Days of Our Lives has EJ DiMera (Dan Feuerriegel) stuck and he can’t seem to catch a lucky break with any of his schemes. His sister Lexie Carver (Nikki Crawford) is sick again, and Dr. Wilhelm Rolf (Richard Wharton) doesn’t know how to save her.

Cat Greene (AnnaLynne McCord) is honeypotting him when EJ’s got a huge legitimate crush on her. Kristen DiMera (Stacy Haiduk) is being problematic, plus EJ’s being investigated left and right, and now the shady DiMera Enterprises Pharmaceuticals Coriseal problem. So now I’m kind of wondering if Clyde Weston (James Read) might have set him up. We’re going to get into EJ and the possible plot involving villainous Clyde.

Days of Our Lives: The Coriseal Crisis

Now, let’s talk about it. So, EJ was recently told by his trusty and totally scary right-hand woman that when their pharmaceutical division produced that arsenic-tainted batch of Coriseal, the head of the pharma division had it buried out on Smith Island. So all the bad pills went out on this island, which is bad enough, especially with Holly Jonas (Ashley Puzemis) sick when she just was out there.

And on top of Lexie’s issues, EJ is soon going to find out DiMera money was used for the Titan Industries loan payoff. What’s bizarre is that the loan was bought by a company that does capital lending and buys up loans called AR Capital. And with the hint that it’s DiMera money, I’m wondering if it’s Kristen who got Titan’s loan. The A could be for Aramé, where Kristen’s family is from and where her mom lives. And the R could be for Rachel, the name of both Kristen’s mom and daughter.

Days of our Lives: EJ’s Losing it All

So, things are on the cusp of falling apart for EJ on many fronts, both personal and professional, and he just had to bring his co-CEO son Johnny DiMera (Carson Boatman) into the loop on the Coriseal problem. I was surprised that EJ was actually transparent with his son. Like truly transparent. He actually told Johnny the truth that arsenic might be in the groundwater out on Smith Island and that Holly could have been poisoned by the DiMera drugs buried there.

She’s the only one who got sick on that trip. Arianna Hernandez (Vico Escorcia), Tate Black (Leo Howard), and others were mostly boozing it up while Holly was guzzling tainted water out of the tap and that made her sick. So Tate and the others thought initially that Holly might have the stomach flu or that it was side effects from her new anti-depressants. But Dr. Sarah Horton (Linsey Godfrey) found Coriseal in Holly’s bloodstream along with the anti-depressant prescription medication.

Holly Saved on Days of our Lives

Thankfully, Tate, Arianna, and others rushed Holly to the hospital for emergency treatment. And then she started having seizures. Brady Black (Eric Martsolf) and Sarah were already looking into DiMera Enterprises Pharmaceuticals because of the sisters Destiny and Clea who both died and both took Coriseal.

Destiny went to the clinic with severe nausea and she told Sarah she had headache and pain, similar symptoms to what Holly has right now. But Sarah never got to do any more testing because Destiny got really upset and ran out of the clinic. And then of course she ended up dying in Horton Square on her way back to the hospital to see Sarah. And we had Xander Cook Kiriakis (Paul Telfer) and Sarah there both trying to help her. Javi Hernandez (Jacob Martinez) showed up trying to help. But sadly it was too late.

Days of our Lives: Sarah Hunts for Answers

So, now Sarah’s on a mission to find out why her patient died and why Destiny’s sister died as well. And of course EJ knows that Sarah is involved since he eavesdropped on her and Brady talking about the Coriseal and DiMera Enterprises Pharmaceuticals. So EJ is going to ask Johnny to do some snooping in Sarah’s office later this week. Neither EJ nor Johnny wants Holly to die. They do want answers. But they’re also engaging in a cleanup.

EJ told Johnny that somebody else handled the drug disposal and he didn’t follow up. It was the head of the pharma division if I recall correctly. But it really doesn’t matter now on Days of our Lives. There are two deaths that we know of and Holly could be the third. And somebody’s clearly doing a cover up as well.

Sarah asked Xander to take a peek at the DiMera Enterprises Pharmaceuticals files he still had access to after the Titan merger fell through. But he noticed all the files that he needed to look at had vanished. So, somebody was erasing the evidence in real time.

Back to EJ. He insisted to Johnny that even though the bad batch was taken off the shelves, this was the first time EJ learned about the dangerous disposal of the opioid. And he admitted that he dropped the ball somewhat by not following up.

And this week, Brady goes to get a water sample from the Horton cabin and somebody’s watching from the hedges nearby and it may be the guy who disposed of it to start with or a DiMera henchman.

Days of Our Lives: The Clyde Connection

So, on Thursday, EJ finds out something is amiss on Smith Island. So, he may go out there himself to poke around. EJ’s got a vested interest in sorting this out, not only because of massive legal liability and possible criminal charges. But also because his ex-stepdaughter Holly may be dying.

And I also wonder if somebody behind the scenes knew that Xander was poking around and paid the Titan loan off. They might have done it to force him to stop poking around on Sarah’s behalf. So, we’ll see. But right now, I’m still feeling like it might be Kristen that is behind AR Capital. We’ll find out. But also, lots of fans on soap social media seem to think Clyde Weston is involved in this arsenic situation because he had a long history with dirty drugs.

Clyde was running drug operations from Missouri all the way up to Salem. And also, he hates EJ and the Coriseal was tainted before Clyde was shot and put into that coma. So, he might have tainted the supply to mess with EJ for revenge. And at the same time, Clyde might have even stolen some untainted Coriseal to sell in his drug ring.

Days of our Lives: EJ’s Connection to Clyde

And remember years ago, EJ, who was played by James Scott, was involved with Clyde’s illicit drug business. So Clyde had been encroaching on the drug rings territory, and he got really angry at EJ. And then Clyde had one of his henchmen kill him. And of course, EJ’s not so dead, which is typical for a DiMera.

So, it’s honestly not a stretch that Clyde could have tampered with the original Coriseal batch after EJ returned from the dead, but before Clyde was shot. That’s what we last heard, that he was still in a coma, but maybe not, you know.

Days of our Lives: Clyde Has the Answers People Want

And Smith Island has been a recurring isolated setting on the soap for years. And it’s a place that was used many times for shady dealings by Clyde and the DiMeras. So, it’s not a random choice of location. Plus, Chad DiMera (Connor Floyd) has been hoping that Clyde would come out of the coma and tell them where Abigail Deveraux DiMera’s (Marci Miller) remains were located. If she is really dead, we don’t know. Lots of fan theories on that, too. But Clyde may already be out of his coma and lurking, and they just need to find him. I think that could be fun. Obviously, EJ would hate it.

And even if Clyde hasn’t woken up from his coma, the timing still works out for him to have been involved with tainting the Coriseal supply. Yes, he might have done that to do EJ dirty. Clyde would not care a bit how many people died if he tainted a drug supply. And in fact, the more people that died, the better because it would make it that much worse on EJ. That would make Clyde really happy because we know exactly how much he despises EJ. And of course, the feeling is mutual. So, we’ll see how it goes.

Social media users are crackin’ UP at a clip of Kevin Gates pushing a fan who ran up on him trying to snap a picture.

RELATED: That’s How You Feel? Kevin Gates Upgrades Jelenny Tejada’s Wedding Ring After Calling Out Dreka & Alleged Tea Behind Their Divorce

More On The Video Of Kevin Gates Pushing Fan Who Ran Up On Him To Snap A Picture

On Tuesday, June 30, The Shade Room obtained footage of Kevin Gates reportedly out and about in Los Angeles, California. In the clip, Gates appeared to be walking while surrounded by fans when he noticed a female run up toward him then turn back seemingly smiling and throwing her fingers up for the camera.

As the flash of the camera struck, then came Gates’ hand, pushing the fan from his side.

Social Media Users Are Crackin’ UP At Video Of Him Pushing Fan Who Ran Up

Social media users were crackin’ UP in TSR’s comment section at the video of Kevin Gates pushing the fan.

Before Kevin Gates Pushed The Fan Asking Him For A Picture, He Showed Love To BroRilla

Before Kevin Gates made headlines by pushing a fan who asked for a picture, he was showing love to GloRilla’s sister, Victoria Woods. As The Shade Room previously reported, in February, Woods shared a voice note she apparently received from Gates. The post, which was initially shared on Facebook, has now been deleted. However, in the audio, he told her, “Your video had just came across my desk. I just wanted to tell you something: I really appreciate you, bruh. Thank you. And I’m flattered. Like, that really mean a lot to me. S**t whenever you wanna meet me bruh… whenever.”

RELATED: Celeb Love! Kevin Gates Appears To Show GloRilla’s Sister Victoria Woods Support Amid Her Spicy Exchanges With Lil Pump, The Game & Others

ClassPass has become one of the most-talked-about names in fitness as the $30 billion US health and fitness industry keeps expanding. Here is how the subscription works, what it costs and why users say it actually keeps them moving.

How Does ClassPass Work in 2026?

ClassPass is a subscription that gives members access to thousands of studios and classes in their city through a single app, using a credit system rather than unlimited access. Members buy a set number of credits each month and spend them on classes they book.

Popular boutique sessions can cost up to 9 credits, while general classes may run as low as 1 or 2. ClassPass launched in 2013 with a flat $45 monthly fee for five classes regardless of type or location, but pricing now varies by market. The company partners with more than 8,500 studios across 50-plus cities. As of January 2025, 94% of users were brand-new to the venues they booked through ClassPass, a sign the app is steering members toward studios they would not have found on their own. The broader fitness industry has grown 3 to 4% annually for the past decade, with boutique studios now driving more than 35% of revenue.

Why Does ClassPass Keep Members Coming Back?

Variety, not any single workout, is what keeps members committed, according to Jeff Bladt, senior vice president of pricing and marketplace at ClassPass parent company Playlist.

“All those fundamental problems that prevent people from forming a fitness habit, ClassPass solves,” Bladt told Forbes. He pointed to price, discovery and availability as the biggest friction points that stop people from sticking with a routine. The credit system also creates urgency. A member with 40 credits and a month to use them has to plan ahead, and the “use it or lose it” structure pushes members to catch up after a missed week rather than walk away. Bladt describes fitness as a “habit-forming frequency thing,” and the product is built around that behavior. Locking users into one studio or modality, he argues, may produce short-term commitment but long-term fatigue. The pattern Playlist sees is members starting with yoga, shifting to Pilates, trying strength training and dabbling in recovery services.

What Classes and Services Can You Book on ClassPass?

ClassPass members can book yoga, Pilates, spin and boxing alongside newer favorites like HIIT, Barre and dance cardio. The app also surfaces trending formats such as aerial yoga and extends beyond fitness into recovery services like massage and meditation, plus beauty appointments including nails and haircuts.

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That breadth lines up with what research has flagged as the fastest-growing fitness activities of 2017, including event-style classes, equipment-based classes, HIIT, Barre, yoga and HIIT small group training. Writer Alina Tang said in a piece for Medium that she had tried more than 30 different studios since signing up, sampling yoga, spin, boxing, Pilates, Zumba and bootcamps. “It wasn’t until I started using ClassPass that I discovered the joy of exercise,” she wrote. “Not simply for results, but for pure pleasure.”

How Much Does ClassPass Cost?

ClassPass pricing varies by city and runs on credits rather than a flat unlimited rate. When the company launched in 2013, members paid $45 a month for five classes regardless of class type or location.

That model has been replaced by tiered credit packages, where members choose how many credits they want each month and spend them on the classes they book. The cost per class varies, with high-demand boutique sessions sitting at the top of the range and standard offerings priced significantly lower. Pricing also flexes by location since ClassPass operates in more than 50 cities and partners with over 8,500 studios, so the same package may unlock different numbers of classes in different markets. The monthly credit structure gives members a built-in target and a deadline to use what they paid for, which Playlist’s Jeff Bladt has described as central to how the product reinforces a fitness habit.

The Supreme Court has shot down Donald Trump’s bid to dismantle birthright citizenship. The proposal declared that children born to immigrants in the United States are not American citizens.

RELATED: Whew, Chile! Donald Trump Sparks STRONG Reactions After Sharing Side-By-Side Throwback Photos Of Himself & Barack Obama

Supreme Court Rules Against Donald Trump’s Executive Order

On Tuesday, June 30, the Supreme Court ruled against Trump’s executive order challenging the 14th Amendment. It declared that children born to people in the country illegally are not U.S. citizens, according to PBS News. The 14th Amendment was created in part to establish formally enslaved people as citizens.

“All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside,” reads the ruling. 

Roomies React To Trump’s Loss

Instagram user @itsgemaaaduhhh_ replied, “Lmfao he’s going to stroke out ! Please keep making him mad.”

President Trump Recently Made Headlines By Way Of Barack Obama

Obama went on to say that during his two presidencies, he didn’t have time to be bothered by his predecessors, and he dragged Trump for filth in the process.

“Look, first of all, when I was president, the last thing I had time to do
was worry about what somebody said or what my predecessor did,” he added. “They’re gone, I’ve got work to do… Look, kind of worrying about that is a strange thing to me. It shows me somebody who’s not focused on the American people and the job they’re supposed to do.”

RELATED: Barack Obama Calls Out Trump For Being Obsessed With His Family & Explains His High-Road Approach (VIDEOS)

General Hospital indicates that WSB director Ross Cullum (Andrew Hawkes) about to see his time run out, and my guess is that it’s far more likely he will be killed than arrested. Our leaker says he is doomed to die. And if he goes out, as we expect, the big question is who takes that monster out.

We’re going to talk about who in Port Charles would love to kill evil double agent Cullum and end his reign of terror once and for all.

General Hospital: Cullum’s Crimes Unravel

So, already this week on General Hospital, we saw Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard) telling Alexis Davis (Nancy Lee Grahn) that director Cullum is the one who stabbed Marco Rios (Adrian Anchondo) to death. And then we saw Cullum telling Cassius Faison (Ryan Paevey) that he had better hustle over to that house and kill Jenz Sidwell (Carlo Rota). Make sure he doesn’t leave the place. And he said to do it before the PCPD sends in the cops to arrest Sidwell.

Before the authorities burst into the house, Sidwell told Ezra Boyle (Daniel Cosgrove) that he wanted him to publicly out Cullum as a double agent. Now, he might kill Ezra for that, but I don’t think the other guy cares. But then the cops burst in and Sidwell outed Cassius, who had no choice then but to turn his gun on Detective Joe Fitzpatrick (Jonathan Bennett). And at this point, Cassius is going to have to just get Sidwell out of there. And if Cassius is smart, and I think he is, you know, he’d kill Sidwell and take off, but he’s not that smart. So, we’ll see.

General Hospital: Cassius Exposed

At this point, it looks like Cassius may need to abandon Cullum, Sidwell, and Port Charles and just get the heck out of there because Joe isn’t going to sit on that secret. Ezra might, but the Joe won’t. Even worse, this week, Liesl Obrecht (Kathleen Gati) completes the Cold Fusion prototype, and that was what Cullum was waiting on.

General Hospital summer spoilers say the WSB baddie wants to take it and run because Cullum’s got plans to do dastardly things with it. So, things are crashing down for Sidwell, Cullum, and Cassius right now. And with how evil Cullum is, I’m pretty sure that he’s more likely to be killed than he is to be prosecuted through the criminal justice system. And it’s long overdue.

General Hospital: Who Will Kill Cullum?

So, let’s talk about who gets to do the honors and take him out because there is a whole list of people queuing up to kill that WSB creep. Anna Devane (Finola Hughes) is top of that list. Now, you would think Jason Morgan (Steve Burton), but I suspect Cullum might be dead before Jason is back to Port Charles because he’s supposed to be back on screen, but in Indonesia first, which is where the WSB has him. And honestly, I really hope it’s Anna that does it. She deserves to be the one to kill Cullum after everything he did to her.

The gaslighting to make her believe Cesar Faison (Anders Hove) was alive, using Cassius to help convince her, and then of course causing those hallucinations. Plus, Cullum orchestrated Anna’s captivity in France. It was all very diabolical. Of course, all to buy time for Finola Hughes’ long vacation. But Cullum masterminded her downfall and now Anna is on her way back. And I hope she’s the one who takes him out.

General Hospital: Cassius Reaching His Breaking Point

Cassius is next on the list because Cullum just threatened Cassius’ mom, Liesl, and he also threatened Josslyn Jacks (Eden McCoy). So, at this point, Cassius wants to stop Cullum. And if Cassius finds out Cullum tricked him into sending poison medication to his sister Britt Westbourne (Kelly Thiebaud), I think he’d put a bullet in Cullum right then.

Cassius might figure it out since Joe just told him they tested Britt’s syringe from her room and it was just saline. So, Cassius may not figure out that the new meds are poison, but that something is off and Cullum has been messing with Britt and of course kidnapped his mom, Liesl. And now with Sidwell forcing Cassius’ hand and exposing him to the detective, it seems likely that Cullum may come after Cassius also. He’s another loose end that Cullum wants to tie off. That’s what the WSB director seems to be doing when he’s promising Jack Brennan (Chris McKenna) a quick death at Turning Woods this week.

General Hospital: Sonny Can’t Wait to End Sidwell & Cullum

Sonny is another person high on the list of who wants to kill Cullum. In fact, he wants to take out both villains, Cullum and Sidwell. And I could see Sonny and Ethan Lovett (Nathan Dean Parsons) giving Sidwell and Cullum a ride out to the Pine Barons and putting them six feet under. Since Justine Turner (Nazneen Contractor) just told Sonny that she would prosecute him if he kills Sidwell, it’s best if there’s no bodies found. That way she can’t follow through. And Sonny’s pretty good at that.

Plus, he knows Cullum killed Marco, which is a crime that Sidwell tried to pin on Sonny. And of course, there’s a Sidwell versus Sonny big boss battle confirmed in General Hospital summer spoilers that come soon, but I don’t know if Cullum’s involved. However, Sonny may take care of his Sidwell problem very soon. And then Sonny could focus on Cullum who has now kidnapped his ex-stepdaughter Josslyn. And with Carly Corinthos (Laura Wright) facing off with Cullum this week, Sonny would definitely whack him for harming Carly if Cullum isn’t killed in that confrontation.

General Hospital: Sidwell Desperate to Avenge Marco

Sidwell is another contender in the who-may-kill-Cullum list, his former partner in crime. And at this point, if Lucas Jones (Van Hansis) runs into Sidwell again, he has no reason to keep the secret. I suspect Lucas would tell Sidwell that Cullum stabbed Marco to death. And if Sidwell found that out, he would lose his whole entire mind and go after Cullum immediately and brutally. It’s ironic since Sidwell’s grief has him distracted. And that’s why Cullum wants Cassius to kill him when it is Cullum who caused the grief by killing Marco that’s distracting him. Kind of full circle nonsense.

General Hospital: Carly Faces Off with Cullum

Carly is next on the list. She will do anything to protect her kids and she knows Josslyn’s being held by Cullum at Wyndemere and Joss honestly could be killed at any moment. So, Carly’s determined to get Joss out of there and she’s facing off with Cullum this week.

Plus, he’s a danger to Valentin Cassadine (James Patrick Stuart). And he’s also targeting Charlotte Cassadine (Bluesy Burke), the daughter of the man who has stolen Carly’s heart. So, if she gets a chance, yeah, for so many reasons, Carly might save Joss. And to do it, if she needs to crack Cullum with a fireplace poker in the head or grab up one of Sidwell’s stupid sculptures he’s got lying around and give him a craniotomy, I think that would be great.

General Hospital: Joss Gets the Job Done?

Joss is another possibility. You know, she’s turned into a pretty formidable WSB agent, and we know she’s got no problem killing bad guys, and she knows exactly how bad Cullum is and doesn’t want him to get his hands on the Cold Fusion prototype that Liesl completes this week.

So, Joss wouldn’t hesitate to kill him. And General Hospital summer spoilers say that a timely arrival gives Joss the chance to stop Cullum and that there is a bloody battle on Spoon Island. So, that timely arrival might be Carly and Joss might get out of there to try and save her mom. I mean, heck, Cassius might set Josslyn free, hoping she’ll kill Cullum for him while Cassius creeps out of town.

General Hospital: Don’t Mess with Obrecht

Liesl is last, but certainly not least. She’s pretty ticked that Cullum kidnapped her. And she’s also mad that he’s forcing Cassius, the son she never knew she had, to do dirty work designed by Faison, the man she used to love that Liesl now despises. If Cullum attacks Josslyn or Cassius, I could see it happening. You know, Liesl might sneak up and bash Cullum in the head with something to save her son or grab a gun that Chase dropped.

You know, I think she would do it to protect Josslyn or Cassius. Both have been there for her. And we know that Liesl Obrecht is nobody to mess with. And in the end, I think pretty much everybody wants Cullum dead. Whoever does it should get a medal from Mayor Laura Spencer (Genie Francis).

Netflix has officially revealed that its upcoming reality competition series, Wonka’s The Golden Ticket, will premiere on September 23, and one of its biggest surprises is already generating plenty of discussion. The streamer has recreated the iconic voice of Gene Wilder using artificial intelligence, allowing the legendary actor’s portrayal of Willy Wonka to guide contestants throughout the series.

According to Netflix, the AI-generated voice was created in partnership with ElevenLabs and, importantly, with the full approval of Gene Wilder’s estate. The series is inspired by both the beloved 1971 film Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory and Roald Dahl’s classic novel Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Contestants who earn a coveted Golden Ticket will compete in a series of physical, mental, and moral challenges inside a recreation of Wonka’s magical factory.

Karen B. Wilder, speaking on behalf of the Gene Wilder estate, shared her support for the project:

“More than five decades after Gene brought Willy Wonka to life, people of all ages and backgrounds around the world continue to find joy, laughter and inspiration in his performance. Gene had a remarkable ability to bring humor, wonder and heart into people’s lives, and that connection has endured for generations. We are delighted that Wonka’s The Golden Ticket celebrates the warmth and imagination that he brought to the role, introducing that magic to a new generation while honoring the fans who have cherished it for decades.”

The series will also feature Rusty Goffe, who portrayed one of the original Oompa Loompas in the 1971 film, adding another nostalgic connection to the beloved classic. While the use of AI to recreate performances remains a controversial topic across Hollywood, Netflix’s collaboration with Wilder’s estate is likely to be a major talking point leading up to the show’s premiere.

Kelly Price isn’t having it after fans reportedly called her out for watching Brian McKnight perform during the Season of Love Part 2: R&B Edition concert on Saturday, June 27. Both singers were on hand to perform at the event in Nassau, Bahamas, and folks did not appreciate seeing Price give McKnight his flowers amid his unfortunate family drama.

RELATED: Julie McKnight & Brian McKnight Jr. Share Heartfelt Tributes On One-Year Anniversary Of Nikos Passing (PHOTOS)

Kelly Price Claps Back After Being Roasted By Fans Over Brian McKnight

Price shared footage of herself watching McKnight’s performance with her fans on Instagram, but things quickly took a turn when folks called foul. McKnight faced criticism for failing to support his son, Niko McKnight, as he was dying from cancer last year. 

The father and son were estranged when Niko died in May of 2025 at the age of 32. The ‘One Last Cry’ artist has long been canceled by many fans for his part in the family drama, and Price caught strays after she watched his performance on Saturday. LiveBitz captured the Instagram Story and shared the video on June 28.

“I just wanna say don’t come in here talkin’ garbage,” said Price. “This is my concert tonight, too…. I don’t get to be in the audience at concerts.”

Price added that she was merely supporting other artists, and she wasn’t here for the negative comments.

Things Quickly Went Left As Fans Dragged Price, Again

As TSR previously reported, Price faced her own issues with fans last year after she went off on a rant about Black women being her worst critics. Fans were quick to critique the 53-year-old singer again after she shared the video, and they did not mince words in their replies.

User @shadowofobsidian wrote, “Kelly, log off. We don’t need you either.”

@ivery2139 replied, “Y’all know she got issues too!!!🤷🏾‍♀️.”

@derwinking wondered, “well, why does she feel the strong urge to justify it?”

Other responses were a bit more…spicy.

User @peewee_450 wrote, “I gotta a shoe for you and him stfu.”

@feb4thfab echoed the sentiment. “Stfu Kelly 😂😂😂 Yo ass weird too…”

@heischarles joked, “She should be happy to get a comment!”

Brian McKnight’s Ex-Wife & Eldest Son Paid Tribute To Niko McKnight

More recently, Brian McKnight’s ex-wife, Julie, and eldest son, Brian McKnight Jr., paid tribute to Niko McKnight. As The Shade Room previously reported, May 30 marked the one-year anniversary of Niko’s passing. This, after he passed from cancer.

Furthermore, Julie and Brian Jr. both took to social media with heartfelt posts. This, while Brian McKnight continued to appear silent.

RELATED: Brian McKnight Files Lawsuit Against Julie McKnight, Brian Jr. & More Over Claims About His Relationship With Late Son Niko

By Jacob VanGundy
| Published 40 seconds ago

Netflix brought together some of Hollywood’s biggest names for the 2021 action comedy, Red Notice. Despite a tepid critical reception, the movie dominated the streaming platform’s viewership when it came out. The movie has gained a reputation as a light, fun, mindless action comedy popular enough that multiple sequels have entered development. 

Two Thieves, An FBI Agent, And A Huge Budget

Red Notice centers around a series of heists and cons as various characters try to acquire an ancient set of bejeweled eggs that belonged to Cleopatra. The movie’s three central characters are the world-famous thief, Nolan Booth, his rival Sarah Black, and an FBI profiler named John Hartley.

The three engage in a series of temporary alliances, double-crosses, and deceptions with each other as they each try to acquire the eggs. 

The cast is what makes Red Notice noteworthy, with its three leads each being played by an A-list actor. Nolan Booth is played by Ryan Reynolds, Sarah Black by Gal Gadot, and John Hartley by Dwayne Johnson. Seeing these mega-stars acting together is the movie’s main draw. 

Released in 2021, Red Notice was originally planned as a Universal movie but was acquired by Netflix, receiving a limited theatrical release. It dominated the streaming platform, becoming the most-watched debut weekend in Netflix history.

It was the 5th most-watched movie on Netflix in 2021, making it a huge hit for the company as an exclusive film. Due to the unusual way the movie came to Netflix, it has a much higher budget than most Netflix-exclusive movies. Costing $200 million, Red Notice was the most expensive Netflix movie at the time, though it was later unseated by The Gray Man in 2022. This budget is reflected in the cast and explosive action sequences. 

Critics Didn’t Like It

In addition to its huge budget the production of Red Notice is noteworthy because it was produced during the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic created major problems for the movie, which was filmed in both Atlanta, Georgia and Rome.

Production was halted completely for some time and the portion filmed in Italy was significantly delayed. 

Despite its popularity on Netflix, Red Notice was a huge flop among critics. The film has a 36 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, with the writing being the most heavily criticized element, particularly the movie’s unbelievable plot. Despite overall poor reviews, the performances, action sequences, and comedy were fairly well received and often praised even in negative reviews. 

Red Notice’s success has prompted the greenlighting of two sequels, being made back-to-back. These sequels are currently in the writing stage, with one script finished and the other still being written. It’s been claimed that these sequels will add more stars to make the franchise a growing ensemble venture. 

Due to its time of release and the fact that it was a Netflix original movie, Red Notice became one of the standout movies of the pandemic. While some of its success is likely a result of those circumstances, the chemistry and skill of its all-star cast may have made it a hit under any circumstances.

Red Notice is a fun, star-studded, action comedy mega-hit, that is still available on Netflix.