I used to think suspense needed a ticking clock or a killer on the loose to actually work. Turns out the shows that get under my skin the most don’t need any of that, they just take their time and trust you to sit in discomfort with them. Every single show on this list is built around someone pretending to be a different person than they actually are, creating a thrilling story for you to sit with.

I’ve recommended these six shows to people the most, and they are also the ones I’ve had the hardest time explaining why afterward. Something about them just stays with you longer than it should. A single dinner scene or a quiet conversation in a car does more damage here than an actual chase scene manages in most other thrillers.

6

‘The Americans’ (2013–2018)

Image via FX

Elizabeth (Keri Russell) and Philip Jennings (Matthew Rhys) run a normal suburban household with two kids in 1980s Washington D.C., and they’re both undercover KGB agents nobody around them has any reason to suspect. Their next-door neighbor, Stan Beeman (Noah Emmerich), happens to be the FBI agent actively hunting Soviet spies just like them, and he has no idea he’s friends with two of the exact people he’s looking for.

Joe Weisberg, a former CIA officer himself, created the show, and that real intelligence background shows in how mundane and procedural the actual spy tradecraft looks on screen. Russell and Rhys became a real couple during filming, which adds an odd layer to how convincing their fake marriage looks. The finale is widely considered one of the best series endings ever written, quiet, devastating, and completely deserved.

5

‘Hannibal’ (2013–2015)

Image via NBC

Will Graham (Hugh Dancy), an FBI profiler with an unusual gift for getting inside a killer’s head, starts working with a psychiatrist named Hannibal Lecter (Mads Mikkelsen) who’s quietly manipulating him the entire time. Bryan Fuller shoots the murders here like fine art installations, blood arranged into deliberate, painterly compositions instead of standard crime-scene gore.

The show works as a prequel to the world of Silence of the Lambs, though it barely resembles a typical crime procedural by the time it finds its own rhythm. NBC canceled it after three seasons despite strong reviews, and fans still argue it never got the ending it actually deserved. The relationship between Will and Hannibal has a charged, intimate quality that fans have spent years dissecting online.

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‘Mr. Robot’ (2015–2019)

Image via USA Network

Elliot Alderson (Rami Malek), a cybersecurity engineer with crippling social anxiety, gets recruited by a mysterious anarchist hacker named Mr. Robot (Christian Slater) to help take down the corporation controlling most of the world’s debt. Sam Esmail wrote and directed nearly every episode himself, an unusually hands-on approach for a show running multiple seasons.

The hacking scenes are technically accurate that real security researchers have praised the show for getting details other TV shows are always fake. A major twist eventually reveals something about Mr. Robot’s actual identity that recontextualizes basically every scene that came before it, without the show ever cheating to get there. Malek’s performance holds the whole unreliable narrator structure together, since the audience only ever knows exactly as much as Elliot’s own fractured perspective allows.

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‘Dark’ (2017–2020)

Image via Netflix

Children start disappearing from a small German town called Winden, and what looks like a simple missing-persons case slowly grows into a time loop connecting four generations of the same interconnected families. Baran bo Odar and Jantje Friese created the show together, and the family tree gets so complicated that characters eventually turn out to be their own ancestors, cousins, and children all at once.

Fans built entire spreadsheets and diagrams just to keep track of who’s related to who across which specific decade. The show jumps between 1888, 1921, 1953, 1986, 2019, and beyond, and every timeline still feels too real despite the sheer mechanical complexity underneath it. It’s one of the most intricately plotted shows ever made, full stop, in any language.

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‘Mindhunter’ (2017–2019)

Image via Netflix

Holden Ford (Jonathan Groff) and Bill Tench (Holt McCallany), two real-life inspired FBI agents, start interviewing convicted serial killers to figure out what actually makes them tick, back when criminal profiling barely existed as a field. Ed Kemper (Cameron Britton), one of the killers they interview repeatedly, delivers some of the most quietly disturbing dialogue in the whole show without a single act of on-screen violence.

David Fincher directed and produced most of the episodes, and the interview scenes run long on purpose, letting the dread build through conversations. The show got canceled after two seasons despite strong reviews, and Fincher reportedly said continuing it would’ve needed a budget nobody was willing to give him.

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‘Fargo’ (2014–2024)

Image via FX

Each season of this show tells a mostly standalone story set somewhere in the Upper Midwest, borrowing the tone of the original Coen Brothers film without ever directly adapting its actual plot. Noah Hawley created the show, and the first season alone turns an ordinary insurance salesman into someone capable of real violence, mostly because a chaotic hitman named Lorne Malvo (Billy Bob Thornton) decides to destabilize his entire life for fun.

That anthology structure means the show can completely reinvent its cast, setting, and time period every season without ever losing its specific blend of dark comedy and sudden brutal violence. New characters and a new ensemble show up each time, but the same sense of ordinary people getting pulled into something much bigger than themselves stays consistent throughout. Ten years and five seasons later, it’s still finding new ways to tell essentially the same story about how quickly an ordinary life can spiral out of control.

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Fargo

Release Date

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2014 – 2024-00-00

Showrunner

Noah Hawley

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Directors

Dana Gonzales, Michael Uppendahl, Noah Hawley, Dearbhla Walsh, Sylvain White, Randall Einhorn, Adam Arkin, Adam Bernstein, Colin Bucksey, Jeffrey Reiner, Matt Shakman, Mike Barker, Scott Winant, Donald Murphy, John Cameron

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  Dan Willmott

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2026 has been a roller-coaster of a year for Tom Hardy fans, who were led to believe that he would not return as Harry Da Souza in the third season of his hit Paramount Plus crime thriller, MobLand. This news came out of nowhere a few months before the Season 2 premiere of the show, when it was reported that Hardy had been fired due to a growing rift between him and one of the show’s leading producers. These rumors were put to bed a few weeks after they surfaced online, when it was confirmed that he would return in MobLand Season 3, which is already in the works. Hardy is the show’s biggest star, so the studio had no choice but to smooth things over and bring him back if the series was going to find continued success.

Tom Hardy has starred in dozens of famous action projects over the years, and while it’s his work on movies like Inception and Mad Max: Fury Road that come to mind first, he’s also featured in some of the most underrated TV shows of all time. In addition to his role as Alfie Solomons in Peaky Blinders, Hardy also starred in the perfect Peaky Blinders replacement show, Taboo, which was even produced by Ridley Scott via his Scott Free producing banner. It’s been almost 10 years since all episodes of Taboo were released, and while fans are still awaiting more news about Season 2, it’s easier to watch the show than ever. All eight episodes of Taboo Season 1 are streaming for free courtesy of Pluto TV and Tubi, but they’re also available to watch on Peacock and the Roku Channel.

What Is ‘Taboo’ About?

The official synopsis for Taboo, which earned scores of 76% from critics and 91% from audiences on Rotten Tomatoes, reads as follows:

“Adventurer James Keziah Delaney, long believed to be dead, returns home to London from Africa in 1814 in order to inherit his late father’s shipping empire. All is not what it seems, however, as Delaney encounters numerous enemies intent on making his life back in the United Kingdom very difficult. Focused on building a shipping empire to rival the imperious East India Company, Delaney’s other wish to seek vengeance for his father’s death means conspiracy, betrayal and bloodshed are also in the cards. As he works to accomplish that, Delaney must also navigate increasingly complex territories in order to avoid his own death sentence.”

Hardy and Steven Knight have confirmed that a second season of Taboo is in the works, but it’s unclear at this time when it will be released, or if it will even be made. Check out all episodes of Taboo on any of its various streaming platforms and stay tuned to Collider for more updates and coverage of Tom Hardy’s future projects.

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Release Date

2017 – 2017-00-00

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Network

BBC One

Showrunner

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Steven Knight

Directors

Anders Engström

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Writers

Ben Hervey

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Rebecca Gayheart shared an update on how her teenage daughters, Billie and Georgia, are coping seven months after their dad Eric Dane’s death.

“You know, we’re hanging in there. I think it’s definitely a challenging season, but we’re doing our best,” Gayheart, 55, told People on the red carpet for Step Up’s 2026 Annual Inspiration Awards in Los Angeles on Friday, September 25. “The girls are both in high school — which is also a big transition under any circumstance — so I’m just staying close to my kids.”

Dane’s family confirmed to Us in February that the former Grey’s Anatomy actor had died just shy of one year after going public with his battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). He was 53.

“With heavy hearts, we share that Eric Dane passed on Thursday afternoon following a courageous battle with ALS,” his family’s statement read. “He spent his final days surrounded by dear friends, his devoted wife, and his two beautiful daughters, Billie and Georgia, who were the center of his world. Throughout his journey with ALS, Eric became a passionate advocate for awareness and research, determined to make a difference for others facing the same fight. He will be deeply missed, and lovingly remembered always. Eric adored his fans and is forever grateful for the outpouring of love and support he’s received. The family has asked for privacy as they navigate this impossible time.”

Related: Rebecca Gayheart Shares Rare Insight Into 8-Year Separation From Eric Dane

Rebecca Gayheart is supporting Eric Dane during his health struggles despite their separation. Gayheart, 54, is teaching daughters Billie, 15, and Georgia, 13, that “we show up for people no matter what,” as Dane, 53, navigates his new normal with ALS. “He is our family. He is your father,” Gayheart said during her Monday, November […]

Us confirmed later that month that Dane died from respiratory failure with ALS as an underlying cause.

In the months since Dane’s death, Gayheart commemorated her family’s first Father’s Day without the star and represented her late husband at their daughter Georgia’s middle-school graduation.

Speaking to People on Friday, the Nip/Tuck actress spoke about how she’s dealing with her own grief over losing Dane. (Dane and Gayheart were separated at the time of his death, but they never divorced. At the end of his life, Dane was in a relationship with photographer Janell Shirtcliff while Gayheart has been linked to Hard Rock Cafe cofounder Peter Morton.)

“[I connect with] friends. My children,” she said at the Hollywood gala. “Being under the same roof with my kids and having them next to me, safe, always makes me feel better. You know, there’s certain people I like to talk to get my feelings out, but really just — again — being connected to other human beings. That’s what gets me through.”

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Related: Rebecca Gayheart Says She Still Has ‘No Words’ About Eric Dane’s Death

Rebecca Gayheart is still mourning the death of Eric Dane. “There are no words,” Gayheart, 54, wrote via Instagram on Wednesday, March 18. “All our love forever — your girls ❤️‍🩹❤️.” The Jawbreakers actress, who was married to Dane from 2004 to 2018, uploaded a montage of throwback photos of the pair and their two […]

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Earlier this month, Gayheart asked Dane’s fans to encourage their members of Congress to pass the ACT for ALS Bill, which she said would “provide $500 million for ALS research, treatment access and hope for families battling this disease.” (Separate versions of the ACT for ALS Reauthorization Act have passed in the House of Representatives and Senate, though a final unified bill has not yet been sent to President Donald Trump for approval.)

“Please help us make sure that Congress does not continue to delay the passing of this bill,” she stated. “Click the link to sign the petition or share it with a friend. … Getting this passed would mean the world to my family.”

Gayheart and Dane were married from 2004 to 2018. Gayheart filed for divorce in February 2018 but ultimately withdrew her petition in 2025 following her ex’s ALS diagnosis.

Get ready for another round of small-town underworld business with Tulsa King, a love letter to the mafia à la The Sopranos, mixed with the drug dealings of Breaking Bad. Starring Sylvester Stallone as Dwight Manfredi, Tulsa King is a show about what it’s like to have the crown swatted off your head and learn how to start again. The show is one of the many additions to Taylor Sheridan‘s television portfolio — but unlike his Western projects like Yellowstone or Landman, Tulsa King takes the classic cowboy setting and gives it an Italian-American twist.

Although the previous season ended in September 2025, Tulsa King has continued to earn plenty of attention on streaming, spending the past two weeks in Paramount+’s Top 10. As the show gears up for Season 4, set to premiere on October 16, Tulsa King is heading into another season of bigger ambitions and deadlier enemies, while the spin-off Frisco King is also on the way.

What Is ‘Tulsa King’ About?

Tulsa King introduces former New York Mafia capo Dwight “The General” Manfredi (Stallone), fresh out of prison after serving a 25-year sentence. Instead of being welcomed back for refusing to sell out to the feds, Dwight is unceremoniously exiled to middle-of-nowhere Tulsa, Oklahoma, with one job: “setting up business” there. Realizing that his old associates no longer see him as an asset, Dwight reluctantly heads to Tulsa, initially unsure what he can accomplish — until he discovers a potentially lucrative drug business waiting to be established.

Without the traditional mob resources or muscle he’s accustomed to, Dwight builds a new crew from the locals, including enthusiastic chauffeur Tyson Mitchell (Jay Will), scrawny marijuana dispensary owner Bodhi (Martin Starr), and calm, collected outlaw Mitch Keller (Garrett Hedlund). But as Dwight and his gang expand their operations, their list of enemies grows, with each one looking to claim a piece of his money-making pie.

‘Tulsa King’ Season 4 Puts Dwight Manfredi’s Business at Risk

By the end of Season 3, Dwight has conquered much of the Tulsa underworld, a far cry from his humble beginnings, but he’s also not your typical ruthless businessman. He’s fairly content with his drug operation and his cabaret and casino, which he renovated from a run-down saloon — so when he gets the chance to expand his business portfolio with not just any local distillery, but a legacy one, he can’t pass it up. But dealing with a new business, especially one that’s considered fairly legal, proves to be harder than running drugs.

Between being threatened by a rival distillery, dealing with a few hotheads over territory, and being tapped by the feds to do some clandestine work because of his special underworld connections, Dwight’s got a lot on his plate. Meanwhile, his success has attracted the attention of powerful local politicians, setting the stage for another dangerous chapter — and then there’s Cal Thresher (Neal McDonough), who could potentially become Season 4’s greatest enemy. If Sheridan’s shows have taught their audiences anything, it’s that mixing opportunistic, profit-minded politicians like Cal with the criminal underbelly is bad for business.

Samuel L. Jackson Stars in ‘Tulsa King’s Upcoming Spin-Off

Image via Paramount+

Four hours south of Tulsa, former hitman Russell Lee Washington Jr. (Samuel L. Jackson) is carving out his own criminal operation in Frisco King, the Tulsa King spin-off formerly titled NOLA King. Lee was introduced in the later episodes of Tulsa King Season 3 as one of Dwight Manfredi’s longtime friends from his prison days. After seeing how Dwight established himself with only limited mob connections, Lee is inspired to follow a similar path and make a name for himself.

Frisco King also stars Asa Germann (Gen V), Kai Caster (Yellowstone), Lilah Pate (Outer Banks), and Savanna Gann (English Teacher), with Sheridan writing all eight episodes of Season 1. For those anticipating a potential Tulsa King and Frisco King crossover, Frank Grillo, who plays Bill Bevilaqua in the former, says that while it depends on how the season pans out, “it would be silly if there wasn’t some kind of crossover for two, three, four episodes.” With Jackson officially joining the Tulsa King universe, Sheridan may have found another way to raise the stakes — putting two acting heavyweights in the same dramatic sandbox.

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November 13, 2022

Network

Paramount+

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Showrunner

Dave Erickson, Terence Winter

Directors

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Allen Coulter, Benjamin Semanoff, David Semel, Guy Ferland, Joshua Marston, Kevin Dowling, Lodge Kerrigan, Jim McKay

Writers

Joseph Riccobene, David Flebotte, William Schmidt, Taylor Elmore, Tom Sierchio, Regina Corrado, Stephen Scaia, Terence Winter

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Brody Jenner and Tia Blanco went from fiancés to first-time parents within the span of a month.

After months of dating speculation, the couple made their relationship Instagram official in May 2022. Less than one year later, the pair announced they were expecting a baby together. “To start off this new year, we’d like to take this opportunity to wish all of our friends, family and followers health, happiness & an abundance of love,” they wrote via a joint Instagram post in January 2023. “We truly appreciate & love you all. We are excited to share with you the blessing of a new life in the new year.”

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Brody — whose parents are Caitlyn Jenner and Linda Thompson — later popped the question just one month before Blanco gave birth to their daughter, Honey Raye, in July 2023. The pair welcomed their second daughter, Dolly Jane, in September 2026.

Prior to his romance with Blanco, Brody was in a series of high-profile relationships with stars such as Kristin Cavallari, Lauren Conrad, Nicole Richie, Jayde Nicole, Josie Canseco and Avril Lavigne. He also previously exchanged vows with Kaitlynn Carter in 2018 — but when they split in August 2019, fans learned they were never legally married.

Scroll through for Jenner and Blanco’s relationship timeline:

Kylie Minogue returned home with a stadium-sized production for the 2026 AFL Grand Final, but some viewers were far from impressed. The Australian pop icon performed a 20-minute pre-game set at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Saturday, packing the spectacle with her biggest hits, celebrity guests and approximately 100 dancers.

Despite the elaborate production and Minogue’s reportedly massive payday, critics watching from home branded the performance “horrendously bad” and accused the 58-year-old singer of delivering karaoke versions of her own music.

Kylie Minogue’s AFL Performance Gets Brutal Reviews

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Minogue opened the highly anticipated set with “Love At First Sight” before moving through a selection of songs from her decades-long career. However, the glamorous homecoming quickly became a target for online criticism. “So far Kylie isn’t really doing it for me,” one viewer admitted as the performance unfolded.

Another person took a swipe at how the songs sounded, writing, “Kylie doing karaoke versions of her own songs.”

The reviews only became more savage from there. “Kylie is an Aussie icon but this well this has been horrendously bad,” a third viewer commented.

One critic went even further by questioning whether Minogue was singing live. “This Kylie half time performance is bloody shocking she’s not even singing,” the person wrote.

The Pop Icon Packed Her Set With Major Hits And Surprise Guests

Minogue did not arrive at the Melbourne Cricket Ground with a stripped-back show. After opening with “Love At First Sight,” she performed “In Your Eyes,” “On A Night Like This” and her 2000 hit “Spinning Around.” The singer also shared the stage with several Australian performers throughout the 20-minute production.

Composer William Barton appeared during the set, while comedy trio The Inspired Unemployed joined Minogue for “The Loco-Motion.” G Flip returned after performing an opening set to duet with Minogue on her 2023 hit “Padam Padam.” DJ Dom Dolla then added his own touch to the show’s closing number, “Can’t Get You Out Of My Head.”

Other Fans Insisted Kylie Minogue ‘Killed It’

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Minogue’s performance may have divided viewers, but she still had plenty of people firmly in her corner. Some fans pushed back against the brutal criticism and celebrated the Melbourne native for delivering a high-energy show in front of the enormous Grand Final crowd.

“Gotta say Kylie is killing it at the pre-game entertainment! Absolutely brilliant!!” one supporter wrote. Another enthusiastic fan declared, “KYLIE KILLING IT AT THE #AFLGF.”

Kylie Minogue Admitted She Was ‘Nervous’ Before Taking The Stage

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Ahead of the Grand Final, Minogue acknowledged that she was feeling the pressure of the high-profile performance. “I am nervous, excited right now. I am all those things,” she said during a press conference in Melbourne on Friday.

The singer hoped those nerves would disappear once she stepped in front of the crowd. “When it comes to just about to go on, maybe I will feel right at home. I don’t know,” she added.

Minogue had reportedly spent the week rehearsing at the MCG as she prepared to perform for a sell-out crowd inside the 100,000-seat venue. The scale of the occasion was enormous, even for a veteran performer who has spent decades entertaining audiences around the world.

The Singer Took Her Performance To Dangerous New Heights

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Minogue’s show did not keep her safely planted on the ground. During rehearsals, the singer was lifted high above the stadium on a small podium while working through her setlist. She wore a safety harness to protect her from falling as she performed a high-energy song-and-dance routine from the elevated platform.

Minogue later changed into a distressed shirt dress featuring the words “I’m home” across the front, making the performance a clear celebration of her Australian roots.

The singer is believed to have earned approximately $3 million for the Grand Final appearance.

Celine Dion’s triumphant return to the stage has taken a divisive turn after a video from her Paris residency began making the rounds on X. The short clip shows the music icon performing in a shimmering black gown, but her vocals quickly became the subject of a heated debate.

While some viewers insisted that Dion should retire, others rushed to her defense and praised the singer for performing at all after her battle with stiff-person syndrome. The video appears to have been taken during Dion’s ongoing Paris residency, although the exact performance date and song were not identified in the original viral post.

Viral Celine Dion Video Sparks Harsh Retirement Calls

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The video was shared by X user Vince Langman, who argued that Dion’s health struggles should have prompted her to leave the stage permanently. “I get that Celine Dion has a medical condition that affected her voice, but she should have just retired, because this is sad!” the user wrote.

The post quickly attracted attention as viewers debated whether Dion’s voice had noticeably changed since her years-long absence from full-length concerts. One verified user, Sellig, agreed that the singer should step away from performing. “Some people just don’t know when to retire from the limelight. Trump, Mitch McConnell and Céline Dion,” the user wrote.

Another viewer focused on Dion’s physical performance, claiming, “She doesn’t move like herself either.” Donna Stanley also criticized what she heard in the video, writing, “what WAS that…felt like two keys and all over the pitch and scale.”

Boy George Defends Celine Dion’s Comeback

Boy George was among the most recognizable names to defend Dion after the clip began circulating. The Culture Club singer revealed that someone close to him had recently attended one of the Paris concerts and came away impressed.

“My good friend went to see @celinedion in Paris just last week and she said it was beyond,” George wrote. “I asked all those questions, not to be spiteful but just to understand and I was told it was brilliant. Celine is showing the world how to overcome something unbelievably difficult and that is something we should all celebrate. Bravo Celine.”

Another viewer strongly rejected the criticism and argued that fans were attending the residency to celebrate more than Dion’s voice. “Strongly disagree. She fought hard to overcome a debilitating disease,” they said. “Fans aren’t there just to hear her music (which sounded fine to me), but to celebrate the courage and conviction she’s shown by performing at all.”

The Singer Returned After A Six-Year Concert Hiatus

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Dion launched her Paris residency at Plénitude Arena in Nanterre on September 12, marking her first full headlining concert in six years. The opening night featured approximately 25 songs performed over more than two hours, including “My Heart Will Go On,” “All By Myself,” “The Power of Love,” and “It’s All Coming Back to Me Now.”

The 58-year-old became emotional during the show as she thanked fans for supporting her throughout her health battle. As The Blast previously reported, Dion appeared overwhelmed during her opening song and occasionally held her microphone toward the audience as she fought through tears. Despite the emotional moments, she also returned to many of her familiar stage mannerisms, including playing air guitar, pulling faces and moving confidently across the stage.

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Her official website described the opening performance as her first time returning to the concert stage in six years. The Paris engagement includes 16 shows in 2026, followed by 10 additional performances scheduled for 2027.

Stiff-Person Syndrome Affected Celine Dion’s Ability To Sing

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Dion publicly revealed in December 2022 that she had been diagnosed with stiff-person syndrome, a rare neurological disorder that can cause severe muscle rigidity and painful spasms. The condition affected multiple areas of her life, including her mobility and ability to use her vocal cords as she once had. Her symptoms ultimately forced her to cancel the remaining dates of her “Courage” world tour and step away from live performances.

Dion offered an unfiltered look at her condition in the 2024 documentary “I Am: Celine Dion,” which included footage of the singer experiencing a severe medical episode. During her recovery, she reportedly underwent extensive physical rehabilitation, vocal therapy, medication, and other treatments while working toward a possible return.

She eventually performed “Hymne à l’amour” from the Eiffel Tower during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics, marking her first public performance in four years.

Fans Say The Comeback Is About More Than Perfect Vocals

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Professional reviews of Dion’s Paris return have generally offered a more nuanced assessment than the reactions to the short viral clip. Le Monde described her voice as controlled while acknowledging moments of vocal fragility throughout the lengthy performance.

Dion has also continued connecting with fans outside the arena. Following her September 18 concert, she climbed onto a vehicle outside her Paris hotel and sang along to “Pour Que Tu M’aimes Encore” with the crowd while barefoot.

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A classic rivalry between two distinct, memorable characters has been a staple of narrative storytelling long before the advent of video games, yet something about the medium of gaming has made it perfect for the concept and longevity of many memorable rivalries. From an iconic hero constantly going toe-to-toe with an equally iconic villain to the rivalries that eventually form a sense of camaraderie and respect, actively playing as one or both of the characters in these rivalries makes them that much more impactful and memorable.

It further helps that these rivalries don’t just stand out for one amazing game, but have evolved and grown across generations of gaming in some of the biggest franchises in gaming history. Gaming as an art form simply wouldn’t be the same without these rivalries, whether they be fan favorites of hardcore gamers or instantly recognizable to even those not as familiar with video games. Even as new games and effective rivalries are released, it’s difficult to imagine any of them coming close to the strength of these iconic rivalries.

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Phoenix Wright and Miles Edgeworth

‘Ace Attorney’ Games (2001–Present)

For a game series all about defending clients in the court of law, it only makes sense that there would be a consistent rivalry between Ace Attorney series protagonist Phoenix Wright and the leading prosecutor, Miles Edgeworth. However, their actions and battles in court only scratch the surface of the dynamic between these two, as they have grown up as childhood friends and see their rivalry as a way to further drive and invigorate their work. Their rivalry and friendship grow especially deeper as the games go on, bringing out the best in one another both in terms of their work and character.

This rivalry and duo work so effectively thanks to how initially stark their personalities seem to be, with Phoenix being always joyous and optimistic about his clients’ innocence, while Edgeworth is more jaded and quick to see the ruthlessness of the world around him. It makes for a lot of great banter between the two throughout the series, as even when Phoenix goes up against other prosecutors, none have left quite the impact that Edgeworth has.

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Dante and Virgil

‘Devil May Cry’ Games (2001–Present)

The bonds of blood and brotherhood are a quick and easy way to make for a powerful and emotionally striking rivalry, with one of the very best being the half-human, half-demon twin brothers of Dante and Vergil from Devil May Cry. While Vergil didn’t have a major appearance in the series until the prequel game Devil May Cry 3: Dante’s Awakening, his rivalry and parallels with Dante quickly made him a fan-favorite character in the franchise. This was further amplified when the character made a prominent return in Devil May Cry 5, where he and Dante continued their rivalry and even decided to team up in the game’s ending.

The massive similarities prove to make their divides and differences that much more polarizing, with Dante embracing his human side and fighting demons while Vergil has embraced his demonic side to follow in his father’s footsteps. Like many of the best attributes of the series, their rivalry thrives on the rule of cool, where giant swords and spectacle make their battles that much more impactful. Their rivalry even continues outside the series, with both of them being playable characters in fighting video games like Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3.

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Solid Snake and Liquid Snake

‘Metal Gear’ Games (1987–Present)

Snake has faced off against many powerful villains throughout the Metal Gear series, yet the deeper connections and lasting impact of his rivalry with Liquid Snake in Metal Gear Solid are easily a step above the rest. Acting as the primary antagonist of Metal Gear Solid, Liquid stands at the forefront of some of the game’s most iconic moments, including his reveal as the true identity of Master Miller and their shirtless battle on top of the wreckage of Metal Gear Rex.

What really makes Liquid the premier rival for Solid Snake is how they both share origins as soldiers created by cloning the legendary Big Boss. Even after Liquid dies at the end of the first Metal Gear Solid, his influence stretches throughout the rest of the games, including his arm being transplanted to Liquid Ocelot in Metal Gear Solid 2, his consciousness taking over Ocelot’s body in Metal Gear Solid 4, and even appearing as a 12-year-old child in the prequel Metal Gear Solid V.

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Kazuma Kiryu and Goro Majima

‘Yakuza’ Games (2005–Present)

The rivalry between Kazuma Kiryu and Goro Majima from the Yakuza series is one that initially began with the classic carnage and ruthlessness of underground crime, yet both sides of this rivalry grew to respect and honor one another as the series goes on. Both having history as members of respective Yakuza clans, the duo grow an unlikely bond initially brought on by frequent battles, only to foster respect as Majima respects Kiryu’s stature as the perfect rival.

In a series where the main characters partake in wild minigames just as often as they do the grounded emotional storytelling, the rivalry between Kiryu and Majima almost acts like a microcosm of the series as a whole. The rivalry has its silly and over-the-top moments, but at its center there is a level of respect and honor as these characters amass strength not just physically, but in their character and actions.

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Sonic the Hedgehog and Dr. Eggman

‘Sonic the Hedgehog’ Games (1991–Present)

With Sonic the Hedgehog being one of the most recognizable video game characters of all time, it would only make sense that the villain of the franchise, Dr. Eggman (or Dr. Robotnik), would be equally iconic. Even as various other villains have appeared in the series, the rivalry and frequent battles between Sonic and Eggman are a constant in the series from the first game up until the latest entry. The rivalry takes many different forms and tones, able to work both seriously and comedically.

From the very beginning, it’s been a rivalry defined by freedom fighting against the evils of technological progression, with Eggman’s forcing of woodland creatures to control his robots making him a constant enemy of the freedom-loving Sonic. Even as later entries of the series have minimized this, their rivalry has continued strong for decades as one of the most iconic in video game history.

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Link and Ganon

‘The Legend of Zelda’ Games (1986–Present)

While many other video game rivalries are of a singular version of two characters, the rivalry between Link and Ganon spans across multiple timelines, reincarnations, and universes. For as long as there is an entity that seeks to abuse the Triforce of Power, there will always be one who utilizes the Triforce of Courage, standing up for what is right. This timeless rivalry of good and evil is at the heart of almost every game in The Legend of Zelda series, no matter what form Ganon takes.

While Link has a relatively similar look in most of the games, Ganon has taken on many different forms and styles, whether he be a boar wizard, the Gerudo warrior Ganondorf, or a manifestation of hatred and anger itself. From the first game in the series on NES to the latest games on Nintendo Switch, this rivalry has waged on in many different forms, each symbolic of the timeless plight for righteousness and good triumphing over evil.

4

Scorpion and Sub-Zero

‘Mortal Kombat’ Games (1992–Present)

Interestingly enough, Scorpion and Sub-Zero didn’t start off as direct rivals, as they both just happened to be the most memorable and iconic characters in the original Mortal Kombat, with many parallels of being color-palette swaps and using converging elements of fire and ice. This status of becoming series icons placed them in the position to constantly be battling against one another, given greater lore connecting the two in a battle of revenge. However, as multiple different characters have taken on the mantle of Scorpion and Sub-Zero respectively, some versions of this rivalry have had the duo grow into unlikely companions.

However, no matter what reason these two have for facing off against one another, their ruthlessly gory battles have stood at the forefront of Mortal Kombat as it evolved and grew more and more with each additional entry. By the time that the Mortal Kombat games became at the forefront of narrative storytelling in fighting games, this rivalry was given the justice it deserves and grew alongside the series itself.

3

Cloud Strife and Sephiroth

‘Final Fantasy VII’ Games (1997–Present)

With so many different moving pieces and symbolic flourishes in the story and mythos of Final Fantasy VII, the battles between Cloud Strife and Sephiroth stand as the core that brings everything together for a rivalry that defines the fate of the world. With the duo sharing a psychological bond and trauma thanks to their time as former soldiers, they soon foster a deep-rooted hatred for one another. This hatred only grows worse as the game goes on, with Cloud learning more about his past and Sephiroth committing more evil deeds, most infamously his murder of Aerith Gainsborough.

This grows to massive stakes as Sephiroth attempts to bring about the end of the world in the climax of Final Fantasy VII, with Cloud and his allies fighting to stop him once and for all. While the rivalry itself is relatively muted in the original game, it has been massively explored and delved into more in spinoffs and especially the Final Fantasy VII Remake trilogy.

2

Ryu and Ken

‘Street Fighter’ Games (1987–Present)

Fighting games as a genre lend themselves to rivalries more than any other genre, as even outside of the game’s world, facing off against another player inherently creates a rivalry between the two players, whether it be seriously competitive or easygoing fun. In the world of fighting games, no singular rivalry symbolizes this inherent strength, like Ryu and Ken from Street Fighter, two best friends who trained under the same master to be the greatest fighters in the world.

Ryu and Ken’s rivalry does not come from a place of hatred, but instead from constant friendship and respect for one another as they fight their hardest against one another to bring out the best in each other. It’s a beautiful rivalry that cuts to the heart of fighting games as a genre and has only grown more prominent with each additional entry. More impactful is that Ryu and Ken have the same gameplay archetype, sharing special moves but having enough distinguishing differences to set them apart.

1

Mario and Bowser

‘Super Mario’ Games (1985–Present)

Image via Nintendo

In terms of the iconic status of a video game rivalry, it’s difficult for anything to compete with the most iconic video game character of all time facing off against the most iconic video game villain of all time. While Bowser wasn’t the first villain to cross Mario’s path, since Mario’s origins trace back to the arcades with Donkey Kong, it cannot be denied that the constant battles against the king of koopas and this plucky plumber have made their rivalry legendary.

It’s a rivalry that has been explored in many different ways across the over 100 different Mario games, although often it takes the form of Bowser being a vengeful final boss responsible for Mario’s journey in the first place. Even in games where Bowser isn’t the main villain, his presence and hatred of Mario are always known and apparent. It simply isn’t a Mario game without Bowser, and Bowser wouldn’t be nearly as impactful a villain without his exceptional contrast with Mario.

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Super Mario Bros. 3

Released

October 23, 1988

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ESRB

E For Everyone

Developer(s)

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Nintendo R&D4

Publisher(s)

Nintendo

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Multiplayer

Local Multiplayer

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Franchise

Super Mario

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Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes has raised eyebrows with an ominous post about her child’s “health and safety” while serving a prison sentence for fraud.

“I don’t get angry often. Tonight, I am,” Holmes, 42, tweeted on Friday, September 25. “People put my child’s health and safety at risk. They knowingly and consciously chose this path.”

She then warned, “If protecting my child means burning bridges, I’ll burn them to light the way. Time to sleep. I’ll grab the match tomorrow.”

It was not immediately clear who or what Holmes was directing her tweet toward, though she included an AI-generated image of her lighting a match on a bridge. Holmes eventually replied with an apparent non sequitur, sharing a photo of her and one of her children on an airboat. (Holmes and partner Billy Evans share two children.)

Related: 9 Burning Questions About ‘Scamanda’ Answered

Amanda Riley may be out of sight and serving time, but the cancer fraudster is more talked-about than ever. After soliciting over $100,000 to cover costs of cancer she did not have, the perky Christian mom from California, now 39, was convicted in 2021 and has since gained national infamy — first with the hit […]

Later, Holmes started trolling people who criticized her for bringing up “health and safety” since she was convicted of four federal counts of fraud and conspiracy in 2022. Her company Theranos shut down in 2018 amid allegations that they misled the public about the capabilities of their fingerprick blood-testing technology, thereby putting patients at significant risk.

“Erm. The company you founded and the lies you told also – I believe – put countless people’s health and safety at risk,” one person wrote, to which Holmes responded, “Can the chat send this guy some x money to get a more flattering profile photo. Literally anything would be better.”

“Is this a threat?” someone else asked, to which Holmes clarified, “A promise.”

“Standard playbook. Be the villain – get caught – play the victim,” a third person chimed in.

Holmes shot back, “Standard playbook, be a nobody, play the sage, be the r*****.”

The disgraced former CEO has been unusually active on X this week, even as she continues to serve her 135-month sentence at the Federal Prison Camp Bryan in Texas. Last week, it was reported that Holmes will be granted an early release in 2027, at which time she is expected to transition to a halfway house in Del Valle, Texas. (Holmes’ business partner and one-time boyfriend, Ramesh “Sunny” Balwani, was sentenced to nearly 13 years in federal prison and ordered to also pay a share of the $452 million in restitution to their victims.)

Holmes and her attorneys have repeatedly asked President Donald Trump to either commute her sentence or issue a full pardon. On Friday, September 25, she praised Trump’s political fortunes despite a gloomy midterms forecast for Republicans, a historically low approval rating, rising gas and diesel prices, an ongoing war in Iran and numerous food recalls.

Sharing one of Trump’s midterm campaign videos, Holmes tweeted, “We are winning.”

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Holmes is no stranger to aligning with veteran politicians, having convinced late former Secretaries of State Henry Kissinger and George Shultz, former Trump administration Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis and ex-Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, among others, to endorse Theranos publicly. (Mattis, 76, and Shultz later repudiated their support for Holmes, while Frist, 74, and Kissinger quietly cut business ties with her.)

Holmes has returned to the spotlight amid the announcement that The Rehearsal’s Nathan Fielder and Some Kind of Heaven’s Lance Oppenheim co-directed a near-3-hour documentary following the former Theranos executive and her partner Evans, 34, in the weeks before she surrendered to federal custody.

You Can See Everything — which opens on October 16 — was screened after much speculation at the 53rd Telluride Film Festival on September 6, where it was met with rapturous early reviews.