Sam Asghari is an actor, model, reality star, and former personal trainer who was married to pop star Britney Spears. The two met on the set of her “Slumber Party” music video in 2016 and started dating shortly thereafter. Before they tied the knot in June 2022, Asghari signed an ironclad prenup protecting the “Toxic” singer’s pre-marital assets and ensuring that he received no payout, spousal support, or rights to her music catalog.

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Britney Spears has been in the industry since she was a child, so it’s no surprise that Celebrity Net Worth has her listed at $130 million. Although Britney’s ex-husband Kevin Federline’s net worth is listed at $700,000, the website only lists Sam Asghari’s net worth as $250,000.

The actor was born Hesam Asghari in Iran and moved to the U.S. with his family when he was 13. He became an American citizen in 2012, at the age of 18. A few years later, he launched a modeling career with his sister’s support and appeared in magazines such as Men’s Health and GQ.

In 2018, he had a small role in a “Star Trek” spoof movie and appeared in a few episodes of the Showtime series “Black Monday” in 2021. That same year, he also had a small part in Mel Gibson’s “Hot Seat.” However, he is best known for his relationship with Britney Spears.

Sam Asghari Met Britney Spears In 2016

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Although Britney Spears was entered into a court-ordered conservatorship in February 2008, she managed to strike up a relationship with the former personal trainer after he appeared in the music video for her hit song “Slumber Party.”

Even though Britney is 12 years older than the actor, they stuck together through the pandemic and became engaged in September 2021. The controversial conservatorship was struck down by a judge two months later, and they tied the knot at her estate in Thousand Oaks, California, in June 2022.

After 14 months of marriage, Asghari filed for divorce in August 2023, citing “irreconcilable differences” according to court documents obtained by The Blast. In a brief statement, he asked fans to be “kind and thoughtful” amid their divorce, noting “asking for privacy seems ridiculous.”

Celebrity Net Worth noted that Spears’ net worth was only $60 million when they married; however, her lucrative book deal for her memoir, “The Woman In Me,” contributed significantly to her net worth.

Sam Asghari Might Have Lost Millions In The Divorce

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As The Blast previously reported, the former couple signed an agreement stating that Asghari would receive “$1 million per every two years” of their marriage. According to the documents, the amount was capped at $10 million after fifteen years. However, Asghari called it quits after just fourteen months, and reports have since indicated that he received “no payout” from the divorce.

However, he was allowed to keep any gifts Britney gave him during the marriage, as well as his impressive car collection. The prenup that he signed also reportedly included an “extensive confidentiality clause” that prevented him from discussing her relationship.

Sam Asghari Reflects On His Marriage To Britney Spears

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Even though he has not publicly discussed the downfall of their relationship, he has come to accept that most people know him as the pop star’s ex. As The Blast previously reported, Asghari admitted that he will forever be known as “Mr. Britney Spears” while promoting his new movie “The Gentleman Thief” with John Travolta.

When asked if there would be a time when people didn’t ask him about the pop star, he told Page Six that it’s “never going to happen” but admitted that he is “fully ready to answer those questions.”

Since breaking things off with the pop star, Asghari has begun dating Brooke Irvine. They have been together for two years and live in Los Angeles with their dog Porcha. He told the outlet that his new girlfriend is “amazing” and “super supportive,” even with his hectic filming schedule.

Looking ahead, Asghari admitted he is open to starting a family with Irvine. “I’m focused on my career now, but what I’ve learned is if I’m going to create a future in Hollywood, I’m going to have to put myself at risk and not my family and the people that are next to me,” Asghari said. “But, yeah, at some point, who doesn’t want to have a family? I mean, everybody wants to have a family.”

Las Vegas is built for unforgettable nights, and “The Hangover” gave us one nobody in the movie could remember (and many Vegas visitors want to reproduce). 

From Caesars Palace to the middle of the desert, Las Vegas provided the perfect backdrop for some unforgettable misadventures in the wildly popular 2009 film “The Hangover” and parts of “The Hangover III.” The Blast rounded up some of the real Vegas spots featured in the hit comedy, including the spots you can still visit today for some great photo recreations and the iconic locations that have since disappeared. 

This story is accompanied by a reel of the popular movie locations on The Blast’s social media pages, and is part of a weekly Vegas TV, movie, and celebrity series called “The Vegas Files.”  

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One of the most iconic lines in “The Hangover” has to be when Alan is standing inside Caesars Palace and asks, “You probably get this a lot. This isn’t the real Caesars Palace, is it? Did Caesar live here?”

Caesars Palace practically became a character in “The Hangover,” with the Wolf Pack checking in, stumbling through the lobby and elevators, and making plenty of questionable decisions along the way.

From the valet entrance and front desk to the hallways, pools, and rooftop, the movie used Caesars Palace as its backdrop often. According to Casino.org, the hallway and elevator scenes were shot on the 24th floor of the Augustus Tower. One thing many might not realize is the trashed hotel suite was one of Hollywood magic, as it was a Burbank soundstage set. But the rest of the guys’ Caesars adventure was filmed on property on the world-famous Las Vegas Strip. 

According to Casino.org, many people still call Caesars Palace in the hopes of renting “The Hangover Suite,” but sadly for them, it doesn’t exist. While you can’t visit a suite named “The Hangover Suite,” there are plenty of well-known “Hangover” locations in and around Caesars that you can visit.

Atomic Liquors Downtown Las Vegas

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One of Downtown Las Vegas’ oldest bars got a brief but memorable cameo in “The Hangover.” 

Atomic Liquors makes an appearance during the chaotic car-crash sequence, when Mr. Chow’s Cadillac Escalade comes barreling into the Wolf Pack’s Mercedes.

The bar’s iconic exterior and sign can be spotted in the scene, giving this historic Fremont Street watering hole a fun connection to one of Vegas’ most famous comedy films. 

You can visit this iconic Downtown Las Vegas spot! Check out their website for more information.

Jean Dry Lake Just Outside Of Las Vegas

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The Wolf Pack’s Vegas adventure eventually takes them far beyond the Strip and into the middle of the desert. (It’s really not that far away — about 30 minutes by car, depending on what part of the Strip you are coming from.)

Jean Dry Lake, just outside of the tiny town Jean, Nevada, provided the perfect backdrop for the scene where Phil, Stu, and Alan meet Mr. Chow to swap money for their friend Doug, only to find out he has the wrong Doug. The barren landscape makes the scene feel like it could be literally anywhere in the middle of nowhere, but this filming location is actually just a short drive south of Vegas.

Jean Dry Lake remains a popular location for filming and photo shoots, and has been seen in other movies, such as “Casino.” 

Gone But Not Forgotten

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Not every iconic Vegas spot in “The Hangover” is still around. Some didn’t survive Sin City’s glow-up over the years.

A few of the most notable spots in the movie that no longer exist include the Riviera, where Alan counts cards, the Wild Wild West, which doubled as Jade’s apartment, and Hostel Cat, former Bungalows Hostel facade, which was the fictional Best Little Chapel for the film. Another spot that no longer exists is outside of Vegas – the Chevron gas station in Jean.

Vegas Spots In ‘Hangover III’

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The Wolf Pack returned to Vegas in “The Hangover Part III” and of course, there were plenty of familiar spots featured in the movie. They returned to Caesars Palace, where Phil and Alan sneak into Mr. Chow’s penthouse, as well as visited Planet Hollywood, Paris Las Vegas, and Bally’s, which is now Horseshoe Las Vegas. 

Another well-known spot in the third movie was Main Street Peddlers Antique Mall in the Arts District. This is where Alan meets Cassie, the pawn shop clerk who ends up being his love interest.

FYI…Main Street Peddlers Antique Mall is open, so if you want to check out where scenes from “The Hangover III” were filmed, this is a great spot to visit.

The Hangover Movie Bar Inside Madame Tussauds

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If you’re looking for more Wolf Pack fun, head on over to Madame Tussauds at The Venetian and step into some scenes from the movie for photo ops and laughs.

Explore immersive sets including the wedding chapel, the guys’ trashed suite, and don’t forget to take a peek in the bathroom behind Mike Tyson! This area of the famed wax museum also has a functioning bar offering cocktails with interesting “Hangover” themed names such as “What Happened Last Night,” “Mr. Chow’s Mai Tai,” “Baby Carlos Margarita,” “Royal Flush,” and of course, “Wolf Pack.”

For more information about The Hangover Movie Bar at Madame Tussauds, visit the website.

There are so very few video game worlds that have a visual identity as instantly recognizable as Cyberpunk 2077. The world of Night City is just drenched in neon, there are enormous corporations everywhere you turn, and you have to look cool if you want to get ahead — that’s how to survive there. The game has also evolved well beyond video games by this point, with projects like Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, not to mention merchandise and numerous collaborations, too. But now, you can look like you’re part of the solution in Night City.

Cyberpunk 2077 has officially teamed with GUNNAR for a collection of glasses inspired by the game, including designs based on Dexter DeShawn and Militech. The officially licensed collaboration features GUNNAR’s lens technology designed to reduce digital eye strain while incorporating aesthetics directly inspired by characters and corporations from CD Projekt Red’s universe.

The Dex glasses are inspired by Dexter DeShawn, the larger-than-life Night City fixer who plays a major role during the opening stretch of Cyberpunk 2077. The wide frames feature an oversized angular shield-lens design constructed from magnesium aluminum alloy, with Amber, Sun and Amber Max lens options. They’re priced at $125 and come with a collector’s map-print microfiber cleaning cloth and padded sleeve.

The Militech Glasses Bring One of Night City’s Biggest Corporations to Life

Then there’s Militech. The second design takes its cues from the heavily armed megacorporation, adopting their black-and-yellow color scheme alongside a tactical shield design. The frames use engineered polymer and are available with Amber or Sun lenses, with GUNNAR saying the design is intended to improve peripheral clarity while reducing digital eye strain and sharpening contrast.

The Militech glasses are priced slightly lower at $99 and include a branded microfiber pouch, cleaning cloth and matte metal case, alongside a 12-month warranty. The frames also block 100% of UV light and feature a G-Shield Plus coating designed to be anti-reflective and smudge resistant. Both designs are already available to order now.

Cyberpunk 2077 is available now on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch 2 and PC. The Cyberpunk 2077 collection is available now via GUNNAR.

The best thing about streaming is, while you’re often waiting for big movies to come onto platforms so you can watch them again, they’re also like a digital Blockbuster Video. You can just browse and find yourself a little gem, something that lets that unpleasant feeling slowly crawl beneath your skin, and that’s exactly what this movie does. It took the rhythms of an old-school Western and dropped them into a bleak modern American town where almost everyone seems to be carrying something they would rather keep buried.

Sweet Virginia largely flew under the radar when it came out back in 2017, but it has all the ingredients of the kind of movie you’re delighted you stumble across on a Saturday night, which explains its re-emergence on streaming. It’s got a tight 95-minute runtime, an outstanding cast, and the sort of slow-burning tension that gets increasingly difficult to shake. Better still, Sweet Virginia is currently available to stream on Paramount+ in the United States.

Directed by Jamie M. Dagg, Sweet Virginia follows former rodeo champion Sam Rossi, whose injuries have left him managing a small-town motel and trying to live a quiet existence. His life changes when he befriends Elwood, a mysterious motel guest whose arrival coincides with a brutal outbreak of violence in the community. The less you know beyond that, the better. The film gradually transforms into a grim collision between two damaged men, with Jon Bernthal stripping away the aggression associated with many of his better-known characters to deliver an unusually restrained performance.

The film stars Bernthal as Sam Rossi, Christopher Abbott (Wolf Man) as Elwood, Imogen Poots (Outer Range) as Lila McCabe, Rosemarie DeWitt (La La Land) as Bernadette Barrett, Odessa Young (Shirley) as Maggie Russell, and Jared Abrahamson (Travelers) as Paul.

Was ‘Sweet Virginia’ Successful?

The film was never really intended to be a mega hit at the box office, because it was only released on a limited basis back in November 2017. Its gross is just $8,400, which tells you this is a movie that was built purely for home viewing. However, the critical response to the movie was a lot more enthusiastic, with 79% of critics on Rotten Tomatoes enjoying the movie and praising both the performances and the atmospheric tension it brought.

Sweet Virginia is currently streaming on Paramount+ in the United States and is also available to rent or purchase digitally.

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Release Date

November 30, 2017

Director

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Jamie M. Dagg

Writers

Paul China, Benjamin China

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The name’s Cavill. Henry Cavill. Yes, many thousands of people across the world have felt for a very long time that Henry Cavill was destined to don a tuxedo and play the most famous spy in the world. But, Cavill botched his audition for the role due to being, well, far too young and, as a result, the window passed. That doesn’t mean he couldn’t show audiences what they missed out on, and that’s exactly what he did in 2015.

The Man from U.N.C.L.E. has recently been charting globally, and Guy Ritchie’s slick adaptation of the classic television series had all the ingredients of a long-running franchise. It had a pair of charismatic leads, globe-trotting espionage, witty banter, and utterly immaculate tailoring. Seriously, it’s quite beautiful. But sadly, as is ever the case, audiences didn’t turn up when they should have. Nearly a decade later, however, the film has become something of a cult favorite, and with its recent return to streaming, there’s never been a better excuse to revisit one of Cavill’s coolest performances.

The movie is set in the 1960s at the height of the Cold War, and follows CIA agent Napoleon Solo and KGB operative Illya Kuryakin. Forced to put aside longstanding hostilities, the two join forces on a joint mission to stop a mysterious international criminal organization which is bent on destabilizing the fragile balance of power through the proliferation of nuclear weapons and technology. The duo’s only lead is the daughter of a missing German scientist, who is the key to infiltrating the criminal organization, and they must race against time to find him and prevent a worldwide catastrophe.

The film stars Cavill as Napoleon Solo, Armie Hammer (The Social Network) as Illya Kuryakin, Alicia Vikander (The Danish Girl) as Gaby Teller, Elizabeth Debicki (The Crown) as Victoria Vinciguerra, Jared Harris (Foundation) as Sanders, Hugh Grant (Heretic) as Alexander Waverly, and Luca Calvani (The Beautiful Life) as Alexander.

Was ‘The Man from U.N.C.L.E.’ a Success?

Produced for around $75 million, The Man from U.N.C.L.E. earned approximately $110 million worldwide, falling well short of the numbers required to justify the franchise Warner Bros. had clearly hoped to launch. But critics responded much better than the paying customers, and it currently holds a 68% Rotten Tomatoes score, while audiences have increasingly embraced it over the years thanks to its chemistry between Cavill and Hammer, the action and the banter.

The Man from U.N.C.L.E. is currently streaming on Netflix in the United States. It is also available to rent or purchase digitally through Prime Video, Apple TV, and Fandango at Home.

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Release Date

August 14, 2015

Runtime

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116 minutes

Producers

Guy Ritchie, John Davis, Lionel Wigram, Steve Clark-Hall

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It’s already been over a month since one of the biggest Western arrivals on streaming this year completed its gripping opening season. On July 3, the ups and downs of Rip (Cole Hauser) and Beth’s (Kelly Reilly) new life in South Texas at Dutton Ranch exploded in perfect finale fashion, with the stakes set for a confirmed second season, which is scheduled to begin filming early next year. We shouldn’t be surprised by the latest series in Taylor Sheridan‘s Yellowstone universe being a streaming sensation, but few expected it to break the record for the biggest original series debut in the history of Paramount+.

With Dutton Ranch Season 1 coming to an end, a Western-sized hole opened up in the viewing habits of millions. Luckily, Netflix rode in on horseback to save the day with the timely return of My Life With the Walter Boys. The YA Western hit, often likened to Prime Video’s The Summer I Turned Pretty, follows young Jackie (Nikki Rodriguez), who is caught in a love triangle with brothers Cole (Noah LaLonde) and Alex Walter (Ashby Gentry).

The series began life as a sleeper hit for Netflix, scoring a respectable 7.5 million views in its debut weekend. However, the show increased in popularity come Season 2, which debuted with 11.8 million views in its first four days of release, marking a 57% viewership increase from Season 1. Earning 9 million views and 71 million hours watched during its opening tracking window, Season 3 couldn’t live up to the highs of Season 2, but cemented the series as a strong favorite of Netflix subscribers. A week after the third season debuted, My Life With the Walter Boys is officially the most-watched series on Netflix in the U.S.

What Else Should You Be Watching on Netflix This August?

My Life With the Walter Boys is certainly one of the most anticipated streaming arrivals on Netflix this month, but there is also plenty more to be excited about. The likes of One Hundred Years of Solitude, based on Gabriel García Márquez‘s Nobel Prize-winning novel; Jung Hae-in and Ha Young‘s Our Sticky Love; and the perfect Bridgerton replacement, My Brilliant Career, have already arrived this August, with George Kay‘s Blood Sacrifice and a fifth and final season of Outer Banks still to come.

My Life With the Walter Boys is officially the most-watched series on Netflix in the U.S. Stay tuned to Collider for more streaming stories.

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Release Date

December 7, 2023

Network

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Netflix

Directors

Jerry Ciccoritti, Winnifred Jong, Nimisha Mukerji

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Writers

Melanie Halsall, Ali Novak

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  Nikki Rodriguez

  Jackie Howard

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Science fiction is one of the most popular genres in fiction as a whole, but especially popular in the world of literature. There are countless sci-fi novels that have been released over decades upon decades that have been turned into gigantic hit movies and television shows that have gone on to help define the genre as the world knows it. However, not every single person is a sci-fi connoisseur.

Thankfully for said people, there are plenty of stories out there that act as perfect ones for beginners—either as introductions to the young adult world, more mature stories, hard sci-fi, or soft sci-fi. The genre—no matter how beyond this world it can lie—almost always reflects the reader’s own world in some way, which is why some people really connect so strongly to it. Being special in that way is so impactful means that anyone who’s read sci-fi would most likely recommend it to others, and these books are some of the best places to start.

‘Jurassic Park’ (1990)

Image via Alfred A. Knopf

The Jurassic Park film franchise is one that almost everyone and their mothers are aware of. It’s so extremely popular for so many reasons, and the entire concept and story comes from the 1990 novel of the same name. Jurassic Park, written by Michael Crichton, is a bit different from the film, but dedicated readers have been on record saying that it actually just might be better.

Jurassic Park leans far more into the horror side of sci-fi than the movie does, and that is part of what makes it so great. Due to it already being a film that many have seen, this 1990 hit is a great starting point for anyone who wants some nasty, horror-filled sci-fi in their life. It’s familiar, while still being pretty different, which makes it a perfect starting-off point.

‘Dark Matter’ (2016)

Image via Crown Publishing Group

2016’s Dark Matter by Blake Crouch is commonly noted to be a pretty beginner-friendly book. With fast pacing, simple line writing, and some thrilling stakes that can get people invested quite easily. The plot of Dark Matter feels like that of a blockbuster action movie—feeling very exciting—with a similar exposition style, keeping explanations of complex topics (like the multiverse) simple and not via a lecture.

Dark Matter also has shorter chapters, with multiple spots to leave off if a newer reader wants to take a quick break from the breakneck pace and action of this 2016 book. Finally, though, what makes the book so great is how relatable it is at its core. The main story is really just about a father who wants nothing more than to find his family and return to them.

‘Dungeon Crawler Carl’ (2020)

Image via Ace Books

One of the most popular sci-fi adventures in recent years is, without a doubt, Dungeon Crawler Carl. Depicting a world in which the Earth is taken over, the survivors are forced into an intergalactic game show that looks and operates like a dungeon crawler video game. This immediately sets it apart from any other sci-fi book out there at the moment. This has led to a gigantic surge in popularity for Matt Dinniman‘s gaming-inspired epic.

Dungeon Crawler Carl is incredible at balancing tone. It can go from goofy, silly fun to emotional drama in one moment and Dinniman makes it feel very natural. It’s because of this that it’s so beginner-friendly, because it’s easy to understand, without dumbing itself down for the reader. There’s no doubt in anyone’s minds that Dungeon Crawler Carl is one of the next “big things”—already having a graphic novel adaptation and an in-development streaming series.

‘Ender’s Game’ (1985)

Image via Tor Books

Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card is commonly considered one of the most logical starting points for an aspiring sci-fi novel reader. Many have probably heard of 2013’s film adaptation of it—starring Asa Butterfield and Harrison Ford—but the 1985 book is where it all began. Ender’s Game doesn’t ask the reader to know a lot of scientific speak, which makes it very easily accessible, despite the high-concept ideas at play.

The writing of Orson Scott Card is quite straightforward and easy to understand. So, for anyone who isn’t used to typical sci-fi terminology or ideas, Ender’s Game helps them get almost acquainted with them, in a way. This doesn’t make it some sort of simple—in a degrading sense—story, either, though. This plot is abundantly thought-provoking, inventive, and masterfully written.

‘Project Hail Mary’ (2021)

Image via Ballantine Books

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Of the many smash hits to come out of cinemas this year, Ryan Gosling‘s Project Hail Mary remains one of the best. It is, however, based on a novel written by the one and only mind behind The Martian, Andy Weir. Project Hail Mary, the book, is great for beginners for a similar reason why Jurassic Park is. People who’ve seen the movie are obviously drawn to want to read the source material, and while it is the same story, the novel iteration finds itself still being different enough to be a new experience for movie-goers.

Anyone who’s seen the movie knows that Project Hail Mary‘s plot deals with some heavy, intricate science. However, the book doesn’t expect the reader to know any of that. Ryland Grace’s inner monologues actually explain this complex science in a way that almost anyone can understand—better than the movie does, at times. So, for anyone who wants a more reality-based sci-fi adventure, without having to do much legwork on the “science” part of it, without losing it, Project Hail Mary may be a match made in heaven.

‘Cello’s Gate’ (2025)

Image via Second World Books

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For any beginner looking to grow with an author, look no further than the likes of the absurdly talented Maurice Africh—a debut author who, in 2025, released the exceptional Cello’s Gate. At its core, this adventure is heart-filled, fun, and filled with great worldbuilding.

There’s something really special about catching a series—books, television, and movies alike—in its infancy, before the entire world will come to gush over it (which will most certainly be the case with Cello’s Gate). Beginners who want to grow with a series should look no further than Cello’s Gate because of how friendly it is to new readers, while still being a story that is deeply rooted in sci-fi and is a world unlike the one they know. Of recent sci-fi releases, Cello’s Gate is most definitely one of the best out there.

‘Heir to the Empire’ (1991)

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Very few sci-fi fans of any sort (not just of literature) can say they hate the Star Wars franchise. Being one of the founding fathers of sci-fi cinema that helped define the genre to this day, almost everyone knows what this series is. (Genuinely, who doesn’t know what a lightsaber is at this point?) The sequel trilogy to follow the ever-hailed original is controversial—in the sense that some are happy with it, and others do not see it as a worthy successor—and for those who are looking for a story that is more of a true sequel to the original trilogy are in for quite a treat if they’re picking up Heir to the Empire.

Once a canon story—now put into the category of “Legends” (non-canon)—this plot is one that any Star Wars fan can get down with, following the legendary trio as they keep trying to clean up the remnants of the Empire post-Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi. If there’s a Star Wars fan who wants to get into their humongous catalog of novels, Heir to the Empire is the place to jump in.

‘Fahrenheit 451’ (1953)

Image via Ballantine Books

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What makes sci-fi stories like Fahrenheit 451 so special is the fact that their world isn’t too far from ours—especially in 2026—and is one of those sci-fi stories that serves as a dark, potential future for the real world. Thankfully for first-time readers, this Ray Bradbury book isn’t a long one, sitting at under 200 pages, making it not too long of an experience.

Despite being written in 1953, Fahrenheit 451 is very timely—to a chilling degree. While someone may be a beginner, that doesn’t mean they don’t want something that will make them think deeply about not just their life, but the world around them. That’s exactly what Bradbury’s story does for those experiencing it, as well as dissecting the importance of literature and its place in our culture.

‘Red Rising’ (2014)

Image via Del Rey Books

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When it comes to good books for beginners, they ideally won’t just be a good first read, but an excellent one. Not only does Red Rising end up being a nice read for first-timers, but it is also commonly known as one of the best sci-fi books of the modern age, thanks to the phenomenal writing by none other than Pierce Brown.

The first Red Rising franchise entry borrows a lot of young adult novel tropes—like those of The Hunger Games and Percy Jackson & the Olympians—that feel familiar to sci-fi enjoyers outside of literature. However, Brown manages to use these to keep things feeling similar, while still introducing a completely unique world that has never been seen before, and people wholly adore it.

‘Ready Player One’ (2011)

Image via Crown Publishing Group

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Video games have a huge place in modern society, but Ernest Cline‘s Ready Player One begs the question of what would happen if they became a cornerstone of society—one that’s gone dystopian. In this 2011 novel, the world has dived fully into a virtual reality world called the Oasis. When the creator dies, he sends everyone on a scavenger hunt for his fortune and ownership/control of the Oasis.

The protagonist, Wade Watts, then must go on a journey to find the treasure and the adventure of a lifetime. Ready Player One has simple line-writing that is easy to understand. Not to mention, most people who are into sci-fi have most likely played a video game, making this far more enticing than others for gamers.

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Ready Player One

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Release Date

March 29, 2018

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140 minutes

Writers

Zak Penn, Ernest Cline

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  Tye Sheridan

  Parzival / Wade

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Stephen King has written books that have inspired several great films, but adapting his work to the small screen has been a greater challenge. King has such high-concept ideas that they require a true creative voice to interpret them, but streaming’s growing resources have allowed his work to find a home on the small screen. Hulu’s 11.22.63 is one of the most distinctive King adaptations ever because it offers far more substantial philosophy than what its premise might suggest. Although it has the trappings of a time-travel thriller and revolves around a famous political conspiracy, 11.22.63 is about the double-edged sword of changing history and how certain fates are unavoidable.

‘11.22.63’ Puts a Unique Spin on Political Drama

11.22.63 is based on King’s 2011 novel of the same name, and stars James Franco as English teacher Jake Epping, who learns through his friend Al Templeton (Chris Cooper) that it is possible to travel back in time via a portal to the events of October 21, 1960, which could allow him to reset history. Although Al is dying of cancer and unable to personally go through with the mission, he urges Jake to go back in time and spend several years in the ‘60s, where he would be able to stop Lee Harvey Oswald (Daniel Webber) from assassinating U.S. President John F. Kennedy in Dallas in November 1963. The process of actually changing the past has unexpected consequences, as even the smallest decisions can ripple through history in surprising ways.

King is a very savvy writer when it comes to worldbuilding, and 11.22.63 is a strong adaptation because it understands what to explain and what to leave ambiguous. Time travel’s existence is simply a conceit that has to be accepted in order for the story to work, and 11.22.63 doesn’t get too obsessed with trying to develop a scientific explanation that would only be more confusing. What is more important is the logic of this specific method of time travel, and the series makes the case for why Jake is the perfect candidate to go back in time and potentially offer the country a brighter future by saving Kennedy. He’s a man who doesn’t have a family and feels as if he no longer has an impact on the present, but could do good if allowed to start over. It’s an emotionally satisfying character arc because of the similarities between Jake and Al, who are both flawed men who have come to regret being frivolous with time; since Al cannot personally make use of his discovery, Jake is given the task of fulfilling his legacy.

11.22.63 is also successful as a time travel story because it goes to great lengths to replicate the ‘60s in terms of the aesthetics, culture, and relevant historical events. Jake is initially inspired by the optimism of an era in which patriotism and positivity were ample, but he slowly discovers that there was a lurking threat beneath the idealistic country that was always going to rear its ugly head, regardless of whether Kennedy was killed. It helps that the show gives Jake three years to learn and adjust to his new circumstances, and the series becomes more compelling when he is forced to choose where to focus his efforts. Since Jake is now changing the timeline, there is no guarantee that he has a present to return to.

‘11.22.63’ Is a Sci-Fi Story That Explores Themes of Fate

Although it has some of the most clever set pieces and historical analysis of any King adaptation, 11.22.63 stands out because of its love story. Once he’s stuck in the ‘60s, Jake falls for the librarian Sadie Dunhill (Sarah Gadon). Despite knowing that he doesn’t actually belong in 1963, Jake feels their relationship is predestined when he saves Sadie from her abusive marriage to Johnny Clayton (T. R. Knight). It’s a reminder that saving the past is about more than just stopping a bullet, and that an act of kindness can have a substantial impact during an era where misogyny was rampant. This also provides an emotional justification for Jake’s involvement in the mission; while he intellectually understands that the world might be a better place if Kennedy could’ve served two terms, he also wants to make a better reality for Sadie in the immediate future.

11.22.63 is a densely packed, entertaining science fiction series that asks existential questions while also providing a compelling character story about recovering from trauma and heartbreak. King’s ability to capture a different era makes 11.22.63 timeless, which might explain why it has become such a streaming hit despite being a decade old at this point. The assassination of JFK is one of the most highly discussed events in American history, but King uses it as a springboard in 11.22.63 to question whether changing the past is a noble or dangerous endeavor.

Former Sen. Kyrsten Sinema shared intimate details about her alleged affair with her married former bodyguard, Matthew Ammel.

“We were staying at an Airbnb in Napa, California,” Sinema, 50, revealed during a July 31 deposition, per People. “We were outside. Matt kissed me. We went inside and had sex.”

Sinema was deposed in July as part of a lawsuit filed by Matthew’s ex-wife, Heather Ammel, under North Carolina’s alienation of affection law — which states that someone can be sued for intentionally destroying a marriage. Heather is seeking $75,000 in damages.

The former Arizona senator has tried to dismiss the suit, arguing that the alleged affair did not actually take place in North Carolina, where the Ammels lived.

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As part of July’s deposition, Sinema acknowledged under oath that she was first intimate with Matthew in Napa, California, around Memorial Day in 2024.

She said that they later met up one month later in New York City while she was in town for a wedding. While they had separate hotel rooms, Sinema recalled that she was “intimate” with Matthew in her room.

Per the former senator, they met on more occasions between July and October 2024 at her Washington, D.C., apartment and at her home in Phoenix, and they also took a trip to Aspen.

During the deposition, she was shown a text message she allegedly wrote to Matthew in October 2024, which read, “Putting my hand on my heart. I’ll see you soon. I miss you.”

The opposing attorney asked Sinema whether she could understand why “a wife reading this might get concerned about who is sending her husband that kind of message.”

“Yes,” she replied.

Us had reached out to Sinema for comment.

Sinema first conceded she’d had an affair with her married bodyguard in March as part of a motion to have Heather’s lawsuit thrown out. The politician has acknowledged that she knew Matthew was married when they were seeing each other.

Heather filed her lawsuit last year, arguing that Sinema intentionally interfered in “a good and loving marriage” where there was “genuine love and affection,” per CBS News. Her lawsuit hinges on her contention that Sinema made calls and sent texts to Matthew while she knew he was in North Carolina with his wife and their children.

Sinema’s attorneys denied Heather’s accusation, insisting she only communicated with Matthew while he was in North Carolina “when the marriage was already over.”

“[Sinema’s] conduct related to her romantic relationship with Mr. Ammel does not connect her to North Carolina in a meaningful way,” Sinema’s attorney Steven Epstein wrote in March.

Sinema reportedly hired Matthew as her head of security after he retired from the U.S. Army in 2022. Two years later, Heather allegedly found messages of a “romantic and lascivious nature” between Sinema and Matthew on the Signal app.

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An evidentiary hearing in the case will take place on Wednesday, August 19. (The suit was initially filed in North Carolina state court but has since moved to federal court.)

From 2013 to 2019, Sinema represented Arizona’s 9th district in the House of Representatives before serving one term in the U.S. Senate, from 2019 to 2025. Sinema caused controversy during her single Senate term by leaving the Democratic Party to become an Independent in December 2022.

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Sinema announced in March 2024 that she would not run for re-election. (Democrat Ruben Gallego won Sinema’s vacant Senate seat by defeating Donald Trump ally Kari Lake in the November 2024 election.)

“Because I choose civility, understanding, listening, working together to get stuff done, I will leave the Senate at the end of this year,” she said at the time.

Sinema now works as a senior adviser for Washington, D.C., lobbying firm Hogan Lovells Cadwalader.