Entertainment
Ryan Murphy on Ariana Grande’s Abrupt ‘AHS’ Exit
Ryan Murphy‘s newest FX series, “The Shards,” recently premiered, serving as an adaptation of Bret Easton Ellis‘ 2023 novel of the same name. While promoting the show, the TV producer opened up about Ariana Grande and her decision to drop out of the upcoming 13th season of “American Horror Story.”
Notably, Grande’s exit from the long-running horror series came weeks before she not only dropped out of the West End revival of “Sunday in the Park with George,” but also announced plans to take a break from the public eye.
Murphy interviewed with The Hollywood Reporter in August 2026. During the conversation, not only did he dish on “The Shards,” but the “American Horror Story” creator also responded to a question about Grande having dropped out of the highly anticipated series.
Murphy began by expressing his love for Grande and saying, “We’re great friends.” He continued, “I had an idea, and I came to her and she, very immediately, said, ‘I’m not sure because I think I’m going on tour.’ I don’t think the tour had been announced, and she had obviously just finished the ‘Wicked’ movie.”
He then discussed when she actually dropped out of the show, stating, “So when it came time to do that episode, I called her up, and she was like, ‘I don’t know how I’m going to juggle the tour with this.’ And I said, ‘OK, if you can’t, we can push to another season.’ She said, ‘Great.’”
Ryan Was Understanding Of Ariana Grande’s Busy Schedule
Murphy wanted to remain “respectful” of Grande and not go into detail about her exit from the series amid the public scrutiny she’s received. According to him, “Who is busier than Ariana Grande? No one. She had told me at the time, ‘I have this album that’s dropping.’ It was really, truly a scheduling conflict.”
From there, he expressed an interest in working with the “Wicked” star again in the future. He stated, “Ariana is a big fan of horror. She’s obviously done homages [to] that in her work; she did Scream Queens for me and loved the experience, and people love her in that show. So I will always work with her.”
Murphy added, “I love her, and I support her. It was a very big swing, but I might bring that back for another season, per Ariana’s availability. I think the world of her.”
Ariana’s ‘AHS’ Exit Was Announced In July
Grande was confirmed to be a part of the cast for “American Horror Story” season 13 in October 2025. Production on the season then began in April. However, in July, Variety reported that the songstress had exited the series due to a scheduling conflict with her “Eternal Sunshine Tour.”
Weeks later, a representative for the singer told PEOPLE that she was planning to take a break from the public eye. They said, “Ariana will be taking a step back from visibility after she completes the Eternal Sunshine Tour.”
The statement continued, “She looks forward to finishing the tour and ending it on a high note, both healthily and happily, and then taking a much-deserved break from public-facing work and appearances, which has led to endless, ongoing public scrutiny. This tour has been a beautiful experience for her. She loves her fans and has loved every minute of this tour so much.”
Ryan Called ‘AHS’ Season 13 A Tribute To The Series
Season 13 of “American Horror Story” premieres on FX on September 24. Murphy discussed the season in his profile with the Hollywood Reporter, stating that a number of the actors will play several of their past roles from the series.
According to him, “This season is a tribute to all of the seasons, which we’ll never do again. But it was fun. It was like getting the band back together, and once they got on the set with me, it was like we never stopped making this. Most of them had accents, and they instantly fell back into their characters. It was fascinating and thrilling.”
The cast includes Jessica Lange, Sarah Paulson, Evan Peters, Angela Bassett, Kathy Bates, and more.
Season 13 Isn’t The End Of ‘American Horror Story’
Given that season 13 of “American Horror Story” has been referred to as an all-star season, many have assumed that the show may be coming to an end. However, Murphy also confirmed in his Hollywood Reporter interview that this is not the case. In fact, he’s already working on the next season.
He shared, “I have a great passion for that show, and [FX boss] John Landgraf has a great passion for that show. It’s a very important show in my career. It’s something that John said, ‘As long as you want to keep making them, I’ll keep airing them.’ That’s always been the idea behind it, which is very empowering.”
Murphy added, “Season 13 is not the end; I’m working on season 14 as we speak in terms of, ‘What’s the idea?’ and ‘Who wants to be in it?’”
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One of the benefits of Prime Video is getting to access some of PBS’s best programming.
From PBS Masterpiece to PBS KIDS, you can stream a variety of content that will entertain, inform and, in some cases, provoke you.
That’s especially true in August, when the long-running public broadcasting channel is offering some of its best content yet.
The Watch With Us crew are big fans of PBS, which is why we’ve assembled all the new movies, shows and specials debuting on PBS channels on Prime Video in August.
We’ve also spotlighted four programs you should carve out some time for, like the newest season of the cozy mystery series Professor T and a fascinating Dolly Parton documentary.
What would you do for fame, fortune or freedom? Those are the questions BritBox’s new shows are asking in August. Thank You! You have successfully subscribed. Subscribe to newsletters Enter your email Please enter a valid email. Subscribe By signing up, I agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy and to receive emails from Us […]
PBS on Prime Video Highlights
‘Professor T’ Season 5 (PBS Masterpiece on Prime Video) — August 9
Jasper (Ben Miller) and Helena (Juliet Stevenson) test their fragile spark at a secluded spa, but an “accidental” death rekindles his instincts and threatens their new romance. Jasper is soon confronted by personal turmoil that clouds his judgement and shakes his focus while the team faces darker, twisting cases. With Maiya (Sunetra Sarker) in the lead, Chloe (Rhian Blundell) grows bolder, and Dan’s (Barney White) new romance threatens to destroy him.
‘Bergerac’ Season 1 (PBS Masterpiece on Prime Video) — August 16
Bergerac sees the return of the iconic Jersey-set detective series in Toby Whithouse’s (Being Human, The Game) modern reimagining of this much-loved classic, starring Damien Molony (The Split, Brassic) in the titular role. Jim Bergerac is a broken man, battling his demons and on leave after the death of his wife. But when a member of one of Jersey’s wealthiest families is murdered, Chief of Police Uma Dalal wants their best detective on the case. Bergerac returns to work not only to crack the case but also to prove to his daughter Kim and mother-in-law Charlie Hungerford (Zoë Wanamaker) that his life is back on track. If Bergerac can solve the case, then maybe he can also show he’s still capable of being a good father.
‘Weather Hunters’ Volume 5 (PBS KIDS on Prime Video) — August 17
Weather wiz and force of nature, Lily Hunter, and her family explore and report on everything from rain, snow, dew, thunder, lightning, ice and fog to more extreme weather. Created by Emmy-winning weatherman and co-host of NBC’s Today, Al Roker.
‘Dolly Parton: Here I Am’ (PBS Documentaries on Prime Video) — August 30
The undisputed queen of country music, Dolly Parton has had one of the most stellar careers of any living musician. Dolly herself lets us in on her fondest memories, her influences and her process. With unprecedented access to Dolly and archive footage from concerts and interviews spanning her career, marvel at the spirit, soul and hard work of an artist who has inspired countless others.
PBS on Prime Video August 2026 Release Schedule
August 3: The Gas Station Attendant
August 7: Madame President season 1, The Day You Begin
August 9: Professor T season 5
August 14: World’s Greatest season 11, Until the Last Heartbeat season 1
August 16: Bergerac season 1
August 17: Donkey Hodie season 17, Weather Hunters volume 5
August 19: Resolve to Solve with Miles O’Brien
August 28: Blanca season 2, Spirit Plate season 1
August 30: Dolly Parton: Here I Am, Spain Made with Love
August 31: Carl the Collector season 7
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Kaia Gerber may be the star of Hulu’s new series The Shards, but her mom, Cindy Crawford, can’t help but steal some of the spotlight. Stepping out in New York City for the show’s premiere after-party, the 60-year-old model was seen draped in a ‘90s liquid-like gown. The aquamarine hue was enough to make it a standout piece, but Crawford’s dress also boasted a ruched design across the bodice, creating a slimming silhouette. The intentional detail put a modern spin on the classic slip style, convincing Us the updated version is one of the most flattering dresses you can own in 2026.
Whether you opt for ocean-blue or a toned-down neutral, you’ll find this dress style is more than just chic and form-loving — it also works for a range of occasions, including galas, weddings and more. It’s time to add Crawford’s head-turning look to your own lineup. Check out our favorite lookalikes below!
Channel Cindy Crawford’s Slip Dress Look With These 11 Ruched Dresses
1. Spot-On Lookalike: Forgo the double straps and reach for this single-shoulder satin find. It features the same dreamy blue and curve-accentuating fit as Crawford’s pick.
2. Sultry Details: Is an open-back more your thing? Then consider this wine-red La Femme gown with a polished leg slit and square neckline.
3. Bridesmaid Approved: Birdy Grey knows a thing or two about creating a well-tailored dress, and this stretchy satin pick serves as proof. Enjoy a mermaid silhouette and form-fitting bodice, complete with a cowl neck.
4. Color of the Season: Slip on Quince’s Juliette dress to be in line with the trends. It boasts a draped neckline, barely-there straps and fashion’s favorite butter-yellow hue.
There’s something about a ’90s supermodel outfit that still feels impossible to beat. No loud prints, no over-the-top accessories — just a handful of timeless pieces styled so effortlessly, they somehow look even cooler 30 years later. Kaia Gerber is reminding Us that one dress style in particular deserves a permanent spot in every closet. […]
5. Immediate Yes: What do you get when you combine flirty bow accents, a glossy olive-green shade and a body-skimming fit? Petal & Pup’s satin gown, which features a one-shoulder design.
6. Cool-Girl Energy: Put an edgy spin on Crawford’s flattering dress style with this sculpting Popilush find. The metallic finish gives off a rippled effect, catching the light.
7. Pretty in Pink: Look sweet and flirty in this Memoriesa maxi gown. The lightweight fabric keeps you cool, while a crawling leg slit adds a sultry touch.
8. Editor-Approved: Abercrombie & Fitch is a go-to destination for elevated dresses — and this open-back maxi shows exactly why. The ruched chocolate design is undeniably elegant, while the knot hardware takes it to the next level.
9. Made to Flatter: Windsor is all about occasion dressing, and its low-back mermaid dress was made for art-gallery openings to your best friend’s wedding. Better yet, it features 360 ruching, sculpting the entire silhouette.
10. Straight Out of Friends: Remember Rachel Green’s iconic minty gown? Well, we just found a lookalike from Cider, full of waist-defining gathers and dreamy draping.
11. Slightly Cropped: Bring up the hemline with the Elliatt Cassini Dress. The vibrant purple hue is instantly eye-catching, and looks so chic (and ’80s!) paired with the one-shoulder design and a softly cinched side.
UsNow Summer Sale Alert: These Chic Fashion Finds are over 30% off – Plus Free Shipping
Welcome to summer with our biggest sale of the year. This summer’s chicest dresses, tops and swimsuits are all over 30% + free shipping. Inventory is limited so hurry before they’re gone.
Christie Brinkley‘s Instagram continues to depict our dream life. The 72-year-old model often takes to social media to share shots from her gorgeous homes (she has a house in the Hamptons and one in Turks and Caicos), and when she’s not posing in a bikini, she’s laughing it up with friends, sipping wine (from her own […]
Whew! Cymphonique is reminding folks that her vocals are still top-tier, but it’s not just her voice that has social media buzzing. The singer and actress recently had the internet talking after a new performance video went viral, leaving fans praising her talent while also questioning one noticeable detail about her appearance.
RELATED: Master P Seemingly Reacts To Son Hercy Miller’s Arrest & Theft Charges With THIS Message
Cymphonique Reminded Fans She Still Got It
In the viral clip, Cymphonique is seen sitting at a piano in what appears to be the living room of her home, singing Minnie Riperton’s ‘Lovin’ You’ into a microphone. Rocking a peach-colored T-shirt, a sleek middle-part hairstyle, and paintings and arcade games in the background, she effortlessly showed off her vocal range and reminded fans why her talent has always stood out.
Cymphonique’s Look Has Folks Doing A Double Take
However, while many praised her vocals, others shifted the conversation to her appearance. The daughter of Master P and sister of Romeo Miller had fans claiming she appeared noticeably lighter, sparking debate across social media and leaving many focused on her appearance rather than her performance.
The Comments Quickly Turned Into A Debate
Fans quickly flooded The Shade Room Teens’ Instagram comment section with plenty to say after the video surfaced. While some wondered if Cymphonique is Blasian, others couldn’t believe she was the same little girl they grew up watching on Nickelodeon. Meanwhile, several commenters questioned whether there was more going on behind her changing appearance, sparking even more conversation online.
One Instagram user @cyn.bb_ said, “This ain’t the you give me butterflies cymphonique 🤨🤨”
This Instagram user @jalynnsiani wrote, “that’s somebody but that’s definitely not cymphonique”
And, Instagram user @ichasegwuapp claimed, “Chile she must have talked to the Jamaicans”
Meanwhile, Instagram user @aylissaluvr shared, “Wait, why everybody got something to say isn’t she Blasian?”
While Instagram user @krye_z commented, “What in the kpop demon hunters?!!!”
Then Instagram user @thisgirlnae said, “i hear cymphonique but i dont see her”
But, Instagram user @bigearii wrote, “She’s going for the anime look Chile”
Lastly, Instagram user @chinxx.ii added, “I need to speak to her daddy… immediately 😑 … shiiid, her brother too….”
RELATED: Prosecutors Move To Drop Theft Charges Against Master P’s Son Hercy Miller For Stealing Refrigerators
What Do You Think Roomies?
Fans have one major takeaway from Rihanna‘s viral twerk with A$AP Rocky: these two genuinely seem to enjoy each other.
Footage of the pair during a getaway in her native Barbados has viewers celebrating the couple’s playful dynamic and joking that A$AP clearly understood the assignment.
Fans are loving the chemistry between Rihanna and A$AP Rocky after a playful video of the couple dancing together in Barbados spread online.
The “Umbrella” singer is seen in the footage twerking in front of A$AP while the couple partied at what appeared to be a carnival. Rihanna gets low as she dances, then looks back at her longtime partner, who immediately matches her energy and engages in the dance.
Rocky even lifts one leg during the playful exchange before Rihanna turns around, smiling.
Fans Claim A$AP ‘Understood The Assignment’
On Reddit, many commenters saw something a lot simpler than a viral celebrity spectacle. “That’s a happy couple,” one user wrote, while another said A$AP “matches the energy” his partner was giving.
Others pointed to the Caribbean setting, arguing that the dancing was hardly unusual for the festival. “She is Bajan. He has Bajan roots,” one commenter explained, describing the pair as simply “a couple dancing together.”
The clip also revived a familiar joke among Rihanna’s fans. While some celebrated how happy the singer appeared, others couldn’t resist bringing up the album they have been waiting years to hear. “Rihanna doing everything but making an album,” one user joked.
For plenty of fans, though, the takeaway was the couple’s chemistry. As another commenter put it: “I love them together.”
Rihanna Also Celebrated In Style At Grand Kadooment
Before turning heads with her nightclub moves on A$AP, Rihanna had also joined her brother’s band, Aura, for this year’s Grand Kadooment festivities on August 3. Her ensemble this year featured a jewel-covered body harness with tassels, while gemstones beneath her eyes complemented the colorful look.
The custom fit was created by local designer Lauren Austin, who has reportedly been making Carnival costumes for Rihanna since 2013. Austin previously told Vogue that Rihanna’s willingness to take fashion risks makes designing for her particularly fitting, describing the superstar’s style as “edgy.”
A$AP Rocky Says His Partner Is ‘Cooking’ In The Studio
For years, fans have been eagerly awaiting Rihanna’s follow-up to her acclaimed album “ANTI,” with the wait now stretching to a full decade. The anticipation has only intensified as the singer has repeatedly teased the project over the years while also growing her family.
However, A$AP has recently reassured fans that the album is still moving forward, as The Blast reported. The rapper also dismissed the idea that their growing family is responsible for the delay.
“Nah,” he revealed on the August 5 episode of “The Jason Lee Show.” “Yo, she in the studio right now. Yeah, I said it. Sorry, babe. Like, bro, she working. She cooking, no funny s–t. Damn, I’mma get in trouble for this.”
Rihanna Went Back To The Drawing Board For Her New Music
Initially, Rihanna’s next album was meant to be a reggae-inspired or reggae-infused project as she looked to fully tap into the sounds of her home country, Barbados.
However, in a 2024 interview with Entertainment Tonight, she revealed that she had scrapped those plans and gone back to the drawing board to decide which creative direction to pursue.
“I have been working on the [new] album for so long that I kinda put all that stuff aside, and now I’m prepared to go back in the studio,” she told the outlet at the time. “I actually want to go back and listen to stuff with new ears—with my new perspective and then see what applies and what I’m still in love with.”
The Barbadian-born star further emphasized that the delay was partly because she wanted to ensure her next project was truly worth the wait. “It has to count. It has to matter. I have to show them the worth in the wait. I cannot put up anything mediocre. After waiting eight years, you might as well just wait some more,” she noted.
At just 13, North West is taking a dramatically darker creative turn. The daughter of Kim Kardashian and Kanye West has unveiled a horror-inspired visual for her latest single, “Aishite,” blending eerie imagery with lyrics centered on betrayal, isolation, and emotional pain.
Rather than relying on celebrity headlines, North leans into unsettling storytelling, delivering a music video that leaves viewers talking as much about its haunting message as its chilling visuals.
North West’s newest release on Instagram is far from a typical teenage pop song. Throughout “Aishite” which means “love me” in Japanese, the young artist repeatedly returned to themes of loneliness and emotional hurt while asking for acceptance.
The opening verse immediately set the tone as she rapped, “Ayy, ain’t nobody finna save me / Ayy, and it’s drivin’ me crazy (Crazy) / Why can’t I escape? ’Cause they chase me (They chase me) / Just love me, everyone betrays me.”
The emotional intensity continued as she added, “I’m seein’ blood daily (Daily)/ What? And it’s drivin’ me crazy (Crazy)/ Yeah, can’t escape ’cause they chase me.”
Rather than presenting a carefree anthem, North used the track to explore feelings of being pursued, misunderstood, and unable to trust those around her.
North’s Horror-Inspired Visual Brings The Song To Life
Directed by Ty Akimoto, the music video matched the song’s unsettling mood with striking horror-inspired imagery.
Set largely inside an abandoned-looking school and an arcade, the visual followed North West as she wandered dimly lit hallways sporting neon blue pigtails.
One of the video’s biggest moments came when the camera slowly approached her before revealing a shocking transformation: her face appeared without eyes, a nose, or a mouth, creating an eerie jump scare.
She also sported a black grill, adding another distinctive visual element to the production. The rapid editing between the school and arcade sequences kept the unsettling atmosphere intact until the video ended with a flashing white title screen.
North West’s First Headlining Tour Ends Before It Begins
The recent music video release comes a few days after North’s highly anticipated first headlining tour came to an abrupt halt, with the young star canceling her 14-date Kimokawaii Tour alongside rapper Molly Santana just days before the opening show in Dallas.
The tour, announced in June following the pair’s performances at Rolling Loud Miami and Lyrical Lemonade’s Summer Smash, was scheduled to kick off in Dallas on August 5 before making stops in Houston, Chicago, Toronto, New York, and Los Angeles through August 27.
However, fans soon noticed the official tour website had been taken offline, while Ticketmaster marked multiple dates as canceled and venues began confirming the shows would no longer take place.
One San Francisco venue briefly continued listing its August 25 stop before uncertainty spread there as well.
Kim Kardashian Showed Her Support For North West’s Tour Before It Was Canceled
A few weeks before the plug was pulled on the 14-date run, Kardashian made sure North West’s tour received plenty of attention on social media.
As PEOPLE reported, the reality star enthusiastically promoted the Molly x North Kimokawaii Tour on Instagram by reposting the official tour poster to her Stories and asking fans, “Are you ready?”
The mom of four also shared photos of North and Santana together on her main Instagram feed, writing, “Kimokawii tour. Ticket link on my story @northwest @mollysantana.”
Kris Jenner also threw her support behind North’s first headlining tour by reposting the official Molly x North Kimokawaii Tour announcement to her Instagram Stories and directing her followers to the ticket link.
North West Breaks Silence With New Promise Following Tour Cancellation
Although the debut tour didn’t go as planned, North assured fans that they still had something to look forward to. In a now-deleted Instagram story post, the singer addressed fans, expressing disappointment.
“I was really excited to go on tour w Molly Santana sadly it isn’t happening anymore,” North revealed per The Blast, acknowledging how much she had been looking forward to the 14-date run.
Although she did not reveal why the shows were canceled, North promised supporters that she had “something special” planned for the future before signing off with, “See ya soon.”
Santana also broke her silence and made sure to acknowledge the fans who had already invested time and money into the planned performances.
The rapper apologized directly to ticket holders in an Instagram Story, writing, “To everyone who bought tickets to the tour, I sincerely apologize.”
Santana ended her message by promising to make it up to fans, writing, “I love y’all so much & promise I will make this one up to you.”
Supergirl may have fallen well short of expectations at the box office, but Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav is making it clear that the studio remains confident in the future of James Gunn and Peter Safran’s DC Universe.
During Warner Bros. Discovery’s latest earnings call, Zaslav was asked about the state of DC following the disappointing theatrical performance of Supergirl. Rather than signaling a change in direction, the Warner Bros. Discovery boss pointed toward the unpredictable nature of the entertainment industry and the projects DC Studios already has in development.
“Media is by nature a business full of hits and misses,” Zaslav said.
The comments come after Supergirl, starring Milly Alcock as Kara Zor-El, struggled to find a sizable audience in theaters. The film opened to approximately $37 million domestically and ultimately finished its theatrical run with around $125 million worldwide against a reported $170 million production budget.
Milly Alcock Supergirl [Warner bros.]
Those numbers make Supergirl a significant financial disappointment for Warner Bros. and an early setback for Gunn and Safran’s rebooted DC Universe. However, Zaslav does not appear ready to judge the future of the franchise based on the performance of a single film.
“We have a robust pipeline,” Zaslav said while discussing what is coming from DC Studios.
One of the biggest projects in that pipeline is Man of Tomorrow, Gunn’s follow up to 2025’s Superman. Zaslav revealed that Gunn is currently focused on the upcoming film and said he has already seen material from the production.
“James is now focused on Man of Tomorrow,” Zaslav said, adding that he recently saw images from the film and that it “looks fantastic.”
Man of Tomorrow will bring David Corenswet back as Superman alongside Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor. Gunn has previously teased an unusual dynamic between the longtime enemies, revealing that Superman and Lex will be forced to work together, at least to some degree, against a larger threat.
The film is quickly becoming one of the most important projects in the early years of the new DCU. Gunn’s Superman successfully launched the theatrical side of the franchise in 2025, while Supergirl demonstrated just how difficult it can be to turn lesser established DC characters into major theatrical draws.
That doesn’t necessarily mean the DCU itself is in trouble. One unsuccessful movie rarely determines the fate of an entire cinematic universe, particularly this early in its lifespan. But Supergirl does put additional pressure on upcoming projects to prove that audiences are interested in exploring the wider DC roster beyond characters like Superman and Batman.
Superman Man of tomorrow [Warner bros.]
Warner Bros. also has more opportunities to build that audience. DC Studios has several projects moving forward across film and television, including Lanterns, Clayface and eventually The Batman Part II under the separate DC Elseworlds banner.
For now, Warner Bros. appears committed to staying the course.
Rather than reacting to Supergirl by immediately restructuring its DC plans, Zaslav’s comments suggest the studio understands that building a new cinematic universe will inevitably come with successes and failures. The real question will be whether Gunn and Safran can turn those individual projects into a franchise audiences consistently want to follow.
Man of Tomorrow could provide that answer sooner rather than later.
The film is currently scheduled to hit theaters on July 9, 2027.
Summary
- Collider’s Perri Nemiroff chats with Jane Schoenbrun for Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma.
- Schoenbrun discusses the fight to get their third film greenlit, MUBI’s support, and sharing their vision with their cast and creatives.
- They also break down Camp Miasma‘s epic oner, the design for Little Death, and reveal which scene was left on the cutting room floor.
If there’s one thing that’s certain, it’s that horror creators are going to have fun with the genre, whether the project is widely welcomed or not. Particularly, writer and director Jane Schoenbrun, who burst onto the scene with 2021’s We’re All Going to the World’s Fair, before dazzling audiences at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival with their acclaimed follow-up, I Saw the TV Glow. Now, after yet another mystifying uphill battle, as they tell Collider’s Perri Nemiroff, for that coveted green light, we’re returning to Schoenbrun’s whimsical world with Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma, starring Gillian Anderson (The X-Files) and Hannah Einbinder (Hacks).
Influenced by ‘80s movies like Friday the 13th and Sleepaway Camp, Schoenbrun’s latest puts an irreverent spin on a genre that often amasses cult followings. In the movie, Einbinder plays a young filmmaker, Kris, who’s been given the task of rebooting the Camp Miasma slasher franchise for a diminishing fandom after years of sloppy sequels. While researching for the project, Kris connects with the original film’s “final girl,” Billy (Anderson), a reclusive actress living on the campsite where the movies were filmed. Together, the two experience a sizzling connection of desire and delirium, leading to a blood-soaked awakening for Kris. Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma also stars Zach Cherry as Will, Dylan Baker as Jeffrey, Jasmin Savoy Brown as Mari, Patrick Fischler as Rudolph, and reunites Schoenbrun with TV Glow’s Jack Haven as Little Death.
Check out the full conversation with Schoenbrun in the video above, with a transcript provided below, where they discuss how MUBI stepped in to help make this ambitious story into an on-screen reality, and the creatives around them who helped elevate their vision. Plus, find out how they crafted the final design for Little Death, and which scene Schoenbrun was “bummed” didn’t make it into the final cut.
Jane Schoenbrun Says Queer Liberation Isn’t a Hot Selling Point in Hollywood
“It’s funny, it’s sexy. It’s a good time at the movies, but it’s not getting easier.”
PERRI NEMIROFF: I want to keep the train going from when we last spoke at Sundance for [I Saw the] TV Glow. We were talking about the experience of going from first narrative feature to second, and now I want to keep on going. When I asked you about that, you said something to the effect of, it was less about waiting for the green light and more about finding what you need to say as an artist, but then you also added, “figuring out how to be a spy with the gatekeepers who hold the power to get cool shit made.” Because you’re making even more cool shit now, can you tell me a little bit about the things that you have learned while spying on the gatekeepers to ensure that we could keep getting stories like this?
JANE SCHOENBRUN: Tricking people into letting me make my movies. You know, I wish I could say it gets easier, but this is a hard movie to convince people to make. I feel like it was really down to the wire a bit. I was like, “I wrote this script. I know this is the next one I want to make. I actually don’t know if I’m going to get to,” or “I’m going to get to, but it’s going to be like out in the woods with $100 again.” But thankfully, MUBI came along and really understood it and supported the film, and have been really great partners.
But I don’t know, maybe my new thinking about it is, like, it’s not up to me so much. The bind is that I know if I’m not being truthful, I know if I’m not following my own artistic progression towards the goal of being, not more commercial or more digestible or watered down as I grow as an artist, but more of myself, like, that’s the only goal. I’d rather not make something than diverge from that path.
With this movie, yeah, I was surprised that it was so hard because I do think it’s one of the more commercial things I’ve made. It’s fun. It’s funny, it’s sexy. It’s a good time at the movies, but it’s not getting easier. It’s getting harder for queer people to make honest stories about our lives, and especially if those stories aren’t, like, trauma porn. If they’re coming from a liberated perspective, which is not the perspective that Hollywood usually makes movies from — queer liberation — yeah, there are a lot of obstacles in your road to getting $10 million to do some crazy shit.
Jane Schoenbrun Says Collaboration Elevated Every Frame of ‘Camp Miasma’
“It’s just a constant pursuit of looking for joy and play.”
I know that this story was somewhat inspired by your personal experience. You worked on this script. I imagine it feels like your baby to a degree, but I love the fact that when you write something and then you share it with your cast and crew, it could become even more powerful in ways that you weren’t expecting. Can you tell me a few things that some of your cast and crew did with your writing that had that material far exceed your expectations in the finished film?
SCHOENBRUN: Oh, there’s just so, so, so, so much, and that’s what I’m looking for. When I write, I honestly just think of it as giving me and my collaborators lots of little potential gifts to trade in and get on various days on set, or in the sound design or in the edit. It’s like, if you’re not present and having fun, if you’re just kind of making something to spec, you’re going to feel that in the energy of the movie. And so it’s just a constant pursuit of looking for joy and play, and a lot of rigorous planning, obviously, as well.
A huge one was that opening credits scene with all of the memorabilia. I basically hosted a pop-up writers’ room with all of my closest collaborators. We just locked the door and didn’t let anyone knock for a morning, and we beated out that scene. We were brainstorming, like, fake taglines for each sequel and just coming up with the details that make that so fun to watch. That takes a village. There are just so many people who got to have their own joyful, creative process within this larger one.
Like my production designer, Brandon [Tonner-Connolly], and I. I think he learned on TV Glow that I love it when he surprises me with something really cute. A few of my faves that he brought, that were complete surprises, literally, until I arrived on set the day we shot, were the candy chandelier that you see at the end of the movie. Like, that’s his sense of humor, not mine. I was just like, “We’ve got to film that.” So much of those things.
Even my longtime assistant director, Willy [McGee], came over to me and was like, “I think I see something cool. What if you stood in front of the camera like this, in front of this glass, matte-painted backdrop, and then it creates this weird illusion?” And I was like, “Let’s do it,” because it was cool. I’ve learned to surround myself with people who can elevate the work, and who understand my voice enough to add their own to it.
Jane Schoenbrun Breaks Down Little Death’s Unique Design
They call it “unexplainable in a good way.”
You’re working with the best team here because all that stuff is exceptional in the film, and so is the design of Little Death. I love asking about how those types of things evolve from the beginning to the end of the process, so what would you say is the biggest difference between how you initially pictured that character looking when you first started writing and the finished design that we all see in the film?
SCHOENBRUN: I mean, it’s pretty close, to be honest with you. I guess one thing that came in through collaboration with Kendra [Terpenning], our costume designer, was the helmet. Once I knew that it was like that vent that we all see on the ceiling all the time, but don’t really think about, I could just see it perfectly, you know? It was just like, “Just take that vent and put it on top of somebody.” So when I saw it, I was like, “Yes. That is the thing that I saw in my brain.”
The outfit, the plastic wrap, that was not the original idea. We went back and forth a lot on, like, what would this guy wear? There are so many things that you’ve seen, and so many, like, not even slasher movies from the ‘80s, but the movies that we make now with slasher villains, kind of stock slasher villains. Like, I feel like Widow’s Bay had one, which I like that show, but everyone just kind of wears logger uniform. There were so many things that we thought of that were the obvious one, and then something about the plastic wrap just felt unexplainable in a good way.
Jane Schoenbrun Reveals They Were “Bummed” This ‘Camp Miasma’ Scene Got Cut
Plus, find out how that oner came together after “200 hours” of collaboration.
I’ll wrap with this question, because I’m a cliché film nerd and I absolutely love a good oner, and you have an epic one in your movie. Going into filming that, which particular part of it did you and the team think would be the most challenging to pull off, and ultimately, was it, or did something else catch you by surprise?
SCHOENBRUN: There were so many challenging parts of filming that. We spent probably, like, a combined 200 hours in inter-departmental prep meetings so costumes could talk to special effects, could talk to stunts, could talk to VFX, could talk to production design. It was just so much planning to pull that off. The second half of it, when Jack [Haven]’s got the Snorricam strapped to them — that’s like a 60-pound rig, and they are dancing with it — was probably the most challenging thing to pull off. It was one of these moments where it’s like fourth quarter, clock’s ticking down, we have clearly only one more in the tank, and it’s just perfect. That’s the best feeling in the world. We are jumping up and down and cheering when we get it, and it’s perfect. And a lot of that is Jack. Jack is the cinematographer, or at least the camera op for that scene, quite literally.
Another part that was unexpectedly hard: rolling a fake severed head. The one gag that we weren’t able to pull off that I’m really bummed about was we had the severed head on a stick, and we’re rolling it. The idea was the character’s got a mohawk, and that it would roll, and then it would kind of, like, Teflon — it would reach the mohawk, and then it would kind of go boing, boing, boing, and roll back, like it can’t quite forward the mohawk. But whoever was holding that stick and rolling it couldn’t quite get it. It’s like puppetry. I didn’t quite realize there would be literally puppetry. But so much shit like that. Also, we shot in May and June for a lot of that stuff, and you had six hours of true night at that time of year in Vancouver, and so it was really, from sundown at 10:00 p.m. to sun-up at 4:30 in the morning, it’s like all you can eat, go quick.
Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma debuts in theaters on August 7.
- Release Date
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August 6, 2026
- Runtime
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112 minutes
- Director
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Jane Schoenbrun
- Writers
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Jane Schoenbrun
- Producers
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Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner
A Mississippi community is calling for answers after the heartbreaking death of Tasia Fortune sparked concern and demands for transparency. As authorities investigate the circumstances surrounding her death, officials and community leaders are urging a closer look into what happened.
RELATED: Prayers Up! Woman Critically Injured After 7-Year-Old & 4-Year-Old Reportedly Crashed Their Parents’ Car Into Her (VIDEO)
Officials Call For Answers In Tasia Fortune Case
According to reports, the woman has been identified as 29-year-old Tasia Fortune. In addition, her body was discovered on Monday hanging from a tree in the backyard of a vacant property located on the 500 block of Road of Remembrance in Jackson, Mississippi. In addition, Jackson City Councilman Kenneth Stokes is now calling for additional support in the investigation, revealing that he sent a letter to the U.S. Attorney’s Office requesting help.
Councilman Calls For Justice Amid Painful History
As questions continue surrounding the case, Stokes revealed that he reached out to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for assistance, saying the focus is on making sure whoever is responsible is found and held accountable. “We sent a letter to the U.S. Attorney’s Office asking for help to make sure we catch and convict the person or persons involved with hanging a young lady in Jackson,” he said.
Additionally, Stokes addressed the city’s painful history. He also explained that regardless of whether investigators determine there was a racial motive, the circumstances are deeply troubling given Mississippi’s history of lynchings. He said the situation deserves public attention and condemnation while officials continue working to uncover the truth.
A 29 year old black woman was lynched in my city named Tasia Fortune and we want answers! How does something like this continue to happen? this isn’t even 1 mile away from my neighborhood. Justice for Tasia Fortune she didn’t deserve this. pic.twitter.com/ynn2noOzzj
— Sun Ra (@KailSovl) August 7, 2026
Officials Await Autopsy Results As Investigation Continues
Authorities are still investigating the case. Furthermore, Hinds County Coroner Jeremiah Howard confirmed that Fortune was found hanging from a tree, and the Mississippi State Medical Examiner’s Office is expected to conduct an autopsy to determine the cause and manner of death. As the investigation continues, the Fortune family is being kept in the thoughts of those seeking answers and justice.
Those interested in donating to the GoFundMe raised in honor of Fortune’s memory can do so by clicking here.
RELATED: Prayers Up! Authorities Speak Out After Body Of 21-Year-Old Male Was Reportedly Found Hanging From Tree In Georgia Park
What Do You Think Roomies?
Jason Statham didn’t take long establishing himself in 2026, as his first movie of the year hit the big screen only a few weeks into the year. Shelter won over critics and fans with some of the highest review scores of any Statham-led actioner in his career, but that didn’t translate to box office success, largely due to the film’s $50 million budget. After grossing only $54 million at the box office, Shelter has gone on to become one of the biggest streaming hits of the year on both Starz and HBO Max. Statham fans have a lot to be excited about in 2027, when he returns to his role as Adam Clay in The Beekeeper 2. The film was originally supposed to be released in 2026 before being delayed to the third week of 2027.
Jason Statham will have a chance to redeem the box office failure of Shelter, though, when his next movie hits theaters later this month. Statham will star alongside Annabelle Wallis (Peaky Blinders) in Mutiny, the new action thriller opening in theaters worldwide on August 21. Statham plays Cole Reed in the film, an unassuming man who finds himself on the run and in the middle of an international conspiracy after his boss is murdered in front of him, leaving him as the prime suspect. J.P. Davis and Lindsay Michel wrote the script for Mutiny, and Jean-François Richet directed the film — Richet recently guided Gerard Butler to one of his best performances in the 2023 action thriller, Plane. Additional Mutiny stars include Adrian Lester, Ramon Tikaram, and Lee Charles.
Does Jason Statham Have Any Movies on Netflix?
Jason Statham’s only movie on Netflix right now is Furious 7, the Fast & Furious film where he plays the villain opposite Vin Diesel and Dwayne Johnson. Statham is expected to reprise his role as Deckard Shaw one final time in Fast Forever, which is opening in theaters next year. Over on Prime Video, Jason Statham has several movies available to stream right now. Two of his most recent films, A Working Man and The Beekeeper, are both streaming on Prime Video at the time of writing. Other older Statham-led actioners like Blitz, War, Safe, and Homefront are also streaming on Prime Video right now. Peacock subscribers can also check out Statham in Killer Elite and Hobbs & Shaw.
Stay tuned to Collider for more updates and coverage of Mutiny, which opens in theaters on August 21.
- Release Date
-
August 21, 2026
- Runtime
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95 Minutes
- Director
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Jean-François Richet
-
-
-
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Ben Cartwright
Lieutenant Underwood
When everyone’s favorite heartwarming sports series, Ted Lasso, finished its third season in 2023, it felt like the narrative had come to a neat end. Ted’s (Jason Sudeikis) time as coach at AFC Richmond came to an end as he made the tough decision to return to Kansas to spend more time with his son, and fans made peace with this bittersweet finale. However, Apple TV realized that, as the show continued to maintain its place in the streaming charts, there was more success to be found from their flagship show.
This past Wednesday, the fourth season debuted after three years away, acting as a soft reboot for the show. Back in Kansas, Ted has settled into life as a part-time grocery store employee and full-time loving, Fortnite-playing father. But the past is about to literally catch up to him, as Keeley Jones (Juno Temple), Leslie Higgins (Jeremy Swift), and Emmy winner Hannah Waddingham‘s Rebecca Welton touch down in America in the hope of enticing Ted back to Richmond to coach the new women’s team.
Simply seeing these friendly faces back on our screens is enough to please most, with the promised additions of the likes of Tanya Reynolds (Sex Education), Faye Marsay (Andor), and Abbie Hern (My Lady Jane) an undeniable bonus. Audiences have been posting their positive responses to social media, but how have critics reacted to the fourth season? At the time of writing, Ted Lasso Season 4 boasts a strong 89% score on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, marking an 8% increase on Season 3 but falling just short of the opening season’s 92%.
What Have Critics Said About ‘Ted Lasso’ Season 4?
Ted is back coaching Apple TV’s best series to success, with Collider’s Tania Hussain praising the show for being able to “move forward without losing what made it special” in her review. ScreenRant’s Kara Hedash agreed, saying, “Season 4 might be focused on a new team, but it carries the same Ted Lasso charm viewers have grown to love.” For CBR, Katie Doll awarded a 9/10 score, saying, “As a whole, Ted Lasso is back to being the wholesome, feel-good comedy it started as, only this time with a women-led storyline that should resonate with many viewers.”
Ted Lasso Season 4 airs weekly on Apple TV. Make sure to stay tuned to Collider for more streaming stories.
- Release Date
-
August 14, 2020
- Network
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Apple TV
- Directors
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Declan Lowney, MJ Delaney, Erica Dunton, Matt Lipsey
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