Fans of Ali Hazelwood’s book The Love Hypothesis might be surprised by the amount of changes — and omissions — in the new Lili Reinhart movie.

Prime Video’s new rom-com follows Ph.D. candidate Olive (Reinhart) and professor Adam a.k.a (Tom Bateman) as they pretend to be in a relationship before real feelings begin to get in the way. Hazelwood’s novel was originally a fan fiction story about Rey and Kylo Ren from the Star Wars franchise. (Bateman’s wife, Daisy Ridley, happened to play Rey opposite Adam Driver as Kylo.)

Ahead of the movie’s debut, Reinhart and Bateman hinted that some shakeups were made in order to bring Hazelwood’s vision to life.

“That’s what the script was able to feel like for me — while still keeping the integrity of both characters and doing the book justice,” Reinhart explained at Prime Video’s Obsessed Fest in June 2026. “Obviously, the importance of the book and the source material [is something we thought about].”

She continued: “We wanted to totally respect that and I think our writer Sarah [Rothschild] absolutely did. The heart of the book is in the film.”

Bateman agreed about the onscreen differences, adding, “Every single person involved with this had such a deep love for this book and for doing it justice for everyone that loves it, for the amazing characters and the world. The intention was always, ‘We want to make this the best it can be.’ And who better to tell it than a group of people who love it so much?”

Despite the changes that were made for the big screen, the actor insisted the source material “was always front and center” for the cast and crew. “We weren’t trying to get away from it in any way,” he said. “We were just trying to do our very, very best to give everyone what they want out of this story.”

Keep scrolling for the biggest changes in Prime Video’s The Love Hypothesis:

Adam’s Crush on Olive

As book fans know, Adam and Olive originally met prior to the events in the book. Olive, however, was struggling with expired contacts and didn’t realize who she was speaking to. Adam knew — and went on to develop a crush.

The movie does include the flashback, but Adam’s yearning for Olive — which explains why he agreed to fake date her in the book — isn’t included on screen.

Holden’s Absence

The biggest loss — especially to readers — was the character of Holden Rodriguez, Adam’s best friend and the love interest of Olive’s friend Malcolm. Holden was instrumental in bringing Adam and Olive together in Hazelwood’s novel and was often the comical relief to even out Adam’s more grumpy demeanor.

Chapter 16

The Love Hypothesis fans were on the edge of their seats waiting to see how the movie adapted the famous Chapter 16 — a.k.a Adam and Olive having sex for the first time. The movie version was significantly shorter (it technically spanned across three chapters in the book) and left out some memorable moments, such as Adam’s “you can take it” line.

Changing the Breakup

Olive is the one who ended her relationship with Adam in the book after being sexually harassed by his friend Tom. Adam later found out what happened and they got back together, which the movie chose to change.

Instead, Adam ended his arrangement with Olive on screen as a way to help her focus on her career.

The movie also addressed the issue with Tom (Arty Froushan) by having Olive’s friend Anh (Rachel Marsh) be the one to fill Adam in. This was a major departure from the book, which devoted an entire scene to Olive playing audio of Tom making an advance on her, leading to a heated confrontation between the two men.

Related: ‘One Day‘ and More TV Shows Based on Popular Books

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Olive’s Sexuality

In the source material, Hazelwood had fans read between the lines when it came to Olive’s demisexuality. The movie, however, has a whole scene devoted to her learning about the label and how it could apply to her experience.

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Anh’s Role in the Story

The fake dating plot initially as a way for Olive to convince Anh that she was no longer interested in ex Jeremy (Nicholas Duvernay). The movie turned that into Olive previously having a crush on Jeremy, which made Anh refuse to explore her own feelings for him.

Anh also wasn’t aware that Olive and Adam weren’t really dating on the page, but she figured out that it was fake in the movie.

The Ending

The final scene of Hazelwood’s book has Olive and Adam recreating their first kiss one year later. The movie features a two-year time jump that confirmed that Olive and Anh became Stanford professors with Adam.

Roomies, ‘Love Island USA’ stars Taylor Williams and Clarke Carraway aren’t done spilling tea about their breakup. After Clarke recently opened up about what led to their split, Taylor came through with a bombshell photo that seemingly hinted he’s gearing up to tell his side of the story.

RELATED: Issa Wrap! ‘Love Island USA’ Star Clarke Carraway Announces Decision To End Relationship With Taylor Williams 

Taylor Williams Enters The Chat With A Photo That Has Fans Asking Questions

Recently, Taylor Williams posted and deleted a photo that sent ‘Love Island USA’ fans straight into detective mode. The season 7 star hopped on his Instagram Story with a pic showing him with a bloody nose and what appeared to be a bruise on his forehead. Alongside the image, Taylor wrote, “Story time soon… The truth gone come out.”

Prior to sharing his photo, Taylor dropped a message on his Story, telling fans he was tired of his DMs getting flooded amid Clarke’s claims about their breakup. He also made it clear that he plans to tells his side of the story very soon. Whew, looks like more tea is brewing! “Enough with all of the negative DM’s, she obviously didn’t tell the full story and what she did to lead up to everything. But I’mma get it all straightened out, the right way, soon.” Taylor wrote.

Clarke Breaks Down What Led To her & Taylor’s Split

Taylor’s now-viral photo comes shortly after Clarke Carraway opened up about reaching her breaking point in their relationship. While chatting with ‘Love Island USA’ season 6 star Kaylor Martin on her ‘Kaylor Is Crashing Out’ podcast, Clarke recalled a heated argument with Taylor that allegedly ended with him leaving her “stranded” at a gas station. Clarke said the situation hit even harder because Taylor was preparing to go on a family vacation that she did not receive an invite to. She explained that other couples were attending the trip, so Taylor going without her rubbed her the wrong way.

According to Clarke, she and Taylor didn’t speak about their fallout until the next day. When they talked, Clarke claimed Taylor was more focused on how their breakup would make him look rather than taking accountability for what happened. “’Don’t tell people that I left you, ’cause you asked me to pull up and leave you. So tell them the whole story,’ Clarke recalled Taylor telling her. She said his concern about his image and character ultimately made her ealize he wasn’t the person she thought he was.

“That bothered me the most cause I felt like in that moment you’re not as much worried about my well-being, but your character. And I think that’s when the switch flipped for me. Like, unfortunately, you’re just not who I thought that you were,” Clarke explained.

More About Taylor & Clarke’s Breakup

Clarke Carraway shocked fans in July when she revealed that she decided to call it quits with Taylor Williams. A source close to the reality star spoke exclusively with PEOPLE and said Clarke mentioned that the decision was “difficult,” but she still wished Taylor “the absolute best.” The breakup announcement came just over a year after Clarke and Taylor left the Fiji villa together in 2025.

“She will always be grateful for the time they shared together, and for everyone who showed them love and support from the very beginning. As she closes out this chapter, she’s looking forward to focusing on her growth and what’s ahead,” the source stated.

RELATED: ‘Love Island USA’ Viewers React As Taylor Williams Speaks Out After Clarke Carraway Reveals What Led To Their Split (VIDEOS) 

Somewhere between current ongoing anime like Dandadan and old-time classics like One Piece, there are a couple of anime that reflect the transition from the 2010s to the 2020s. During this period, stronger internet fandom culture and increased translation efforts helped connect audiences around the world, allowing anime to reach more people than ever before.

As the medium continued to grow globally, some series managed to stand out among fans of different genres and leave a lasting impression. Whether it’s a story about being in touch with your feelings in a new reality that doesn’t require you to hurt someone else, or a fan-favorite revenge story that doesn’t mind shedding more blood than it needs to, here are the most perfect anime of the last 15 years, ranked.

7

‘Kaguya-sama: Love Is War’ (2019–2023)

Image via A-1 Pictures

Love should be simple, but Miyuki Shirogane (Makoto Furukawa) and Kaguya Shinomiya (Aoi Koga) are determined to make it anything but in Kaguya-sama: Love Is War. As the top students at the elite Shuchiin Academy, the student council president and vice president are practically perfect for each other. There’s just one problem: neither is willing to confess first. Instead of admitting how they feel, they turn romance into an epic battlefield.

There’s petty, and then there’s Kaguya-sama: Love Is War. The anime takes the “will they, won’t they” scenario to an almost ridiculous extreme. What keeps it fresh is the borderline psychological warfare Miyuki and Kaguya wage against each other, from switching each other’s coffee to decaf to having one of them enter the student council covered in fake blood and wielding a knife. Yet for all their nonsensical pranks, they genuinely understand the pressures and insecurities the other carries.

6

‘Haikyu!!’ (2014–2020)

Image via Production I.G

Shoyo Hinata (Ayumu Murase) may be short, but that has never stopped him from dreaming big. Haikyu!! follows Shoyo as he sets his sights on becoming a great athlete. His first step toward that dream, however, ends in disaster when he suffers a humiliating defeat against Tobio Kageyama (Kaito Ishikawa), a volleyball prodigy who seems to have everything Hinata lacks. Determined to get his revenge, Hinata enters Karasuno High, only to discover that Kageyama is now his teammate.

But apart from the over-the-top theatrics of the sport itself, Haikyu!! is a story about what true athleticism looks like. It’s about a group of underdogs who share the same dream, even when their backgrounds, personalities, and abilities couldn’t be more different. Before they can become a team, they have to learn how to trust one another, face their weaknesses, and keep going after defeat. They can throw as many serves as they like, but to be a champ, one must think like one.

5

‘Violet Evergarden’ (2018)

Image via Kyoto Animation

Peace is supposed to mean a new beginning, but Violet Evergarden (Yui Ishikawa) has no idea what to do with it. After spending her childhood as a soldier, Violet rises from the Great War physically scarred and emotionally adrift, carrying only the memory of the final words spoken to her: “I love you.” Unable to understand their meaning, she takes a job as an Auto Memory Doll at CH Postal Company, where writing letters for others slowly exposes her to emotions.

Violet Evergarden is the calm after the storm. In a world that no longer needs her to handle firearms or engage in combat, she must find a new purpose for herself. Not everyone has experienced war, but Violet’s struggle is still profoundly relatable. Humans tend to build walls around ourselves for protection, yet tearing them down takes even more courage, especially when doing so means making room for something unfamiliar, vulnerable, and scarily beautiful.

4

‘Steins;Gate’ (2011)

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Rintarou Okabe (Mamoru Miyano) from Steins;Gate has plenty of eccentricities, but calling himself a “mad scientist” might be his most harmless one. While experimenting with a modified microwave, Okabe and his friends accidentally discover they can send messages back in time. His silly, goofy experiment quickly becomes a nightmare when their meddling with history attracts the attention of SERN, a shadowy organization researching time travel. Worse, every change they make can reshape the present.

Steins;Gate treats time-traveling with the utmost seriousness, drawing on hard sci-fi concepts like the butterfly effect, black hole theory, and the many-worlds interpretation to make its time travel feel surprisingly grounded. Send one message into the past, and the future could look completely different. Every time Okabe tries to fix one problem, he risks creating another, trapping him in a cycle of self-torture as he struggles to accept that he can’t solve everything. And that’s precisely the point of the anime.

3

‘Mob Psycho 100’ (2016–2022)

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Being one of the most powerful psychics alive is hardly useful in Mob Psycho 100. All Shigeo “Mob” Kageyama (Shigeo Kageyama) wants is to fit in. The quiet middle schooler spends his days trying to get through school, friendships, and the pressures of growing up, all while secretly using his supernatural abilities to deal with troublesome spirits and other psychics. But Mob’s biggest worry isn’t his enemies; it’s his growing emotions that fuel the extremity of his powers.

Mob Psycho 100 reverses the predictable “pursuit of power” plot by giving its protagonist more power than he could ever want. Mob isn’t interested in becoming the strongest person around; he simply wants to become a decent—and, if he’s lucky, likable—human being. New audiences may be hooked by the anime’s bizarre supernatural encounters, but they’ll stay for Mob’s coming-of-age story as he gradually learns that true strength isn’t measured by psychic abilities.

2

‘Hunter x Hunter’ (2011–2014)

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Hunter x Hunter innocently begins with a classic adventure story about a boy chasing after an absent father. Twelve-year-old Gon Freecss (Megumi Han) leaves Whale Island after discovering that his father, Ging (Rikiya Koyama), is not only alive but one of the world’s most accomplished Hunters. Determined to follow in his footsteps, Gon enters the notoriously perilous Hunter Examination, setting off on a journey that will take him far beyond the simple goal of finding his father.

There’s a reason why Michael B. Jordan is a Hunter x Hunter fan. Rather than following the familiar shonen formula of an inexperienced underdog chasing an impossible goal, the anime puts its heroes through genuinely psychologically grueling ordeals. Much of this comes down to its Nen power system, which rewards characters for understanding their abilities and exploiting their opponents’ weaknesses instead of simply overpowering them. As a result, even the most lopsided fights can become unpredictable.

1

‘Attack on Titan’ (2013–2023)

In Attack on Titan, humanity has spent generations hiding behind massive walls, terrified of the Titans that roam outside. After the Colossal Titan destroys Wall Maria and Eren Yeager (Yuki Kaji) witnesses his mother’s death, he dedicates his life to destroying every Titan. Joined by childhood friends Mikasa (Yui Ishikawa) and Armin (Marina Inoue), Eren enters the Survey Corps, where their fight for humanity’s survival takes them far beyond what they ever imagined.

When it was released, Attack on Titan caught the attention of both anime fans and newcomers to the genre with the sheer gruesomeness of its violence. While the brutality can be horrendous to watch, it also leaves viewers wondering just how far the series is willing to go. Combined with its roughly $150,000-per-episode budget, the graphic violence contributes to the show’s unmistakable visual quality, complementing an unforgiving story in which one character’s pursuit of justice gradually takes a much darker turn.

Throughout history, one of the genres that has offered the largest number of tremendous masterpieces has been the psychological thriller genre. These stories, all about suspense driven by the internal emotional and psychological states of its characters, have unsurprisingly given us several of the greatest films the big screen has ever seen. From the birth of cinema as a storytelling medium until the present, this is a genre that has remained one of audiences’ favorites around the world.

From foundational classics like the French masterpiece The Wages of Fear to cornerstones of 21st-century cinema like Mulholland Drive, there may have been many an exceptional psychological thriller over the years, but only a handful of them can be said to be truly perfect. Indeed, there are eight particular movies that have gone down in history not only as some of the genre’s greatest outings, but as some of the most flawless motion pictures the world has ever been treated to.

8

‘The Wages of Fear’ (1953)

Image via Cinédis

French cinema has given the world several of the greatest films of all time, including a few incredible psychological thrillers. Before auteurs like Jean-Luc Godard and François Truffaut rebelled against the classical school of French filmmaking and thus gave birth to the French New Wave, came the many old-school masterpieces whose foundations they wanted to subvert. The peak of pre-New Wave French cinema is arguably Henri-Georges Clouzot‘s The Wages of Fear, one of the best movie classics from 1953.

Exceptional though its 1977 Hollywood remake Sorcerer may be, Wages of Fear is a masterpiece without equal. By tying the physical elements of its high-octane, airtight plot to existential dread, the fragility of the human psyche, and pure human desperation, Clouzot crafted a psychological thriller that was far ahead of its time. Watching Wages of Fear today, it still feels about as modern as any psychological thriller tour-de-force being made nowadays.

7

‘Woman in the Dunes’ (1964)

Image via Toho

One of the most effective and historied forms of psychological thrillers is the erotic thriller, and as far as those go, it doesn’t get much better than Hiroshi Teshigahara‘s Woman in the Dunes. This cornerstone of 20th-century Japanese cinema was based on screenwriter Kōbō Abe‘s own novel of the same name, and after its remarkable critical and commercial success internationally back in 1964, it has stood the test of time as one of the greatest films ever to have come out of the Japanese New Wave movement.

Though Woman in the Dunes may be called one of the most amazing yet forgotten Japanese movies in history, that only means that it’s one of the most underrated dramas and psychological thrillers out there. It’s a sweaty, sandy, psychologically engrossing erotic thriller that’s both fascinatingly existential and visually gorgeous. Watching it, there is virtually nothing at all to complain about to this day.

6

‘Cure’ (1997)

Image via Daiei Film

Directed by Kiyoshi Kurosawa (no relation to Akira Kurosawa), Cure is still widely remembered as one of the greatest international horror movies perhaps not just of the ’90s, but of all time. This psychological horror thriller is one of those thrillers that are an absolute masterclass in suspense; a perfectly directed, perfectly written, and perfectly performed piece of J-Horror that has since been praised as one of the most influential horror gems ever to have come out of the Japanese scene.

People who prefer more lighthearted horror movies or psychological thrillers are definitely better off looking elsewhere, because Cure is purely cruel and gleefully so. It’s the type of horror film that operates not through jump scares or overt supernatural threats, but through the pure psychological horror of the very real evil that has plagued humanity since times immemorial. It’s atmospheric, it’s potently slow-burning, and it’s a must-see for fans of any of its genres.

5

‘Vertigo’ (1958)

Image via Paramount Pictures

Alfred Hitchcock is still known as the Master of Suspense, and that’s for good reason. He laid many of the foundations that the modern thriller genre still continues to build on top of to this day, and continues to be one of the most massively influential filmmakers in history. As such, it’s no shocker that he directed many of the greatest thrillers in film history, including a few exceptional psychological thrillers—the most perfect of which is arguably Vertigo.

Everyone may point to a different Hitchcock outing as his most flawless psychological thriller, and that’s okay; but throughout history, Vertigo has remained one of the most universally acclaimed movies of Hollywood’s Golden Age. It’s one of the most genius mystery movies of all time, a visually striking and brilliantly meta study on themes of romantic delusion and psychological obsession. No self-proclaimed fan of the genre can be a true fan if they haven’t watched Vertigo at least once.

4

‘Memento’ (2000)

Today, he’s widely seen as one of the undisputed kings of the box office and one of the leading voices in modern Hollywood filmmaking, but back in the day, Christopher Nolan was an up-and-coming indie filmmaker like any other. It was the massive success of his sophomore directorial effort, Memento, that earned him international acclaim and put his name on the map. To this day, many would confidently say that it’s still his magnum opus.

Brilliantly structured in reverse chronological order in a way that invites multiple re-watches, but is never hard enough to follow to make the film frustrating, Memento is easily one of the best mystery movies released since 2000. Anchored by Guy Pearce‘s exceptionally underrated lead performance and what’s far and away the boldest, most daring script in Nolan’s whole filmography, it’s one of the most timeless psychological thrillers of the 2000s.

3

‘Mulholland Drive’ (2001)

Image via Universal Pictures

Throughout the latter decades of the 20th century, David Lynch kept further cementing himself not just as one of the most fascinating arthouse filmmakers of his generation, but as one of the most important and influential surrealist auteurs in the history of cinema. However, not even his biggest fans could have predicted the level of quality of what would soon come to be hailed as the crown jewel of his filmography: Mulholland Drive, one of the most beloved thrillers of the 21st century.

An absolute head-scratcher through and through, Mulholland Drive is perhaps not the most accessible introduction to surrealist cinema for those unfamiliar; but for those who enjoy mind-bending extravaganzas like this, it should prove to be a hell of an unforgettable trip. Simultaneously a powerful critique of the dark side of the Hollywood Dream and a deeply humanist study of identity, duality, and sexuality, it’s a must-see gem for those who prefer their psychological thrillers thought-provoking.

2

‘The Silence of the Lambs’ (1991)

Image via Orion Pictures

Jonathan Demme‘s The Silence of the Lambs is a psychological thriller so terrifyingly bleak and violent that it’s typically also labeled as psychological horror; and with that, it’s the only horror film ever to have won Best Picture at the Academy Awards. Based on the book by Thomas Harris, it introduced the big screen to Anthony Hopkins‘ Hannibal Lecter, far and away one of the best movie villains of all time.

On top of Hopkins and Jodie Foster‘s career-defining and Oscar-winning performances, The Silence of the Lambs continues to shine over three decades after its release as one of the scariest, most suspenseful, and most impeccably made thrillers in film history. Rarely have cat-and-mouse games been this psychologically intense on the big screen, and rarely will a psychological thriller ever reach this level of incredible quality.

1

‘Se7en’ (1995)

Image via New Line Cinema

David Fincher has repeatedly established himself as one of the greatest thriller filmmakers working today, one of the directors most deserving of carrying Hitchcock’s torch as today’s Masters of Suspense. However, after the failure that was his directing debut, Alien 3, he desperately needed a hit to show the world what he was capable of. In came his sophomore effort, Se7en, still remembered as one of the most suspenseful mystery movies of all time.

Never has a darker, crueler, or more nihilistic Hollywood film ever made over $300 million dollars at the box office internationally. It’s precisely that bleak tone that makes Se7en so special, though, serving as the scaffolding for its hard-hitting sense of oppressive moral decay and existential helplessness. It’s the closest that a psychological thriller has ever come to true flawlessness, with some of the greatest directing, best performances, tightest writing, and most impeccably production values that the genre has ever seen or will ever see.

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Se7en

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Release Date

September 22, 1995

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Runtime

127 minutes

Writers

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Andrew Kevin Walker

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Roseanne Barr has unleashed on her former television son Michael Fishman after he renewed his support for ABC’s decision to cancel the “Roseanne” revival in 2018. The comedian attacked Fishman during an appearance on the “Can’t Be Censored” podcast, calling him several names and warning him to stop publicly discussing her.

Roseanne Barr Launches Profanity-Filled Attack On Michael Fishman

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Barr did not hold back when the podcast host raised Fishman’s recent comments about the controversy that ended the “Roseanne” revival. According to TMZ, Barr called her former co-star a “bigot,” an “ignoramus,” and a “little f-cking worm.”

She then told him to “go and f-ck yourself and stay f-cked till the day you die.” Barr also claimed Fishman has “no f-cking idea” what she was discussing in the 2018 post and accused him of having “no geopolitical context whatsoever.”

Fishman played D.J. Conner, the son of Barr’s character, throughout the original sitcom and its 2018 revival. During her podcast appearance, Barr claimed Fishman returned for the revival only because she fought to be included. She alleged that producers originally wanted to remove him from the project.

Barr finished her message to Fishman with another blunt warning: “Don’t f-cking put my name in your f-cking mouth.”

Michael Fishman Said The Revival Was ‘Rightfully Canceled’

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Barr’s outburst came after Fishman addressed years of criticism surrounding his response to the controversy. In an Instagram video, the former child actor said he continued receiving “ignorant and inaccurate” comments claiming Barr was unfairly targeted for being an edgy comedian.

“So, I guess the world failed to learn the lesson,” Fishman said. “So I’m going to point out. We are perpetuating a lie, and people are using a political smokescreen to justify the indefensible.”

Fishman argued that dehumanizing rhetoric can carry real-world consequences beyond the original statement. “Those justifications, they’re leading to real consequences. Real crimes,” he said.

The actor ultimately defended ABC’s response, declaring, “Dehumanizing people is never a joke. In this case, there was no joke. And the show was rightfully canceled.”

Despite his criticism, Fishman also said he still loves Barr and believes good people can make mistakes. He maintained that caring about his former co-star did not require him to defend her conduct.

ABC Canceled ‘Roseanne’ Hours After The Controversial Post

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The controversy began in May 2018 when Barr posted a since-deleted message comparing Valerie Jarrett, a former senior adviser to President Barack Obama, to the Muslim Brotherhood and “Planet of the Apes.”

Barr deleted the post and apologized, but ABC canceled the highly rated revival within hours. The network said the statement was inconsistent with its values. Other platforms and television channels also removed reruns of the original series from their schedules.

Barr later argued the post was political rather than racial. During a 2018 interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity, she said the message was “about asking for accountability from the previous administration about the Iran deal, which Valerie Jarrett is the author of, and that was what was in my head.”

She also said her reaction to the backlash “was shock that they were saying it was racial, when it was political.” Fishman has rejected the argument that political context made the post defensible.

Roseanne Barr’s Son Previously Accused The Cast Of ‘Selling’ Her Out

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Before Barr’s latest attack, her son, Jake Pentland, publicly criticized Fishman for supporting the cancellation. Pentland acknowledged that his mother’s post caused harm, but argued that other cast members continued benefiting from a franchise she created after she was removed from it. He claimed members of the cast took the post out of context and “conspired” to take the revival away from Barr without first asking her “what she meant.”

Pentland also alleged that the cast “prevented her from publicly defending herself.” “I wish him good luck in finding work one day. Hopefully selling the woman responsible for his career out was worth it for him,” Pentland told TMZ.

His frustration centered heavily on the creation of “The Conners,” which allowed much of the cast and crew to continue working without Barr.

Following the cancellation, ABC launched the spinoff with John Goodman, Laurie Metcalf, Sara Gilbert, Lecy Goranson and Fishman reprising their roles. Barr’s character was killed off before the new show began.

‘The Conners’ Continued Without Roseanne Barr For Seven Seasons

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Fishman remained with “The Conners” for its first four seasons before confirming in 2022 that he would not return as a regular for Season 5. Reports at the time said the door remained open for a possible future appearance. The sitcom continued for another three seasons without him and concluded in April 2025 after more than 100 episodes.

Executive producers said the team chose to end the series while it remained ABC’s most-watched comedy, rather than extending it beyond what they believed was the appropriate ending point. The six-episode final season focused on providing closure for the Conner family after decades on television.

For almost 14 years, Chicago Fire has kept its promise, as anyone who enters Firehouse 51 will find the house welcoming as home. However, that promise is becoming harder to keep. As NBC‘s series approaches its 15th season, it faces a new wave of cast exits, a new showrunner, and a firehouse very different from what viewers saw in 2012.

Joe Miñoso, who portrays firefighter Joe Cruz, will leave the series after a few episodes of the 15th season. Dermot Mulroney is also on his way out as Battalion Chief Dom Pascal, returning for one episode to wrap up his character’s story. Behind the camera, Andrea Newman is stepping down as showrunner, with executive producer Victor Teran taking over. After years of losing familiar faces, 51 is once again preparing to welcome a new crop of firefighters.

Joe Cruz’s ‘Chicago Fire’ Exit Is the End of an Era

Image via NBC

Miñoso’s departure will probably hit longtime viewers hardest. Cruz is one of the last remaining links to the show’s earliest days. He has been part of 51 since the beginning, evolving from a firefighter who spent much of the early series worrying about his younger brother into a veteran member of Squad 3, a husband, and eventually a father.

His Season 15 exit is especially significant. Cruz was among the firefighters caught in the terrifying Season 14 finale cliffhanger, when members of Truck 81, Engine 51, and Squad 3 found themselves trapped in and around a burning building. Because Miñoso is leaving shortly after that cliffhanger, the obvious question is whether Cruz survives — and, if he does, what could possibly convince him to walk away from the firehouse.

The series doesn’t necessarily need to kill him off. Chicago Fire has a long history of sending characters elsewhere when their stories have run their course. Still, Cruz’s departure will leave a sizable hole in 51; viewers can’t simply forget him, and he helped define what the firehouse became.

Dermot Mulroney Is Saying Goodbye to Dom Pascal, Too

Image via NBC

Mulroney’s exit is considerably newer, but Pascal’s departure adds another layer to the Season 15 reset. The actor joined Chicago Fire in Season 13 as the replacement for Eamonn Walker’s Wallace Boden, taking over as battalion chief of Firehouse 51. Pascal was never supposed to be Boden 2.0; his leadership style was harsher, his personality more guarded, and his history with the CFD gave him plenty of baggage to work through. Yet over two seasons, he became part of the show’s increasingly familiar ecosystem.

Mulroney confirmed at a Chicago fan convention that Pascal is being written out and that he will return for only one Season 15 episode. He described the character’s storyline as “incredible” and admitted he was sad to leave, especially because Chicago Fire has become so meaningfulto first responders and their families.

His exit also leaves Severide in an interesting position. By the end of Season 14, Kelly Kinney’s Kelly Severide had been offered a major leadership opportunity after Pascal’s departure, potentially putting one of the show’s longest-standing characters in an entirely different role.

Season 15 Is Bringing New Blood to Firehouse 51

Image via NBC

For all the talk about who is leaving, Chicago Fire is also making room for people who could become the next generation of 51. Among them is Da’Vinchi’s Marcus Burke, a new firefighter candidate described as funny, roguish, and somewhat defiant. Lyla Novak actress Jocelyn Hudon has also teased the arrival of multiple new probies, suggesting that Season 15 will have several new personalities competing for a place in the firehouse.

Chicago Fire has always used its newest firefighters to refresh the ensemble. The show has done it with Gallo, Carver, Ritter, and countless others over the years. Some became central pieces of the series; others lasted only a few seasons. Cruz’s exit follows recent departures including Daniel Kyri’s Darren Ritter, Jake Lockett’s Sam Carver and Michael Bradway’s Jack Damon. Even Pascal, who was brought in specifically to help fill the enormous leadership vacuum left by Boden, is already moving on.

The original Chicago Fire cast once included Jesse Spencer’s Matt Casey, Monica Raymund’s Gabriela Dawson, Lauren German’s Leslie Shay, Charlie Barnett’s Peter Mills, and Walker’s Boden, alongside Kinney, David Eigenberg, and Miñoso. Most of them are now gone. Even beloved supporting characters such as Otis, Sylvie Brett, Blake Gallo and Darren Ritter have moved on.

Taylor Kinney’s Severide and Eigenberg’s Herrmann remain, while Mouch and Stella Kidd (Miranda Rae Mayo) are still part of the core ensemble. Yet the emotional architecture around them has changed dramatically. The people they worked beside in the early seasons are largely memories now. With Cruz leaving, Pascal departing, and Teran taking over behind the scenes, Chicago Fire is entering its 15th season with fewer familiar faces and plenty of room for new ones.

Gizmo is officially back! Warner Bros. has released the first teaser for Gremlins 3, offering fans an early glimpse of the beloved Mogwai while announcing that the long-awaited sequel has been delayed nearly a year.

The brief 11-second teaser features Gizmo peeking out of a bag, accompanied by the familiar sounds of mischievous creatures nearby. Although the footage reveals little about the upcoming film, it marks the first official look at the franchise’s return to the big screen after more than three decades.

Originally scheduled to arrive on November 19, 2027, Gremlins 3 will now hit theaters on October 6, 2028, positioning the film for a Halloween-season release. Warner Bros. has not provided a specific reason for the delay.

10.6.28. Only In Theaters. pic.twitter.com/kZVLPrNd12

— Warner Bros. (@warnerbros) September 23, 2026

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Chris Columbus, who wrote the original 1984 film, is returning to the franchise as director and producer. The screenplay has also involved Final Destination Bloodlines filmmakers Zach Lipovsky and Adam Stein, with Hannah Marks working on the latest draft. Steven Spielberg, who helped bring the original film to life, is returning as executive producer.

The original Gremlins, directed by Joe Dante, followed Billy Peltzer after he received an unusual Christmas gift: a lovable Mogwai named Gizmo. However, three important rules accompanied his new pet, and breaking them unleashed a wave of mischievous and dangerous creatures upon the quiet town of Kingston Falls.

The film became a box-office success and spawned the 1990 sequel Gremlins 2: The New Batch, which took the franchise in a more comedic direction. The upcoming third installment will mark the series’ first theatrical release in 38 years.

While the new teaser confirms the return of Gizmo, Warner Bros. has yet to reveal the film’s full cast or plot details.

For now, fans will have to wait a little longer before the Gremlins return to theaters.

“Summer House” alum Paige DeSorbo has had a whirlwind time since announcing her exit from the show in June 2025, including making a brief appearance in “The Devil Wears Prada 2.” However, the former Bravo star recently opened up about experiences from her 20s with domestic abuse, revealing she felt like a fraud for not speaking out before.

Paige DeSorbo Says She Didn’t Talk About Her Domestic Abuse Experience

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Variety interviewed DeSorbo in July 2026 and released the interview months later, in September. In it, she spoke about her life after “Summer House” and reflected on being honored by the Purina Purple Leash Project, a charity that creates pet-friendly shelters for domestic abuse survivors.

Regarding her experience with domestic abuse, DeSorbo stated that she “didn’t talk about it ever, to anyone, except maybe a couple close friends and then family” due to embarrassment.

She continued, “I felt like, ‘How could I let this happen to me?’ I didn’t want them to think less of me. I thought that way for the rest of my 20s, and I just really never brought it up.”

The ‘Summer House’ Alum Says She Felt ‘Fraudulent’ For Not Speaking Out

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DeSorbo continued by reflecting on being a public figure who has experienced domestic abuse in the past. She said she felt she was “doing a disservice” by not discussing that difficult period of her life, especially since many of her fans are young women.

The former “Summer House” star said, “I think my ‘character’ on ‘Summer House’ was strong and confident, and the No. 1 thing about domestic violence is it can truly happen to anyone.”

The 33-year-old continued, “I felt like I was a good example of, ‘She doesn’t take sh-t from anyone she’s dating.’ I felt almost a little fraudulent not saying that I had been through this, because it shaped a lot of how I did date in my late 20s.”

Regarding her being honored by the Purina Purple Leash Project, DeSorbo stated, “There’s no other time than a situation like domestic violence where you need someone to have your back. And I feel like a pet having a pet with you could make a difference.”

She Previously Opened Up About Being With An ‘Abusive Man’ In 2024

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DeSorbo took to her “Giggly Squad” podcast in late 2024 to open up about a relationship with a man that had become physically and emotionally abusive. According to her, “I probably got my most insecure when I was 19 or 20. I dated a really physically and mentally abusive man, and it changed my whole course of dating in my 20s.”

She continued, “I don’t even know if I’ve ever even said that on the pod, that I was in an abusive relationship before, but I feel like if I’m going to say it, this is the episode I would say it because I know for a fact, a ton of other girls have been in them too.”

She then called that experience “a very weird time” of her life before stating that she had been “fully brainwashed” by the unnamed man. DeSorbo added, “I was 19, I was 20 years old, I couldn’t even legally drink. It really did change a lot of how I looked at relationships. I’d never been exposed to that ever. I never thought that that could be me.”

Paige Also Shared What She Misses About ‘Summer House’

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Elsewhere in the Variety interview, DeSorbo also discussed her post-“Summer House” life, saying she felt a bit unsure of herself at first without having to film the show.

She explained, “Last summer came at me too fast. I was like, ‘Wait, what do people do in the summer?” However, DeSorbo has now settled into her new schedule, saying, “I’ve relaxed. I think everyone needs a break from being perceived.”

Regarding what she misses about filming the show each July, she admitted, “I would justify all my purchases because I had to film. ‘I need this outfit.’ Now when I’m shopping, I’m like, ‘Well, I don’t need an arrival outfit for Friday afternoon.’ So that part is a little bit sad.”

Paige And Her Podcast Co-Host Hannah Berner Recently Signed A New Deal

DeSorbo launched the “Giggly Squad” alongside fellow “Summer House” star Hannah Berner in March 2020, starting with Instagram Live sessions before it became an official podcast. Most recently, in September 2026, it was announced that the co-hosts and close friends had signed a new four-year deal with SiriusXM.

The new deal makes SiriusXM the exclusive distributor of the top-rated podcast and expands the brand with “new exclusive programming.” This comes after the pair launched the successful “Giggly Squad” tour in September 2024 and published the New York Times bestseller “How To Giggle” in April 2024.

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Roomies, Kirk Franklin has the innanet talking once again after making an unexpected move with his upcoming music! The gospel icon has folks weighing in on just how far artists can go when blending faith with hip-hop, especially after revealing that his new track samples the late Shawty Lo.

RELATED: Watch Yo Mouth! Tammy Franklin Reacts After Husband Kirk Franklin Confronts Man Who Shaded Her (VIDEO)

Kirk Franklin Said, “Y’all Gotta Hear This Beat!”

Kirk Franklin is gearing up to drop ‘This Time,’ a new track featuring GloRilla that samples the late Shawty Lo’s ‘Dey Know’ record. He recently previewed the song on ‘Joe and Jada,; sparking reactions online as fans debate whether the singer is pushing gospel in a new direction or simply finding fresh ways to bring listeners into praise and worship.

Roomies Had Plenty To Say In The Comments

Fans quickly ran to The Shade Room’s Instagram comment section with their reactions to his latest move. While some declared that Kirk is really HIM, several other commenters admitted the collaboration was completely unexpected.

The Instagram user @cthagod commented, “Kirk Franklin aka Holy Lo Featuring Hallelujah Woods.”

This Instagram user @abovethenote said, “lol Kirk said I need the beat to knock alittle bit more.. In Jesus Name!!💯😂😂😂”

And, Instagram user @socialnatrosha added, “As a former ATLien, it’s 🔥😂”

Meanwhile, Instagram user @lifew.shawna shared, “Remind yall, he’s not the only gospel artist to remix a secular music beat.. yall just don’t like him 😂”

While Instagram user @mrcoolbeardguy wrote, “Kirk was definitely stomping in the studio when he made this 😂💯”

Lastly, Instagram user @aa.laidbackaplomb claimed, “The only Kirk I acknowledge is Franklin”

X Had Plenty To Say About Kirk’s New Track

X didn’t miss either, Roomies! Folks ran over there to share their thoughts on Kirk Franklin’s unexpected move, and the reactions are all up and down the timeline. Some X users even joked that Kirk might just be the gospel version of DJ Khaled, because when he drops a record it’s definitely taking OVER!

I love Kirk Franklin

But that new track ain’t it pic.twitter.com/o3fjMquGXV

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— Sagittarius Jones (@SupaFragilistik) September 23, 2026

Ngl Kirk Franklin gotta hit on his hands rn https://t.co/KcJJiR2aI8

— DOUBLE (@igobydouble) September 23, 2026

That sounds like he’s going back to his Black roots. Thank God. Actually, Kirk Franklin sampling Shawty Lo is very on brand. If he hadn’t had that terrible multicultural church period, it probably would have happened earlier. https://t.co/2FD14seRlf

— Brown Butter Evangelist 🍉 (@krysilove) September 22, 2026

Kirk Franklin > DJ Khaled and it really aint even close lmao https://t.co/WVFnXK2HPQ

— R (@iShard757) September 23, 2026

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Kirk Franklin takes it TOO far sometimes.. he needs a good rebuking again

— CL. ✨ (@_ItsCourtneyyyy) September 23, 2026

Someone gotta whoop Kirk Franklin https://t.co/lxgNX3egSv

— Terpene Hunter (@SwishaShock) September 23, 2026

Kirk Franklin is a musician first. A spokesperson for God second.

— Sabelo R. Mkhabela (@SabeloMkabela) September 23, 2026

Dj Khaled.. I mean, Kirk Franklin, got another hit 🔥 https://t.co/WcDWgdqPXD

— CHIN🤴🏾🇯🇲🇭🇹 (@718CHIN) September 23, 2026

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RELATED: Too Soon? Kirk Franklin Has Social Media Hollerin’ After Clowning Marvin Sapp’s $40K Donation Request (PHOTO)

Between Anne Hathaway, Zendaya, and Tom Holland, 2026 has been a marquee year for many of Hollywood’s biggest names, with each star landing multiple totemic movies in the same calendar year. What connects them, besides fame and acclaim? Sharing screentime with Robert Pattinson, who is having perhaps the most stellar 2026 of all. Despite having already starred in and excelled in The Drama and The Odyssey, the actor still has two wildly anticipated films on this year’s schedule: he is set to appear in the end-of-year’s most seismic cinematic event, Dune: Part Three, and at the end of September, Pattinson will officially make his case for an Academy Award for his buzzy performance as Chris Hansen in Lance Oppenheim‘s Primetime. We are watching the perfect blueprint of how to be a movie star in 2026 unroll in front of our eyes, and his success in parlaying his earlier mainstream success to elevate smaller projects should be the formula for future stars.

Robert Pattinson Cashed In on His ‘Twilight’ Fame

Image via Universal Pictures

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Hollywood’s inability to produce new movie stars, especially ones 40 years old and under, is frequently discussed by audiences and talking heads alike. Average viewers are drawn more to comic book characters and pre-established IP, and the Tom Cruises and Sandra Bullocks of the world are rare commodities. Frankly, one of the many factors driving this trend is the refusal by many household names to use their A-list status to prop up and greenlight small, independent films with challenging and unique material. This critique is often thrown at stars like Ryan Reynolds and Chris Evans, who have resigned themselves to churning out indistinguishable action blockbusters.

Stepping away from that pattern is Robert Pattinson, who starred in both an A24 and a Christopher Nolan movie in 2026, and who has broken the rigid confines of 40-and-under actors by becoming a movie star with genuine artistic integrity. The roots of his current viability as a star and dramatic actor go back over a decade, following the conclusion of his five-movie run as Edward Cullen in the wildly popular Twilight series. Since being minted as the ultimate big-screen heartthrob from 2008 to 2012, Pattinson has rejected his screen persona as a swooning “pretty boy” by playing sheer scoundrels in provocative and bold auteur-driven films. He set the tone for his post-Twilight career instantly by working with the probing and experimental David Cronenberg twice. Pattinson has helped elevate the mainstream status of today’s best working filmmakers, including Josh and Benny Safdie, Claire Denis, Robert Eggers, Lynn Ramsey, Kristoffer Borgli, and now Lance Oppenheim, a documentarian making his foray into narrative filmmaking with Primetime.

Robert Pattinson Consistently Plays Daring and Unglamorous Roles

Male stars designated as matinée idols often make themselves appear ugly, both physically and emotionally, to prove they are serious dramatic actors who don’t skate by on their good looks. Throughout the years, these transformations have been met with mixed results, but no one in recent memory has made one’s deconstruction of their movie star sheen look easier than Robert Pattinson. In 2026 alone, he has played paranoid, envious, and slithering characters in The Drama and The Odyssey, in roles not designed to garner sympathy from the audience. Pattinson’s revelatory turns in Good Time and The Lighthouse showcased his mastery of playing self-destructive men on the brink of total collapse. Even with his most “heroic” characters, such as the set of clones rebelling against totalitarianism in Bong Joon-ho‘s Mickey 17, he is a bumbling, vulnerable presence with a peculiar voice and oddball energy.

Granted, unless you’re Leonardo DiCaprio, if you want to be an A-lister in 2026, you have to play ball with Hollywood. Pattinson can’t be described as much of an anti-establishment artist, as he is indeed the current iteration of Bruce Wayne, last seen in Matt Reeves‘ The Batman, which has finally begun filming its sequel. Luckily, despite donning a cape and wearing a mask throughout most of the runtime, he’s not been asked to partake in any expanded universe (at least for now). The standalone and auteurist nature of The Batman is tailor-made for Pattinson’s career approach. Working with Christopher Nolan, arguably the most viable name in Hollywood, has also helped make Pattinson a household name. Nolan, who makes blockbusters that are nothing like the standard blockbuster, lets Pattinson run wild with his conniving and off-putting characters, and his performance as Antinous in The Odyssey has drawn much enthusiasm.

When even your “one for them” projects are creatively liberating, you know you’re in a vaunted class. Robert Pattinson, whose work in Primetime has placed him firmly in the Oscar conversation, is just getting started, and we may be witnessing the prime of our brightest star in Hollywood.

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Primetime

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Release Date

September 25, 2026

Runtime

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110 minutes

Director

Lance Oppenheim

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Writers

Ajon Singh

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