Editor’s Note: The following contains spoilers for Lord of the Flies.

Thorne is the type of writer who likes to shake things up while he embraces the chaos of never knowing what’s next until it presents itself. That approach to his career has done him well throughout the last 25 years, and has led to a wide variety of projects, genres, and mediums — with everything from the award-winning Adolescence and Netflix’s Lord of the Flies to three Enola Holmes movies, the stage play Stranger Things: The First Shadow, and The Beatles’ upcoming cinematic universe (featuring one biopic each for John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr) for director Sam Mendes.

Thorne sat down with me for an in-depth conversation digging deep into his process of adapting Lord of the Flies and the choices and changes he made. He also discussed why the conversations surrounding Adolescence felt special, how there were never plans to continue that story beyond what they have already released to the world, how impressed he was with Owen Cooper’s stand-out performance in Adolescence as well as the young ensemble in Lord of the Flies, putting his trust in Mendes for The Beatles films, and why Ang Lee is one of his heroes.

‘Lord of the Flies’ Is a Story With Deep Personal Significance for Writer Thorne

“That has been the book, all my life. It’s one that’s lived with me in lots of different ways.”

Image via Netflix

COLLIDER: Lord of the Flies feels like one of those stories that we all know the story of, whether we’ve actually read it or watched the previous movies. When did you first become aware of the story, and what did it mean to you before doing this?

JACK THORNE: I read this as an 11-year-old. I didn’t study it in school, but my mom was a supply English teacher at Portway English Department. My copy of Lord of the Flies had Portway English Department stamped on the inside cover because my mom stole it, which I think is apt for Lord of the Flies. It was really my mom’s stolen copy. When I read it, I remember the sensation of feeling like the writer had gotten into me somehow. I felt like Simon. I felt profoundly like Simon. I was an autistic kid. I wasn’t particularly adept at dealing with other people and being in social situations at all. I did look for the other in quite a lot of my life. I did reach for the other. And so, I remember this feeling of feeling like I was Simon, and then Simon gets killed. I didn’t understand what had happened, but there’s the line about his silvery body drifting out to sea and I remember going, “Oh, shit.” I’ve never forgotten that feeling.

I tried to make Lord of the Flies before. I tried to make it about 15 years ago for Channel 4, but we couldn’t get the rights. Joel [Wilson], who’s a very close friend of mine as well as an executive producer for this project, it was his company that made it. We were having Sunday lunch at his house, and he said to me, “What’s the one book?” And I said, “Lord of the Flies.” That has been the book, all my life. It’s one that’s lived with me in lots of different ways, with lots of different ways of telling it.

Were there aspects of the Lord of the Flies story that couldn’t make it into the films because of time that you knew you wanted to include in this, because you did have more time?

THORNE: Yeah, lots. The films are both very interesting, but there’s so much in every page of [William] Golding’s book that I wanted to spend time with. That was particularly true of Jack. It’s not just the difference between time in film versus TV. It’s the difference in terms of the vocabulary of television and what that chapter format can do, which I’m always obsessed with when I’m starting a project. I like to work out the story and know what I’m going to tell, but then figure out what the chapters are. That thing of spending the second chapter with Jack, which was the big revelation for me at the start of the journey, when we were working out how to pitch to them, and understanding Jack came from the book. Golding was talking about Jack’s emotion after the argument at the fire and Jack walking away from the fire and the fire having gone out. The way Golding described Jack’s face and emotion, at that point, I was like, “I don’t think I understood it properly. I need to revisit the book from the beginning again.” Just that thing of being able to spend time with and give insight to those characters felt like the treat of doing it on television.

Thorne Wanted To Explore the Tenderness in ‘Lord of the Flies’

“That was the discovery I made reading it as an adult.”

Image via Netflix

You’ve previously said that this story is a remarkably tender portrait of young boys, and I don’t know that I’ve ever heard anybody describe Lord of the Flies in that way. If you went into writing this with that perspective, did it feel like that shaped the way you told the whole story?

THORNE: That was the discovery I made reading it as an adult. As a child, I was like, “I’m Simon. The world hates me. This book makes sense to me.” As an adult, when I read it, I could see bits of Jack that I refused to look at as a kid. And I could see bits of Ralph that are less kind than I expected. I honed in on that and saw the tenderness. I think there’s one character [Golding] doesn’t like, which is Roger. I think he actually quite liked Jack in some ways. I think he certainly likes Ralph, and I think he loves Piggy, and he loves Simon. I just wanted to understand that perspective and get inside what I saw as his tenderness as a writer.

As you decided to do these chapters and focus each one on a different one of the boys, did you immediately know the order you wanted to do that in?

THORNE: No. Where Ralph sat was the trickiest decision of all. Simon was the obvious one. Simon had to be chapter three, and the death of Simon had to be chapter three. With Jack, it felt like chapter two would be interesting. There was something about the hunt and the going out of the fire that felt very Jack. And then, with Piggy and Ralph, they could belong on either side. Ralph is the lead character of the show and not giving them an episode until the last episode felt like a brutal decision that I wouldn’t have made if I was coming at this as an original writer. But then, it was about following the book because the book was telling me, and Ralph is the end of it. Golding does something really interesting with Ralph, towards the end of the book, in that he tells us about his home life, just briefly, just a little bit. It’s the moment when Golding is pointing a spotlight at him in lots of ways, as he’s trying to survive and trying to work out the cost of survival. So, Piggy starts it and Ralph ends it.

You’ve talked about how this is a story about the moments when these young boys lose themselves and become stuck in a situation they can’t control. It also feels like you’re watching a story specifically about how they deal with that situation at the age they’re at because they likely would have dealt with it differently if they were older and had more or different life experiences. Do you feel like that influenced the casting of these characters? What did you think of this cast? What was it like to see what you saw in your head brought to life by them?

THORNE: Really inspiring and really difficult. There were moments when I wanted to leave the room because it was not what I wanted it to be. Luckily, I was surrounded by colleagues who are made of stronger stuff than I am and had faith in the process. The interesting thing was that there were certain actors where you just went, “Oh, there’s Simon.” When we saw Ike [Talbut] for the first time, we went, “Oh, there’s Simon.” There was this chemical reaction to him. Similarly, with David [McKenna], who plays Piggy, we just went, “Oh, that’s Piggy.” And then, we spent time with him and realized how wonderful he is. That kid stole everyone’s heart.

With the other two, the fascinating thing about the process is that Winston [Sawyers} and Lox [Pratt] auditioned for both parts quite a number of times. We were swapping them around because we were like, “These are two sensational actors. How the hell do we decide who they should play?” The beautiful thing about the process was that, at the end of it, we weren’t taking four kids or eight kids. We were taking 40 kids. With so many of the other parts, they were so close to playing a Jack or a Maurice or a Roger. (Director) Marc [Munden] used them in such sensational ways, really spending time on their faces.

How did the experience compare to watching Owen Cooper tackle Adolescence?

THORNE: We started filming on Adolescence with Episode 3. That was literally, “Let’s boil the poor boy in acid and see how he does.” Luckily, Owen was and is sensational. It was so interesting watching Phil [Barantini] direct Owen because what Phil did was give all his notes to Owen and no notes at all to Erin [Doherty]. So, in that crucial scene, Erin just literally had to riff off of what Owen was giving her. Because she’s so wonderful, she could take whatever he gave.

With Lord of the Flies, we had young actors who were younger than Owen, quite considerably younger than Owen, pre-pubescent boys in the literal sense, playing opposite boys. Owen was a young man, but these were boys. That is so hard. It was boys playing opposite boys with 30 extras around them, all of whom were young people too, and none of whom wanted to keep still. The fact that they were able to do this, I can’t get over how good these actors are, in terms of the detail they found in their performances. That’s down to them and that’s down to the brilliance of Marc Mudnen.

Thorne Didn’t Set Out To Become the Voice of Boyhood Masculinity and Violence

“I’m fascinated by that age because I know its importance.”

Image via Netflix

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You’ve become known for penning complex portraits of masculinity and violence, but you’ve done so with young characters who are still in boyhood, who have not yet fully entered manhood. What is it that most compels you to tell stories like this about characters at this age or close to this age? Do you think you’ll make it a trilogy and do another project, or do you want to do a comedy?

THORNE: I think I’ve hung up my boots for now. It was an accident. It wasn’t like I set out to do it. I was doing Lord of the Flies before I was doing Adolescence. As soon as Stephen [Graham] talked to me about doing Adolescence, I was in. Some people plan their careers. Other people have a chaotic relationship with their careers. I have a chaotic relationship with my career. I’m fascinated by that age because I know it’s importance. Because I didn’t really talk much at that age, I sat in the back and watched, so I feel like I saw many different colors of what that age was, just through sitting in the back of class and not being able to do it. I was desperate to have friends, and I was desperately bad at making friends. I was really bad at being 10. I was really bad at being 11. I was really bad at being 12, 13, 14 and 15. Those ages are concrete in my head because there was so much traumatic observation. Returning to that time and trying to find windows into it for my own sanity, but also because I think it’s really important, is something that hopefully I’ll continue to do, but with breaks to do other things.

The scene in Episode 3 that builds to the group of boys chanting, “Kill the beast, cut its throat, spill its blood,” is intense and animalistic. That murder is such a significant moment. What was it like to figure out how you wanted to handle that moment and how you wanted that to be seen?

THORNE: I can take very little credit for that. That’s down to the authorship of Marc Munden. I think film writers get too little credit, and I think TV directors get too little credit. I am in awe of the choices he made. It was the fourth thing we’ve done together, and I said to him, right at the beginning, “Make this yours.” That is an example of a moment when Marc just flew. I love what he did. I didn’t understand it when I first saw it. And then, slowly I found that clarity, and I was like, “This is incredible.” He went deep into the animal and found the animal. We also had an amazing choreographer, Polly [Bennett], who really led the boys and found a way of unleashing those kids. But that’s all down to the might of Marc Munden.

The end of Episode 4 is so interesting because they hit this wall of a reality check. Ralph is trying to hide from Jack, and then they find these adult men on the beach. It’s the moment when they realize the fun and games are over, and you see the fear and pain in Ralph’s eyes, and the other boys behind him don’t have the same emotion on their faces that he does. What was that ending moment like to see? What was it like to see how that played out?

THORNE: Winston is amazing in that moment. It’s largely the text from the book. We found a few more details in it, but largely we used Golding’s words at that moment. By that point, the kids were so deep in that Marc just trusted them to make their choices as they moved towards the boat. I loved how Thomas [Connor], who plays Roger, the worst of them all, just immediately disrobed and was like, “Okay, I’ll go do that now.” And then, the two that can’t move are Jack and Ralph, for totally different reasons. Lox is beautiful in that moment, as he’s standing there completely lost. His shoulders change from being ones of a warrior to being ones of a child again. And Winston is just looking up with total responsibility for something that he’s not responsible for. He’s grown and changed. I love that moment. I can take small credit for it because it’s about those incredible actors, and it’s about Marc.

The Conversations Surrounding ‘Adolescence’ Felt Very Special to Thorne

“Everyone that saw it wanted to talk to me about it. I got emails from friends from school that I hadn’t spoken to for years.”

Image via Netflix

What was it like for you to see the reaction to Adolescence, from the viewers, from the critics, and from all the awards show love? Have you been surprised by all the talk about people wanting another season of that? Was that something that had ever even occurred to you when you wrote it?

THORNE: No, we wrote it to finish with Episode 4. We were pretty sure it should end in Episode 4, and nothing has changed our mind about that. But it was amazing. It’s like nothing I’ve ever encountered before. When you make a TV show, you don’t actually hear from that many people. When you make theater, you’ve got a relationship with the audience that just builds and builds. There was a moment when social media was nice, and you had a relationship with the audience on social media. Now, you get emails from a few people – friends, colleagues, people who get it. Sometimes you get surprising emails. I’ve gotten a few surprising emails about Lord of the Flies, but you don’t get that many. You just sit there in your own silence and go, “Okay, well that was a thing.”

With Adolescence, everyone who saw it wanted to talk to me about it. I got emails from friends from school that I hadn’t spoken to for years – the few friends I did have – saying, “I just had a conversation with my 13-year-old that I’ve needed to have for a very long time,” or “I’ve just spoken to my 16-year-old, and they broke down in tears.” To be part of that conversation just felt so special. It was lovely. Stephen and I talked about wanting to make sofa shows because we both grew up on the sofa beside our mums watching tele. To have made a sofa show was hugely important to us and hugely gratifying too.

How did you end up involved with the Stranger Things stage play? You do theater, but you didn’t work on that series, so how did that happen?

THORNE: Because of Harry Potter, their idea was that I might be useful, in terms of working out how to translate stories to the stage. I think I was useful at the beginning when we were talking about it, and then Kate [Trefry] made it her own in a wonderful way.

What was that experience like? Did you see the show?

THORNE: Oh, yeah. The first preview was amazing. It was the same with Harry Potter. When you’re in a room that’s hearing the story for the first time, and you’re surrounded by people that are really passionate about the story, and the Stranger Things audience is massively different from the Harry Potter audience, but you’re seeing them feel their way through it and I love that. It’s like being at a rock concert for about five minutes. It’s very special. I loved it. What happens in the next few years, as AI becomes more powerful, is going to be very interesting, whether the live experience suddenly becomes much more important. That will be fascinating and seems likely. How we translate all our storytelling is going to be interesting.

You’re also getting to create a Beatles cinematic universe, with John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr each getting their own biopics. Is that something you had ever imagined yourself doing?

THORNE: It’s amazing. The truth is, in (director) Sam Mendes we trust. He’s the heart and soul of it. I’m very lucky. Me and Sam worked on a play together, called The Motive and the Cue, that was very, very important to me and taught me a lot about the sort of writer I wanted to be. And then, he was kind enough to invite me in to be part of the Beatles. It’s been amazing.

What is the writing process like when those are the characters that you have in your head?

THORNE: I can’t talk about it more than I’ve talked about it, I don’t think.

Just regarding the process, does it feel more challenging when you are thinking of actual people, especially when they’re such famous people?

THORNE: It depends. Every project is different. The places you get stuck are different on every project, whether it’s fictional or non-fictional. Sometimes the story doesn’t break down in the way that you want it to when you’re in the non-fiction world, or in the based-on world, and sometimes it gives you treats that you’re not expecting. Each has its own rewards. I did a show last year, called Toxic Town, that was about a group of women fighting their council, and the interesting thing about it was, every time you needed something to be there, it was, but it didn’t behave itself.

I try to take those lessons into my fictional telling as well. The stories shouldn’t behave themselves because people understand the rhythm of stories. If you’re telling stories that are rhythmically similar to everything they know, then they know when to pick up their phones and look at social media and get absorbed in other things. They go, “Well, I need to concentrate at minute 10 and minute 25, and then probably by minute 52, and the rest of the time, it’s meat on the bones. The bones are what I need to really concentrate on, and I know when those bones are going to hit.”

One of Thorne’s Heroes Is Filmmaker Ang Lee, and He Hopes To Continue Emulating His Approach to Storytelling

“The thing I love about Ang Lee is that he moves between different spaces and learns from those different spaces.”

Image via Netflix

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It feels like you’re doing these different projects from such different approaches. With The Beatles, they’re real people who are also very famous. With Stranger Things, it’s for the stage. With Lord of the Flies, you’re working from source material. With the Enola Holmes films, your character is growing and developing while your actor is growing and developing. You aren’t stuck in just one type of thing.

THORNE: No. One of my heroes is Ang Lee. The thing I love about Ang Lee is that he moves between different spaces and learns from those different spaces, which helps him when he’s telling us whatever kind of story he’s telling. He’s got an understanding of the rhythm, but he’s also learning the rhythm at the same time, rather than settling into it. That’s what I want to do. I want to keep fresh and keep that sense of the new in me because I want to keep doing it, and I love it. When I talked about chaos, I literally don’t know what I’m doing next. I’m always like, “Oh, right, this. This is the thing.” I’ll get a call from [someone], and suddenly I’m like, “Oh, right, this is what I’m doing now.” I really like that. That excitement is still in me. Twenty-five years into my writing career, I’m really lucky that that’s the case.

Lord of the Flies is available to stream on Netflix.

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Release Date

2026 – 2026-00-00

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Network

BBC One

Directors

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Marc Munden

Writers

Jack Thorne

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Cast

• 
• 

  David McKenna

  Nicholas (Piggy)

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When it comes to spring footwear, we default to sneakers, too. But leave it to Meryl Streep to convince Us to go outside the box. The actress wore a chic, expensive-looking style that puts sporty kicks to shame. Her slip-ons are something between mules, clogs and loafers, combining three sophisticated silhouettes into one epic look.

The Devil Wears Prada 2 star recently stepped out in New York City wearing a green polka dot trench coat, easy-going jeans and an oversized leather tote bag. But the real scene-stealer was her shoe style that left the fashion world buzzing, and Us sprinting to our go-to retailers. These clog-style shoes might be the ‘It’ look for 2026.

The Lucky Brand Louisaa Leather Mules have the same hybrid silhouette Streep threw on in New York. They deliver loafer-meets-mule energy with a modern slingback strap that keeps them secure while walking about town.

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The design details are what really sell these slip-on shoes. The soft leather build, intricate stitching and mini heel has the power to elevate your aesthetic, even when paired with jeans. These head-turning mules are the classy alternative to sneakers we’ve all been waiting for.

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In the latest issue of Us Weekly, our Hot Stuff roundup spotlights an exciting partnership between Khloé Kardashian and It’s A 10 Haircare, fashion finds perfect for Mother’s Day gifting plus beauty launches that will leave your skin soft, smooth and glowing.

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Volition Beauty’s Greek Goddess Glow Drops (a go-to for HGTV star Alison Victoria) are a makeup bag must-have for achieving a luminous, hydrated complexion. This face serum — which can be mixed in with your favorite foundation or applied alone to your face or décolletage for added radiance — is packed with powerhouse skincare ingredients, including skin-plumping peptides, texture-improving resveratrol and moisture-boosting hyaluronic acid.

On the fashion front, Patricia Nash Designs impressed Us with a spring- and summer-ready crossbody bag that doubles as a thoughtful gift for your No. 1 supporter this Mother’s Day — or a chic way to treat yourself.

There’s more to check out! Scroll on to see what else made the latest Hot Stuff list:

By day, he’s a crime consultant. By night, he’s the Devil. Loosely based on the DC Comics character of the same name, Lucifer took both network and streaming by storm with its anti-hero, Lucifer Morningstar (Tom Ellis). True to his biblical origins, Lucifer is tasked with punishing the morally corrupt for eternity. However, he grows tired of working for God — and of being barred from Heaven. Like the rebel he is, he packs his bags and heads to Earth in search of freedom. Of course, it’s not that simple, and his story spirals out into six dramatic seasons, but what happened behind the scenes is somehow even more dramatic. Lucifer nearly faced cancellation during the show’s major climaxes, only to be saved by divine intervention, a.k.a. the show’s devoted fans.

What Is ‘Lucifer’ About?

Serving as a more urban fantasy–leaning take on the original DC Comics character, Lucifer follows Lucifer Morningstar, who is furious after being cast out of Heaven by God and condemned to punish sinners forever. Determined to rebel against his father, the Devil packs his bags and builds a new life in the City of Angels: Los Angeles. When he’s not busy bringing women back to his flashy penthouse or drinking copious amounts of alcohol, he runs his exclusive nightclub, Lux. However, everything changes when someone is shot outside his club, leading him to cross paths with Detective Chloe Decker (Lauren German).

After being the first to discover a dead body outside his club — and determined to clear his name — Lucifer accompanies Detective Decker on her investigation. What she doesn’t realize is that he possesses powers that can expedite her work. Although Lucifer is ultimately proven innocent, the experience gives him a new sense of purpose on Earth: becoming a crime consultant. Decker is understandably hesitant to have someone like him on the team, but Lucifer quickly proves he has a knack for getting to the bottom of cases. Meanwhile, back in Heaven, those watching from the clouds are far from pleased with his new career.

‘Lucifer’ Puts a Supernatural Spin on the Crime Thriller Genre

Lucifer keeps things both fresh and familiar. Each episode follows a new criminal investigation somewhere in Los Angeles, reminiscent of more recent procedurals like High Potential. Although they make an effective team, Lucifer and Decker are constantly at odds, largely due to Lucifer’s immaturity clashing with Decker’s sternness. However, for all of Lucifer’s unseriousness, the devil proves to be exceptionally skilled at his “crime consulting” job — mainly because his powers allow him to draw out people’s deepest desires, something Decker remains completely unaware of. At the same time, his life becomes increasingly complicated as he’s persistently hounded by celestial beings in human form, ranging from his angelic brother, Amenadiel (D. B. Woodside), to biblical figures like Cain (Tom Welling) and Eve (Invar Lavi).

However, somewhere around the midpoint of all six seasons of Lucifer, things get incredibly heavy. What initially starts as Lucifer’s “passion project” becomes complicated, as eternal forces threaten to take away the life he has built on Earth — and the people he has come to care about. The moment those same forces begin manifesting in murders, putting the civilians of Los Angeles at risk, Lucifer stops messing around. This shift is what makes the show worth watching. In angelic lore, celestial beings are emotionally detached and objective towards mortals. Yet in the series, the Devil himself proves to be, ironically, the most human.

Fans Saved ‘Lucifer’ from Impending Cancellation

Image via Fox/Netflix

Despite its strong popularity, Lucifer nearly met an abrupt end in 2018 when Fox cancelled the show following its Season 3 cliffhanger finale. The decision was largely attributed to declining viewership: while Season 1 averaged 7.17 million viewers, Season 3 dropped to around 4.16 million. Co-showrunner Joe Henderson said the cancellation came as a complete surprise, especially since the finale was intentionally written as a cliffhanger under the assumption the network wouldn’t pull the plug. Notably, Lucifer was cancelled in the same month as Brooklyn Nine-Nine, another Fox staple.

As the producers process the loss, fans refused to accept it, launching the #SaveLucifer campaign with viral hashtags, petitions, and lobbying efforts aimed at streaming platforms. Fortunately, Netflix stepped in and revived Lucifer for Season 4, eventually carrying it through its series finale in Season 6. The save was worth the risk. By the time Lucifer reached the second half of Season 5 on Netflix, it had garnered 1.8 billion viewing minutes. The campaign is a strong example of how accessible social media is for fans to advocate for their favorite shows — especially in today’s era, where many series are canceled too quickly to fully grow an audience. More importantly, it proves that Lucifer was simply too good to let go.

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Release Date

2016 – 2021

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Network

FOX, Netflix

Directors

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Nathan Hope, Eagle Egilsson, Louis Shaw Milito, Sherwin Shilati, Claudia Yarmy, Greg Beeman, Tara Nicole Weyr, Lisa Demaine, Richard Speight Jr., Kevin Alejandro, Viet Nguyen, Alrick Riley, Eduardo Sánchez, Sam Hill, Mairzee Almas, Ben Hernandez Bray, Brad Tanenbaum, D.B. Woodside, David Frazee, David Paymer, Eriq La Salle, Hanelle M. Culpepper, Mark Tonderai, Matt Earl Beesley

Writers

Jen Graham Imada, David McMillan

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Former New York City mayor and President Donald Trump supporter Rudy Giuliani is reportedly in critical condition at an unnamed Florida hospital.

“Mayor Giuliani is a fighter who has faced every challenge in his life with unwavering strength, and he’s fighting with that same level of strength as we speak,” the politician’s spokesperson, Ted Goodman, told multiple outlets, including The New York Times, on Sunday, May 3.

While the former mayor’s spokesperson declined to specify which Florida hospital Giuliani, 81, is reportedly being treated at, he did tell the newspaper of record that those who care for Giuliani are asking for people to “join us in prayer.”

On Sunday, Fox News reported that while Giuliani is in critical condition he is also “stable.”

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Per The New York Times, it is unclear how long Giuliani has reportedly been hospitalized and what health condition or conditions he is currently facing. This is not the first time, however, the polarizing political figure has faced health issues.

In September 2025, Giuliani was injured after he was involved in a car accident in New Hampshire.

The former mayor was the reported passenger in a Ford Bronco when the vehicle was struck from behind in Manchester, according to local police who spoke to various publications at the time.

“[Giuliani] was diagnosed with a fracture thoracic vertebra, multiple lacerations and contusions, as well as injuries to his left arm and lower leg,” the politician’s security guard, Michael Ragusa, said in a statement shortly after the incident, per the BBC.

The incident occurred shortly after Giuliani was said to have assisted an alleged, unknown victim of domestic violence, who his security guard claimed flagged him down while walking alongside the road.

“Mayor Giuliani immediately rendered assistance and contacted 911,” Ragusa claimed at the time. Later, local New Hampshire police confirmed officers were investigating a reported domestic violence incident in the area at the time of the crash.

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“As a result of the collision, both vehicles went into the median and were heavily damaged,” police further added. No charges were filed after authorities investigated the nature of the crash.

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Giuliani, who was elected mayor of New York City in 1993, became a household name after the deadly terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. He was soon known as “America’s Mayor,” credited for helping both the city and the country heal from the devastation.

His political stock plummeted, however, after he became a staunch supporter of Trump, 79, claiming that former President Joe Biden’s 2020 presidential election victory was “rigged.” Giuliani reached a $148 million settlement with two former election workers who successfully sued the former mayor for defamation over his false election fraud claims.

Survival thrillers set in vast, isolated places aren’t anything new. We usually follow solo survivors who battle against the elements of the unique biome they are stranded in while also often being threatened by another entity. But French director Sébastien Drouin‘s Cold Meat sets off on its own rugged path in the first act, which renders it a fresh take on the genre — fresh and chilly. Set in the Colorado Rockies during an all-consuming blizzard, the film meticulously crafts a deep chill that creeps into our bones, not only because of the cold, but because of the two survivors who are forced to work together despite the fact that one has abducted the other. From the unexpected twists in its premise to the ever-changing dynamics between the two leads, Cold Meat weaves subversion into each of its elements, while battering us with the pitiless, icy fringes of morality. And now it is free to watch on YouTube.

‘Cold Meat’ Is a Subversive Survival Thriller

Opening up with a cozy diner scene, Allen Leech’s David seems like an ordinary albeit brave chap who good-heartedly intervenes in an altercation between Nina Bergman’s Ana and her violent ex-husband Vincent (Yan Tual). Opting for words rather than violence, he threatens to pursue a lawsuit against him to ensure he will not get custody of his daughter. Leech’s performance is graced with simplicity and a calm demeanor, as he reasonably talks to the menacing man but has a steely backbone we immediately admire. Once the ex-husband leaves, Bergman plays the relieved yet shaky Ana and also deftly garners our sympathy — it is a sharp and effective way to draw us into these characters.

Later, when the redneck ex decides to try and ram David down during a snowstorm on the highway, we think we know where the plot is going until it pulls the rug out from under us. We are thrown into the wilderness alongside two characters, one of whom has just been kidnapped by the other, yet both are trapped in the car with the raging icy winds outside. The plot continues in this same subversive manner, as their cat-and-mouse game of survival against each other and the elements concoct an enticing relationship. Cold Meat then further stuns us with its third act, wafting over an effortless supernatural twist that fits in seamlessly with the surreal white landscapes and haunting howls of the blizzard.

The Kidnapper and Their Victim Survive Together in ‘Cold Meat’

Cold Meat doesn’t only subvert the genre conventions of a typically solo survival thriller, but is also subversive in the way it presents the strange dynamic between captor and captive. The two are instinctively against each other, but have the overarching issue of survival to confront at the same time. Trapped in the car with limited heat, water and food, hypothermia becomes the most pressing issue, leading to a distinctly uncomfortable scene of them reluctantly yet greedily feeding off each other’s body warmth. This scene essentially encapsulates their symbiotic yet conflicting relationship, keeping us hooked on their unwilling reliance on each other while anticipating the twist of the knife at any second.

With nothing to do except wait out the storm, it tentatively becomes a two-people-in-a-room-talking kind of film as they hash out their differences, taking turns overpowering and threatening each other while meditating on the value of life. Much of the camerawork is restricted to the confines of the car, entrapping us in the setting and the equally claustrophobic relationship, starkly contrasting the deadly expanse outside. With close-ups of mouths moving and eyes darting, there is an inescapable quality to the corruption that shrouds them, especially as the kidnapper begins recounting tales of his previous victims. As such, the actors’ micro-expressions really come into play here, as each movement conveys some capacity for frustration, fear or loathing.

‘Cold Meat’ Explores Crossing Moral Lines to Survive

Their interactions lead into commentary about crossing lines of morality. It’s most obviously seen in the serial kidnapper’s and killer’s nostalgic musings on his past victims, particularly his first one, where he made “many mistakes.” But this also provides a point of contrast, where the captive slowly begins closing the distance, being pushed to extremes to survive. As the peril of the supernatural entity derived from the local legend forewarned by the narrator in the opening sequence increases, the necessity for extreme measures also becomes more demanding. Even the “evil” kidnapper who relishes crossing moral boundaries has never really had the same threat held against him, making his actions under that pressure gripping to watch.

As the title suggests, the two leads slowly devolve into Cold Meat, stripping away what makes them intrinsically human and turning them into fodder for the third act, simply capable of terror and nothing more. Flipping our expectations multiple times throughout the film, Cold Meat is certainly not like any survival thriller you have seen. The lines of humanity become murky in more ways than one, all through a compelling central relationship that is as vividly chilling and sharp as the ice around them.

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Cold Meat

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Release Date

February 23, 2024

Runtime

89 minutes

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Director

Sébastien Drouin

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Writers

Andrew Desmond

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  James Barton-Steel

  Miller

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Former Boy Meets World producer David Kendall has died. He was 68.

“To say that David Kendall was instrumental in the creation of Boy Meets World would be an understatement,” a statement shared via the official “Pod Meets World” Instagram account read on Saturday, May 2. “He directed, wrote and executive produced our show, but also helped mold some of TV’s most memorable sitcoms, from Growing Pains to Hannah Montana.”

The statement noted that Kendall helped “develop” the “young creative voices” of the “Pod Meets World” cohosts Danielle Fishel, Will Friedle and Rider Strong, both as a co-worker and later as a mentor, while also working with stars like Austin Butler, Zendaya, Miley Cyrus and the Jonas brothers “in the early stages of their careers.”

“We are devastated to lose such an important person in our lives, both professionally and personally,” the statement read. “We all kept in touch with David over the past 30 years, and are honored that we were able to share his incredible personality with our ‘Pod Meets World’ listeners. We have lost a vital piece of our family — but we ask that the next time you watch the show, especially Seasons 2 & 3 (when he served as Showrunner), you think of our beloved Kendall.”

Related: ‘Boy Meets World’ Cast: Where Are They Now?

Boy Meets World became a family sitcom phenomenon during its seven-season run on ABC from 1993 to 2000. Created by Michael Jacobs, the show followed the life and life lessons of Cory Matthews (Ben Savage) from home with parents Alan (William Russ) and mother Amy (Betsy Randle) to school with neighbor and forever-teacher George Feeny […]

The post, which included a photo of Kendall smiling, concluded, “We love you, David. Rest in peace. No notes.”

A cause of death was yet to be publicly shared at the time of publication. Users paid tribute to Kendall in the comments section of the post.

“Oh my gosh guys…I’m so sorry to hear of this loss. I’m so happy you got to have him on the show and be able to keep in contact over the years with him,” one user wrote, while another added, “Hearing you talk of him and seeing his impact on the episodes he directed, it makes this loss feel more personal to me. Condolences to everyone who actually worked with him.”

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A third wrote, “Thank you, @podmeetsworldshow, for putting a spotlight on the many other wonderful and talented people who make BMW possible. Such a pleasure to feel like we knew a piece of him. We’re so sorry for your loss – thank you for sharing him with us. 💔.”

Related: ‘Boy Meets World’ Cast: Who the Stars Have Dated in Real Life

The Boy Meets World cast found their respective matches after appearing in the hit sitcom. William Daniels, who took on the role of Mr. Feeny, set an example of a lasting Hollywood romance when he married Bonnie Bartlett in 1951. After meeting as students at Northwestern University, the couple took the next step and eventually […]

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Kendall joined Boy Meets World as an executive producer in season 2, a role which he held until the 2000 series finale. After writing an episode of Boy Meets World in 1994, Kendall directed 13 episodes of the series from 1995 to 1999.

Boy Meets World centered around Cory Matthews (Ben Savage) navigating adulthood while crossing paths with older brother Eric (Friedle), best friend Shawn Hunter (Strong), love interest Topanga Lawrence (Fishel) and more.

Princess Eugenie took to social media to celebrate husband Jack Brooksbank’s 40th birthday, sharing rare photos of her family amid her father, former Prince Andrew’s, scandal related to his relationship with the late convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

“Happy 40th my love,” the royal, 36, wrote via her Instagram Stories on Sunday, May 3, over a photo of her other half laying out on a nondescript beach. In a subsequent photo, she shared a snap of her husband playing with one of the pair’s two sons. (Princess Eugenie and Brooksbank, 40, share sons August Philip and Ernest George.)

Princess Eugenie then shared a throwback pic of the pair, featuring Brooksbank wearing a sombrero.

“Here’s to another 16… xx,” she wrote over the image, followed by “xx” over a more recent photo of the happy couple at a beach.

Related: Princess Eugenie Is All Smiles in 1st Appearance After Dad Andrew’s Arrest

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor‘s daughter Princess Eugenie made her first public appearance following her father’s arrest. Eugenie, 35, stepped out for coffee with husband Jack Brooksbank in London on Tuesday, February 24, according to photos obtained by People. She kept a low profile in a T-shirt, leggings, jacket, sneakers and a baseball cap. While spotted out and […]

The royal’s post comes as her father, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, has been embattled in a scandal related to his former relationship with Epstein, who died by suicide in 2019 while awaiting trial in New York City on child sex trafficking charges.

After the former prince was accused of sexually assaulting Epstein victim Virginia Giuffre when she was a minor, was heavily featured in the so-called Epstein files recently released by the U.S. Justice Department and accused of misconduct while in office, his brother, King Charles, announced he was beginning the formal process of stripping his brother of his royal titles. (Giuffre died by suicide in April 2025 at age 41. Mountbatten-Windsor has denied the claims against him, settling a sexual assault lawsuit out of court with Giuffre prior to her untimely death.)

“Prince Andrew will now be known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. His lease on Royal Lodge has, to date, provided him with legal protection to continue in residence,” a statement shared with Us Weekly from the royal read in October 2025. “Formal notice has now been served to surrender the lease and he will move to alternative private accommodation. These censures are deemed necessary, notwithstanding the fact that he continues to deny the allegations against him.”

In February of this year, the disgraced royal was arrested on his 66th birthday on charges he allegedly shared classified information with Epstein during his time in office. The United Kingdom’s Thames Valley Police confirmed they had “arrested a man in his sixties from Norfolk on suspicion of misconduct in public office.” King Charles later confirmed the man was his brother via a public statement.

“I have learned with the deepest concern the news about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and suspicion of misconduct in public office,” he said according to the statement obtained by Us read at the time. “What now follows is the full, fair and proper process by which this issue is investigated in the appropriate manner and by the appropriate authorities. In this, as I have said before, they have our full and wholehearted support and cooperation.”

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When the scandal hit one of many fever pitches in 2019, Us learned that Princess Eugenie and her sister, Princess Beatrice, were being supported — and distracted — by their respective spouses. (Former Prince Andrew shares Beatrice and Eugenie with his ex wife, Sarah “Fergie” Ferguson.)

Related: Prince William and Kate Middleton Break Silence on Epstein Files

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Prince William and Princess Kate Middleton are addressing the revelations related to late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein as more documents are uncovered. “I can confirm The Prince and Princess have been deeply concerned by the continuing revelations. Their thoughts remain focused on the victims,” a spokesperson for the couple said on Monday, February 9, as […]

“Eugenie’s husband and Beatrice’s [husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi] are standing by them and are doing everything they can to distract the girls from the situation and calm them down,” a source told Us at the time. “There have been scandals surrounding Andrew and Sarah Ferguson in the past, and while this is the worst yet, they know that marrying into the royal family comes with its ups and downs.”

During his recent visit to the United States and historic Congressional address, King Charles declined to mention Epstein, the Epstein files or acknowledge the disgraced billionaire’s many victims.

Shawn Johnson is giving fans a glimpse into her and Andrew East’s eldest son Jett’s passion with dirt biking — even if it’s aging her far quicker than she’d like.

“I just lost 3 years of my life watching Jett ride a real track for the first time. Thank you to @fastfarmsmx for the INSANE amount of guidance and grace you gave us! We were a literal circus out there doing everything wrong we possible could hahaha and still left with Jett saying, ‘I want to do that forever and ever,’” Johnson, 34, wrote via her Instagram Story on Sunday, May 3.

She continued, “Also, to every single parent and person out there that helped us … Thank you! The community was unmatched! We have no idea what we are doing haha just trying to help this little man live out a dream.”

Alongside the message, Johnson shared an image of Jett standing in the back of a pick up truck while looking at a miniature dirt bike. In a separate Instagram Story, Johnson uploaded a video of the track.

Related: Shawn Johnson and Andrew East’s Family Album With Kids

Shawn Johnson East became a parent in November 2019 and has been sharing sweet family photos ever since. The Olympian wed Andrew East in April 2016 in Tennessee, and they announced the following year that they had suffered a miscarriage. They announced their rainbow baby’s conception in April 2019. “You are our everything,” Johnson captioned […]

“First got at it. What you didn’t see … 1: First 30 seconds … We accidentally sent Jett out on the track with the big bikes. Not kids. EVERYONE panicked. 2: Second attempt … in the right group … Jett goes over his handle bars and gets pinned by bike,” she wrote.

She continued, “3: Next attempt … Andrew is now following on an E bike. Jett gets going the WRONG direction on a LIVE track. Andrew goes after him. Fast. Andrew falls. Jett falls. Parents everywhere panicking trying to help. 4: Jett and Andrew both get struck in the mud. Need help to get out. Lawwwwwwwdddd.”

Johnson noted in a separate video that her and East’s son rode a bike without training wheels when he was 1 year old and has had an electric bike that he was “fluent” at riding. She explained that Jett has since had a few birthday parties at various BMX tracks. (Johnson and East are also parents to daughter Drew and son Bear, whom they welcomed in 2019 and 2023, respectively.)

“Now, you guys are like, ‘This is too much. It’s too soon.’ Guys, if athletics has taught us anything, it’s how to gauge when your kid is ready — or when a kid is ready — for the next step. He’s surpassing the milestones and bars that we are putting and implementing for him,” she said, defending her decision to allow her son to pursue motocross sports.

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Related: Why Shawn Johnson’s 2-Year-Old Son Jett Went to Emergency Room

After a girls night, Shawn Johnson ended her evening in the emergency room with her 2-year-old son Jett. “Well… Not the night we had envisioned ha but we are doing good. Going to have a good little scar from our stitches tonight. Got our eyebrow good,” Johnson, 32, wrote via her Instagram Story on Saturday, […]

Johnson explained that she had a passion for riding when she was a child, noting that Jett’s timing is not “abnormal” for a child to begin racing.

“Today, on the other hand, was just a little bit of a crazy start because we just got thrown in. And that’s how you do it. Trial by fire, pretty much,” she said, adding that Jett has “all the precautionary stuff” and is “very good” at riding. “He’s just never been on a track before.”

Johnson gushed that Jett did a “phenomenal job” racing, but noted that he gave “his mom a heart attack.” As Johnson’s daughter entered the video, the Olympian asked whether she would be interested in racing like her brother. “No,” Drew replied.

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“Let me just say, something that Andrew and I both value as parents is they write a lot of rule books about when your kid is this age, then they can start doing X, Y and Z. Because of our athletic background, we don’t believe in that. We believe that the kid drives it. If the kid is ready, the kid is ready. Some of them move slower, some of them move faster,” she explained. “So with Jett, it’s truly been, he’s been setting the bar. He gets fluent in something, we move onto the next thing.”

Johnson shared that it “all makes [her] nervous” with Jett.

“It doesn’t make sense, his age with the dirt bike and everything, but yet he’s fluent at it and he’s good at it,” she said. “And I really think it was a little treasure put in his little body.”

If gingham represented one season, it would be spring. It’s only appropriate that the pretty print makes its way into your wardrobe this time of year. From easy-going tops and bottoms to relaxed sundresses and matching sets, the classic checkered pattern adds a lovely feminine touch to an otherwise simple look.

The tablecloth-like pattern (we mean that in the best way possible!) comes in a range of neutral and colorful pastel options, making it ideal for spring. To get you started on some stylish picks, we rounded up 21 warm-weather options on Amazon that give you a fun, elevated appearance for baby showers, outdoor brunches and everything in between. So step outside of your comfort zone and try one of these trendy picks below that start as low as $13.

21 Gingham Clothing Finds on Amazon

Dresses

1. Our Favorite: This gingham maxi dress has a ruffled neckline that continues to the straps. Made of 100% cotton, this option has an elastic bodice to fit your bust nicely.

2. Short and Sweet: With three-quarter sleeves and a not-too-short length, this button-up, tiered dress is a throw-on-and-go option. You just have to decide which of the five colors to go with.

3. Must-Have Midi: It’s all about the waist on this A-line midi dress. The smocked feature cinches you in to give your body some serious shape.

4. Perfectly Puffed: This will be your go-to dress for bridal and baby showers, as the puffed, ruffled short sleeves are absolutely darling. This square-neck midi comes in neutrals and fun hues to really make a statement.

5. Timeless Tiers: With a modest neckline, this sleeveless midi dress is super elegant. The A-line silhouette skims your curves for a flattering fit on everyone.

6. Collared Candidate: Throw on your favorite flats, sneakers or sandals, and that’s all you need to complete this short-sleeve midi dress look. The collar, buttons and waist tie are thoughtful details to elevate it.

Related: 17 Resort-Ready Staples From Amazon That Are *Actually* Worth It

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You’ve booked the trip, blocked the calendar and now you’re staring at a closet full of clothes that feel wrong for poolside lunches and sunset dinners. The pieces from a few seasons back don’t quite fit the vibe, but you’re not about to drop a paycheck on a vacation wardrobe you’ll wear for one week. […]

Tops

7. Our Favorite: There’s so much to love about this flowy short-sleeve top, but the kicker is that it starts at just $15. The square neckline is more unique, so you probably don’t have a shirt like it.

8. Sleeveless Selection: For warmer days, this collared sleeveless shirt will be your go-to. The top has a longer length, but it’s easy enough to tuck in for a more refined look.

9. Buttoned Babe: Your typical button-up top just got more fun with this gingham long-sleeve shirt. You can even style it under a cardigan or blazer for the office.

10. Real Ruffles: It doesn’t get much cuter than this sleeveless smocked top that flares at the bottom. The ruffled straps and square neckline are just the cherry on top.

11. Pretty Peplum: A flowy peplum top is super comfortable for the spring and summer. It’s made of 100% cotton, too, so it’s soft and breathable.

Bottoms

12. Our Favorite: No, these aren’t pajama pants, but they can be your new favorite loungewear. These high-waisted gingham pants have a thick elastic waistband for serious comfort.

13. Modest Maxi: Pair this flowy maxi skirt with a tight top for an attractive balance. Amazon shoppers are very happy with the thick, comfortable material.

14. Stylish Shorts: These gingham pull-on shorts are easy to throw on and head out the door. They’re made of 100% cotton and have front pockets, so what’s not to like?

15. Lounge-Worthy: We really like the fit of these cropped gingham pants, as they look less loungewear like. The straight-leg silhouette makes them super versatile, though.

16. Comfortable Capris: These $20 capri pants are just what springtime calls for. The high, drawstring waist is bound to give you a flattering fit.

Matching Sets

17. Our Favorite: If you like ruffle detailing, this long-sleeve top and shorts set will win you over. The fit is super flowy and lightweight, so you won’t get overheated during the warmer months.

18. Flowy Find: For a more casual shorts set, the crewneck top is simple yet flowy. Still, the scallop detail at the hems makes them look more complete.

19. Cropped Cutie: You’ll be the ultimate cool girl in this cropped tank and pants set. The cotton and linen pieces make getting dressed in the morning a breeze.

20. Skirt Set: We can’t get over this 100% cotton set that features a button-up design, collared shirt and skirt. Better yet, each piece is easy enough to pair with others in your closet.

21. Bowed Beauty: Wear it as a swimsuit cover-up or out to lunch, this two-piece set is flowy and fun. The top closes via two ties you can make into bows for an adorable touch.