Entertainment
Princess Beatrice Considers Moving To The US Amid Dad Andrew’s Scandal
Princess Beatrice is reportedly considering a move to the US as she and Princess Eugenie navigate the fallout from their father, ex-Prince Andrew‘s, ongoing scandal linked to Jeffrey Epstein.
The situation has taken an emotional toll, prompting both sisters to step back from public life while focusing on their families.
With mounting pressure and scrutiny in the UK, a fresh start abroad is being considered as Princess Beatrice and Eugenie try to move forward.
Princess Beatrice Reportedly Weighs Relocation Amid Father’s Epstein-Linked Controversy
Princess Beatrice is reportedly considering relocating to the United States as she navigates ongoing fallout tied to her father, Prince Andrew, and his association with Jeffrey Epstein.
According to a Daily Mail report, Beatrice is said to be deeply affected by the situation and is trying to keep her personal life steady amid intense public scrutiny.
Sources claim the idea of moving abroad, once unthinkable, has become more realistic, especially with her sister, Princess Eugenie, having spent extended time living outside the UK.
A potential move could offer Beatrice and her husband, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, a chance at a fresh start while also helping them refocus on their marriage. Edoardo’s work in property, which frequently takes him to the US, is said to make the transition more feasible.
Insiders suggest the couple feels increasingly exposed remaining in the UK, with ongoing investigations and the possibility of further legal developments keeping the spotlight firmly on the family.
The situation has reportedly placed strain on their marriage, particularly during difficult moments when Beatrice needed support, and her husband was abroad for work.
Princesses Beatrice And Eugenie Step Back From Royal Duties Amid Ongoing Prince Andrew Controversy
Meanwhile, the controversy surrounding Andrew continues to cast a long shadow.
He was reportedly arrested in February on suspicion of misconduct in public office linked to alleged dealings with Epstein, and could face serious legal consequences if convicted.
Insiders say the development was particularly difficult for Beatrice, coming at a time when she was already under strain and without her husband nearby.
Since the arrest, both sisters have largely stepped out of the public eye. Reports indicate they will not take part in the traditional carriage procession or appear in the royal box at Ascot this June.
The Princesses Might Stay Away From Public Engagements For A While Due To Their Father’s Scandal
Beatrice and Eugenie’s absence has been noted at recent events, including the Cheltenham races, where senior royals such as Queen Camilla, Princess Anne, and Zara Tindall were in attendance.
Royal commentators suggest this reduced visibility may continue due to the amount of scrutiny plaguing the royal family because of their father.
According to author Phil Dampier and Majesty magazine editor Ingrid Seward, while Beatrice and Eugenie remain valued members of the royal family, the current situation has left them too closely associated with the controversy to participate in major public engagements for now.
Some experts are now suggesting that their absence could extend for much of the year.
Princesses Beatrice And Eugenie Lean On Family As They Cope With Emotional Fallout Of Ongoing Scandal
Behind the scenes, however, the sisters are said to be maintaining close relationships with both their father and their mother, Sarah Ferguson, choosing to spend time together privately while shielding their own families from the fallout.
Beatrice, who married Mozzi in 2020, is raising two young daughters while also embracing her role as a stepmother, while Eugenie, who wed Jack Brooksbank in 2018, is focused on her two young sons.
Sources say the fallout has been deeply emotional for both women, as they process the unfolding events while trying to shield their families. Insiders suggest “they’re also putting pieces of the puzzle together in real time, insiders claim, “and realizing they may have been used.”
The source continued: “That has to feel like a complete betrayal. They’re heartbroken — but a dad is still your dad, and a mom is still your mom. Love for a parent isn’t a light switch. It’s an incredibly painful and introspective moment for them.”
Princess Eugenie Reportedly ‘Frustrated’ As She Navigates Fallout From Prince Andrew Scandal
For Eugenie in particular, the situation has been especially difficult. According to sources, she feels unfairly caught up in the fallout, describing the experience as being “tarnished with a brush that’s not hers, that’s her father’s,” leaving her “very, very frustrated.”
While she and Beatrice are doing their best to stay positive, the situation has been described as “a s–t show, a never-ending s–t show.”
Reports suggest Eugenie has taken a step back from spending time with her father as she processes the ongoing scandal. However, insiders emphasize that this distance does not signal a complete breakdown in their relationship, describing the bond as strained but not entirely severed.
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Entertainment
Disney’s Forgotten 1960s Adventure Film Is Still One of the Best — and Most Surprising — World War II Movies
When you think of Disney‘s 1960s output, technicolor fairy tales, cartoon animals, and whimsical coming-of-age stories likely come to mind. Meanwhile, bombed-out Europe probably doesn’t ring a bell as one of the studio’s specialties that decade. Yet Disney’s 1963 World War II film, Miracle of the White Stallions, makes for a surprising entry in the studio’s canon. Directed by Arthur Hiller, the film sidesteps gunfire and life-altering grand deeds of war in favor of a tale about defiance, tradition, and the preservation of culture. Miracle of the White Stallions is based on Alois Podhajsky’s memoir The Dancing White Horses of Vienna, and it tells the real story of how Austria’s treasured Lipizzaner horses were rescued with the help of American soldiers during World War II.
From its very first frame, you can tell Miracle of the White Stallions is a different kind of war movie. It opens in a remote village in Austria, where we are introduced to the beauty and cultural significance of the Lipizzaner horses juxtaposed with the prevailing war chaos threatening them. In place of bombers and tanks, Hiller paints a romanticized portrait of the horses. He shows us how graceful they are, whether in their dance performances or in their intimate relationships within their handlers and each other. Hiller truly makes the horses co-stars alongside his human leads.
‘Miracle of the White Stallions’ Breaks the War-Movie Mold
The film follows Colonel Podhajsky (Robert Taylor in a striking performance), head of the Spanish Riding School, who is keen on protecting the Lipizzaner stallions from destruction and, thus, preserving centuries-old symbols of Austrian culture. With war drawing closer to Vienna, Colonel Podhajsky’s first hurdle is convincing the Nazi army superiors to allow him to evacuate the horses. But even as he navigates one obstacle, several new ones spring up in its place. The film stands out for how it breaks the mold of war pictures in its era, stripping away combat spectacle that was a common element among movies in the genre, like The Longest Day and The Guns of Navarone. The film replaces spectacle with a narrative that builds tension from Colonel Podhajsky’s negotiation with the Nazis and the trust he commands from some soldiers within the ranks. His willingness to explore a collaboration with the supposed enemy — the American army led by Gen. George S. Patton (John Larch) — shows not only his determination, but also his unique courage.
‘Miracle of the White Stallions’ Showcases One of Robert Taylor’s Best Performances
An uncharacteristic part of Disney’s canon in the early 1960s, Miracle of the White Stallions was released at a time when the studio was turning out whimsical musicals and sunny adventures. So it was surprising when Arthur Hiller’s vision steered the war film into sterner waters. His direction is controlled, with pacing that is unhurried. He builds slowly from the historical context of the origin of the horses before delving into the grim state of current affairs and the danger it poses to that rich history. Hiller is less concerned with thrills than with tone and atmosphere. He shows us his characters — human and animal — in their natural habitat as the war looms. The animals are oblivious of the rising temperatures, while the human beings guarding them are worried that their conflict could destroy the stallions. Despite the film’s slow pace, Hiller’s choice to show these events taking place as if they are happening in real time makes you appreciate the film’s urgent call, particularly Colonel Podhajsky’s sense of responsibility to preserve history and tradition.
Taylor plays Podhajsky as if commanding a special operation. He is brisk, precise, and highly devoted. He desperately approaches any office that can accord him help, even when he knows it’s unlikely to bear fruit. Taylor is joined by an impressive cast, including Lilli Palmer as his wife Vedena, who brings tenderness to her role. She’s Podhajsky’s pillar in moments when everything seems to go awry, keeping him grounded and focused. Curd Jürgens (The Spy Who Loved Me) and Eddie Albert take their supporting roles with the seriousness they deserve.
In its look and feel, Miracle of the White Stallions is worlds away from the usual gloss of Disney escapism. But that is not to say that the film is lacking in mojo. Filmed partially in Vienna, including at the Spanish Riding School and the Hermesvilla estate where the real event happened, the movie’s authentic locations give it an emotional touch that leaves a lasting impression. The cinematography by Günther Anders and editing by Alfred Srp move with purpose, making use of long shots of horses in open courtyards juxtaposed with the shrinking spaces of wartime Vienna. The result is a film that lets you feel both grandeur and danger.
20 Years Later, This Remains the Most Perfect R-Rated Sci-Fi Movie of All Time
Dystopian fiction is getting a little too close to reality.
The score, too, underlines the stakes. Music by Paul J. Smith, with moments punctuated by Franz Schubert’s ingenuity of “Marche Militaire” and Felix Mendelssohn’s pieces, marries tradition with mounting tension. But Miracle of the White Stallions trusts silence as much as sound and horses as much as humans, giving the genre a refreshing look that asks questions about the culture of war and lost heritage as collateral damage.
While it isn’t difficult to identify the film as a ’60s release, the questions asked in its thought-provoking premise and central idea are as relevant in the conflicts of today as they were back then. Sixty-two years since its unique protagonists hoofed onto the screen, Miracle of the White Stallions deserves more light — not for what’s missing, but for what survives.
Miracle of the White Stallions
- Release Date
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March 29, 1963
- Runtime
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118 minutes
- Director
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Arthur Hiller
- Writers
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AJ Carothers
Cast
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Lilli Palmer
Vedena Podhajsky
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Robert Taylor
Col. Podhajsky
As the saying goes, the devil works fast, but the internet works faster.
Or, in this case, golf fans work faster.
Just one day after Tiger Woods’ mug shot was released following his recent DUI arrest, fans at the Houston Open golf tournament in Texas were already rocking custom T-shirts featuring an image in support of the legendary golfer.
The white shirts displayed Woods’ mug shot front and center, with “#FreeTiger” printed underneath.
Fans wore the shirts to the third round of the PGA tournament on Saturday, March 28. The final round is scheduled for Sunday, March 29.
Woods, 50, was arrested on Friday, March 27, after he was involved in a rollover car accident in Jupiter Island, Florida. The 15-time major champion was charged with DUI, property damage and refusal to submit a lawful test after he declined to take a urinalysis test after authorities arrived at the scene of the accident.
Fans pose for photos while wearing shirts in support of Tiger Woods during the 2026 Houston Open Mike Mulholland/Getty Images
While his breathalyzer test resulted in triple zeros, suggesting that Woods was not under the influence of alcohol at the time of the accident, authorities suspected Woods of being under the influence of medications or drugs.
“The investigation started and initially right off the top, it did appear that the driver of the Land Rover might be impaired,” said Martin County Sheriff John Budensiek in a press conference on Friday. “And at that point, the chief of Jupiter Island Police Department called me from the Martin County Sheriff’s Office and asked for our assistance.
He continued, “We know we arrested a high profile figure … but it doesn’t matter who you are. If you break the law, we’re going to follow the law. That’s a really easy path to take.”
Woods’ mug shot was revealed on Friday after his arrest, along with photos from the crash. By Saturday afternoon, fans already had the photo printed on T-shirts at the Houston Open.
Tiger Woods was arrested and charged with a DUI on March 27, 2026, after a rollover car crash in Jupiter Island, Florida, that left his Land Rover overturned on a two-lane road. The Martin County Sheriff’s Office confirmed in a press conference that Woods was charged with driving under the influence, property damage and refusal […]
While Woods was never scheduled to compete in the Houston Open, he was on the precipice of a professional comeback prior to Friday’s accident as questions swirled about whether or not he would compete in April’s Masters tournament.
Meanwhile, World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler was slated to play in the Houston Open, but withdrew from the field before teeing off as he prepares for the birth of his second child. Scheffler should be back for the Masters.
Woods was involved in another single-car crash back in 2021, which resulted in a shattered ankle and two leg features. Authorities determined that the speed in which Woods was driving, and not the use of drugs or alcohol, resulted in the crash.
The golfer was also arrested under suspicion of DUI in 2017 during a traffic stop in Florida. The golfer pleaded guilty to reckless driving after various drugs, including pain killers, were found in his system.
DaBaby recently spoke about the financial fallout from his past homophobic rant. The rapper, born Jonathan Lyndale Kirk, was on the rise from 2019 to 2020. His momentum stalled in 2021 after facing backlash from major brands, celebrities, and social media users. Now, he is opening up about the impact it had on his finances.
DaBaby Says He Missed Out On Hundreds Of Thousands Of Dollars After Being Canceled In 2021
While appearing on the “Million Dollaz Worth Of Game” podcast, DaBaby revealed he was making upward of $300,000 before being canceled in 2021.
“I had a calendar full of shows. 350K, 350K, 375K, 400K, 300K,” he said before revealing his fee dropped significantly to “$30,000.”
Despite the fee change, DaBaby said he wasn’t deterred. In fact, he told the podcast host that he was more than happy to accept those gigs.
“No, I went and got that,” he said.
Why Was DaBaby Canceled In 2021? His Homophobic Rant Went Viral
For those unfamiliar, DaBaby made headlines in July 2021 while performing at Rolling Loud Miami.
During his set, DaBaby made a series of homophobic and offensive comments. “If you didn’t show up today with HIV, AIDS, or any of them deadly sexually transmitted diseases that’ll make you die in two to three weeks, then put your cellphone lighter up,” he said.
“Ladies, if your p—- smell like water, put your cellphone lighter up. Fellas, if you ain’t sucking d— in the parking lot, put your cellphone lighter up,” he added.
DaBaby, of course, received pushback; however, he defended himself online, calling himself the “best live performer” before saying his comments were misconstrued.
“My gay fans, they take care of themselves. They ain’t no nasty gay n—as. See what I’m saying? They ain’t no junkies in the street. The hell you talking about, n—as? Then I said if you ain’t sucking d— in the parking lot, put your cellphone lighter up. You know what my gay fans did? Put that motherf—ing light up, n—a, ’cause my gay fans ain’t going for that. They got class. They ain’t sucking no d— in no parking lot,” he wrote.
Celebrities Slam DaBaby After Sharing Homophobic Rant
The backlash DaBaby faced wasn’t limited to social media users. Celebrities also spoke out, including Dua Lipa, who had recently released a remix of her hit song “Levitating” featuring the rapper. Fans called for her to pull his feature, which she did.
“I’m surprised and horrified at DaBaby’s comments. I really don’t recognize this as the person I worked with,” she said in a statement. “I know my fans know where my heart lies and that I stand 100% with the LGTBQ community. We need to come together to fight the stigma and ignorance around HIV/AIDS.”
Demi Lovato, too, blasted the rapper, writing on Instagram that “HIV is not a gay disease.”
Elton John and Madonna also condemned DaBaby’s statements, while the fashion brand BoohooMAN cut ties with the rapper following the release of their collaboration a month prior.
“Diversity and inclusion are part of the boohoo Groups DNA and we pride ourselves on representing the diverse customers we serve across the globe. We stand by and support the LGBTQ+ community, and do not tolerate hate speech or discrimination in any form,” their statement read.
Rapper Apologizes After Career Begins To Suffer
After his comments, three different festivals pulled DaBaby from their lineups, seemingly prompting the rapper to issue an apology.
“Anybody who done ever been affected by AIDS/HIV y’all got the right to be upset, what I said was insensitive even though I have no intentions on offending anybody. So my apologies,” he wrote.
Days later, he issued another apology on his Instagram, writing, “I want to apologize to the LGBTQ+ community for the hurtful and triggering comments I made. Again, I apologize for my misinformed comments about HIV/AIDS and I know education on this is important. Love to all. God bless.”
However, netizens noticed the apology had been deleted from his account less than a week later.
Other Rappers Speak Out And Show Their Support
Rapper T.I. defended DaBaby following the scandal, saying he had a right to live his “truth.” After the situation blew up, he added, “I think you guys have to understand that onstage, that’s not the place that rappers go to be sensitive and soothe everybody’s feelings.”
“It’s a place to go to have a good time,” he said, adding that DaBaby’s cancellation was like “bullying.”
Nick Cannon commented while appearing on “The Breakfast Club,” challenging those who were upset to use the moment to educate DaBaby rather than cancel him. “This is a moment where we should all gather around DaBaby and embrace him because if we can do that, watch how many mentalities will change in the hip-hop community,” he said.
“Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” star Taylor Frankie Paul’s neighbor called the police moments before her 2023 arrest, according to a new report. The Hulu reality star was allegedly heard screaming and seen repeatedly entering and exiting her Utah home during a domestic dispute with her ex-boyfriend, Dakota Mortensen.
Taylor Frankie Paul Heard Screaming ‘Get Off Me’ Moments Before Her 2023 Arrest
Us Weekly obtained Paul’s neighbor’s 911 call the night of her arrest. During the call, Paul’s neighbor revealed that they had observed the reality star having an intense argument with Mortensen.
“First, there’s like domestic violence; somebody is screaming, ‘get off me.’ There is a woman screaming,” the neighbor said on the phone. “The garage door keeps opening and shutting. It sounds like she’s trying to get out.”
Paul’s neighbor explained that they noticed someone repeatedly coming and going. “Somebody’s getting in the truck,” the neighbor said. “So, it looks like the lady who was screaming might be leaving right now. … [She] actually didn’t leave. Now, she’s going back in the house.”
Paul’s Neighbor Didn’t Want Her To Know They Called The Police
Elsewhere during the call, Paul’s neighbor attempted to share more information about the reality star’s family life with the 911 operator.
“I know they have kids, [but] I don’t know if the kids are there right now, because I think she shares time with her ex-husband,” they said. “I would love to know if they’re OK. I mean, it looks like she’s OK right now. I don’t know if somebody else in there was screaming.”
While Paul’s neighbor admitted on the call that they were unsure what was actually happening, they were certain that they didn’t want to be involved. “But anyway, I don’t really want them to know that I’m the one that’s calling the police,” the caller said.
Taylor Frankie Paul Seen Throwing Chairs At Ex-Boyfriend In 2023 Video
The recovered 911 call comes weeks after a video appearing to show Paul striking Mortensen and pulling his hair went viral online, according to The Blast.
Elsewhere in the video, Paul is seen appearing to choke Mortensen before throwing several metal chairs at him, even hitting her own daughter in the process.
“This is called physical abuse. This is all you do,” Mortensen could be heard saying in the shocking video. “It’s the only thing you know how to do is hurt me. You think this is OK? It’s not OK. Holy sh-t.”
The release of the assault video also had major implications on Paul’s career, as ABC canceled her season of “The Bachelorette,” which would’ve been currently airing.
“In light of the newly released video just surfaced today, we have made the decision to not move forward with the new season of The Bachelorette at this time, and our focus is on supporting the family,” a Disney spokesperson said.
Cinanbon also backed out of its partnership with ABC and “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives.”
“Cinnabon has made the decision to terminate its collaboration with ‘The Bachelorette’ and ‘The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives.’ Recent developments and allegations surrounding the lead cast member led us to reassess this collaboration as it no longer aligns with our brand values,” the company said to PEOPLE.
Taylor Frankie Paul Saddened By Ongoing Drama
While Paul may be used to dealing with conflict on reality TV, the mother of three got candid about how the ongoing drama between her and Mortensen had impacted her.
“Honestly, just like, my heart hurts to see it, to go through it, especially at this time,” she said. “Just the timing is hard, and it’s a big deal. I feel like every premiere that I’ve experienced, I’ve never enjoyed fully, so this is another one… it’s extremely hard, and it took everything to get me here today.”
Mortensen Breaks His Silence
In a statement to Entertainment Weekly, Mortensen’s rep said his primary focus was protecting his and Paul’s son, Ever.
The rep added that Mortensen’s plan has always been to stay out of the drama; however, after the latest series of events, he’s realized he has to speak up.
“He was just hoping that if he says nothing, as he usually does, it would go away. He’s never done any kind of sit-down interview about his side,” they said. “He kind of just lets it all happen to him, and I think he realizes with the severity of everything now that he just can’t do that.”
Prince William is reportedly taking a thoughtful approach to shaping the future of his children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, as they grow into their royal roles.
Aware of the pressures tied to the monarchy’s “heir and spare” dynamic, the future king is said to be focused on ensuring all three children have balanced, independent paths.
Prince William is also learning from past royal experiences and prioritizing family stability, as he and Kate Middleton navigate a modern monarchy.
Prince William Reportedly Focused On Securing Independent Futures For Princess Charlotte And Prince Louis
William is giving serious thought to the long-term futures of his children, particularly the very different roles they are likely to assume within the royal family.
According to royal commentator Tina Brown, William is especially aware of the challenges tied to the monarchy’s tradition of primogeniture, where the eldest child inherits the throne while younger siblings often take on less defined roles.
Writing in her “Fresh Hell” Substack, Brown claimed William is determined to ensure Charlotte and Louis are equipped to build fulfilling, independent lives and “will not fall into the same cycle of thwarted freedom” that has historically affected “spares” within the royal family.
The dynamic has been closely associated with Prince Harry, who famously described his position as the “spare” in his 2023 memoir “Spare.”
In the book, he described feeling like “the shadow, the support, the Plan B,” highlighting the emotional weight of being “brought into the world in case something happened to Willy.”
Prince William And Kate Take Modern Approach To Raising Their Children Beyond The Heir And Spare Dynamic
While William and Harry remain estranged following the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s departure from royal duties in 2020, the future king is said to be taking a more intentional approach with his own children.
He and Kate Middleton are gradually introducing George, second in line to the throne, to public responsibilities, including attending his first formal engagement in 2025 at a tea party with veterans.
At the same time, the royal couple is reportedly committed to protecting Charlotte and Louis from the pressures that have historically come with being younger siblings in the royal hierarchy.
The Prince Of Wales Wants To Make Royal Life Feel Less ‘Scary’ For His Children
Royal biographer Robert Hardman has previously told People Magazine that William sees it as a key responsibility not only to prepare for kingship but also to make royal life feel less “scary” and more balanced for all his children.
Parenting expert Jo Frost also echoed this perspective, suggesting to HELLO! Magazine that William and Kate prioritize the bond between their children over rigid royal labels.
She has expressed confidence that their household will move away from the traditional “heir and spare” mindset, focusing instead on raising all three children with equal importance.
Prince William Opens Up About Parenting, Vows To Give His Children A Healthy, Stable Childhood
William has also spoken personally about his parenting approach. During a conversation with actor Eugene Levy, he emphasized his commitment to “doing what’s best” for his kids and learning from his own upbringing.
He stressed the importance of balancing royal duties with family life, explaining that creating a stable, happy environment is essential to setting his children up for the future.
“If you don’t start the children off now with a happy, healthy, stable home, I feel you’re setting them up for a bit of a hard time and a fall,” he said. “We try to make sure we give them the security and the safety that they need.”
Reflecting on his childhood, the future king added that he hopes to avoid repeating the intense public pressures he and Harry experienced.
“I hope we don’t go back to some of the practices in the past that Harry and I grew up in. And I’ll do everything I can to make sure we don’t regress in that situation,” William stated.
Prince William And Kate Middleton Reportedly Weighing School Options For Their Children
Alongside these considerations, William and Kate are also said to be carefully evaluating their children’s future education.
Speaking on HELLO! ‘s “A Right Royal Podcast,” Melanie Sanderson from “The Good Schools Guide” suggested the couple is likely getting advice from close friends, particularly those with older children, as they weigh their options.
She noted that both William and Kate have firsthand experience of the British private school system, having attended institutions like Eton and Marlborough College, and are well-connected to networks of parents who can offer insight and recommendations.
For now, all three children are enrolled at Lambrook School, where they currently study together.
A growing number of Hollywood stars have begun trading Los Angeles for life in France, and experts are now offering a reason for this trend.
Stars like George Clooney and Natalie Portman lead the exodus, which is believed to be tied to the “pressure cooker” landscape in Hollywood.
In contrast, France is said to offer privacy, culture, and a quieter lifestyle, which these celebrities are reportedly drawn to.
Experts Claim Hollywood No Longer Offer The Same Appeal To Celebrities
In recent years, Hollywood stars such as George Clooney and Natalie Portman have left Los Angeles to build lives in France, while some have also chosen to relocate overseas despite already being well-established in their home country.
Although these departures have occurred at different times, experts say they are all driven by the idea that Hollywood no longer offers the same appeal it once did. did.
“Hollywood has become deeply political in recent years, and for some celebrities, that environment can feel like a pressure cooker,” cultural commentator Jonathan Alpert told Fox News Digital.
The Stars Are Under Constant Scrutiny In Hollywood
Alpert specifically pointed to the intense scrutiny celebrities face in Hollywood, where even the smallest actions are now often picked apart.
He suggested that this constant attention can become overwhelming, leading some stars to feel that stepping away from that environment is the best decision for their well-being.
“Every comment, role, or social media post is scrutinized through a political or culture-war lens, and that kind of atmosphere can push people to look for some distance,” the expert noted.
Celebrities Like George Clooney And Natalie Portman Were Drawn By The Privacy France Offers
Regarding Portman, she relocated to France over a decade ago with French dancer and choreographer Benjamin Millepied, whom she married in 2012. Meanwhile, Clooney and his wife, Amal Clooney, have owned a home in the country since 2021 and recently became naturalized.
While both couples had personal reasons for making the move, experts believe the decision is largely influenced by the level of privacy France offers, along with its many other lifestyle advantages.
“France has always had a special pull for artists and celebrities. Paris and the South of France offer culture, architecture, food, and history in a way very few places do,” Celebrity real estate agent Josh Flagg shared.
“But the biggest factor is privacy. In many parts of France, even major stars can live relatively normal lives compared to Los Angeles. There’s also a long tradition of creatives gravitating there.”
Experts Believe Only Established Celebrities Can Step Away From Hollywood
In the coming years, it is believed that more stars will follow in the footsteps of Clooney and Portman. However, those most likely to make the move are established names with enough reputation and industry pull to continue landing major roles even while living outside Hollywood.
“When you’re starting out, you need to be in Los Angeles. But once your career is established, you can fly in when you need to work. At that point, privacy, security, and overall quality of life become much bigger priorities,” said Flagg.
As of now, Clooney and his family still maintain strong ties to the U.S., and it’s likely that Portman does as well despite spending years abroad. This pattern is expected to continue for those choosing to step away from Hollywood.
“Most of these stars aren’t truly leaving the American entertainment world. They still work here and often maintain homes here. In many cases, it’s less an exodus and more about creating breathing room from the scrutiny and political intensity that surrounds Hollywood today,” Alpert shared.
The Reasons Some Celebrities Gave For Leaving Hollywood
Last year, Portman revealed in an interview with Net-A-Porter that she was particularly drawn to France because of the country’s value for privacy.
“They’re very good at privacy here. I feel like the biggest compliment is ‘elle est très discrète’ [‘she is very discreet’],” Portman told the outlet.
Meanwhile, Clooney told Esquire that fearing his kids wouldn’t enjoy the same kind of life he lived while growing up was a major factor for him.
“I was worried about raising our kids in L.A., in the culture of Hollywood. I felt like they were never going to get a fair shake at life,” he shared in the interview.
“Breaking Bad” star Aaron Paul told Travel + Leisure that the country’s food, history, and his desire for his kids to learn another language sold him.
Christina Milan, another star who lives in France, also shares similar sentiments and told People Magazine that she and her family may reside in the country for most of their lives.
Entertainment
Banned in Its Own Country and Filmed in Secret, the Best Thriller of 2024 Is Finally on Streaming
The word “bravery” is sometimes overused when describing the filmmaking process; while it does take stamina to put one’s creative ideas on display, making a film is rarely a legitimately dangerous act. However, the acclaimed Iranian filmmaker Mohammad Rasoulof was targeted by the government prior to the premiere of his film The Seed of the Sacred Fig, as it was deemed “propaganda” by the authorities. Rasoulof had previously been arrested for protesting the government but was released and able to film The Seed of the Sacred Fig in secret so that it could debut at the Cannes Film Festival. And now you can watch this powerful film on Hulu.
Although he was sentenced to eight years in prison, Rasoulof fled by foot to Europe and was able to complete editing The Seed of the Sacred Fig in Germany. Although The Seed of the Sacred Fig was submitted and nominated as Germany’s entry for the Academy Award for Best International Feature, it also stands as an important work of political filmmaking that should turn the eyes of the world to the horrific situation going on in Tehran.
What Is ‘The Seed of the Sacred Fig’ About?
Although the story of the film is fictional, The Seed of the Sacred Fig is set during the real Iranian protests in 2022, in which critics of the government took to the streets after a young woman was killed under suspicious circumstances; real footage from the events was incorporated by Rasoulof to provide contextual information. The film centers on the lawyer Iman (Missagh Zareh), who is appointed to be a federal judge within the Revolutionary Court and given a gun to defend himself. Iman begins to grow agitated about his work, as he learns that he will pass execution orders given to him by higher-ranking officials; he is also not allowed to pass along any information about the nature of his work to his wife, Najmeh (Soheila Golestani), who raises their adolescent children Rezvan (Mahsa Rostami) and Sana (Setareh Maleki). The situation spirals out of control when Iman discovers that the gun is missing, leading him to question the loyalties of the family he thought he could trust.
The Seed of the Sacred Fig explores how the governmental practices in Iran cause the splintering of one family, as the film is tightly focused on how paranoia and fear cause Iman to act irrationally. Iman is so used to being tracked by the government that he knows that any mistake on his part could cause significant consequences; since the gun was registered to him, its involvement in any crime could be traced back to him. Iman’s situation is more strenuous because he does not feel that there is anyone that he can trust; while he is afraid that any other government employees would inform on him to steal his position, he also comes to suspect his family, as Rezvan has become increasingly interested in the revolutionary movement. Although Iman is terrified of the power that the authoritative regime holds, he also fears that he could be targeted by protesters if they knew of his real employment.
What Impact Will ‘The Seed of the Sacred Fig’ Have?
The Seed of the Sacred Fig examines why Iran is in a period of political stagnation, as many people who disagree with the government are forced into isolation. While Rezvan discovers that there are many others on social media that share her resentment towards the law enforcement process, Iman is so obsessed with avoiding political conversations that he prevents the family from watching television news or having any active conversations about controversial topics. Although Iman acts in ways that may seem irrational, it’s easy to understand how a man with no support system would be willing to put his family in such intense situations.
The Seed of the Sacred Fig is a great piece of filmmaking, as it is rare to find a film nearly three hours in length in which every scene advances the narrative and reveals something new about the characters. However, the danger that Rasoulof experienced shows how powerful cinema can be, as there was genuine fear on the part of the Iranian government that The Seed of the Sacred Fig could inspire sympathy for the protesters. Rasoulof has earned his place among the great filmmakers working today, but he’s also helped to influence important conversations about an experience that many viewers may be ignorant of.
The phrase “hang it in the Louvre” has become commonplace for images so iconic that they are masterpieces in their own right. Now, imagine an entire film built on iconic shots, each image worthy of living in a museum. From arthouse films to big-budget epics, black-and-white masterpieces to Technicolor classics, when a movie looks that astounding, it should be celebrated.
The films that make this list are revered for an array of reasons, but from a visual standpoint, they’re extraordinary. Spanning all genres, from sci-fi to fantasy, the shots in these movies live rent-free in our minds. Some have even been turned into posters or inspired other artistic media. For this list, we are avoiding animated features, as they would be a part of a different celebration. When the film hall of fame calls for visual masterpieces, these titles will proudly hang on the wall.
1
‘The Grand Budapest Hotel’ (2014)
This entire list could be a Wes Anderson tribute piece. As a lover of his distinct style, drawn to symmetry and color, I have a deep appreciation for the visuals in his films. The director’s vision has inspired social media, as it’s well-suited to photography. While all of his films utilize the Anderson effect, his most beautiful film is The Grand Budapest Hotel. A fast-paced, stylized caper, the story follows Monsieur Gustave H. (Ralph Fiennes), a legendary concierge at a famed European hotel between the wars, and his loyal lobby boy protégé, Zero Moustafa (Tony Revolori). The unlikely duo becomes embroiled in a battle for a massive family fortune, the theft of a priceless painting, and a murder mystery. A vibrant romp with a star-studded ensemble, The Grand Budapest Hotel may be Anderson’s greatest artistic achievement.
Harkening back to a 1930s aesthetic, Anderson meticulously chooses colors to reflect the period. Utilizing richly thematic colors, including beautifully muted pinks against the deeply bold reds, the color palette sets it apart from anything he’s done before. In a memory play, when the story hops back to 1968 as a young writer visits the dilapidated hotel, the colors are in sharp contrast to display the loss of a once-vibrant Europe. Visually, it’s as if Anderson tells his layered story within a dream-like dollhouse. Even with an aura of whimsy, the painstakingly pristine, symmetrical compositions are glorious. Whether straight-on or angled, Anderson blocks his performers so precisely that they become part of the set. Using adorable miniatures and switches in aspect ratio, The Grand Budapest Hotel is truly one of the most beautiful movies Anderson has ever made.
2
‘Amelie’ (2001)
When you craft a whimsically innovative film, chances are it’s going to turn out like a work of art. Such was the case for Jean-Pierre Jeunet’s Amelie. The French-language romantic comedy tells the story of a shy, imaginative waitress named Amélie Poulain (Audrey Tautou) living in Paris. After finding a hidden box of childhood treasures, she decides to anonymously improve the lives of the eccentric people around her, ultimately finding the courage to pursue her own love and happiness. A romanticized, colorful version of Paris, the backdrop becomes a character in its own right. The bricolage version of Amelie’s Paris allows for the film to stand on its own.
With a delightful performance from Tautou, it pairs perfectly with the charming color palette, and the optimistic mission of the story shines through. The warm, saturated color story evokes a dreamlike sense of nostalgia. From there, the cinematography by Bruno Delbonnel, when focusing on close-ups of small pleasures like cracking crème brûlée, becomes its own important cinematic moment. With surrealistic elements woven in, Amelie’s imagery is synonymous with the film, and there’s yet to be a film to match its splendor.
3
‘2001: A Space Odyssey’ (1968)
Perhaps the most important film ever made is Stanley Kubrick’s masterpiece 2001: A Space Odyssey. The breathtaking epic covers humanity’s evolution from prehistoric times to the future with mysterious alien monoliths. With an imposing black structure serving as a link between the past and the future, Dr. Dave Bowman (Keir Dullea) and his team of astronauts are sent on a mysterious voyage. Their ship’s sentient computer system, HAL 9000, begins to exhibit increasingly strange behavior, leading to a tense battle between man and machine that culminates in a mind-bending trek through space and time. An enigmatic film, 2001: A Space Odyssey, took audiences places they’d never seen before. And let’s just say, Kubrick’s brilliant vision is why.
Through single-point cinematography, Kubrick’s composition drew the eye to the center of the screen, creating a breathtaking photographic aura. You can even call it a moving painting. Using showing-not-telling visual storytelling, Kubrick allowed for long, mesmerizing takes to bring the audience along for the ride. A film made pre-CGI, everything is practical, using physical models. When you watch Bowman, dressed in a rich burnt red, walk inside the stark white Discovery, you understand why it’s the most popular shot in the film. Then, as he’s drawn into Star Gate, you’re taken by a vortex of colored light, bizarre landscapes, and inexplicable cosmic events. It’s a beautifully shot ending to a groundbreaking film.
4
‘8 1/2’ (1963)
Of course, a film about a filmmaker is going to be a good-looking piece, especially when it serves as your autobiography. Such was the case for Federico Fellini’s 8 1/2. The film follows a famous Italian director, Guido Anselmi (Marcello Mastroianni), suffering from intense creative blockage. As he tries to produce a science-fiction film, he struggles with his professional pressures, personal relationships, memories, and fantastical dreams. Blurring the lines between reality and fantasy and the pain and pressure of the creation process, Fellini masters the beautiful confusion of a director’s mind through extraordinary imagery.
Revolutionizing the way surrealism, dreams, and memory are integrated into the creative process, Fellini’s marvel brings meta-cinema to pioneering heights. Shot by Gianni Di Venanzo, 8 1/2 utilizes high-contrast black-and-white shots as an homage to films of the past. Then, the manner in which the camera moves is like a choreographed ballet, providing sharp shots that convey the narrative as characters move in and out of the foreground and background, building a new portrait within the mindscape. The spherical cinematographic process proved to be the magic touch. With every shot resembling a beautiful photography exhibit, 8 1/2 is all about pushing the bounds of what art can be. There’s a reason why 8 1/2 transformed seamlessly into a stunning musical.
5
‘North by Northwest’ (1959)
The crop duster in the cornfield scene. We could leave it just there, but we won’t, as there is so much to discuss. Directed by the legend himself, Alfred Hitchcock, North by Northwest is a finely tuned spy thriller. Roger Thornhill (Cary Grant) is a New York advertising executive mistaken for a government agent named George Kaplan by foreign spies. Pursued across the U.S., he tries to clear his name while caught in a deadly web of espionage, romance, and iconic action sequences. A man on the run story, Hitchcock takes viewers on a tour of America, from New York to the Midwest, with a conclusion at Mount Rushmore. With stylish suspense, Hitchcock’s visually driven action sequences have provided iconic shots that have gone down in history.
A top-tier Hitchcock film, it stands out from many others for the way he composes large-scale scenes with such profound mastery. Many films on this list are revered for their intimacy; North by Northwest bravely zooms out for grandeur. Now, one may think that the climactic finale was filmed on location, but it was not. Instead, Hitchcock and his team replicated the infamous landmark, thereby achieving a major technical feat. The specificity of the art direction imbues this film with a timelessness that continually marks it as one of the greatest cinematic feats.
6
‘Speed Racer’ (2008)
Image via Warner Bros. Pictures
There have been countless films that have tried to adapt cartoons into live action, abandoning their cartoon imagery. It’s a fine choice, but the allure and charm don’t always hold. But then, in 2008, the Wachowskis took a beloved cartoon and figured out just how to make the two-dimensional world shine in a three-dimensional world. Speed Racer, one of the most underrated films of all time, lifts Tatsuo Yoshida‘s manga series and drops it into a high-speed visual acid trip that maintains the integrity of its source material. The film follows a young, talented driver named Speed (Emile Hirsch), who navigates a corrupt, corporate-dominated racing world to save his family’s independent business. After rejecting a deal with the villainous Royalton Industries, Speed uncovers fixed races and teams up with his family, girlfriend Trixie (Christina Ricci), and the mysterious Racer X (Matthew Fox) to win the dangerous championship. Highly stylized, visually vibrant, and CGI-heavy, Speed Racer is a masterclass in filmmaking.
The Wachowskis have great reverence for the source material, yet avoid the potential corniness to build a neon-soaked universe that became the epitome of being “posterized.” Through pop art, cubism, and technical CGI enhancements, Speed Racer is a welcome sensory assault in which physical laws are pushed aside for maximum visual pleasure, going to the max with color saturation to craft a surreal universe that’s in perpetual motion. As someone who attended a midnight viewing on opening night, Speed Racer is a moving art installation straight from your wildest imagination.
7
‘The Wizard of Oz’ (1939)
Classic Hollywood’s journey from black and white to Technicolor was a glorious transition. Perhaps the film that defined that shift was the timeless classic, The Wizard of Oz. The film tells the story of Dorothy Gale (Judy Garland), a young farm girl from Kansas, who is swept away via a tornado to the magical Land of Oz, where she embarks on a quest along the Yellow Brick Road to find the powerful Wizard (Frank Morgan) in the Emerald City to help her get home. On her journey, she meets three new friends, each of whom is seeking something of their own from the Wizard (Frank Morgan) — the Scarecrow (Ray Bolger), who needs a brain; the Tin Man (Jack Haley), who needs a heart; and the Cowardly Lion (Bert Lahr), who needs courage. From a sepia reality turned colorful dream world, The Wizard of Oz’s iconography has already found itself in museums, because each shot is spectacular.
Directed by Victor Fleming, The Wizard of Oz was a technological innovation using tremendous production design that magically came to life. Every single set piece was meticulously crafted, reminding viewers that colors aren’t just a simple shade. With brilliant detail, the yellow-coated bricks pop. The perfect shade of green allowed the Emerald City to dazzle. Then, without that precise red, those famous ruby slippers wouldn’t be nearly as memorable. Bring all the colors together, and The Wizard of Oz transports you into this immersive world over the rainbow. The Wizard of Oz is the definition of why color is so integral. When we head back to Kansas and Dorothy awakes in bed to her friends by her side, returning to the sepia world serves as a reminder of how important our imagination is to us. Even that shot with the trio flanking Dorothy while in bed left a lasting impact. There’s not a single shot in The Wizard of Oz that hasn’t impacted pop culture and cinema since.
8
‘The Tree of Life’ (2011)
A profound, poetic exploration of existence, the Terrence Malick-directed film The Tree of Life looks and feels like a beautiful painting. The experimental drama centers on Jack (Sean Penn), who reconciles childhood memories of his stern father (Brad Pitt) and loving mother (Jessica Chastain) with the vast, humbling scale of existence. Of course, Jack’s parents represent a way of living. Mr. O’Brien represents the way of nature — selfishness and survival — while Mrs. O’Brien represents the way of grace, selflessness, and love. Through the cosmic significance of the mundane, as filtered through the memories of a reflective man, Malick evokes a symbolic vocabulary through which he crafts the visual story.
The Tree of Life’s cinematographer, Emmanuel Lubezki, uses the world around us to the film’s advantage. Through the mastery of natural light, Lubezki gives Jack a visceral image to remember. By staying away from artificial lighting, the shots feel believably lived-in, like a memory. Using the luscious colors of nature, The Tree of Life showcases the beauty we may take for granted. The fleeting moments, such as a hand touching a plant or the sun beaming through the trees, become a grand surrealist painting. Now, lest we forget, The Tree of Life also dives through the history of creation. In doing so, the story intertwines intimate shots of personal moments in Texas, juxtaposed with the massive shots of the universe’s creation. It helps to make those natural moments look simply majestic. Malick’s film is a reflective meditation on life, death, and divinity, heightened by the splendor of the images.
9
‘Apocalypse Now’ (1979)
The horrors of war may not sound like something that would be visually stunning, but then Francis Ford Coppola made Apocalypse Now. The visceral imagery was so perfectly reflective of the Vietnam War that it changed war films forever. A surreal look at the Vietnam War, Apocalypse Now tells the story of a river journey from South Vietnam into Cambodia undertaken by Captain Willard (Martin Sheen) during a secret mission to assassinate Colonel Kurtz (Marlon Brando), a renegade Special Forces officer accused of murder and presumed insane. Through the lens of war, Apocalypse Now is a psychological examination of the descent into the heart of darkness. To capture the sensational horror of war, Coppola shot the film with a meticulous, organic approach that then exploded into a surreal nightmare. As sanity is lost in the soldiers, the film opens up into a wonderland of images. Right from the start, the surreal montage of palm trees exploding into flame and bold shots of helicopters in flight set an instantly artistic tone for this war thriller.
Cinematographer Vittorio Storaro‘s use of color and light brought out a mesmerizing sense of storytelling. Specified by mastery of light and shadow, Storaro captured the characters’ inner turmoil. Just look at how Brando is framed, with only parts of his face in the light. The shafts of light that pierce through the dark, foggy jungle move the film from a simple war documentary to a phantasmagoria. One of the most famous shots in film history is of Sheen in the water. The brilliance of the warm amber light hitting his face is evocative. Through the use of color, each character had a color story to define them. Take, for instance, Robert Duvall‘s Colonel Kilgore. He’s often shown in scenes featuring vividly bright colors that match his larger-than-life demeanor and his insane reality. Apocalypse Now is a film that holds a mirror up to the feelings about the Vietnam War. With the perception being negative, Coppola crafted a living nightmare to provoke the trauma of the war.
10
‘Sin City’ (2005)
Sin City might be one of those films you’ve forgotten about, but the truth is, it’s a visual marvel that deserves more recognition. Directed by Robert Rodriguez and Frank Miller, and based on Miller’s comic book series, Sin City perfectly elevates the hand-drawn masterpiece into a three-dimensional world where every single original panel becomes the storyboard for the picture. The anthology film follows multiple interconnected storylines of violence, revenge, and redemption in the corrupt, fictional Basin City, featuring characters such as a brutish vigilante, a retired cop, and a hitman grappling with sordid crimes. With an all-star cast, including Bruce Willis, Clive Owen, Jessica Alba, Rosario Dawson, Brittany Murphy, Josh Hartnett, Benicio del Toro, and more, the faithfully crafted monochromatic pulp noir was a feast for the eyes.
The introduction of color into black-and-white film often serves as an essential storytelling device. Look at films like Schindler’s List and Pleasantville. When the colors emerge, it’s a sign for the audience that it’s important for the story. Here, color tends to represent corruption or innocence, separating good characters from the dark, gray world they inhabit. Watching Sin City is literally like seeing a comic book in motion. The close-ups, the camera swoops, the precise angles, all come together for a fascinating composition. The dark visual mode helped establish the noir tone of classic thrillers while preserving the comic’s integrity. Allowing the film to live in a surreal world amplified each shot into a comic frame. Through digital construction and vibrant splashes of color, Sin City is an atmospheric accomplishment.
Entertainment
Where is the “High Fidelity ”cast now? See John Cusack, Jack Black, and more stars over 25 years later
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Like an old vinyl record, it’s time to dust off this 2000 romantic dramedy gem and give it a spin.
There’s something inherently entertaining when it comes to a thriller. With a large group of genres under the umbrella, audiences flock to films that keep them on the edge of their seats. Maybe it’s the story or the performances that keep you engaged, but a great thriller requires excellent direction.
Throughout, there have been extraordinary masterpieces, but among those, the films on this list are perfectly directed. From legendary visionaries to directors on the rise, they share an evocative power to make a lasting impact. With countless awards and inspiring new techniques in filmmaking, these directors helmed perfect films. For this list, we are keeping it to one film per director to share the wealth of praise! There are certainly many titles that could have found their place on this list, but these films are perfect.
1
‘Taxi Driver’ (1976)
Director: Martin Scorsese
There are certainly a plethora of titles that could be considered Martin Scorsese‘s greatest work. Though he’s been nominated for several Academy Awards for Best Director, winning only one, his most impactful work, which set him on the course of an influential director, came with Taxi Driver. Also jumpstarting his long-term collaboration with Robert De Niro, Taxi Driver tells the story of Travis Bickle, an isolated, mentally unstable Vietnam War vet. He works nights as a taxi driver, due to his insomnia, in a decaying, crime-ridden New York City. As he spirals due to loneliness and psychosis, Bickle turns to violence in an attempt to clean up the city. Centering on vigilante violence, Taxi Driver captures a man’s decline through a nightmarish dreamscape of isolation.
Scorsese’s film is not an easy one to watch. There are moments that are destined to make you uncomfortable. Yet, Scorsese prevents those moments from being grotesque. Instead, they serve to exemplify Bickle’s state of mind. Using pan-away shots, you start with an image of Bickle, then suddenly pull back to reveal he’s alone. It may be subtle, but it’s effective filmmaking. Then, by distorting reality through slow-motion and dream-like lighting, Scorsese forces the audience to see the world as Bickle envisions it. Taxi Driver is a deeply intimate character study that showcases how Scorsese doesn’t always need a grand ensemble to tell an effective narrative. Taxi Driver is an iconic film with an iconic character who established the ’70s in cinema. None of that could have been done without Scorsese.
2
‘Get Out (2017)
Director: Jordan Peele
If you told anyone in the early 2000s that MAD TV star Jordan Peele would become a horror filmmaker who effectively changed the genre, they would likely laugh. And then, in 2017, Get Out debuted, and Peele established himself as a brilliant director audiences flocked toward to see what he would craft next. It all stems back to the brilliance that is Get Out. A sensational dissertation on how the horrors of our world are the things out in the open, Get Out became the modern psychological-horror standard. Peele’s tale follows Chris Washington (Daniel Kaluuya), a Black photographer, as he visits his white girlfriend Rose Armitage’s (Allison Williams) parents, Missy and Dean (Catherine Keener and Bradley Whitford), for the weekend. While there, he soon discovers, thanks to the weird behavior of the Black servants and awkward microaggressions, that the family lures Black people to their estate to transplant elderly white minds into their bodies, leaving victims in a paralyzing void known as the sunken place. Chris must get out before he’s next. A haunting, meticulously directed film, Peele’s social thriller relies on psychological discomfort rather than traditional horror tropes to create an effective masterpiece.
The horror of racism could have led to an overtly on-the-nose story that didn’t capture Peele’s mission. Instead, he holds a mirror up to society while amplifying the horror elements around it. Capturing the state of the world, Get Out had an essence of believability that made it scarily real. The anxiety of Black America is a profound theme, helped by putting the audience in Chris’s shoes. As the writer and director, Peele knew this film inside and out. He expertly fleshed out his universe by making it eerily real, so by the time the truth is revealed, there is a plausibility that psychological mind games might effectively be around us. In the end, the emotional payoff is satisfying and empowering, effectively wrapping up his directorial feature debut.
3
‘Uncut Gems’ (2019)
Director: Safdie Brothers
There have been many sibling duos who became legendary directors. In the 21st century, it was Josh and Benny Safdie who joined the extraordinary list. All it took was their crime thriller, Uncut Gems. The high-stakes film follows Howard Ratner (Adam Sandler), a charismatic, gambling-addicted New York City jeweler. Upon acquiring a rare Ethiopian opal, he must juggle mounting debts, angry loan sharks, and his complicated family life in a relentless, high-anxiety pursuit of the ultimate winning bet. With a precisely chaotic movie, the Safdies create an engaging yet stressful atmosphere that evokes the action of Howard’s journey.
The Safdies orchestrate a realistic pandemonium to effectively create the high-stakes adventure. From frenetic handheld cameras to overlapping dialogue, the controlled chaos leads to exposing Howard’s manic anxiety and addiction. Viewers are trapped on Howard’s thrill ride, only leaving when the deed is done. Working with cinematographer Darius Khondji, sound mixer Skip Lievsay, and Daniel Lopatin‘s synth score, the overlapping elements become harmonious while being erratic, heightening the heist. As far as acting is concerned, they pulled out a career-best out of comedian Sandler, proving he deserves to be taken seriously as a dramatic actor. Uncut Gems sparkles and shines thanks to the extraordinary work of the Safdies.
4
‘Parasite’ (2019)
Director: Bong Joon-Ho
For the longest time, foreign-language films seemed to be on the outskirts of mainstream cinema. Then, Bong Joon-Ho‘s Parasite arrived, and that separation ceased. A true masterpiece in direction, Parasite blends dark comedy with dark thriller elements to tell the story of the Kims, a poor family who infiltrate the wealthy household of the Parks by posing as unrelated, highly qualified servants. A scathing critique of modern capitalism through the lens of class conflict, inequality, and greed, Bong’s transition from witty scam comedy into suspenseful tragedy provided for an alluring film. Parasite‘s success as the first foreign-language film to win the Academy Award for Best Picture relies on Bong’s sheer brilliance.
Easily Bong’s magnum opus, Parasite takes a simple premise and turns it on its head. Like the sleek home the Parks take over, Bong meticulously builds Parasite from the ground up, using the architectural blueprint to construct a sleek film. His ability to cast a stark contrast of class through every production element — costumes, set, color — leads to a seamless composition of his vision. With so many genres and themes to balance, Bong maintains an effective tone that makes Parasite a shapeshifting thriller. The natural progression of the story falls into place without question. Through subtle changes in atmosphere, through sound and lighting, the Parks’ journey becomes even more thrilling. Parasite is unapologetic, as Bong does not allow outside influence to shape the narrative of classism in society. Parasite might be presented from a Korean perspective, but Bong’s ability to make it largely universal allowed the film to be the mainstream hit that it is.
5
‘No Country For Old Men’ (2007)
Director: Joel and Ethan Coen
Very few directors know how to make an atmosphere a thrill in and of itself quite like Joel and Ethan Coen. With a brilliant resume behind them, they made their mark in the 2000s with their neo-Western crime thriller No Country for Old Men. Using Cormac McCarthy‘s 2005 novel as inspiration, the story follows a trio of men: Llewelyn Moss (Josh Brolin), a Vietnam War veteran and welder who stumbles upon a large sum of money in the desert; Anton Chigurh (Javier Bardem), a hitman who is sent to recover the money; and Ed Tom Bell (Tommy Lee Jones), a sheriff investigating the crime while battling a changing world he feels ill-equipped to handle. Set in the vast desert landscape of 1980 West Texas, the Coen brothers’ masterpiece is a story that isn’t about who ends up with the loot; it’s about the chase between the hunter and the hunted, a role each of the main characters adopts throughout the film.
A masterclass in visual storytelling, the Coens’ ability to build suspense through silence and ambient natural sounds heightens the tension, dropping viewers into a bleak, desolate landscape that mirrors the grim, philosophical approach to their story. No Country for Old Men showcases how capturing the precise atmosphere leads to a perfect movie. As far as characters go, the collaboration between the directors and their star brought out one of the 21st century’s most recognizable villains in Anton Chigurh. Lifted effortlessly from page to screen, just his gaze alone strikes immediate fear. No wonder Bardem earned an Oscar for his performance! As did the Coens. They have made cult classics and impressionable offbeat dark comedies, but nothing has ever been quite like their achievement with No Country for Old Men.
6
‘Eyes Wide Shut’ (1999)
Director: Stanley Kubrick
It’s safe to say that Stanley Kubrick can do extraordinary work in literally any genre of cinema. For his final project, Kubrick took Arthur Schnitzler’s novella, Dream Story, and brought it to modern times in the erotic psychological thriller, Eyes Wide Shut. The ’90s classic follows Dr. Bill Harford (Tom Cruise), who spirals into a night-long, surreal odyssey of sexual obsession and paranoia after his wife, Alice (Nicole Kidman), admits to nearly abandoning their family for a fantasy encounter. Blurring the line between the couple’s subconscious desires and their actual actions through a journey between reality and fantasy, Kubrick’s masterpiece is smartly crafted and profoundly executed.
What Kubrick does well is create a hauntingly surreal, slightly off dream. Hidden in plain sight, Kubrick creates a symbolic vocabulary through imagery, light, and color. The vibrancy and its transforming palette represent shifting emotional states, jealousy, and danger. As a brilliant psychological thriller that visually shows the emotional state, it is a masterful way to tell the story. Kubrick united top-tier performers to create such perfect chemistry, it bled off-screen as well! Eyes Wide Story is sexy and erotic, and it is thought-provoking and gripping. A film that was misunderstood at first, only to age like fine wine, Kubrick left the world, making his favorite film in his storied career. Eyes Wide Shut is truly like nothing he’s crafted before.
7
‘American Psycho’ (2000)
Director: Mary Harron
The premise of American Psycho sounds terrifying, but when director Mary Harron brought Bret Easton Ellis’ novel to life, the result was an exceptional black-comedy psychological thriller. The film follows Patrick Bateman (Christian Bale), a wealthy 1980s New York City investment banker who hides his alternate life as a sadistic serial killer. The plot, centered on themes of materialism and alienation, tracks his descent into madness as he murders colleagues, including Paul Allen (Jared Leto), and strangers, while his superficial social circle remains oblivious. With a central character that has attempted to be replicated, but can only be referenced, American Psycho was an underdog film that became a classic overnight. Hatton took a sensational story and blew it up for the big screen. Balancing horrific violence with satirical comedy, she took the superficial 1980s and narcissism to critique the absurdity of the yuppie lifestyle and male vanity.
At its core, American Psycho is a slasher film about the most enigmatic serial killer. Perhaps the most shocking part about the film is the reaction to Patrick Bateman. Harron worked with Bale to find the rich nuances within Patrick that, for whatever reason, resonated with audiences, with some even idolizing him. As she told Letterboxd, she always saw the film as “a gay man’s satire on masculinity.” She notes how the idiosyncrasies of the character, like the meticulous rituals and obsession with image, are “men are prizing their extreme competition and their ‘elevating their prowess’ kind of thing.” She says, “There’s something very, very gay about the way they’re fetishizing looks and the gym.” Harron’s ability to give Bateman the room to deliver a precise, iconic performance as a narcissistic, detached psychopath made the film perfect. At the end of the day, American Psycho is a fantastic, bloody film.
8
‘The Manchurian Candidate’ (1962)
Director: John Frankenheimer
If there’s ever been a film that forces you to question everyone you once trusted, look no further than The Manchurian Candidate. Based on Richard Condon’s novel, John Frankenheimer brought to life the perfect Cold War neo-noir political thriller. The iconic film tells the story of an American Korean War platoon brainwashed by Communists. Sgt. Raymond Shaw (Laurence Harvey) is programmed as a sleeper assassin tasked with killing a U.S. presidential candidate to aid a Communist conspiracy managed by his mother (Angela Lansbury). Major Bennett Marco (Frank Sinatra) is on a mission to uncover the plot by any means. A darkly satirical film, The Manchurian Candidate, highlights themes of paranoia, mental manipulation, and political corruption through Frankenheimer’s sharply edited narrative.
To expose the paranoia at the film’s root, Frankenheimer deploys a disorienting, rapid-cutting editing style. Sensational examples include the brainwashing scenes, which transition seamlessly between a communist lecture hall and a New Jersey garden party, making the surreal feel real. Lionel Lindon’s cinematography is enhanced by black-and-white shooting and unique camera angles that heighten the thriller’s sense of paranoia. Perhaps one of the underappreciated achievements of Frankenheimer in this film is his hand-picked ensemble. He pulled out standout performances from every actor, exposing how going against type can deliver perfect shocks. Seeing how he led Lansbury to an Oscar nomination in her deliciously manipulative mother role underscores how crucial the relationship between actor and director is. The Manchurian Candidate is a deeply focused film that was truly ahead of its time due to Frankenheimer’s pristine vision.
9
‘Se7en’ (1995)
Director: David Fincher
When a film forces you to question the contents of a box delivered at your feet, you know you’ve done something brilliant. Such was the case for David Fincher’s Se7en. The film follows disenchanted, nearly retired Detective Lieutenant William Somerset (Morgan Freeman) and his newly transferred partner David Mills (Brad Pitt) as they try to stop a serial killer from committing a series of murders based on the seven deadly sins. A brutal and gruesome crime thriller, Se7en went beyond the typical police procedural to deliver something thought-provoking and intelligent through Fincher’s calculated control over tone, visual aesthetics, and the psychological manipulation of the audience through shock.
To capture the specific essence Fincher was searching for, he deliberately placed the film in an unnamed city, detached from time and space, creating a timeless, universal sense of dread. And nothing spells dread quite like persistent rain. Alongside cinematographer Darius Khondji, the duo used a “bleach bypass” chemical process on the film stock to deepen shadows and create a high-contrast, desaturated look. Further, the subtle use of color allows the eye to delve into the important details. For the story, the audience is well aware that the killer is playing with the seven deadly sins, and thus, we wait for each to be unleashed. It’s a slow burn built through tension during the investigation. By the time the climax culminates and John Doe (Kevin Spacey) drops his final twist, that slow-burning was more than worth it. Se7en is Fincher showing why perfectionism can lead to a sensation. Every single frame is curated, resulting in a stunning final product. A timeless classic, Se7en exemplifies Fincher at his finest.
10
‘Memento’ (2000)
Director: Christopher Nolan
If there is one director who has defined the 21st century thus far, it’s Christopher Nolan. Kicking off the new millennium, Nolan uses a short story by his brother, Jonathan Nolan, as inspiration for the exceptional psychological neo-noir thriller Memento. The film tackles the intriguing story of Leonard Shelby (Guy Pearce), a man with anterograde amnesia, a condition that causes short-term memory loss and prevents him from forming new memories. Using an elaborate system of photographs, handwritten notes, and tattoos, Leonard attempts to uncover the perpetrator, simply known as “John G,” who killed his wife (Jorja Fox) and caused him to sustain the condition. A sharply intricate film in which black-and-white tells one story moving forward, while color tells the story moving backward, Memento’s alternating timelines collide to create an immersive, cerebral puzzle.
The chronological and reverse chronological storytelling could have been a risky flop, but because Nolan’s painstaking focus and subjective perspective are executed to perfection. The audience is forced to question everything as the timelines converge, leading to a psychological breakdown because they no longer have a trustworthy narrator. Memento is a film to watch multiple times because Nolan’s usage of subtle clues is precisely placed. This is a film that demands attention, and the more closely you watch, the richer the film becomes. At the core of the film, memory, identity, and perception shape every technical choice that leads to Leonard’s psyche. Nolan’s work has been lauded over the past two decades for films like Inception, The Dark Knight, and Oppenheimer, but Memento proved his brilliance.
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