“Epistolary” refers to a work of fiction told through documents, primarily letters, diary entries, emails, or newspaper clippings. When handled well, this structure can add a lot to a book. There’s an immediacy and an intimacy to it, a sense that you’re reading private thoughts never meant for you, piecing together truth from incomplete perspectives.

Epistolary books thrive on subjectivity: unreliable voices, shifting timelines, broken memories, and gaps in the record that force us to read between the lines. In this unique sense, the best epistolary novels simulate the act of remembering, with all the messiness and bias that entails.

10

‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ (1985)

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“Nolite te bastardes carborundorum.” The Handmaid’s Tale presents itself as a reconstructed narrative, pieced together from tapes and partial records of a woman’s life under the totalitarian regime of Gilead. Offred, stripped of her identity and reduced to her reproductive function, recounts her existence in a society built on surveillance and control. She’s leaving behind her story for someone to find in the future.

Gaps in her story become as important as what is revealed, forcing the reader to draw some of their own conclusions. Plus, because everything is filtered through Offred’s perspective, the reader is drawn into her interior life in a way that feels confessional. Finally, the novel’s “Historical Notes” section reframes Offred’s account as a recovered document. That shift highlights one of the book’s central concerns: how stories survive, and how they are interpreted once they’re removed from the context in which they were created.

9

‘The Sufferings of Young Werther’ (1774)

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“What is the human heart!” This one’s a classic by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, German literature’s preeminent figure. The Sufferings of Young Werther unfolds entirely through letters written by the title character, a young man consumed by unrequited love. Addressed to his friend Wilhelm, the letters trace his emotional descent, really capturing the intensity of his feelings. His despair eventually becomes overwhelming, and the epistolary format is crucial to conveying it.

There’s no external perspective or calm counterbalance, only Werther’s voice, growing increasingly unstable. His perception becomes reality, his emotions shaping the narrative itself. As his situation worsens, the letters begin to feel less like correspondence and more like a private outlet, an attempt to impose order on feelings that are slipping beyond his control. This structure was revolutionary in its time, and hugely influenced practically every epistolary book that has followed.

8

‘The Perks of Being a Wallflower’ (1999)

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“I feel infinite.” The Perks of Being a Wallflower started as a novel, published more than a decade before writer Stephen Chbosky adapted it into a movie. In it, Charlie, an introverted high school student, writes to an anonymous recipient, documenting his experiences with friendship, love, trauma, and self-discovery. His observations are direct, often naive, but gradually deepen as he becomes more aware of himself and the world around him.

Key aspects of Charlie’s past emerge slowly, often indirectly, allowing the reader to piece together the truth alongside him. This format also gives us a front-row seat into the character’s personality quirks, thought processes, and interests; he brings up references to other coming-of-age stories like This Side of Paradise and Catcher in the Rye. On top of being a solid character study, the book also makes for an interesting snapshot of the early ’90s.

7

‘The Color Purple’ (1982)

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“Dear God.” Told through letters written by Celie, first to God and later to her sister, The Color Purple traces the protagonist’s journey from abuse and silence to self-assertion and connection. The epistolary form allows Celie’s voice to evolve over time. Early letters are fragmented, tentative, reflecting her limited sense of self. The writing is simple, sometimes almost broken. But as the narrative progresses, her language becomes more confident and expressive.

The act of writing becomes a way for Celie to reclaim her voice, to define herself outside of the constraints imposed on her. In other words, the letters aren’t just a narrative device but a key part of the character’s survival. In the second half, the dual correspondence between Celie and Nettie expands the scope of the story further, touching on larger historical and cultural forces.

6

‘We Need to Talk About Kevin’ (2003)

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“I used to think I preferred the quiet of my own company.” Another powerful book that served as the basis for a strong film. We Need to Talk About Kevin unfolds through a series of letters written by Eva to her absent husband, attempting to make sense of their son Kevin’s actions. As we read on, it becomes clear that Kevin has committed a horrific act, and Eva is left to reconstruct the path that led there.

Indeed, the main themes here are guilt and the possibility of redemption. The epistolary format creates a sense of unease. Eva’s account is detailed, reflective, yet clearly shaped by guilt and self-justification. The reader is constantly questioning her perspective, trying to discern truth from interpretation. Each letter adds a new layer, gradually reshaping the reader’s understanding of Kevin and his relationship with his mother.

5

‘What We Can Know’ (2025)

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“I am writing this down so that it cannot disappear.” While the epistolary elements in this one are more limited than those of the other books on this list, this new novel from Atonement‘s Ian McEwan is just so good that it deserves a shout-out. The story takes place in the year 2119 in a UK that has been partially flooded due to rising sea levels. It’s presented as the academic research of a scholar searching for a missing poem that was once recited at a dinner party back in 2014.

While the narrator writes from the future, the focus is really on the present. The book is a sharp portrait of the 2010s and 2020s, touching on everything from climate change and political polarization to A.I. and even nuclear war. Along the way, the mysterious poem becomes a potent symbol for cultural loss.

4

‘House of Leaves’ (2000)

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“This is not for you.” House of Leaves pushes the epistolary form to its absolute limits. Structurally, it’s one of the most ambitious horror stories ever. Presented as a collection of manuscripts, footnotes, transcripts, and annotations, the novel follows the story of a house that is larger on the inside than it is on the outside, a space that defies logic and grows increasingly dangerous. Layers of narration overlap and contradict one another, creating a sense of instability that mirrors the building itself.

The reader is constantly navigating between voices, trying to determine what is real. The physical layout of the text becomes part of the experience, with pages shifting in form and direction, forcing the reader to engage with the story in a non-linear way. Ultimately, while the book is strange and challenging, it rewards those who get on its wavelength.

3

‘Frankenstein’ (1818)

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“I am malicious because I am miserable.” Frankenstein is world-famous for its simple, striking premise: a scientist creates life, only to be horrified by it. However, the structure was also very bold and innovative in its day. The book unfolds through nested narratives: letters from an explorer, Victor Frankenstein’s account, and the creature’s own perspective. This nesting of perspectives turns the book into a chain of testimonies, each one shaped by its teller.

The creature’s voice, in particular, adds depth, transforming him from a simple antagonist into something far more complex. The epistolary form resists simple answers, allowing each account to challenge the others. Is Victor a tragic overreacher or a reckless creator? Is the Creature a monster or a victim of abandonment? This structure also complements the themes around the limits of knowledge and the responsibilities that come with it.

2

‘Carrie’ (1974)

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“They’re all going to laugh at you!” Stephen King‘s debut horror novel is lean and punchy, clocking in at just 199 pages. Carrie White, a socially isolated teenager with telekinetic abilities, becomes the center of a story that escalates from bullying to catastrophe. Structurally, Carrie combines traditional narrative with a collage of documents, including news reports, interviews, and excerpts from books about a high school tragedy.

The epistolary elements were added later, as the original version of the manuscript was too short, but they create an interesting tension, as we know that something awful will happen; we’re just not yet sure what. They also reinforce the novel’s themes of misunderstanding and marginalization. Carrie is never fully understood by the people around her, and even after the fact, the documents struggle to capture the reality of her experience.

1

‘Dracula’ (1897)

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“The blood is the life.” Dracula is perhaps the definitive epistolary novel. The plot follows Count Dracula’s attempt to spread his influence beyond Transylvania, and the group of individuals who come together to stop him. Bram Stoker constructs this dark tale from multiple viewpoints, cobbled together from letters (particularly those by Jonathan Harker and Mina), diary entries, ship logs, and newspaper clippings. Early entries hint at danger without fully revealing it; later ones confirm fears and escalate the stakes.

This structure significantly adds to the realism, too. By presenting the story through “documents,” Stoker creates the illusion that these events have been recorded and preserved. The inclusion of mundane details like dates, locations, and daily routines grounds the supernatural elements in a recognizable world. This approach is perfect for a story about the clash between modernity and the shadowy past.

Whew, chile! It looks like there’s no bad blood left between ‘Baddies’ stars Big Lex and Tavii Babii. The two castmates were recently seen celebrating Tavii’s birthday following their explosive physical altercation on her birthday one year prior.

Related: No More Big 3? ‘Baddies’ Star Big Lex Seemingly Closes The Chapter With Summer None Other & Bad Dolly

Big Lex And Tavii Babii Celebrate Together In Birthday Post

On Saturday, May 2, fans were caught off guard after Big Lex took to Instagram to publicly wish her co-star Tavii Babii a happy birthday. In the video, the two reality stars were seen partying together at a club, appearing happy and in good spirits. At one point, Lex turned the camera toward Tavii, offering her birthday wishes, as both women smiled and hugged. In the caption, Big Lex wrote, “Happy Birthday 🫶🏽💕,” followed by, “came a long way 🤣🎂,” hinting at their rocky history.

Previous Birthday Fight on ‘Baddies Africa’ Sparked Feud

Just one year ago, the two were far from friendly, which is why their recent link-up has surprised many fans. During the 2025 season of ‘Baddies Africa,’ tensions between Big Lex and Tavii Babii escalated, ultimately leading to a physical fight, which notably took place on Tavii’s birthday. The moment quickly became one of the season’s most talked-about incidents. Following the altercation, Big Lex addressed the situation in a confessional, saying, “F your birthday,” a quote that circulated widely online and fueled ongoing fan discourse about their feud.

Social Media Reacts

Social media users quickly flooded The Shade Room Teens’ comment section with reactions:

Instagram user @inamamadina wrote, “Oh so she don’t get punched for her birthday this year? Love to see it fr 😭💯”

Another Instagram user @notbriannamyaaa wrote, “No shade if you give me a black eye on my birthday I’ll be damned if I’m buddy buddy with you on the next one 😂😂😂😂”

While Instagram user @thedollx___ wrote, “That’s hilarious last year on her bday she got done up by Lex 😂”

Instagram user @msjassmariee wrote, “Tavii been wanting to be Lex friend tho fr Lex was holding the beef fr tavii be wanting to be a girls girl with everyone fr idk”

Another Instagram user @iamyanidadon wrote, “GROWTH! Their beef wasn’t even that deep anyways 🤷🏽‍♀️”

While Instagram user @aysishx wrote, “Tavi just need friends so bad cause girl please”

Instagram user @doitlikeday_ wrote, “if you can’t beat em friend em huh 😭”

Another Instagram user @_n.ukiyoz wrote, “A year ago since she got beat on her birthday huh”

While Instagram user @tharlnae wrote, “Lex the birthday, Tavi the piñata 😂”

Related: Jaidyn Alexis Clowns ‘Baddies’ Chain After Natalie Nunn Calls Her The “Biggest Disappointment” In The Series (WATCH)

“Jersey Shore” fans don’t appear moved by a recent video showing veteran cast member Ronnie Ortiz nodding off. On social media, viewers are slamming the 40-year-old after his co-star, Mike ‘The Situation’ Sorrentino, offered his perspective on the matter. But that’s not all. Other watchers are also chiming in, citing Ortiz’s past personal struggles as the reason for their apathy.

In a recent interview, Ortiz, who first appeared on MTV’s “Jersey Shore” in 2009, was surrounded by his co-stars, Nicole ‘Snooki’ Polizzi, Deena Nicole Cortese, Vinny Gaudagnino, Sammi Giancola, Angelina Pivarnick, and Sorrentino, while promoting the final season of the long-running television program.

The interview sparked concern among viewers and social media users, however, because during it, Ortiz appeared to struggle to stay present, nodding off and dozing in and out while his co-stars promoted the upcoming season, which is airing on May 7.

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Ortiz’s behavior garnered much attention, so much so that his co-star, Sorrentino, released a statement about the moment, saying that he is “not responsible for the actions of any other cast member.”

Sorrentino, who’s faced trouble of his own over the years, continued, “At the same time, my heart is heavy seeing what Ron, a grown adult, chose to present during press. This situation is still developing, and while I do not know the full extent of what he may be going through, I do know it is separate from my path.”

Viewers were unfazed by Sorrentino’s message and appeared uninterested in giving Ortiz any grace. One user on Reddit wrote, “Sad for whom? He’s an opiate addict just like a ton of other (less famous) Americans that are a lot more admirable than he ever was.”

Another user wrote, “I don’t feel bad for him,” while a third posted, “Quit giving idiots money.”

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Ortiz Returned To The Show After Taking A Season Off

The commentary surrounding Ortiz comes several years after the father of one returned to the MTV series after taking a year off.

“After talking to the team at MTV, we have mutually agreed that I will step away from the show while I seek medical treatment for mental health issues that I’ve ignored for too long,” Ortiz said about his departure in 2021, according to PEOPLE. “My number one goal now is facing my struggles head on.”

Fast-forward to 2023, Ortiz filmed the first scene of his return with Sorrentino, during which he spoke candidly about his addiction struggles.

“It’s been a long year,” he said. “It’s been a lot of just doing the right thing, being a full-time dad, and being sober. I’m living the best life I can, one day at a time.”

Elsewhere during the episode, Ortiz admitted to battling “some sh-t.” He went on to say that although he knew he’d face setbacks, the most important part of his journey was to get through it.

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Sorrentino Celebrated 10 Years Of Sobriety

Sorrentino is on a journey similar to his co-star’s, having recently reached his own milestone of 10 years of sobriety. According to The Blast, the outspoken television personality opened up about the exciting moment on his Instagram, thanking his support system for believing in him.

For those who may be unfamiliar, Sorrentino battled substance abuse for years and even admitted to spending more than six figures on his addiction.

Additionally, the reality star spent eight months in federal prison in 2019 for tax evasion after pleading guilty to concealing income and filing false tax returns.

‘Jersey Shore’ Is Taking Its Final Bow

The upcoming season of “Jersey Shore” will be its last. After more than 15 years on the air, the group of Italian Stallions will take their final bow.

According to The Blast, MTV is pulling the plug on the series as the network continues to rebrand itself.

The series is being called the “last hurrah for a cultural icon” and teases a jam-packed batch of episodes full of dramatic highs and devastating lows.

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But until the new season airs, “Jersey Shore” loyalists can stream previous seasons of the OG series and the spin-off on Paramount+.

Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez are turning up the heat ahead of the Met Gala 2026, and it’s starting before the red carpet even rolls out. The power couple is reportedly taking their Met Gala involvement to the next level by hosting a private, invite-only pre-party in the days leading up to fashion’s biggest night.

According to reports, invitations have already been sent out for the ultra-exclusive event, though key details, including the guest list and location, are being kept tightly under wraps. That secrecy is only adding to the intrigue, with insiders already buzzing about what could become one of the most talked-about gatherings of the weekend.

Bezos and Sánchez aren’t just throwing parties, but they’re playing a major role in the 2026 event itself. The duo is serving as lead sponsors and honorary co-chairs, placing them at the center of both the glamour and the growing controversy surrounding this year’s Met Gala. Much of the criticism centers around the couple’s roles, with some questioning how much influence they may have over one of fashion’s most influential fundraisers.

Bezos’ Met Gala Ties Spark Backlash As Protest Posters Call Out Amazon’s Alleged Practices

Adding to the tension are Amazon’s broader political and business ties, including reported connections to Donald Trump’s administration, a point that has sparked debate within both the fashion world and beyond.

In the weeks leading up to the event, protest posters have appeared across New York City calling for a boycott of the gala. The messaging references allegations about working conditions in Amazon fulfillment centers and claims about the company’s relationship with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), allegations Amazon has denied.

“The Bezos Met Gala: Brought to you by worker exploitation,” one poster read, while another claimed the 2026 event was “brought to you by the firm that powers ICE.”

NYC Mayor Skips Met Gala 2026 Amid Jeff Bezos Backlash, Cites Focus On Affordability

The controversy surrounding Bezos and Sánchez’ involvement in the Met Gala 2026 is even spilling into local politics. Zohran Mamdani revealed he plans to skip this year’s event altogether, citing a desire to focus on more pressing issues affecting New Yorkers. “That’s what I’m looking to spend a lot of my time focused on,” he said, referring to affordability concerns in the city.

According to reports, Mamdani emphasized that his priority remains tackling the rising cost of living, rather than attending one of the most exclusive nights in fashion.

Zendaya To Skip Met Gala 2026

Zendaya will reportedly sit out the Met Gala 2026, marking a noticeable absence from one of fashion’s most high-profile nights. According to reports, the decision is tied to her packed schedule and a desire to step back from constant public appearances during an especially busy stretch in her career.

The Met Gala, hosted annually by The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute, has long been a major moment on the global fashion calendar, making her absence all the more notable. Still, her decision hasn’t stopped speculation. Some online chatter has suggested her absence could be linked to the ongoing controversy surrounding Jeff Bezos’ involvement in this year’s event, though there has been no confirmation of that connection.

Meryl Streep Also Reportedly Skipping Met Gala 2026

Meryl Streep is another major name rumored to be sitting out the Met Gala 2026, though her absence may not come as a surprise. A representative for the “Mamma Mia!” star said, “Meryl has been invited to the Met Gala for many years but has never attended. While she appreciates Vogue, Anna, and her incredible imagination and stamina, it has never quite been her scene.”

The statement comes amid speculation that Streep was invited to take on a larger role this year, with reports suggesting she was asked to co-chair the event but declined. Some have linked that decision to the ongoing controversy surrounding Jeff Bezos’ involvement, though that has not been confirmed.

The 2026 Met Gala takes place on Monday, May 4, 2026, at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.

Some of the most popular actors of all time are action stars, such as Tom Cruise and Arnold Schawrzaneggar, and these icons feature in some of the most universally beloved films ever, such as Mission: Impossible and The Terminator. However, among the modern-day action legends, Jason Statham stands out as a definitive actor with some of the most entertaining action movies under his belt. Delivering hard-hitting, gritty action with a pinch of witty remarks, fans can never get enough Statham.

Statham has an extensive filmography with many beloved classics, mostly action movies that get the adrenaline pumping. Despite being an incredible actor, not everyone is a fan of every single movie of his, which is why this list will rank his seven most universally beloved films. Based on entertainment value, pacing, broad appeal, comedy, originality, acting, directing, fan opinion, critical acclaim, and overall quality, these films are masterpieces that almost everyone can agree are fantastic movies.

7

‘Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs and Shaw’ (2019)

The Fast & Furious franchise is one of the highest-grossing cinematic universes ever, and while Statham isn’t a main character, he has appeared in a handful, including Furious 7, which was left out of this list, and Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs and Shaw. Shaw (Statham) is a rogue operative, but he must work with lawman Hobbs (Dwayne Johnson) when a new threat arises, a cybernetically advanced anarchist who has access to one of the most powerful weapons in the world.

Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs and Shaw may not be the most Statham-esque film, but its broad appeal makes it much more widely appreciated than his other films. By reaching into a new demographic, this movie introduced a whole new side of Statham while maintaining his grizzled action star style and dry humor. The buddy cop dynamic between Statham and Johnson is electrifying, which sets up this popcorn blockbuster perfectly. With over-the-top set pieces and adrenaline-fueled action, watching these two heavyweights on screen with each other is an absolute delight.

6

‘The Beekeeper’ (2024)

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Most of Statham’s defining works are from the 2000s, but he has a handful of modern hits that are sure to get the blood pumping, including the newest entry on this list, The Beekeeper. Statham plays Adam Clay, a simple man working as a beekeeper. But when he learns that his neighbor killed themselves because of a scummy fraudster, he suits up to get revenge. Revealing his identity as a former special operative, he becomes a one-man army hellbent on taking down this phishing scam and paying them back tenfold.

It hasn’t had as much time as his other iconic films to make a name for itself, but this modern action sensation was the sleeper hit of the decade, providing a surprisingly entertaining and engaging action film. Action movies are full of CGI nowadays, which makes The Beekeeper a fresh change of pace that keeps Statham’s grim determination and unrelenting presence. This cathartic action movie is an explosion of drama and thrilling fight scenes, which helped it be one of Statham’s biggest box office successes, so much so that The Beekeeper 2 is planned for 2027.

5

‘The Bank Job’ (2008)

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After the success of The Italian Job, which isn’t featured on this list, Statham returns in The Bank Job, which isn’t a sequel, but delivers the same feeling, but bigger and better. Based on the real-life robbery of 1971 Baker Street, a struggling car dealer gets his chance to strike it rich with a heist. However, he realizes he hasn’t just stolen millions of dollars, but scandalous secrets of powerful figures that underground organizations and the Royal British Family would kill to retrieve.

Most fans love Statham because of his intense action movies featuring roundhouse kicks and exhilarating car chases, but The Bank Job remains a beloved movie despite lacking those aspects. With good ratings across the board, fans and critics can agree that this story gave Statham time to flex his dramatic acting chops, proving he is a versatile actor who can do action, drama, and comedy. Statham plays a vulnerable protagonist in this heist thriller, making The Bank Job a fun departure from his typical films.

4

‘Crank’ (2006)

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Out of all the movies on this list, The Bank Job and Crank are two of his lesser-known masterpieces, but they are still defining works that are important to his career. Chev (Statham) is a hitman who wakes up to learn that he has been injected with a poison that will immediately kill him if his heart rate drops below a certain level. Needing to keep moving and the adrenaline pumping, Chev sets out on a fast-paced quest for revenge, taking his rampage all throughout Los Angeles.

Crank has been forgotten by many, but diehard fans universally agree that this is one of Statham’s best movies, featuring high-adrenaline action. It doesn’t get more exhilarating than this, providing non-stop high-octane action with a relentless pace of drama, absurdity, and chaos. As opposed to his gritty and grounded films, Crank is unapologetically crazy, using its B-movie premise to the fullest with an execution that can only be achieved by Statham.

3

‘Spy’ (2015)

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A lot of these movies feel like a Statham film, but one of his most unique departures is Spy, where he gives up the leading role to Melissa McCarthy to play the charming side character. After a top CIA agent is compromised, an unassuming desk worker volunteers to go deep undercover. However, getting in her way is Rick Ford (Statham), an overly arrogant and incompetent rogue agent who wants to do everything his way.

This departure from his typical style is another welcome experience, creating his funniest movie with excellent chemistry with McCarthy. Spy is also his highest-rated movie, so critics seem to think that it is his most universally beloved film. A mainstream audience can finally experience Statham’s charm and wit in full force, parodying his own tough-guy persona, which creates a hilarious spy comedy that is perfect from start to finish.

2

‘Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels’ (1998)

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Guy Ritchie and Statham are an undefeated duo, with the top two movies on this list being from the pair, starting with Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels. After a group of friends loses a bunch of money to a high-ranking crime boss in a high-stakes game of poker, they only have one week to collect 500,000 GBP. Their plan is to rob a ruthless gang of thieves, which will only get them into more trouble.

Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels is what kick-started Statham’s career, and watching his first defining work is truly a spectacle to see how far he has evolved. Still, this film is a staple of his filmography and a beloved picture by all of his fans. He wasn’t always an invincible, gritty action hero, and this movie shows that his rapid-fire wit and charming style are just as entertaining. Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels is a gritty and raw gangster thriller that is a cult classic among Statham fans.

1

‘Snatch’ (2000)

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Ritchie and Statham have collaborated five times, but their best was with Snatch. On one side of the story, there is the search for a stolen 86-carat diamond, and on the other is a boxing promoter, Turkish (Statham), who must find a new boxer after his prized fighter was knocked out before his match. Chaos ensues when these two stories collide, pitting a star-studded cast against each other that features Brad Pitt, Benicio del Toro, Steven Graham, and Vinnie Jones.

Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels and Snatch could be interchangeable, as both are early, yet unforgettable performances from Statham. But the latter wins out because more fans seem to appreciate the dynamics of some of the greatest actors alive. Universally beloved for its kinetic directing style and Statham’s dry narration, this chaotic crime film is a great thriller and comedy. Snatch is Statham’s most important film, and that legacy has made it a revered classic that defines his filmography.

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Snatch

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Release Date

January 19, 2001

Runtime

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102 minutes

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The Met Gala is known for its jaw-dropping fashion and A-list guest list, but what many don’t realize is that the rules go far beyond the red carpet. Even the menu is carefully controlled. And yes, there’s actually a blacklist of foods that won’t make it anywhere near the event.

Anna Wintour Bans Garlic, Onions And Chives From Met Gala Menu To Keep Things ‘Low-Risk’

According to past reports, Anna Wintour has banned three specific ingredients from being served at the Met Gala: chives, onions, and garlic.

The reasoning is surprisingly simple, and very on-brand for fashion’s most exclusive night. All three are known for causing bad breath, something that’s less than ideal when you’re sitting inches away from celebrities, designers, and industry power players all evening. But there’s also a personal touch behind the decision. “Well, those are three things I’m not particularly fond of,” Wintour previously said.

The Met Gala isn’t just a dinner. It’s a highly curated experience where every detail is considered, including what guests eat. With couture gowns, tailored suits, and millions of dollars’ worth of fashion in one room, the last thing anyone wants is a messy dish, a lingering smell, or a wardrobe disaster. That’s why menus are designed to be clean, elegant, and low-risk, ensuring guests can mingle comfortably without worrying about spills or strong odors.

Wintour’s Strict Met Gala Rule Aims To Keep The Night Offline

The food rules go hand-in-hand with another strict policy: no phones inside the gala. Wintour has long enforced the rule to encourage real interaction over social media moments. “It’s often wonderful to hear, after dinner, people say, ‘Oh we had the most wonderful conversations,’” she explained. “So that’s the idea, that life can exist without a picture on your cell phone.” Of course, that hasn’t stopped the occasional rule-breaker, with bathroom selfies becoming a rebellious Met Gala tradition, but the intention remains the same.

Because of the no-phone policy, fans only get a glimpse of the night through official photos and red carpet coverage. That means everything from the menu to the conversations remains largely behind closed doors, adding to the mystery and exclusivity of the event.

For the 2025 Met Gala, the food was just as carefully curated as the couture on the carpet. Kwame Onwuachi, a James Beard Award–winning chef, was tapped to design the menu, bringing a deeply personal and cultural approach to the night’s dining experience.

“I was inspired by Black dandyism and the Black experience in fashion. It’s pulled from so many different avenues and routes of the diaspora,” he told Vogue at the time. “I wanted to encapsulate all of that, from the hors d’oeuvres to plated dinner at the gala.”

Still, he kept one key goal in mind: “We can be poetic as we want, but it has to be good at the end of the day.”

During cocktail hour, guests were treated to elevated takes on comfort food, with servers passing around bites like hoecakes with crispy chicken, mini chopped cheeses, cornbread topped with caviar, and curry chicken patties, a nod to Onwuachi’s signature dishes.

The 2025 Met Gala menu continued to impress with a lineup that celebrated flavors from across the diaspora. The first course featured a papaya piri-piri salad, highlighting the bold South African spice, paired with cucumbers coated in a vibrant Caribbean green-seasoning marinade.

For the main course, guests were served Creole roasted chicken with lemon emulsion, alongside rice and peas and a fresh hot sauce that brought an extra kick. Sides included BBQ collard greens with bacon and cornbread topped with honey-curry butter, blending comfort food with elevated presentation.

Dessert was just as memorable, with a Bodega Special Cosmic Brownie paired with powdered-sugar-donut mousse, as well as a golden cake served with honey sweet cream and blistered gooseberry. “All throughout the meal, there are different aspects of Blackness throughout the world represented at the highest level,” he said.

As for the Met Gala 2026, the official menu remains under wraps, but if history is any indication, it won’t disappoint. With each year bringing a carefully curated dining experience that reflects the theme, fans can expect a menu that’s just as thoughtful and artistic as the looks on the carpet.

And of course, with Anna Wintour still calling the shots, one thing is guaranteed: it’ll be elegant, intentional, and yes, completely free of garlic, onions, and chives.

While Ridley Scott has mastered the historical epic with films like Gladiator, Kingdom of Heaven, and Napoleon, his 2021 medieval film The Last Duel didn’t click with audiences. Even with an all-star cast reuniting Matt Damon and Ben Affleck (who co-wrote the screenplay with Nicole Holofcener), the movie was a box office bomb, making just over $30 million globally according to Box Office Mojo. Not only was this a poor reception to an excellent film (one of Scott’s best in recent years), it was a harsh rejection of the movie’s grim subject matter as well as the movie to which it bears the strongest resemblance: Akira Kurosawa’s Rashomon.

Rashomon is perhaps the most retold story in all of cinema. It’s most famous for its unusual structure in which an event is presented multiple times with multiple differences — some subtle and some obvious — and everybody remembers things differently. Most characters present self-serving versions of the story, in which they come off as heroic, or at least not foolish. Like Rashomon, Scott’s film covers a legal case in a centuries-old society, examining timeless questions of honor, ethics, justice, and cruelty. Even more significantly, it deals with a sexual assault, and the ramifications of taking allegations seriously versus diminishing the victim. But there is a key difference from how Rashomon treats the nature of its story.

‘Rashomon’ and ‘The Last Duel’ Are Essentially Courtroom Drama Period Pieces

Both Rashomon and The Last Duel are adapted from previous works. In the former case, Akira Kurosawa drew from a decades-old short story, “In A Grove” by Ryūnosuke Akutagawa, while Ridley Scott’s film came out of Eric Jager’s nonfiction book of the same name. Rashomon’s adaptability to a variety of scenarios comes out of its almost pure, mythic narrative sensibility. There are just a handful of sets and as few characters, and they are defined by their roles and class. Where Kurosawa often found incredible kinetic movement in feudal epics like Seven Samurai, Rashomon is remarkably restrained. The movie’s central crime is abstracted through multiple narrative layers: unrelated characters are discussing the court case, and the court scenes flash back to the central characters’ recollections. There are a samurai (Masayuki Mori), his wife (Machiko Kyō), and the bandit (Kurosawa’s muse Toshiro Mifune), who assaulted her and possibly killed her husband.

The Last Duel, true to its nonfiction roots, requires more specificity. Dealing with the real story of a famous medieval French trial by combat in 1386, it follows Jean de Carrouges (Damon), his wife Marguerite (Jodie Comer), and the striving squire Jacques le Gris (Adam Driver) who is accused of raping her. As opposed to Scott’s previous and future historical epics like 1492: Conquest of Paradise or his 2010 misbegotten take on Robin Hood, the movie practically blitzes past its big battle sequences in favor of digging into the characters’ psychological ache, leaning more into the grim ambiguity of what Kurosawa’s movie offered than giving viewers clear heroes and villains. As well, it lets its characters reflect on their versions of events, breaking down Jean’s insecurity and how Jacques’ entry into the aristocracy calcified his morality. But it differs in a key point from Rashomon: it offers something like objective truth.

‘Rashomon’ Emphasized Ambiguity, but ‘The Last Duel’ Sought Truth

Films that have followed in the Rashomon tradition tend to keep the multiple retellings but usually nix the movie’s moving coda, where even the objective voice of reason turns out to be concealing aspects of the truth for personal gain. The movie’s emphasis on patriarchal violence, playing out in the mundane light of day, only adds to its ambivalent storytelling. Even The Last Duel, one of the few Rashomon descendants to follow in its darkness, gives viewers one of Ridley Scott’s best gritty action scenes with its titular trial by combat. (Kurosawa offers no such catharsis.) By the end of Rashomon, all of the lies have been revealed and even the samurai’s wife, a victim, has failed to disclose her role in her husband’s death; after her rape, she effectively encouraged a trial by combat of her own.

The most fascinating thing about The Last Duel is its portrayal of characters’ different recollections. Each of its three chapters is called “The Truth According to (x character),” setting up who is recalling what. For Jacques le Gris, the assault on Marguerite is essentially an awkward seduction, complete with chasing around the bedroom and giggles, while she remembers it traumatically. In the court system of medieval France, the accusation against him is really an accusation against Jean for allowing this to happen. Even in a situation where the woman is the victim, the movie suggests, her status as the property of a nobleman means her own truth goes untold. But we see it, and in one of the movie’s great touches, the chapter dealing with her own story is simply called “The Truth.” While Kurosawa kept it just out of reach, The Last Duel’s relationship with the truth gives the movie its stark power and social commentary.

Cherie DeVaux has made history as the first woman trainer to win at the Kentucky Derby, after horse Golden Tempo triumphed at Churchill Downs.

“I don’t even have any words right now. I just can’t,” DeVaux, 44, told reporters after Golden Tempo’s victory on Saturday, May 2. “I’m just so so so happy for Golden Tempo. José [Ortiz, the jockey] did a wonderful job, a masterful job getting him there and he has had so much faith in this horse.”

When asked what it meant to her to become the first female trainer to emerge victorious at the historic race, she added, “I honestly don’t know, I’m glad that I can be a representative of all women everywhere that we can do anything that we set our minds to.”

DeVaux was joined during her post-race interview by her and husband David Ingordo’s 15-year-old daughter Reagan, who proudly described her mom’s historic Kentucky Derby win as “truly an honor.”

“I’m proud of you, I really am,” Reagan told her mom.

Jockey José and Golden Temple outran heavy favorites Renegade, So Happy and Further Ado at the annual Louisville, Kentucky, race. This was José’s first Derby victory — a career milestone he achieved while competing head-to-head against his brother Irad Ortiz Jr., who was riding Renegade.

“It’s very special,” José told reporters while crying. “I just wish my grandpa was here … I’m just very happy that I get my goal, my life-dream goal, achieved. It’s an amazing experience and I can’t wait to see my family and celebrate.”

José started jockeying in his native Puerto Rico before moving to the U.S. to compete in the mid-2010s. (José and his wife, former jockey Taylor Ortiz, share three children: daughter Leilani and sons Derek and Nikolai.)

José also offered encouragement to any Puerto Ricans who might be interested in getting into horse racing.

“[You should] have a good attitude, try to learn English, try to learn every day, more,” he suggested. “It takes time, I’ve been here 11 years, this is my 11th year. It takes time, you got to work — be responsible, respect people. They got to know that I was sitting there 50 years ago in the same chair they’re sitting … Dreams do come true, you just got to dream big.”

DeVaux became a lead horse trainer in 2019 after spending eight years as an assistant to Chuck Simon and Chad Brown. Prior to Saturday’s race, DeVaux told Lexington 18 that she wanted to set an example for young women with her horse’s performance at the Kentucky Derby.

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“I don’t really look at it as male versus female,” she told the local news outlet on Friday, May 1. “I just try to do the best I can, but in the back of my mind, just to be a strong role model.”

DeVaux added, “The only thing I want to do in my career is be the first female to win a Kentucky Derby. This is our first Derby starter, and we’re one step closer.”

Many famous faces were on hand to witness DeVaux’s groundbreaking Kentucky Derby win, including University of North Carolina Tar Heels football coach Bill Belichick and his girlfriend Jordon Hudson. The late Anna Nicole Smith’s 19-year-old daughter, Dannielynn Birkhead, also made her annual appearance at the Derby alongside her dad, Larry Birkhead.