Whenever Ryan Murphy releases a horror project, you know to expect visual splendor and outrageous shocks. So, when he was involved in a prequel to the cult classic, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, the series was so tonally divorced from the original that it wasn’t immediately recognizable as a prequel. But, this means you can indulge in the progression of Nurse Ratched’s tyranny without ever watching Milos Forman‘s film. Murphy’s Ratchedis its own diabolical fare, one that delves into the origin story of the titular character without shying away from body horror and problems in the medical industry despite its glamorous sheen.
In the original film, Mildred Ratched was played brilliantly by Louise Fletcher, who exacted rigid control over a psychiatric hospital until Jack Nicholson‘s Randle McMurphy and his rebellious ways were admitted. In Ratched, Sarah Paulsontakes over the helm of the soon-to-be nurse tyrant, and we are whisked back to when she blackmails her way into a position at Lucia State Hospital. Though her motivations are obscure, they have something to do with a man named Edmund (Finn Wittrock) being held in the basement for killing four priests, and as she navigates the hospital, we meet characters like the easily-manipulated head of the hospital, Mr. Hanover (Jon Jon Briones), the suspicious head nurse, Betsy (Judy Davis), and poised campaign manager, Gwendolyn (Cynthia Nixon).
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Ryan Murphy’s Netflix Series ‘Ratched’ Brings a Cult Classic Villain To Life With Its Own Unique Flair
If you have watched One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, then you may recognize hints of Mildred’s characterization in the newer show. Paulson’s Mildred is itching for the control she lacks, manipulating her way around the hospital and incrementally gaining power over the officials — particularly Mr. Hanover — who is far too busy with his personal ambitions to even realize he is being puppeteered. Her demeanor is cold and calculating like the original character, but we also witness many more emotional paroxysms that keep the show from being too predictable. However, the premise of a villain climbing up the ranks with her own ulterior motives is a timeless enough conceit that makes Ratched something you can easily watch on its own, and you may be better off for it.
While it is fascinating to consider how Paulson’s Mildred could turn into Fletcher’s, Murphy’s distinct style offers a viewing experience so unlike the original that it should be considered its own piece. Paulson rocks a bold red lip and egregiously fabulous outfits as she struts into the extravagant set of the spa-turned-hospital, casting a glossy excess on everything. This is contrasted neatly with gruesome body horror (including a gnarly lobotomy, so be warned) and an overall atmosphere of creepiness. It’s a delicious mix of flamboyant and macabre, one that visually encapsulates the show’s commentary on the hidden corruption of authority figures.
Sarah Paulson Brings Her Own Touch To Nurse Ratched’s Horrifying Evolution
If Ratched were to be more faithful to the source material, then Paulson would have an even more complicated job on her hands. Fortunately, the show’s departure allows Paulson to add her own flair to the character, and she is as magnetic as always with her emotionless face and expressive eyes. As the tension culminates in major narrative beats, Paulson then whips out her ability to crack viscerally and abruptly, uncovering the viciousness that hides behind the seemingly unflappable eyes of Mildred. She conveys the nurse’s frightening lack of humanity and care for a patient’s life with the subtle naïveté of the younger character, turning her into an effective anti-hero we cannot tear our eyes from.
This isn’t the first Murphy series to draw major controversy.
Throughout the series, Paulson’s Mildred also goes toe-to-toe with head nurse Betsy, who is acutely suspicious of the new nurse’s motivations and rightly so. Davis is always hilarious in any role, and Betsy is no exception, as she becomes a frustrating and obstinate thorn in Mildred’s side at the beginning. On the other hand, Nixon’s performance as the charming Gwendolyn is an endearing reprieve from Mildred’s utter darkness, and she shares delightful chemistry with Paulson on-screen. You wouldn’t expect Gwendolyn as Mildred’s love interest, but their relationship gave us a sensual scene worth savouring that involves oysters… oh, and fleshes out Mildred’s character, of course.
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Whether you’re familiar with the source material or not, Ratched is a thrilling watch. It is essentially an American Horror Story installment of the cult classic original, one that imagines a villain origin story for a character while standing on its own as a Murphy production. With Paulson’s unsettling charisma at the forefront, the show questions whether monstrous figures like Mildred are born or made, while dousing us in the ghastly splendor of medical malpractice.
Can you answer these movie questions, wherein each correct response begins with a successive letter of the word “Collider”?
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Welcome to the Collider Movie Quiz! Every Monday through Friday, we’ll give you an opportunity to prove your knowledge in the world of film trivia. We’ll be using the most prestigious, scientifically accurate method for separating world-premiere cinephiles from straight-to-DVD casuals: multiple choice! Be sure to sign in and track your day-to-day progress, and don’t forget to try our daily TV Quiz for another challenge!
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Whether it’s actors or directors, beloved franchises or cult classics, critical darlings or Oscar snubs, the artistry of silent films or a silent film called The Artist… we’ll cover it all. Cinema has a storied and textured tradition, but just how much of it is stashed in the recesses of your celluloid brain? You’ll need to roll through reels upon reels of the useless factoids you’ve accumulated over the years in order to focus in on the correct answer. And when in doubt, deductive reasoning can always be your reliable Second Unit. Today’s challenge: We’re going to spell “Collider,” one letter at a time. Here are eight questions whose answers will each begin with a successive letter in that word. Click “Start Quiz” below for our feature presentation!
Game of Thronesmay have ended almost seven years ago, but the franchise is stronger than ever, with both House of the Dragon and A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms becoming huge successes and more spin-offs being developed. George R. R. Martin recently announced that his franchise, which spans both page and screen, is now heading to the stage alongside the Royal Shakespeare Company with the upcoming play The Mad King.
This spin-off is the most directly connected to Game of Thrones as it explores the reign of King Aerys II Targaryen (David Rintoul), father of Daenerys (Emilia Clarke), allowing it to feature many important characters, some of whom appear in the original show and others who impact the story long after their deaths. Even more intriguing is that Martin’s announcement reveals that the play will focus on the Tourney at Harrenhal, an event that fans have been speculating about for decades. As such, The Mad King is in a position to answer a long-standing mystery that Game of Thrones never addressed.
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The Tourney at Harrenhal Sets Up the Events of ‘Game of Thrones’
David Rintoul as the Mad King Aerys II Targaryen in Game of ThronesImage via HBO
While the play takes place roughly 17 years before Game of Thrones, the Tourney at Harrenhal is a significant factor in the show’s events because it is one of the inciting events of Robert’s Rebellion. This war shapes Westeros ahead of Game of Thrones, positioning characters for their various roles. But more importantly, the tourney itself brings Lyanna Stark (Aisling Franciosi) and Rhaegar Targaryen (Wilf Scolding) together, directly leading to Jon Snow’s (Kit Harington) birth. Throughout Martin’s books, there are several references to the event where Rhaegar crowns Lyanna the Queen of Love and Beauty, and Jaime Lannister (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) joins the Kingsguard, but the tourney’s biggest mystery involves a character known only as the Knight of the Laughing Tree.
In the books, this story is relayed through Meera Reed (Ellie Kendrick), who heard it from her father. She explains that a crannogman — likely her father, Howland (Leo Woodruff) — was bullied by three squires, only to be saved by Lyanna Stark. Soon after, the Knight of the Laughing Tree joined the joust, challenging the men these squires served and defeating all threebefore demanding that they teach their squires honor. After the mystery knight’s victory, Aerys grows suspicious, believing the anonymous knight to be his enemy, and sends men to unmask the stranger. However, the Knight of the Laughing Tree is never found, leaving his identity a mystery.
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‘Game of Thrones’ New Prequel Can Reveal the Knight of the Laughing Tree’s Identity
The Tourney at Harrenhal leaves the knight’s identity unconfirmed, and over the years, fans have developed many theories. Ned Stark (Sean Bean) and all three of his siblings are present in the story, making them possibilities. With the mystery knight’s shield and name coming from a weirwood tree, the Northern family all seem like candidates. Other possibilities include Howland Reed himself and Ashara Dayne, who is a mysterious figure herself. However, the most widely accepted idea is that the knight is Lyanna Stark. The description fits, as she would have known about the bullying, worshipped the Old Gods, and been smaller than most knights, though this doesn’t explain the knight’s jousting skill. If Lyanna is the knight, it could explain how she and Rhaegar meet, since he is one of the people Aerys sends to pursue the knight. Proponents of this theory even suggest that these events inspired Rhaegar’s interest in Lyanna, which is a major plot point that impacts Game of Thrones.
Since Martin and the RSC’s upcoming play explores the significant events of the Tourney at Harrenhal, it should address the Knight of the Laughing Tree’s story, providing answers that fans have been waiting for. While the play itself may not be officially canon, especially as it will likely make some changes to Martin’s story, the author did work with the production, meaning that he likely provided information about his unfinished plans. After the books left this Game of Thrones mystery unsolved for decades, The Mad King has the chance to finally answer it.
The 2024 action-comedy Freaky Tales is a unique and hilarious anthology that brings together the lives of a handful of very different characters during one unusual night in Oakland, California, in 1987. Amid the cast of talented actors, including Pedro Pascal, Ben Mendelsohn, and Dominique Thorne, is a remarkable cameo from Tom Hanks.Arriving completely by surprise, he delivers a monologue that’s one of the film’s more captivating moments. While his appearance happened as a favor, it turned out to define the movie in many ways.
Tom Hanks Appears as a Video Store Clerk in ‘Freaky Tales’
The scene in question comes almost halfway through the movie, during the segment Born To Mack. Clint, played by Pascal, walks into a video store where the clerk (Hanks) is watching the basketball game that becomes pivotal toward the end of the film. An exchange about the game’s score leads to a conversation about underdogs and why we find them so compelling. Hanks, wearing thick-rimmed glasses and a shirt for a real-life Oakland donut shop, launches into his top five underdog movies.
He begins with the “obvious” choice, boxing classic Rocky, declaring that “it’s best just to get it out of the way.” He then lists Hoosiers, The Dirty Dozen, and The Verdict, before withholding the number one spot when he learns that Clint is not there for movie recommendations, but the private poker game in the back room. He does hint that it’s a 1979 film that Roger Ebert called “a cinematic miracle”, which fellow movie geeks will inform you refers to the drama Breaking Away.Clint is perplexed by the entire conversation, simply wanting to gain access to the poker game, and invokes the ire of the clerk by confessing he hasn’t seen most of the movies that are in his top five. It’s a delightful tonal pause in the film, but also one that is in keeping with its themes.
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The Scene Was Pure 80’s Nostalgia From an Icon of The Decade
It might seem odd that the multi-time Oscar winner would appear in a scrappy independent anthology, but the actor has some connections to both the film’s creators and its setting. Directors Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck worked with Tom Hanks on the TV series Masters of the Air, and wrote the cameo for him after learning that the star is something of a legend in Oakland, where the film is set. Growing up in the area, Hanks has publicly professed his love for the city’s baseball team, the Oakland A’s, and features on a mural in the city next to Too $hort, the musician who also stars in and executive produces the film.
The appearance is also a nod to a decade when the actor became a star. While he would become famous for prestige dramas such as Forrest Gump and Saving Private Ryan in the 90s, the 80s were where he became a household name with comedies that defined the cinematic era. Offbeat concepts like Big, The ‘Burbs, and Splash could be said to be in the ballpark of what Freaky Tales is inspired by, where reality and fantasy meet to create a fascinating story.
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Tom Hanks’ Speech Fits Perfectly With The Themes of ‘Freaky Tales’
Pedro Pascal in Freaky TalesImage via Lionsgate
The cameo also serves as something of a rallying cry for the movie’s characters, all of whom are battling overwhelming odds of some description. Clint himself is trying to break free of a life of organized crime; while in other chapters, Barbie (Dominique Thorne) and Entice (Normani) are looking to prove themselves as rappers on a big stage, and Tina (Ji-young Yoo) and Lucid (Jack Champion) are looking to defend themselves against attacks from Skinheads. As Hanks’ character says in his speech: “That’s why we love the underdogs, it’s a projection of ourselves. We’re all just a bunch of losers. We cannot kill Darth Vader, we cannot win a rumble against The Soc’s, and we definitely cannot beat L.A. And yet, the underdog believes they can achieve the impossible.”
By the time the movie ends, the film’s various underdogs have done just that, almost motivated by that assessment. Hanks is seen as a comforting voice in Hollywood history – he’s played Santa Claus, Mister Rogers, Walt Disney, and many other figures we associate with authority or hope in the world. As such, he’s the perfect person to offer this rallying cry, even if it is delivered in a more sour tone than we are used to.
The scene turned out to be one of the standout moments of Freaky Tales, as the surprise and affection many of us have for Hanks is fostered in the neon-lit walls of a video store. For a film so affectionate about the past, who better than one of Hollywood’s most beloved stars to underline its message.Freaky Tales is available to stream on HBO Max in the U.S.
Bravo recently released the trailer for the upcoming 17th season of “The Real Housewives of Atlanta.” In it, not only do fans get a taste of the drama between the cast, including some new ladies, but they’re also introduced to Porsha Williams’ two love interests. This comes as she is going steady in real time with one of the two people featured.
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Porsha Williams Was Dating Two People Amid ‘RHOA’ Season 17 Filming
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Bravo released the trailer for “RHOA” season 17 on February 24. The network teased the show, saying, “With fan favorites and new faces joining the mix, friendships are pushed to their limits. Atlanta is hotter, bolder, and more unpredictable than ever, and keeping it peachy is the ultimate challenge.”
In the trailer, longtime cast member Williams is seen navigating her life post-divorce from Simon Guobadia. She says as she sits on a man’s lap, “I didn’t expect God to send a six-five-tall man with big arms and tattoos.” After that, she then introduced her costars to whom she calls her “friend” Patrice “Sway” McKinney.
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Regarding her romantic life, the trailer then features Williams and McKinney seemingly discussing their future together, with McKinney mentioning not going overboard with playing the field.
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The Longtime ‘Housewives’ Star Had A Heated Exchange With Kelli Ferrell
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Elsewhere in the trailer, Williams appears to have a verbal altercation with one of her costars, Kelli Ferrell. Williams asked Ferrell, “You haven’t slept with a married man?” This prompts the second season “RHOA” star to say, “No, I have not,” before Williams asserts, “You absolutely did.”
Later, the ladies seem to be at a group dinner, and Ferrell can be heard saying that Williams had been romantically involved with “every Nigerian in Atlanta.” This part of the trailer then ended with Williams leaving the dinner, shouting down to Ferrell, “Sit the f–k down.”
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Fans Are Reacting To The Trailer & Porsha Williams’ Dating Life
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After the newly released trailer was released online, fans of the long-running Bravo series weighed in, with many commenting on Williams. One person joked, “Well damn Porsha. Just how many Nigerian men are in Atlanta?” Someone else said, “I’m so here for it. Porsha’s new boo, Kelli vs Porsha, Drew vs K Michelle, and so much more.”
Another “RHOA” fan questioned, “Was Porsha dating the Ready to Love guy with the beard….. tough times, I guess.” Someone else reacted to the trailer itself, writing, “Ohh this looks promising, I’m seated for the mess.” Finally, another person said, “Looks so good. Excited for the return of the Porsha show. Plus Phaedra’s first full season back and the iconic K Michelle.”
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The ‘RHOA’ Star Is In Love
In October 2025, PEOPLE reported that Williams spoke about her love life on a panel. She said at the time, “It’s been the hardest year of my life.” However, she later went Instagram official with her girlfriend, McKinney, with several photos and videos of them together, including on in front of a Christmas tree.
She said in the caption, “Happiest Birthday @sway_thepro. Hope this year continues to bring you everything you want and more! Can’t wait to act up Saturday!” Williams then spoke to Entertainment Tonight in December 2025 about the relationship. According to her, “So, we’ve been dating for a while now. You know, before I think I mentioned ‘he is nice, and she is nice,’ so I started to focus more on her, so we were dating pretty solidly, and Thanksgiving came around.”
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After that, Williams stated that they decided to spend Thanksgiving together, saying, “We had a bomb Thanksgiving.” Regarding the status of their relationship, she revealed, “We are very close. Definitely still dating. We’re exclusive. I don’t want to put too much pressure on it. You know, I move really fast. The next time you see me, I might be engaged.”
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The New Season Premieres In April
According to Deadline, season 17 of “The Real Housewives of Atlanta” premieres on April 5. In addition to Williams and Ferrell, the show’s full-time cast includes returnees Phaedra Parks, Drew Sidora, Shamea Morton Mwangi, and Angela Oakley. The new peach-holders for the season are singer K. Michelle and restaurateur Pinky Cole. Cynthia Bailey is also returning as a friend of the show.
Aside from providing a look into Williams’ love life, the “RHOA” season 17 trailer is jam-packed with drama, laughs, and instances of the cast sharing genuine personal struggles. Oakley can be heard saying in the clip, “It’s been the hardest year of my life.”
State of the Union Trump Honors Charlie Kirk … Erika Emotional in Audience
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During the State of the Union on Tuesday night, President Donald Trump paid tribute to the late right-wing political advocate Charlie Kirk, who was publicly killed last year … saying there should be no political violence of any kind as Charlie’s wife, Erika Kirk, is seen getting emotional in the audience.
While Trump was honoring those whose stories have impacted our country recently, he took a moment to honor who he called his “great friend, Charlie Kirk.” As the broadcast panned to Erika in the audience, tears filled her eyes as the president described the fatal last moments Charlie lived.
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Erika wiped away tears as members of the audience took to their feet and applauded for her late husband. Trump addressed the nation in regards to Charlie’s death, saying we must remember we are “one nation, under God” and must “totally reject political violence of any kind.”
As we previously reported … the conservative commentator died after being shot in the neck on a college campus in September 2025. Donald Trump announced his death on social media, shortly after Charlie was rushed to a nearby hospital.
Kirk had died after sustaining injuries from a shooting at the Utah Valley University campus in Orem, UT, during a Q&A with students where hundreds of people, including some protesters, had gathered.
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Kirk was a devoted ally of President Donald Trump … promoting election fraud misinformation after the 2020 election. He also appeared before a House Committee on the January 6 riots because Turning Point sent several buses to the rally. He pleaded the Fifth to questions posed by the committee, though his team said they did hand over thousands of documents.
Charlie is survived by his two young children, along with Erika, who has since taken over as CEO of Charlie’s non-profit organization, “Turning Point USA.”
Michael B. Jordan is reportedly “repulsed” after a racial slur was hurled at him and his “Sinners” co-star Delroy Lindo during their presentation at the BAFTAs.
The incident, which was perpetrated by Tourette’s syndrome campaigner John Davidson, is understood to have left the Hollywood actor’s parents in tears.
John Davidson has since garnered backlash on social media for his outburst, with actor Jamie Foxx calling his action “unacceptable.”
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Michael B. Jordan Is ‘Repulsed’ After Being Called The N-Word By A Tourette’s Campaigner At The BAFTAs
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Michael B. Jordan is understandably taken aback after suffering racial abuse at the 79th British Academy Film Awards (BAFTAs) over the weekend.
As the event proceeded, Jordan and fellow black actor Delroy Lindo took to the stage to present the award for Best Visual Effects to “Avatar: Fire and Ash.”
However, just as they began their segment, Tourette syndrome campaigner John Davidson hurled the N-word at them, leaving other show attendees at London’s Royal Festival Hall in shock.
While BAFTA host Alan Cumming quickly addressed the room to note Davidson’s remark was an involuntary one because of his condition, it appears the emotional toll it took on Jordan and his family was immediate, with a source telling Metro that the actor is “disgusted and repulsed” by the outburst.
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“Michael had to do extensive research into the horrific psychological effects of racism to prepare for ‘Sinners,’ so he was disgusted, repulsed, and grossed out by John’s outburst,” the insider told the news outlet.
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John Davidson’s Outburst Made The Actor’s Day Worse
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In the horror film set in 1932 Mississippi, Jordan plays the dual role of criminal twin brothers Smoke and Stack, who return home to start a juke joint only to be confronted by a supernatural evil.
To play the role effectively, the insider who spoke to Metro noted that he “read works by savants like Joy DeGruy Leary to prepare for the role, so the incident really reminded him about how much work has to be done to drive racism underground.”
To top it off, the incident couldn’t have come at a worse time, as the source said that Jordan was already “having a difficult day” after getting wind of “an upsetting incident” in the Atlanta area. Hence, Davidson’s remark “just made it worse.”
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“But, he is having a great year and won’t let this stop him. He’s focused on his new movie, The Thomas Crown Affair,” the source shared.
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Michael B. Jordan’s Family Was Left Shaken By The Incident
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While the live audience was stunned, social media outrage intensified when it was discovered that the BBC failed to edit the slur out despite removing a director’s plea to “free Palestine” elsewhere in the broadcast.
The program remained on the BBC iPlayer for hours before it was eventually removed.
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According to the news outlet, Jordan’s parents were left in tears after watching their sad encounter with the sad incident.
“His mum and dad broke down in tears when they saw what happened to him and Delroy, and it has been a horrible 48 hours for the family,” the insider said.
They continued, “Michael’s community in Newark was part of the Great Migration, which literally happened because Black people were being terrorised in the South. Seeing Michael and Delroy being called that word up there really hurt their loved ones, and so everyone is trying their best to support each other.”
“He postponed some plans in London to spend time with his parents as he recovers,” the source added.
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John Davidson Has Addressed His BAFTAs Raical Outburst
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Tourette’s syndrome is a neurological disorder that causes a person to make involuntary, repetitive movements or sounds called tics, and Davidson’s case seems to be more complicated as he suffers from coprolalia, which is a symptom that makes him involuntarily say socially unacceptable words or phrases, like when he famously shouted “f-ck the Queen” at Queen Elizabeth II in 2019.
Davidson released a statement on Monday expressing remorse for his outburst while adding that he’s “deeply mortified if anyone considers my involuntary tics to be intentional or to carry any meaning.”
He also thanked BAFTA for announcing to everyone that his tics are “involuntary and are not a reflection of my personal beliefs.”
“I was in attendance to celebrate the film of my life, I Swear, which, more than any film or TV documentary, explains the origins, condition, traits, and manifestations of Tourette Syndrome,” he continued. “I have spent my life trying to support and empower the Tourette’s community and to teach empathy, kindness, and understanding from others, and I will continue to do so.”
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The Tourette’s Advocate Was Criticized By Actor Jamie Foxx
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In his statement, Davidson revealed that he made the choice to leave the event, as he became aware of how his tics were affecting people around him.
“I chose to leave the auditorium early in the ceremony as I was aware of the distress my tics were causing,” Davidson said.
However, he still garnered social media backlash from some individuals, with actor Jamie Foxx labeling his behavior as “unacceptable.”
“Out of all the words you could’ve said, Tourette’s makes you say that. Nah, he meant that sh-t. Unacceptable,” the Oscar winner said.
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The BAFTAs and BBC have since apologized for the incident, especially for failing to edit out the slur before it aired.
Texas Representative Al Green was ejected from the 2026 State of the Union for protesting against President Donald Trump’s shared AI-generated social media video featuring Barack and Michelle Obama.
During the Tuesday, February 24, address to Congress, Green, 78, held a sign that read, “Black People Aren’t Apes!” as Trump, 79, and his associates stepped inside the House of Representatives. Green’s protest referred to Trump posting and subsequently deleting a 62-second clip that depicted Barack, 64, and Michelle, 62, as apes in a jungle earlier this month.
Green’s sign, written in underlined black marker against a white background, remained held high despite Majority Leader Steven Scalise attempting to pull it out of sight.
Several other members of Congress, including fellow Texan Troy Nehis, also tried to block Green’s sign from being filmed as part of the annual event’s live TV coverage but were unsuccessful as the sign remained in sight as Trump took to the podium.
President Donald Trump has reacted to Barack Obama‘s claim that aliens are real. Claiming his presidential predecessor overstepped national security rules, Trump, 79, told Fox News on Thursday, February 19, that Obama, 64, “gave classified information.” “He’s not supposed to be doing that,” Trump added. “I don’t know if they’re real or not. I can […]
A few minutes later, Green was escorted out of the room as a chant of “U.S.A, U.S.A, U.S.A” and applause was heard.
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Green told members of the media after he left the State of the Union that he would “do it again” if he were given the chance. In an X video shared by C-SPAN network, he said, “As you know, the President has depicted a former President and First Lady as apes. The behavior has been declared racist by a good many people but I don’t think the President has really received the message that it’s unacceptable. He seems to think that he can do these things with impunity.”
Al GreenChip Somodevilla/Getty Images
Green continued, “Tonight, I wanted him to have a person confront him and let him know that Black people are not apes. That Black people are not going to tolerate this kind of behavior. I don’t speak for everybody but I speak for people of good will who understand that if you tolerate this kind of behavior, you perpetuate it. I refuse to tolerate this level of hate that the President is, in fact, putting into policy.”
He added that “we must take a stand against this level of invidious discrimination” and that Green’s drive led him to intentionally make Trump “know it and see it.”
Green told the cameras that he believed his mission was successful. “Judging by the expression on his [Trump’s] face, he got the message, he saw it,” Green reflected.
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A February 6 article by CNN reported that Trump “refused to apologize” for posting the AI video, “blaming a staffer for the mistake.”
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Reporting on a press conference that occurred on Air Force One, the President’s official aircraft, Trump said at the time, “I looked at the beginning of it. It was fine,” referring to the section that made claims about alleged fraud in voting machines. “It was a very strong post in terms of voter fraud. Nobody knew that that was in the end. If they would have looked, they would have seen it, and probably they would have had the sense to take it down.”
Trump concluded, per the outlet, “Somebody slipped and missed a very small part … I didn’t make a mistake.”
Thriller movies have been around since practically the very beginning of cinema, but the filmmakers of the 1980s made significant contributions to the genre that have helped make it what it is today. Defined by their slick aesthetics, gritty narratives, and intense explorations of violence and human psychology, these movies now rank among the most popular and celebrated of all time, but not all of them started that way. In fact, many of the most beloved ’80s thrillers were ill-received in their day, but have since grown into widely appreciated cultural landmarks.
That’s really quite an achievement, because not all classics that were well-received still hold up in front of modern audiences. Whether it’s because of stereotypical characterizations or dated moral arguments, so many once-popular films have become practically unwatchable for audiences today. But read on, and you’ll discover our handpicked selection of some truly timeless ‘80s thriller movies that have aged like fine wine, becoming increasingly resonant with the passage of time.
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‘The Thing’ (1982)
Image via Universal Pictures
Directed by John Carpenter and written by Bill Lancaster, The Thing is a sci-fi horror thriller based on John W. Campbell Jr.’s 1938 novella Who Goes There? Set in an Antarctic research base, the film follows a group of American researchers who encounter a shapeshifting alien life-form and soon descend into paranoia as they suspect each other of being the “Thing” in disguise. Kurt Russell leads the ensemble cast, with A. Wilford Brimley, T. K. Carter, David Clennon, Keith David, Richard Dysart, Charles Hallahan, Peter Maloney, Richard Masur, Donald Moffat, Joel Polis, and Thomas G. Waites in supporting roles
When it was first released in 1982, The Thing was critically panned and failed at the box office, though it did earn some praise even then for its impressive special effects. However, it’s only with the passage of time that the film has become appreciated as the masterpiece it is. Blending psychological storytelling and character drama with intriguing sci-fi concepts, the film is now regarded as one of the greatest horror films of all time, and it was selected for preservation in the National Film Registry in 2025.
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7
‘Blade Runner’ (1982)
Harrison Ford in Blade RunnerImage via Warner Bros.
Directed by Ridley Scott, Blade Runner is a dystopian sci-fi thriller adapted from Philip K. Dick‘s 1968 novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? Set in a futuristic Los Angeles where synthetic humans called replicants are bio-engineered to work on space colonies, the movie stars Harrison Ford as former cop Rick Deckard, who is hired to hunt down a group of fugitive replicants who have escaped back to Earth. Rutger Hauer, Sean Young, and Edward James Olmos star in other key roles.
In its day, Blade Runner was a box office disappointment and a highly divisive film among critics, earning praise for its complexity and visuals and criticism for its lack of action. Since then, however, the film has been re-evaluated as a sci-fi masterpiece, a successful synthesis of the cyberpunk and neo-noir genres that laid the foundations for several subsequent works. In 1993, the movie was selected for preservation in the National Film Registry, and it was followed by a sequel, Blade Runner 2049, in 2017, as well as a trilogy of short films and a 2021 anime series, Blade Runner: Black Lotus.
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6
‘Scarface’ (1983)
Image via Universal Pictures
Directed by Brian De Palma and written by Oliver Stone, Scarface is a crime thriller starring Al Pacino as Cuban refugee-turned-crime lord Tony Montana. A remake of the 1932 film, the movie chronicles Tony’s rise to the top of Miami’s drug trade and subsequent fall caused by his own ego and paranoia. Besides Pacino, the film also stars Michelle Pfeiffer, Steven Bauer, Robert Loggia, and Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio in lead roles.
Scarface was a box office hit in its day, but it was also widely panned by critics for its violence, profanity, and perceived offenses against the Cuban-American community. Later generations, however, have been more accepting of its characters as individuals and not a representation of the community as a whole, and its brutal, hyper-violent narrative style has become a benchmark for gangster tragedies. Masterfully directed and impeccably performed, Scarface is now regarded as one of the greatest crime films ever made, and the role of Tony Montana is easily one of Pacino’s most iconic.
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5
‘The Terminator’ (1984)
Image via Orion Pictures
Directed and co-written by James Cameron, The Terminator is a sci-fi action thriller starring Arnold Schwarzenegger as the titular character, a cyborg assassin from a dystopian future. The ruthless killing machine is sent back in time to kill Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton), a woman whose child is destined to be a hero in the fight against the hostile AI Skynet, but it’s followed by human soldier Kyle Reese (Michael Biehn), who attempts to protect her and preserve the timeline. The movie also features Lance Henriksen, Paul Winfield, and Earl Boen in supporting roles.
The Terminator is now regarded as a decade-defining film of the 1980s, but its critical reception at the time of its premiere was mixed at best. It was, however, a huge box office success, amassing a massive fan following and establishing James Cameron as one of cinema’s most popular filmmakers. Since then, The Terminator has spawned a successful multimedia franchise that includes multiple sequels, games, TV shows, and comics. In 2008, the movie was selected for preservation in the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress.
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4
‘A Nightmare on Elm Street’ (1984)
Freddy Krueger (Robert Englund) smiling and holding his gloved hand out in A Nightmare on Elm StreetImage via New Line Cinema
A supernatural slasher film, A Nightmare on Elm Street was written and directed by Wes Craven, and it’s most notable for being the movie that introduced the iconic horror character Freddy Krueger. Set in a suburban town, the film revolves around a group of teenagers who are stalked by the monstrous villain (played by Robert Englund), who kills people by entering their dreams. The movie stars Heather Langenkamp, John Saxon, Ronee Blakley, and Johnny Depp in his film debut.
A Nightmare on Elm Street was a critical and commercial success when it first hit screens in 1984, launching the franchise that now includes six sequels, a remake, a TV show, and a crossover film with the Friday the 13th franchise. A surreal horror film that expertly walks the line between dream and reality, the movie’s reputation and following have steadily grown over the decades, and it’s widely regarded as one of the greatest slasher films ever made. The film has had an undeniable impact on the horror movie genre, and it was selected for preservation in the National Film Registry in 2021.
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3
‘Manhunter’ (1986)
Brian Cox as Hannibal Lektor in ManhunterImage via De Laurentiis Entertainment Group
Written and directed by Michael Mann, Manhunter is a crime thriller film adapted from Thomas Harris’s 1981 novel Red Dragon, most noted for being the first movie to feature Harris’s iconic villain, Dr. Hannibal Lecter (spelled “Lecktor” in the film). Starring William Petersen as FBI profiler Will Graham and Brian Cox as Lecktor, the film follows Graham on an investigation into a deadly serial killer, which forces him to seek advice from the incarcerated Lecktor, whom he captured after a traumatic attack. The movie also stars Tom Noonan, Dennis Farina, Kim Greist, Joan Allen, and Stephen Lang.
Though 1991’s The Silence of the Lambs was the movie that made Hannibal Lecter a pop culture icon, Brian Cox’s performance as the character was one of the few things critics liked about Manhunter when it first premiered in 1986. The movie was a box office bomb and didn’t receive much favorable attention back then, but it has since built a cult following and been re-evaluated as a brilliant work of psychological storytelling. With its uniquely stylish visuals, pulse-pounding music, and nuanced performances, Manhunter is now regarded as one of Michael Mann’s greatest films and one of the best psychological thrillers of the 1980s.
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2
‘Predator’ (1987)
The Predator, in the jungle at night, ready for battle in Predator (1987)Image via 20th Century Studios
Directed by John McTiernan and written by Jim and John Thomas, Predator is a classic sci-fi action horror movie starring Arnold Schwarzenegger as Alan “Dutch” Schaefer, who leads an elite paramilitary unit into a Central American rainforest. Tasked with rescuing a local cabinet minister on behalf of the CIA, the team finds themselves stalked by an alien hunter who picks them off one by one using its advanced technology and unmatched brutality. Besides Schwarzenegger, the movie also stars Elpidia Carrillo, Carl Weathers, Richard Chaves, Sonny Landham, Bill Duke, Jesse Ventura, and Shane Black, with Kevin Peter Hall as the Predator.
Despite mixed reviews, Predator was a massive box office success in its day and went on to earn an Academy Award nomination for its brilliant visual effects. Retrospectively hailed as one of the best films of the decade, the movie has had a profound impact on pop culture and spawned a successful media franchise that includes multiple films, novels, video games, and more. Sharply directed, highly suspenseful, and anchored by Schwarzenegger’s charismatic lead performance, the original Predator is now regarded as one of the greatest action movies ever made, and it’s still a favorite of audiences worldwide.
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1
‘Die Hard’ (1988)
Bruce Willis, playing John McClane, crawls through a duct with a lighter in Die Hard.Image via 20th Century Studios
Also directed by John McTiernan, Die Hard is an action thriller based on Roderick Thorp’s 1979 novel Nothing Lasts Forever. Starring Bruce Willis, the film follows NYC detective John McClane (Willis) on a Christmas Eve trip to Los Angeles, where he hopes to reunite with his estranged wife (Bonnie Bedelia). But John’s plans go out the window when he finds himself caught up in a hostage situation orchestrated by the charismatic international criminal Hans Gruber (Alan Rickman). The movie also stars Reginald VelJohnson, Paul Gleason, De’voreaux White, William Atherton, and more in key roles.
Like most of the movies on this list, Die Hard wasn’t exactly a critical darling when it first premiered in 1988, but it became a big commercial success and went on to earn four Academy Award nominations. Now hailed as one of the greatest action movies of all time, the film is a gripping, suspenseful actioner with sharp humor, punchy one-liners, and captivating performances, particularly by Willis and Rickman. The movie’s reputation has only grown in the years since its release, and it has since spawned a massive franchise that includes four sequels, though the first is still the best.
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