Once Defined Him

Alec Baldwin’s retirement comments carry extra weight because of how much he has done in Hollywood. Over the last four decades, Baldwin has built one of the most varied careers in entertainment. 

He led major studio films like “The Hunt for Red October,” earned acclaim in smaller indies, won awards for “30 Rock,” hosted “Saturday Night Live” a record 17 times, and even emceed the Oscars.

At the Boulder event, Baldwin mixed his heavier reflections with stories from his long career. He spoke fondly about doing “A Streetcar Named Desire” on Broadway, calling it a turning point.

“When I did Streetcar, it changed my life,” he said, adding, “It changed my life in ways I never thought possible.” 

The Hollywood icon also shared a funny behind-the-scenes story about working with Spike Lee on “BlacKkKlansman,” recalling how Lee changed his lines at the last minute and later used his frustrated swearing in the final cut.

Baldwin also laughed about how his long run playing Donald Trump on “Saturday Night Live” began almost by accident after producer Lorne Michaels convinced him to skip another event.

Still, even as he looked back on career highs and memorable moments, the bigger theme was how much his priorities have shifted.

Alec Baldwin Credits Hilaria Baldwin For Helping Him Survive

As Baldwin reflected on everything he has been through, one person remained at the center of his gratitude: his wife. 

While discussing Kennedy’s documentary, Baldwin said the project captured just how overwhelming the legal fight became.

Though he admitted that having a documentary made about him was strange, he praised Kennedy for showing how deeply the case affected his life.

He also revisited his belief that prosecutors unfairly targeted him while failing to fully pursue other unanswered questions surrounding what happened on set.

Still, amid the frustration, Baldwin said his biggest source of support never changed. During the live interview, he even paused to FaceTime Hilaria in front of the audience.

Explaining why, he said, “I told them if it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have survived all of the Rust situation, so thank you.”