By Charlene Badasie
| Published 26 seconds ago

The 2022 horror mystery-thriller The Midnight Club is one of Netflix’s most overlooked originals. Created by Mike Flanagan and Leah Fong, the 10-episode series adapts Christopher Pike’s 1994 novel of the same name while weaving elements from 27 of the prolific YA author’s other books into a single haunting story. Set at Brightcliffe Hospice Care for Teenagers, it follows a group of terminally ill young adults who gather each night to share terrifying stories and unravel the institution’s darkest secrets.

The Patients Of Brightcliffe

Set in the mid-1990s, the series begins when Ilonka (Iman Benson), a bright and ambitious young woman battling terminal thyroid cancer, chooses to live at Brightcliffe Hospice Care. She befriends Kevin (Igby Rigney), a leukemia patient, and clashes with her roommate Anya (Ruth Codd). One night, Ilonka stumbles upon a secret gathering of the Midnight Club.

The secret society, comprised of the patients of Brightcliffe, tries to communicate with the dead and shares eerie stories that intertwine with the hospice’s ominous history. As Ilonka delves deeper into the story of a former patient named Julia Jayne (Larsen Thompson), the supposed healer from the past, she uncovers a sinister cult, symbolized by the number “292.13,” and drawings that hint at a dark past.

21 Jump Scares

Julia, the founder of the original Midnight Club in 1969, had connections to Paragon, a cult that practiced unsettling rituals. The plot thickens as Ilonka, with Kevin’s help, discovers a hidden floor beneath the hospice. Records of the original club and evidence of a cult terrify the group. The final episodes bring closure for some characters, while others meet tragic ends.

The Midnight Club quickly captured the attention of Netflix audiences, recording an impressive 90.31 million hours viewed between October 2 and October 23, 2022, securing its position in the platform’s top 10. The series’ debut episode also made history by breaking the Guinness World Record for the most scripted jump-scares in a single episode, with 21 hair-raising moments.

The series was initially supposed to run for multiple seasons but was unexpectedly canceled in December 2022. Despite its premature ending, The Midnight Club earned critical acclaim and currently holds an 85 percent approval rating on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes. Critics praised Flanagan’s heartfelt approach to horror and the unique blend of individual stories with the overarching plot.

Other Horror Titles On Netflix From Mike Flanagan

Mike Flanagan has made a name for himself with his Netflix shows, including The Haunting of Hill House, The Haunting of Bly Manor, Midnight Mass, and The Fall of the House of Usher. These series are known for their focus on the human condition rather than jump scares and loud noises. Flanagan’s nonlinear approach to horror works very well, and he often tells parallel stories in the past and present.

The Haunting of Hill House became a huge surprise hit and remains a fan favorite. The Fall of the House of Usher, Flanagan’s most recent Netflix project, is an adaptation of Edgar Allan Poe’s vast bibliography and is up there with his best efforts. While The Midnight Club may have been axed prematurely, its chilling tales, stellar cast, and impressive viewership numbers are cemented into the annals of Netflix’s haunting offerings.

Destiny’s Child alum Kelly Rowland has had her fair share of movie roles, including “Mea Culpa” and the 2025 film “Relationship Goals.” While she’s enjoyed stepping into the shoes of fictional characters, there’s one real-life singer she’s hoping to portray one day.

Speaking with Us Weekly, Rowland, 45, opened up about her love for Donna Summer, known for the hits “I Feel Love,” “Last Dance,” “Hot Stuff,” “Bad Girls,” and “She Works Hard for the Money.” Rowland’s love for Summer is actually so strong that she’d want nothing more than to portray the Grammy winner in a future biopic.

“I would love nothing more than that role. That’s all I can say,” Rowland said. “That’s all I can say for now.”

Rowland’s coy answer came weeks after the superstar singer appeared to tease herself dressed as Summer in an Instagram post with wavy hair and bangs.

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“I’m hoping you won’t be waiting long,” she added. “All of us have our fingers crossed, toes crossed. We’re just totally crossed out.”

Kelly Rowland Talks Working With Her Co-Star Cliff ‘Method Man’ On Prime Video’s ‘Relationship Goals’

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Since Destiny Child’s last full album in the early 2000s, Rowland has put out some solo music, but has spent the last several years working on different television shows, like “The X Factor” and “The Voice,” and filming movies, like Prime Video’s “Relationship Goals.” In her latest film, Rowland plays a television producer who reunites with her ex while competing for a job at a New York morning show.

In a previous interview with PEOPLE, Rowland opened up about her relationship with her co-star Method Man, saying that when they did their chemistry read, everything seemed to fall into place. “As soon as he did and he grabbed his little pillow, I was like [to director Linda Mendoza], ‘It’s him!’ And it was very vulnerable. We’ve never seen Cliff, ‘Method Man,’ like this,” she said.

Method Man Had The Utmost Respect For Kelly Rowland While Filming Their Movie

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Method Man also praised Rowland while discussing his work on the film, calling the “Dilemma” singer a “consummate professional” who makes everyone around her extremely comfortable. “So, yeah, I mean, the chemistry was a given for me, honestly,” he added.

Rowland then discussed how she was able to relate to her character, Leah, stating that the fictional corporate baddie had been dealt devastating lows just as she had. “When we meet Leah, she’s very much so in control of her whole environment, her life, so she thinks she’s in control, and she’s dealing with grief,” said the mother of two. “I’ve had a bit of grief in my life and trying to mask it with work or not think about it. So I understood that with her.”

Rowland Talks Relationship With Beyoncé’s Mom

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In December 2025, Rowland got candid about her special bond with Beyoncé’s mom, Tina Knowles. Tina, 72, has been a mother figure to the Destiny’s Child alum since she was a child, even welcoming Rowland into her Texas home as the group worked to launch its career.

Consequently, Rowland has developed a close relationship with the “Matriarch” author, calling the fashion designer her “safe space” during a previous interview, per The Blast. “I’m heard, I’m seen by her. I see her; I hear her, and I love her with every fiber of my being,” Rowland said.

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Rowland Thanked God For Providing Her With Two Mothers

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Rowland, whose biological mother, Doris, died from a heart attack in 2014, spoke even further about her bond with Ms. Tina and expressed her gratitude for the motherly guidance and encouragement she’s always provided.

“I can’t believe that God thought the most of me to give me two moms that can give me that great amount of love, and then give me sisters as well with Bey, and Angie [Beyince], and Solange,” she said.

“The amount of love he’s given me through people I can never repay him for,” Rowland finished.

Tina echoed Rowland’s stance in a separate interview, saying that while she gave birth to two daughters, she’d really been blessed with four.

“Kelly, I know without a doubt that you were a true gift from God. You came to live with us when you were only 11 years old. You were the sweetest, most kind person I had ever met, and you still are. You are also a true survivor. You never give up. Your discipline and drive always inspires me,” Tina said.

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Anne Hathaway and her “The Odyssey” co-stars have been making the rounds to promote the epic film, but one recent interview turned into an unexpectedly emotional moment. During the actress’ appearance on “The View,” Hathaway fought back tears after Whoopi Goldberg shared a few heartfelt words, leaving the Oscar-winning actress visibly moved.

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On the July 20 episode of “The View,” Anne Hathaway, Matt Damon, and director Christopher Nolan sat down with the hosts to talk about their recently released film. Everyone on the panel had high praise for “The Odyssey” and urged the audience to see the movie.

Toward the end of the segment, Whoopi Goldberg turned to each of the guests and expressed her appreciation of their craft. Hathaway was brought to tears as she turned to her, saying, “Anne Hathaway, it’s been wonderful watching you. It’s been wonderful watching you grow up. And you have just blossomed, turned into this fabulous actress,” she continued.

Hathaway, visibly emotional, covered part of her face and said, “No, don’t.” Goldberg insisted that she needed to hear it. “Girl, yes! Yes! You need to know. You need to know… It’s something you need to know and remember,” the host sincerely said.

“I don’t know what to say. Thank you. You know how I feel about you,” Hathaway responded with glassy eyes.

The EGOT Winner Said ‘The Odyssey’ Showed The ‘Stupidity Of Men’

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Elsewhere during the interview, Goldberg didn’t mince words when she shared what she thought about men in the movie.

She prefaced her point by asking the men in her audience not to get “annoyed” with her, then continued to say the movie “does represent the stupidity of men.” Goldberg said men in “The Odyssey” were repeatedly told not to do certain things because of the consequences.
Every time, they go and do that, and they’re surprised that it’s going the other way,” she exclaimed.

She then praised Hathaway’s portrayal of Penelope. “Women forget that they are insanely strong and they are clever, because Penelope fools these men for 20 years,” Goldberg said.

Goldberg also saw striking parallels between “The Odyssey” and today’s social climate and said it’s a reminder that “No one wins in a war.”

Anne Hathaway’s Rise To Stardom

Goldberg’s praise reflected Hathaway’s decades-long career, which includes an Academy Award and a wide range of acclaimed performances.

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The actress rose to fame after portraying Mia Thermopolis in “The Princess Diaries” in 2001. The project was followed by other family-friendly films like “Ella Enchanted” and “The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement.”

In the succeeding years, Hathaway took on a wider variety of roles, including a recovering addict in “Rachel Getting Married,” the clever and agile Catwoman in “The Dark Knight Rises,” and a NASA scientist in “Interstellar.” In 2013, Hathaway earned a Best Supporting Actress Academy Award for her portrayal of Fantine in the musical film adaptation of “Les Misérables.”

Hathaway has established herself as one of Hollywood’s most versatile leading actresses with a filmography spanning a wide range of genres.

The Actress Has Five Movies This Year

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“The Odyssey” marked Hathaway’s third film release of the year, following “Mother Mary” and “The Devil Wears Prada 2,” which premiered in April and May, respectively. She has two more films scheduled for release before the year ends: “The End of Oak Street” in August, and “Verity” in October.

Hathaway shared that having so many movies in one year was “surreal,” and she knows how rare it is. “I’m at an age and a moment in my career where I know stuff like this doesn’t come around very often, and certainly doesn’t last forever,” she told PEOPLE.

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The actress added that she is focused on enjoying and appreciating her successes “as long as it lasts.” “I’m going to enjoy being on my board, and then when I fall in the water, that’ll be that moment,” she said.

Anne Hathaway Is Expecting Her Third Child

In June, Hathaway revealed that she’s expecting her third child with her husband of 13 years, Adam Shulman. They already share two boys: 10-year-old Jonathan and 6-year-old Jack. As The Blast previously reported, the pregnancy was a welcome surprise.

The 43-year-old, who has previously spoken about her fertility struggles, is overjoyed about the newest addition to her family and is focused on balancing her successful career with her growing family.

Hathaway has other projects in development, including “Princess Diaries 3” and the psychological thriller “Yesteryear.”

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Fetty Wap is now engaged, and the internet has plenty to say!

RELATED: Fetty Wap’s Latest Prison Pic Has The Internet Girlies Saying, “Baby, Won’t You Come My Way”(PHOTOS)

Fetty Wap Is Now Engaged… To Who?

On Monday, July 20, a woman who goes by the name Alexis, Instagram handle @lilsex_, took to the platform to share a carousel of photos. Furthermore, the first photo showed a “Will you marry me?” decorated with flowers and a flower-strewn pathway. In front of the sign, Alexis held her left hand, which showed off a ring on her ring finger.

The next slide revealed her kissing her apparent fiancé, Fetty Wap. In the flick, she held pink roses as the next slide showed footage of her and him walking up to the display.

The following clip then showed Fetty, down on one knee, proposing. Finally, the last slide showed a closer look at Alexis’ engagement ring.

See the photos and videos below.

Social Media Reacts

Social media users reacted to the rapper’s engagement in TSR’s comment section. Many mentioned Masika Kalysha, the mother of his daughter Khari Barbie, while others mentioned his ex, Alexis Skyy.

More On Fetty Wap’s Time Home & Engagement

As The Shade Room previously reported, in January, Fetty Wap was released from prison after serving almost three years of a six-year sentence for drug distribution. Subsequently, Masika Kalysha shared her disappointment at Fetty allegedly not coming to see their daughter immediately. By the end of that month, however, Fetty was reunited with Khari and Kalysha’s youngest daughter, Amari, whom she shares with the late Jamar Champ.

Exclusive: ❤️ Fetty Wap enjoys a post-prison reunion with his daughter Khari. https://t.co/IPJlyXk04I pic.twitter.com/Nm2fpVKicy

— TMZ (@TMZ) January 20, 2026

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More recently, Fetty Wap released his first project since being home, ‘Zavier.’ On it, he featured his single, ‘White Roses,’ on which he sang about a love interest. But no one could have anticipated that he had plans of popping the question.

At this time, neither Masika Kalysha nor Alexis Skyy has publicly reacted to Fetty’s engagement.

RELATED: Switchin’ It Up? Fetty Wap Turns Heads With New Song & Music Video Apparently Inspired By ‘Sinners’ (WATCH)

When you’re an actor of a certain caliber, a call to join a prestigious Taylor Sheridan series is usually the sign you’re getting a pretty meaty role, given the empire the prolific creator has built around huge, ensemble casts that get starrier and starrier with every show he puts out. Many of Hollywood’s biggest stars are signing up to play key figures in the Yellowstone universe that just won’t stop expanding, but according to one of the stars of Dutton Ranch, those promises aren’t being kept.

Speaking to Variety at the premiere of Apple TV’s The Dink, Ed Harris revealed he felt “misled” about the size of his role in Dutton Ranch, admitting that halfway through filming he was telling his representatives to “get me the f— out of here.”

“Prior to signing on for it, I was talked to quite a bit about what the season was, and what my character was going to do — and that I was one of the four main characters,” Harris said. “And that wasn’t really the case.”

Ed Harris Says He Felt “Underused”

Harris, who plays veterinarian Everett McKinney in the Yellowstone spin-off, said he voiced his frustrations during production after feeling his character had become “underused and inconsequential.” Despite those frustrations, Harris admitted his opinion softened once he watched the finished series.

“I said, ‘I’m feeling underused and inconsequential,’ and they kind of went, ‘Oh’. I’m being told my character will have a little bit more to do [in Season 2]. I was just a little frustrated, to tell you the truth. When I watched it, I thought it was pretty good,” he said, adding that Everett ultimately felt “relatively important to the story,” even if it hadn’t felt that way while filming.

One moment that still frustrates the Oscar nominee was a deleted scene in which Everett performed a song in a bar, with Harris recalling filming the sequence only to discover it had been cut because producers felt it was too upbeat for the episode’s ending.

“So there’s this scene in there… I walk up to the mic, and they cut it. They cut the song out. I’m going, ‘F*ck you, people.’”

Dutton Ranch stars Kelly Reilly, Cole Hauser, Ed Harris, Finn Little, Juan Pablo Raba, Jai Courtney, J.R. Villarreal, Marc Menchaca, Natalie Alyn Lind, and Annette Bening. Season 1 is now streaming on Paramount+.

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Release Date

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May 15, 2026

Network

Paramount Network, Paramount+

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Showrunner

Chad Feehan

Directors

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Christina Alexandra Voros

Writers

Jacob Forman, Hilary Bettis, Chad Feehan, Hayley Tibbenham, J. Todd Scott, K.C. Scott

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Tom Holland didn’t need a lengthy love story to remind fans how happy he is with Zendaya. 

During a playful podcast appearance, the “Spider-Man” star dropped what may have been the sweetest moment of the interview when he casually referred to the Emmy-winning actress as his “wife.” 

The offhand remark came just days after Holland confirmed the pair had quietly tied the knot, instantly sending fans into a frenzy and adding another heartfelt chapter to one of Hollywood’s favorite romances.

Tom Holland gave fans another reason to adore his relationship with Zendaya during an appearance on the U.K.-based “Dish” podcast, hosted by DJ Nick Grimshaw and chef Angela Hartnett.

While taking part in a quick-fire question round, Holland was asked, “Which person would you like a holiday in Greece with?” 

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Rather than overthink his answer, the actor immediately replied, “I think probably my wife would be pretty good.”

The affectionate remark came after Holland confirmed that he and Zendaya had married, making the casual response all the more meaningful. 

He also joked that choosing anyone else would be awkward, adding, “It would be a bit strange if I went, ‘Sorry babe, I’m gonna take Matt [Damon, Holland and Zendaya’s “Odyssey” costar] actually.”

Holland’s Sweet Reference To Zendaya Sparks Fan Frenzy

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It didn’t take long for Tom Holland’s affectionate remark to spread across social media, where fans quickly declared the two-word response the highlight of the interview. 

“‘My wife’ and Nick was so nonchalant about it. Wonder if his insides were screaming like the rest of us,” one fan wrote on Instagram, while another added, “Yeah he said it! His wife and look at his face! So cute. Excited to see this interview about the Odyssey.”

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A third user also remarked, “I’m just waiting for Zendaya to say husband but Tom can care less lol he is the type to shout it out from the rooftops.”

Other fans were thrilled about his return to the show, with one noting, “Cannot wait for this one as I love Tom Holland! He comes across as such a genuinely nice guy too.” Another wrote, “LOVED his Christmas episode. Thrilled he’s back.”

Zendaya Once Joked She’d Leave Tom Holland If He Turned Down The Odyssey

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Holland’s sweet “my wife” remark wasn’t the only recent glimpse fans have gotten into the couple’s playful relationship.

In an interview with PEOPLE, the “Pilgrimage” actor revealed that Zendaya played an unexpected role in convincing him to join Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey.”

Speaking alongside Nolan, Matt Damon, and Anne Hathaway, Holland explained that he initially hesitated because productions for “The Odyssey” and “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” were due to begin at the same time. 

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After telling Zendaya he had received “the big one” from Nolan, she immediately understood the significance of the opportunity. 

Holland then recalled that when he explained the scheduling conflict, Zendaya jokingly told him, “I’ll leave you if you don’t do The Odyssey,” prompting laughter from the panel.  

The lighthearted ultimatum encouraged Holland to approach Sony Pictures chairman Tom Rothman about adjusting the “Spider-Man” production schedule, a request the studio ultimately approved. 

Zendaya Backs Team England After Holland’s World Cup Pick

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Zendaya’s support for Tom Holland didn’t stop with encouraging him to take a career-defining role in “The Odyssey.”

The actress also showed where her loyalties lie during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, happily throwing her support behind England after being asked which nation she was rooting for. 

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During a lighthearted interview alongside her husband with Spanish media outlet LOS40, Holland immediately answered, “It’s England for me,” before Zendaya admitted soccer isn’t her strong suit. 

“I don’t really follow it, so I’m gonna support who you support. I love you so much,” she told her husband, prompting Holland to respond with a smiling, “Thank you.”  

Tom Holland Earns World Cup Bragging Rights Over Lupita Nyong’o

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Holland’s support for England during the FIFA World Cup didn’t just win over Zendaya, it also sparked a friendly rivalry with one of his “The Odyssey” co-stars, Lupita Nyong’o, who proudly supported Mexico ahead of the nations’ Round of 16 showdown. 

Before kickoff, the pair posed together in a playful video, with Holland holding up an England jersey while Nyong’o confidently waved Mexico’s colors, each refusing to switch sides despite sharing the screen as co-stars.  

England ultimately edged Mexico 3-2 in a thrilling contest to book its place in the quarterfinals, giving Holland undeniable bragging rights over Nyong’o.  

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Ironically, the actor didn’t even watch the match live because he was preparing for the world premiere of “The Odyssey” in London, later revealing he skipped the 1 a.m. kickoff so he could be “fresh and present” for what he called “one of the biggest days” of his life before catching a replay that morning without knowing the result.

Dystopian movies are a particularly potent and popular subset of science fiction cinema. That may be because they’re becoming increasingly reflective of our current reality or simply due to our own morbid fascination with our inevitable decline and demise. Either way, there are lots of incredible, and incredibly depressing, dystopias that have been depicted in movies, and some of those are pretty much perfect from beginning to end.

Perfection in film is as unlikely as the notion that humanity will ever create a true utopia, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t films that we’re willing to ignore the individual faults of in favor of what they provide for us. Like deluded citizens in a technoir police state, we buy into the reality of these dystopian films hard. Whether you choose the red pill for these movies or not, we’d still like to argue that these dystopian movies are perfect from their first scene to their last.

‘Metropolis’ (1927)

Image via Parufamet

Fritz Lang‘s staggering silent sci-fi classic Metropolis basically set the blueprint for all future dystopian films to follow. Its expressionistic vision of a mechanized society has influenced the designs of so many subsequent sci-fi films, including several on this list, as have the mechanics of its plot surrounding economic disparity and class divide. Lang was influenced by the skyscrapers of New York and the industrialization of World War I in creating his depiction of a dystopian future.

In the titular future city, the wealthy elite reside in their steel towers while the workers toil away in the bowels of the city. The conflict between the classes is personified by the personal battle between city master Fredersen (Alfred Abel) and his son Freder (Gustav Frohlich), who rebels against his father in an attempt to bring unity to the city. There’s also a deranged inventor who creates a humanoid robot as a means to bring about the destruction of the city. The depiction of the machine-human Maria (Brigitte Helm) was one of the earliest ever robots on film, and its legacy has extended far beyond into the future.

‘A Clockwork Orange’ (1971)

Image via Warner Bros. Pictures

Stanley Kubrick‘s ultraviolent vision of a future Britain in A Clockwork Orange will never be mistaken for anything resembling reality. The stylized aesthetic, complete with iconic costume design and fictional slang taken directly from the novel by Anthony Burgess, is a world unto itself, but still one that has a lot to say about our own. It’s a visceral depiction of a violent youth in rebellion within a totalitarian state that only knows how to respond with its own brand of violent therapy to recondition him.

Alex DeLarge (Malcolm McDowell) leads a gang of violent youths known as Droogs. After a series of violent physical and sexual assaults, Alex is eventually caught and imprisoned. In prison, he’s subjected to a form of drastic conversion therapy designed to make his violent impulses repulsive. A Clockwork Orange was controversial upon its release, and it still has a fair amount of potency even decades later. Even for fans of dystopian cinema, it can be a bit hard to stomach, but it’s still a vital piece of cinema made by one of the greatest directors of all time.

‘Blade Runner’ (1982)

Image via Warner Bros. Pictures

If there’s any depiction of a dystopian future that could be considered the most quintessential, Ridley Scott‘s Blade Runner would probably be it. The film went from a box office bomb to a bona fide cult classic and has since been canonized as a sci-fi masterpiece thanks to its iconic visuals. The rain-soaked tech noir vision of the future meshes perfectly with the hard-boiled detective story that has been partially transplanted from Philip K. Dick‘s Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? Blade Runner is a totemic cyberpunk movie, and its influence on the sci-fi genre at large cannot be overstated.

Rick Deckard (Harrison Ford) is a former Los Angeles police officer tracking down rogue replicants, androids built for labor and combat. He’s called back into duty when four replicants, led by the violent Roy Batty (Rutger Hauer), run amok in the city. His investigation also brings him into contact with the advanced replicant Rachael (Sean Young), with whom he develops a connection that forces him to question his humanity. Questions of what constitutes identity and consciousness lie under the slick surface of Blade Runner, which operates efficiently on its own vibes but has deeper themes for those who want to look a little closer.

‘Brazil’ (1985)

Image via Universal Pictures

Terry Gilliam‘s satirical sci-fi film Brazil is probably the funniest depiction of an Orwellian dystopia ever put on film. It’s a dystopia where a man can be tortured to death thanks to clerical error, which is frankly a far more realistic depiction of a totalitarian government than those that are depicted as operating with lethal efficiency. Brazil is filled with all the fanciful flourishes that make Gilliam such an idiosyncratic filmmaker and serves as a comedic counterpart to George Orwell’s 1984, which had just had a major adaptation the year prior.

Sam Lowry (Jonathan Pryce) lives in a bureaucratic nightmare while dreaming of being a knight in shining armor who saves a beautiful woman. When Sam sees the woman of his dreams, his infatuation puts him in collaboration with the resistance and at odds with the powerful Ministry. Brazil is a dark slice of political satire made decadent with a retrofuturistic production design that’s equal parts brutalist and absurdist. Alongside Blade Runner, the visuals of Brazil inspired many further depictions of the future, especially those with a bend towards black comedy.

‘RoboCop’ (1987)

Image via Orion Pictures

RoboCop is the best film version of the comic book series Judge Dredd that has ever been made. Despite not being an official adaptation in any capacity, and the fact that there are two wildly different movies actually based on the comics, Paul Verhoeven‘s ultraviolent satire shares a lot of DNA with the 2000 AD character. Both focus on a law enforcement officer who deals out bloody justice in a crime-ridden future, taking potshots at American consumerism, corporate culture, and police privatization.

In the future, Old Detroit is a hellscape that megacorporation Omni Consumer Products has plans to pave over to make way for the new Delta City. They already control the police, and their next step is to upgrade their officers into something more destructive and programmable. Enter recently murdered police officer Alex Murphy (Peter Weller), who’s turned into the chrome-plated cop of the future. RoboCop is just as absurdist as Brazil, but Verhoeven is far more explicit than Gilliam, filling the frame with a lot of flesh and blood, but never without purpose. RoboCop is an indictment of Reaganomics that takes it to a sci-fi extreme.

‘They Live’ (1987)

Image via Universal Pictures

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The same year that Verhoeven was applying an outsider’s perspective to American politics with his sci-fi dystopia, John Carpenter was doing the same with his homegrown anger and disillusionment. They Live is yet another film that takes very specific aim at Reagan-era policies, but still hits the bullseye today with its satire. In They Live, the extra-terrestrials have already landed and taken control, and most of humanity doesn’t even know or has already bent the knee. It’s a blunt and brutally funny satire that only Carpenter could make.

Nada (Roddy Piper) drifts into town looking for work, finding a home at a camp where he also becomes aware of a secretive underground that’s also manufacturing sunglasses. Those glasses give Nada an unfiltered view of the world that surrounds him, discovering a race of bug-eyed aliens that live among humans, as well as the propaganda that hides under everyday advertisements. Carpenter isn’t dealing with subtlety here, but his bluntness is part of what makes They Live so effective, and why it feels even more vital today.

‘Akira’ (1988)

Image via Toho

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Akira is an iconic action anime that had a huge impact on the medium’s proliferation internationally and especially in the United States. It was the first major anime to find success in the Western world, and has been a continual influence on it since. It’s also a totemic cyberpunk film with one of the most indelible depictions of a dystopia in any medium. Directed by Katsuhiro Otomo and based on his manga, Akira ranks among the greatest in just about every genre, format and style it touches.

In 2019, Neo-Tokyo is a military-controlled future city built on top of the remains of its namesake city, which was destroyed by the titular character, a powerful psychic. Kaneda, the leader of a motorcycle gang, joins a government resistance group after his childhood friend Tetsuo becomes a test subject in a secret government lab for those with psychic abilities. There’s a lot of rather dense worldbuilding that’s efficiently executed in the film, which speeds along thanks to some kinetic action scenes. Akira has a well-earned legacy in all its sci-fi subgenres.

‘The Matrix’ (1999)

Image via Warner Bros.

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Akira is one of several anime that were foundational influences on The Matrix. The pop-cultural behemoth of a sci-fi action movie aestheticized the cyberpunk attitude and dystopian themes of movies like Ghost in the Shell through film noir and a heavy dose of Philosophy 101. Even though its effects and style were mimicked in Hollywood movies for almost a decade, nothing ever came quite as close to recapturing the first film’s innovation or impact, not even the sequels, which became far more bombastic and overloaded with philosophy student debates as dialogue.

The arc of Neo (Keanu Reeves), the hacker messiah, is definitely enthralling, with a lot of Christian allegory and Buddhist philosophy overlaying a kind of superhero origin story. But the most interesting aspect of the film and its dystopia is presented in the supporting character Cypher (Joe Pantoliano), who betrays his human compatriots in exchange for getting plugged back into the simulated world. The Matrix raises a thousand interesting questions but hardly scratches the surface on most of them, but that’s part of what makes it such a fun sci-fi film to overanalyze and dissect.

‘Children of Men’ (2006)

Image via Universal Pictures

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Blah blah prescient film. Yadda yadda still reflects today. What has been written ad nauseam about all these dystopian movies online and in the preceding paragraphs also applies to Children of Men. This writer is guilty of typing out a bunch of pretentious nonsense about the values of Alfonso Cuarón‘s dystopian masterpiece on multiple occasions. There’s no need to add more superlatives to a film that has already received a lot of acclaim, except to add that it also rips as an action movie.

Similar to The Battle of Algiers or the more recent One Battle After Another, the film cleverly disguises its action setpieces through the lens of civil unrest and violent conflict. That’s pretentious film fanatic for “its action you’ll feel kind of weird for enjoying.” It’s especially unnerving when you can apply its images to any number of current events, as could they also be mistaken for images of events from decades past. Children of Men is also a sad observation of the human capacity for violence and hate, but it’s also got action scenes that’ll knock you on your ass.

‘WALL-E’ (2008)

Image via ©Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection

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At first glance, WALL-E doesn’t seem as prescient as some other dystopian films. It seems like it was making some very obvious observations about over-consumption, environmental preservation, and human reliance on technology. Except those obvious observations were being made about very different things in 2008. The Buy-N-Large corporation was once a satire of big box stores like Walmart, which has since been superseded by Amazon. Humans’ reliance on technology is an old theme in sci-fi, but the screen addiction shown in WALL-E is shockingly accurate for a film released only one year after the first iPhone.

WALL-E offers a very unsettling possible future for humanity, but it’s all wrapped around a love story between two robots that’s so charming and adorable it’ll leave you smiling through the mountains of trash. WALL-E is the only robot left on Earth, dutifully cleaning up humanity’s mess while pining for someone to hold metal hands with. That’s when the advanced robot EVE lands, and an intergalactic romance and adventure begins. WALL-E is Stanton’s best film, Pixar’s best film, and the best film to feature an anal-retentive cleaning robot named MO.

David Boreanaz is heading back to the world of criminal investigations, this time without the badge. Fresh off his run leading CBS’s SEAL Team, the actor is trading military missions for private investigations as he’s set to headline NBC’s reboot of The Rockford Files. He’ll play the role of legendary detective Jim Rockford, originally made famous by James Garner. NBC has already unveiled a first look at the reboot, and now, it’s become clearer how the network plans to structure the new series.

NBC appears to be staying largely faithful to the original series regarding Jim Rockford’s story. Boreanaz’s Rockford is a newly paroled private investigator who was wrongfully imprisoned. After returning to Los Angeles, he quickly resumes his detective work, this time drawing on the network of former inmates he met behind bars to help crack cases. However, his eagerness to prove legitimacy soon lands him in hot water, putting him at odds with both local law enforcement and a dangerous organized crime syndicate. The series will also star Michaela McManus (9-1-1: Lone Star) as Kate, Rockford’s ex, who’s also an LAPD detective; Jacki Weaver (Silver Linings Playbook) will play Rockford’s trailer-park neighbor and activist, and Felix Solis (The Rookie) as Rockford’s confidante, Nitty, who’s also a defense attorney.

The Rockford Files reboot has already secured NBC’s Thursday 8 PM ET timeslot, a slot that has traditionally served as a strong launching pad for new series. While the network has confirmed a midseason January premiere, it has yet to reveal which Thursday the show will debut. That announcement is expected soon, especially after Boreanaz recently revealed to ScreenRant that the first season will consist of 13 episodes. “We have 13 episodes. We’re tackling one at a time. We’ve got No. 1 in our belt, and we’re excited about that,” the Bones star said. While shorter than the episode counts of NBC hits like the One Chicago and Law & Order franchises, a 13-episode order has become increasingly common for new broadcast dramas and could likely be expanded if the series proves successful.

What Other New NBC Show is Premiering in the Next TV Season?

The Rockford Files won’t be the only new series joining NBC’s lineup this TV season. The network is also introducing several other highly anticipated projects, including Line of Fire, a thriller that marks Peter Krause‘s return to television following his exit from ABC’s 9-1-1. Co-starring Hope Davis (Your Honor), the series follows a law enforcement officer who becomes the target of an assassin and premieres Monday, September 21, 2026, at 10/9c. On the comedy side, NBC will debut Newlyweds and Sunset P.I., the latter coming from the creative team behind Brooklyn Nine-Nine.

The Rockford Files is created by Mike Daniels (Ponies) and produced by Sarah Timberman and Carl Beverly for Universal Television. Greg Mottola (Superbad) directed the pilot episode. Stay tuned for future updates.

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Release Date

1974 – 1980-00-00

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Directors

William Wiard, Lawrence Doheny, Ivan Dixon, Jerry London, Reza Badiyi, Russ Mayberry, Jackie Cooper, Lou Antonio, Corey Allen, Jeannot Szwarc, Stephen J. Cannell, Alexander Grasshoff, Arnold Laven, Harry Falk, John Patterson, Stuart Margolin, Alexander Singer, Bernard L. Kowalski, Bernard McEveety, Bruce Kessler, Charles S. Dubin, Christian I. Nyby II, Dana Elcar, Hy Averback

Writers

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Gordon T. Dawson, Rudolph Borchert, Don Carlos Dunaway, Edward J. Lakso, David Taylor, Donald L. Gold, Rogers Turrentine, Walter Dallenbach, Lester Wm. Berke, William R. Stratton, Jo Swerling Jr., Leigh Brackett, Mitch Lindemann, Robert Hamner, Zekial Marko, Howard Berk, Shel Willens, Eric Kaldor, Gloryette Clark

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• 

  James Garner

  Jim Rockford

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  Noah Beery Jr.

  Joseph “Rocky” Rockford

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Freddy Krueger is officially preparing to haunt audiences once again.

Jackie Earle Haley, Freddy Krueger

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Paramount Pictures has acquired the U.S. rights to A Nightmare on Elm Streetfrom the Wes Craven estate, with plans to develop a brand new feature film based on the legendary horror franchise. The project is currently in early development, with Marc Toberoff attached as producer alongside Iya Labunka and Jonathan Craven, the widow and son of the late Wes Craven. Lifshitz and Margules will serve as executive producers for Paramount.

Labunka expressed her excitement about bringing Freddy Krueger back for a new generation of horror fans.

“We look forward to bringing the world of Wes Craven’s Nightmare on Elm Street to a new and completely engaged generation of fans,” Labunka said in a statement. “We know that Wes would have been thrilled to see how horror is taking its long overdue place in the cultural canon. We can’t wait for all of us to sit together in a dark theatre around the campfire of today as the next chapter of the Nightmare story unfolds.”

Executive producers Lifshitz and Margules also shared their enthusiasm for the new film, praising the opportunity to continue one of horror’s most iconic franchises.

“We can’t remember a time before we were fans of Wes Craven,” they said. “The fact that Iya and Jonathan have entrusted us with this opportunity to help usher a new story into this world is an honor beyond words. We look forward to working alongside them to bring a terrifying new nightmare to audiences everywhere, and to welcome Freddy home.”

Robert Englund, Freddy Krueger [EVERETT]

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While no writer, director, casting details, or story information have been announced, the project marks the franchise’s first major step forward since the domestic rights reverted to the Craven estate in 2019.

Originally released in 1984, A Nightmare on Elm Street introduced audiences to Freddy Krueger, the razor gloved dream stalker who became one of horror’s most recognizable villains. The film spawned numerous sequels, a crossover with Friday the 13th, television adaptations, comics, and a 2010 remake.

With Paramount now steering Freddy’s next chapter, horror fans can finally look forward to the return of one of the genre’s greatest icons.

Soon you’ll be able to be more like Dune‘s Paul Atreides than ever before. No, not by igniting a galaxy-spanning holy war, winning a sick knife duel, or hanging out with Jason Momoa. Instead, you can prove that you are the Lisan al-Gaib by riding the worm…sort of. Dark Horse Direct and Legendary Pictures are releasing an all-new skate deck with an eye-popping sandworm design, and Collider is proud to present an exclusive first look at it.

Made from 100% 7-ply Canadian maple, the skate deck features art of one of Dune‘s iconic sandworms emerging from the desert sands, inspired by the murals in the palace of Arrakeen in Denis Villeneuve‘s first Dune film. Boasting a handsome crimson red background with gold foil details, the deck measures 31.87″ long by 8.25″ wide. The deck is limited to only 500 pieces, and will retail for $80 USD. It can be preordered now only on DarkHorseDirect.com.

What Are the Sandworms of ‘Dune’?

Created by Frank Herbert in his 1965 novel Dune, the immense sandworms, known as the Shai-Hulud to the nomadic Fremen, roam the endless deserts of the planet Arrakis. Their larvae produce the spice melange, the substance that makes Arrakis the most important planet in the universe; its consumption is the only thing that makes interstellar travel possible. However, the fiercely territorial sandworms also make harvesting the spice extremely perilous, as they will attack the men and machines that attempt to collect it. The sandworms are culturally important to the Fremen; learning to ride the enormous beasts is considered a rite of passage, and is one of the tasks Paul Atreides must master before they accept him. The book’s original illustrations, and David Lynch‘s 1984 film, gave them a three-lobed mouth, while Villeneuve’s sandworms have a more lamprey-like appearance.

Of course, you’ll see more Shai-Huluds than you can Shai-handle in this winter’s Dune: Part Three. Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) now rules the known universe as his Fremen loyalists wage a war across the stars. While some consider him a liberator or a messiah, he has enemies everywhere, and they will stop at nothing to put an end to him and everything he cares about. The final chapter of the epic science fiction trilogy hits theaters on December 18.

The Dune Shai-Hulud skate deck from Dark Horse Direct can be pre-ordered now. Stay tuned to Collider for future updates, and remember, skate without rhythm, and you won’t attract the worm.

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Release Date

September 15, 2021

Runtime

155 minutes

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Director

Denis Villeneuve

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Writers

Denis Villeneuve, Eric Roth, Jon Spaihts, Frank Herbert

Producers

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Herb Gains, John Harrison, Joseph M. Caracciolo Jr., Mary Parent, Richard P. Rubinstein, Cale Boyter, Thomas Tull, Brian Herbert, Byron Merritt, Kim Herbert, Joshua Grode

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