One of the easiest ways to waste this decade of movies is to let language decide what gets watched. Seriously. Some of the sharpest romances, ugliest moral questions, strangest mysteries, and most devastating family stories since 2020 have arrived from outside Hollywood, and several of them make the usual awards-season prestige movie feel painfully safe by comparison. Subtitles are doing a lot less work than the filmmakers are.

And these six are miles apart from one another. That range is exactly why international cinema feels so alive right now. And while I don’t plan to jump into this one in the list below, if you’re interested in Bollywood movies, don’t miss Main Vaapas Aunga if it’s available to stream in your region. But let’s get to proper international releases of the 2020s so far, and here are six of them, ranked.

6

‘The Worst Person in the World’ (2021)

Image via NEON

Julie (Renate Reinsve) keeps changing her mind about what her life is supposed to look like. Medicine becomes psychology, psychology becomes photography, relationships shift, and adulthood keeps arriving without providing the certainty everybody promised it would. The Worst Person in the World divides that mess into twelve chapters, plus a prologue and epilogue, without pretending Julie’s contradictions can be tidied into a simple coming-of-age lesson.

The famous sequence where Oslo appears to freeze while Julie runs across the city toward Eivind (Herbert Nordrum) captures the movie beautifully. It is romantic, selfish, impulsive, and completely understandable at the same time. Her relationship with older comic-book artist Aksel (Anders Danielsen Lie) carries a different weight because love and compatibility gradually stop meaning the same thing. Joachim Trier lets Julie be funny, frustrating, affectionate, avoidant, and occasionally awful without turning her into a problem the screenplay needs to solve. That honesty is why the movie connects so strongly with anyone who has ever reached adulthood and thought, wait, this is the part where I am supposed to know what I am doing?

5

‘Decision to Leave’ (2022)

Image via CJ Entertainment

Detective Hae-jun (Park Hae-il) investigates the death of a man who fell from a mountain, and the dead man’s widow, Seo-rae (Tang Wei), quickly becomes the person he cannot stop observing. Decision to Leave begins as a murder investigation and gradually becomes something much stranger, where surveillance starts resembling intimacy and professional curiosity becomes nearly impossible to separate from attraction.

Park Chan-wook makes that obsession tactile. Hae-jun watches Seo-rae from across the city and mentally places himself beside her. Translation apps become part of flirtation because language itself keeps creating tiny distances between them. Mountains, fog, wallpaper patterns, photographs, and the sea keep sliding into the mystery without feeling like clues placed there for a clever reveal. Even Hae-jun’s insomnia becomes useful because this is a man already accustomed to living slightly outside ordinary life. The romance is sexy precisely because it is so restrained. Nobody needs to tear their clothes off for the room to feel dangerous.

4

‘I’m Still Here’ (2024)

Image via Sony Pictures Releasing

Before politics crashes through the front door, the Paiva household feels wonderfully alive. Children run in and out, friends visit, music plays, people argue, the beach is nearby, and family photographs keep capturing ordinary happiness. Then Rubens Paiva (Selton Mello) is taken away by agents of Brazil’s military dictatorship, and I’m Still Here stays with the wife and children who are expected to continue living while the state refuses to tell them what happened.

Eunice Paiva (Fernanda Torres) becomes the center without being transformed into some clean inspirational symbol. She has children to protect, questions nobody will answer, money to think about, and the maddening requirement to remain functional while government intimidation keeps invading private life. Walter Salles makes the earlier warmth essential because the loss is measured against all those noisy dinners and casual afternoons that came before it. The family camera becomes especially affecting for that reason. Pictures keep insisting these people had whole lives outside the political violence inflicted on them. That is what makes the film hurt. History arrives in textbooks as dates and regimes. Here, it enters a house and leaves an empty chair.

3

‘Anatomy of a Fall’ (2023)

Image via Neon

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Samuel (Samuel Theis) is found dead beneath the family’s Alpine home, and suspicion lands on his wife, Sandra Voyter (Sandra Hüller). From there, Anatomy of a Fall does something far more interesting than asking whether she pushed him. Their marriage gets hauled into court, translated into arguments, recordings, resentments, career jealousy, parenting decisions, and fragments that suddenly have to mean something definitive to strangers.

The details are painfully specific. Samuel had been blasting an instrumental version of 50 Cent’s “P.I.M.P.” before his death, and the song later becomes part of the courtroom’s attempt to reconstruct the atmosphere inside the house. A recorded marital argument is dissected as if one ugly conversation can explain years between two people. Their visually impaired son Daniel (Milo Machado-Graner) is forced to process his parents through testimony he was never supposed to hear, while Snoop the dog somehow becomes involved in one of the film’s most tense stretches. The genius of the movie is how quickly curiosity becomes judgment. You start weighing evidence like a juror, then realize how absurdly confident people become when handed incomplete access to somebody else’s marriage.

2

‘The Zone of Interest’ (2023)

Image via A24

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Rudolf Höss (Christian Friedel) lives with his wife Hedwig (Sandra Hüller) and their children in a comfortable home with a garden, servants, flowers, a swimming area, and Auschwitz on the other side of the wall. The Zone of Interest understands that showing less can force the viewer to confront more. The family treats the camp as workplace, neighbor, and source of opportunity while screams, gunshots, machinery, and trains continue beyond their domestic routine.

That separation is horrifying because the Höss family is not shown behaving as if they inhabit a horror film. Hedwig is proud of the life they have built. Children play. Clothes are tried on. Plants are discussed. Work promotions create family complications. Meanwhile, the soundtrack keeps telling you what their comfort requires. Jonathan Glazer refuses the relief of allowing atrocity to become spectacle you can look at and then emotionally file away. The garden is beautiful. That is the problem. The wall is right there. They know exactly what is behind it, and breakfast still needs to be served. Few films this decade have made ordinary domestic behavior feel so morally sickening.

1

‘Drive My Car’ (2021)

Image via Bitters End

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Yūsuke Kafuku (Hidetoshi Nishijima) is a theater actor and director carrying a complicated grief when he travels to Hiroshima to stage Uncle Vanya. Festival rules require him to use a driver, so the beloved red Saab 900 he normally drives himself is handed over to Misaki Watari (Tōko Miura), a quiet young woman with her own history of loss. Drive My Car runs for almost three hours and somehow makes long drives, cassette recordings, rehearsals, and pauses in conversation feel more gripping than plenty of thrillers.

The theatrical process is fascinating in itself. Kafuku casts performers speaking different languages, including Japanese, Mandarin, Korean Sign Language, and others, then has them repeat Chekhov’s text almost mechanically until meaning begins emerging through rhythm rather than theatrical flourish. Outside rehearsal, Oto’s recorded voice continues reading lines through the Saab’s speakers, meaning Kafuku literally drives around with the voice of his dead wife occupying the empty seat beside him. Misaki gradually becomes the one person who can share that silence without trying to fix him. Ryusuke Hamaguchi never rushes their connection because grief does not operate on screenplay time. When Drive My Car finally opens emotionally, it feels enormous precisely because the film spent so long listening first.

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Drive My Car

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Release Date

November 24, 2021

Runtime

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179 minutes

Director

Ryusuke Hamaguchi

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Writers

Takamasa Oe, Ryusuke Hamaguchi

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Angel Reese just added some clean ice to her jewelry collection! The 24-year-old recently shared a special moment with fans, receiving diamonds from her mother, Angel Webb Reese.

RELATED: Congrats! Social Media Reacts After The Los Angeles Sparks Honor Lisa Leslie With A Bronze Statue (PHOTOS)

Angel Reese Reveals The “Thoughtful” Gift Her Mother Got Her

Mama Reese went all out for her baby! She spared no details, and presumably no expense, surprising Angel Reese with the blinged-out bracelet. The diamond bracelet featured several charms, the meanings of which Angel explained on Instagram Stories.

For example, the 29 charm, she said, represents her WNBA record for most double-doubles in one season, which she broke in August 2026. The A with the halo charm represents her brand and logo, while the 5 represents her number on the Atlanta Dream team. The WNBA logo features her record and date and the other A is for Atlanta.

“Thank you, Mommy! This was so thoughtful. I love it,” Angel Reese added to the video post.

Roomies Cheer On The Mother-Daughter Love

In The Shade Room’s comment section, the roommates appeared to be enjoying the bond between Angel Reese and her mom. Plenty of fans applauded the pricey gift while some jokingly gave their own moms the side-eye. A few others clocked anyone drinking hater-ade behind the gift!

Rapper Paul Wall, known for keeping some ice on him, commented three first emojis.

@danny4rmuptown_ commented, “I’m about to call my mom and tell her I need a diamond tennis bracelet! She about to cuss me tf out so bad👏🏾😂.”

“I loveee a thoughtful gift 😍,” @nopaidsponsorship added.

“Beautiful. I love a good charm bracelet I was just saying imma bring mine back out,” @young_fly_n_flashly wrote.

“Gifts from your mom mean the world too,” @kiifromcle commented.

“While y’all hating on Angel and her mom, ask yourself How often do we see cc mother 🤔? Y’all cc fans so bitter lol,” @newtiff384 added.

“Moms gifts be the best 😍,” @queen_bmarsh wrote.

“Whether you rich or not a gift from your mother will mean the WORLD 🥹🤎,” @tevin92bk commented.

“Angel hate will forever be forced.. I’m just glad my girl doing her thing!! 🥂,” @keigannana added.

Guess Who Else Is In Angel’s Corner?

Her man, her man, her man! She’s been dating Orlando Magic center, Wendell Carter Jr.

RELATED: Big Flex! Angel Reese Shocks Her Mom With MAJOR Birthday Surprise (WATCH)

Days of Our Lives spoilers for the next two weeks starting September 21st with Steve Johnson (Stephen Nichols) delivering awful news to a good friend and Belle Black (Martha Madison) is completely shaken by a revelation that will change their family forever.

Also, the weeks of September 21st through October 2nd, we’re going to have Philip Kiriakis (John-Paul Lavoisier) going from a high to a severe low and Maggie Horton Kiriakis (Susanne Rogers) sharing her disappointment. Let’s dive right into it.

Days of our Lives Spoilers: Brady and Xander Team Up

Monday, September 21st on Days of Our Lives. Brady Black (Eric Martsolf) and Xander Cook (Paul Telfer) are going to team up trying to protect Sarah Horton (Linsey Godfrey) from EJ DiMera‘s wrath. Sarah is under serious scrutiny and legal troubles could be on the way. Sounds like EJ’s revenge over the anonymous report she made to the FDA about DiMera Pharmaceuticals. Philip’s big roulette win came too late. He asked Xander to hold off on the house sale.

But Philip walks into an empty mansion and he finds out it is already sold. Theo Carver (Tyler Joseph Andrews) is leaning on Gabi Hernandez (Cherie Jimenez). And I wonder if he’s going to tell her about almost kissing Stephanie Simmons (Vivica A. Fox) or this may be all about DiMera. Alex Kiriakis (Robert Scott Wilson) catches his baby mama Joy Wesley (AlexAnn Hopkins) trying to evade more medical testing. Joy is looking up nerve conduction study. That’s the test that should expose her fakery. And if Joy refuses the test, that is a huge red flag.

Days of our Lives Spoilers: Holly Holds Her Ground

Tuesday, September 22nd on Days of Our Lives. Holly Jonas (Ashley Puzemis) faces off with Mason Whitfield (Brandon Butler). And Holly directly asks does he think she’s to blame for Sophia’s death and Mason tells Holly she played a big part in it. Kayla Brady (Mary Beth Evans) stands behind Sarah as she faces a professional complaint. And Maggie is very disapproving of Philip and Xander and she may be upset that Philip gambled given that he is a former gambling addict.

And Maggie may be a little annoyed that Philip actually succeeded, but Xander signed the papers without checking with Philip first. The Kiriakis family is in ashes, but maybe Xander and Philip can use that cash infusion to rebuild Titan or start a new company and rebuild a new legacy from scratch. Steve and Brady move forward with their investigation into EJ and Johnny DiMera (Carson Boatman) and the contaminated drug. Brady and Steve also keep looking into Dominic Marino.

Days of our Lives Spoilers: Johnny Faces Jail Time?

Wednesday, September 23rd on Days of Our Lives. Theo needs some advice from his dad, Abe Carver (James Reynolds), and it could be about doing the right thing. He knows there are legal things going on with DiMera Pharma, or it could be about Stephanie. Johnny faces off with his dad, EJ, and things are intense. Johnny is sick and tired of cleaning up EJ’s cover up. Plus, Johnny may face jail time if they are caught. So, we’ll see if Johnny warns EJ because he thinks George will probably sell them down the river to stay out of prison.

EJ may order Rita Lesley (Maggie Carney) to get rid of George, but remember, she defied EJ with another operative and put him in a cryopod instead of killing him as EJ said. So, Rita may be working with Dominic to bring down EJ and Johnny and clear a path for Stefano’s new son.

Sydney DiMera (Sidney Malakeh) spends time listening to Marlena Evans (Deidre Hall) and Belle’s concerns and they may remind Sydney about how dangerous EJ can be and tells Sydney that he is into some shady stuff. Maggie confides in Julie Williams (Susan Seaforth Hayes) about her concerns. I’m sure it’s about the Kiriakis family circling the drain. Fall spoilers say the family rebuilds from the ashes.

Days of our Lives Spoilers: Leo’s Loves Story Sparks

Thursday, September 24th on Days of Our Lives, we are going to see Leo Stark (Greg Rikaart) and his love interests sparking and Sydney convinces her big brother Johnny not to back down. Also, Sydney asked Johnny if she should stick around Salem for a while, and Johnny tells his little sister Sydney, “I would not do that if I were you.” So, Johnny may not want Sydney dragged into any of EJ’s garbage that he’s been dragged into.

Of course, Sydney may do anything to help her family. She’s got that law degree. Maybe she can save EJ and Johnny from going to jail. Chad DiMera (Connor Floyd) listens to Belle’s worries. She may have noticed Marlena had a very strong reaction to the photo of Dominic as a child, even though Marlena said she didn’t remember anything. EJ is questioning Chloe Lane‘s (Nadia Bjorlin) loyalty and where it lies, and she starts ranting at EJ. You know damn well what’s going on and so do I.

I do wonder if Chloe and EJ end up in bed together after this intense conversation. Chloe needs to prove her loyalty and she was directly ordered not to sleep with him and she’s a rule breaker. Paulina Price (Jackée Harry) also defies Lani Price (Sal Stowers) and Chanel Dupree (Raven Bowens)’s wishes.

Days of our Lives Spoilers: Kate Takes her Place

Then Friday, September 25th on Days of Our Lives, Chad officially welcomes Kate Roberts to the Salem Spectator. She’s already pitched a podcast to Leo and he’s very excited about the new challenge. So Kate may use her new role to shed light on EJ’s cover up, do an expose on that and maybe some of the troubles that the Kiriakis are going through.

I also wonder how Kate’s going to feel about Leo’s interest in the counterfeit handbag story since Kate is a possible suspect. Philip and Gabi are getting ready for a second chance. They have a tender moment in the square and Philip tells Gabi he couldn’t have done what he did in Monte Carlo without his lucky charm. Marlena has a nightmare that freaks her out. She’s been having these random memories of her time on Stefano’s island. So, I wonder if Marlena maybe recalls a memory of her with a baby bump or even a baby.

Days of our Lives Spoilers: The Drama with Dominic

Steve gets some unsettling news from Brady and Hope. It is about Dominic Marino. And then Steve shows up at Marlena’s apartment and says, “We were able to find Dominic Marino’s birth certificate.” Steve’s got a digital copy on his phone. He hands it to Marlena who reads it aloud. She says, “Stefano DiMera is the father of Dominic Marino and the mother is….” And then Marlena looks shocked.

Belle is going to be really shaken to find out she and her ex EJ share a brother, especially once Dominic comes to town. I’m interested to see if he will get closer to Belle or EJ or pits them against each other. Kayla and Sarah have a feeling there’s foul play involved and I wonder if they realize that EJ is behind the complaint against Sarah.

Days of our Lives Spoilers: Marlena’s Flasbacks

September 28th through October 2nd on Days of Our Lives, Marlena may have more flashbacks about her time on Stefano’s island that relate to Dominic. Sydney decides to stick around Salem longer than originally planned. Dominic may be making a play to take over Titan after he’s gotten the Kiriakis mansion.

I think that he is working Stefano’s dark wishes and final agenda. Dante Vitali (Franco LoPresti) seems to be helping Dominic destroy EJ. And I wonder if Sami Brady (Alison Sweeney) is another pawn in this game. Joy may find a way to fake it through the medical test and continue her paralysis fakery. I really hope she’s busted soon, though. Philip and Xander are working to rebuild Victor’s empire, and Chloe and EJ’s dynamic gets way more intense. He’s drawn to Chloe, but he doesn’t trust her, and she wants to bust EJ.

Still, Xander risks everything for Sarah. Soon, Johnny and Chanel’s happiness is further challenged by the DiMera drama. Paulina struggles being the second choice for Abe that he walked away from. Theo and Stephanie may cross lines and very soon Dominic Marino is going to come to Salem and shake things up. I expect him to move into the Kiriakis mansion. I do wonder if he is going to hang Stefano’s portrait over the fireplace where Victor’s was just hanging.

Donatella Versace has another stylish move up her sleeve! The iconic designer is joining forces with REVOLVE for a venture that reaches far beyond the runway and red carpet.

Versace, who has dressed everyone from Jennifer Lopez, and Kim Kardashian to Zendaya, Miley Cyrus, Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, Hailey Bieber, Britney Spears, Angelina Jolie, Kylie Jenner, and more A-listers, is setting her sights on the digital destination as she takes her signature sultry aesthetic to another level.

“I believe creativity should be fearless, inclusive, and alive in the world. I have always been inspired by the next generation, in music, film, art and, of course, fashion. This partnership gives me the freedom to speak to that generation in a completely new and personal way, through beauty and fashion,” she said in a press release.

“REVOLVE understands something I believe deeply: culture comes from connection. Together, we want to create that connection with a new voice, a new look and a new energy,” she continued.

So, what’s in store? Versace will put her stamp on projects spanning multiple categories, giving shoppers a front-row seat to her glamorous world.

“Donatella is one of the defining creative voices of our time. This partnership gives that vision an entirely new platform and the freedom to build something from the ground up,” Michael Mente, co-founder and co-CEO of REVOLVE Group, explained.

“By combining Donatella’s creative authority with REVOLVE’s technology, infrastructure and global reach, we have an opportunity to create something genuinely distinctive — and build it for the long term,” Mike Karanikolas, co-founder and co-CEO of REVOLVE Group, added.

“Donatella has an extraordinary instinct for what the next generation wants and an unmatched ability to connect fashion with culture. That is what makes this partnership so exciting,” Raissa Gerona, president of Brand and Partnerships at REVOLVE Group, noted.

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The nightmare is officially returning.

Earlier this month, Paramount Pictures announced that a brand new A Nightmare on Elm Street film is in development through its new horror label, Paramount Primal. The project is being produced in partnership with the Wes Craven estate and will be based on Craven’s original 1984 screenplay, marking the franchise’s first new theatrical chapter in more than 15 years.

With no director or cast announced, fans have already begun asking the biggest question of all:

Who should become the next Freddy Krueger?

No one will ever replace Robert Englund, whose performance helped make Freddy one of the most recognizable horror icons of all time. Instead, Paramount has an opportunity to introduce a fresh interpretation of the dream demon while honoring the legacy that made the character legendary.

Here are five actors we’d love to see take on the role.

1. Bill Skarsgård

If there’s one actor who has already proven he can reinvent an iconic horror villain, it’s Bill Skarsgård.

His unforgettable performance as Pennywise in IT showcased his ability to transform through subtle facial expressions, unsettling body language, and an eerie sense of unpredictability. Rather than trying to imitate Robert Englund, Skarsgård could create a completely new version of Freddy that feels terrifying for an entirely new generation.

Bill Skarsgård

2. Jack O’Connell

Jack O’Connell may not be the first name fans think of, but that’s exactly why he’d be such an interesting choice.

Whether playing violent criminals or emotionally damaged antiheroes, O’Connell brings an intensity that feels authentic. He could portray Freddy as less of a wisecracking slasher and more of a psychologically disturbing nightmare that haunts victims long before the killing begins.

Jack O’Connell

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3. David Dastmalchian

Few actors have become as respected within the horror community as David Dastmalchian.

His performances in films like Late Night with the Devil have shown that he can balance charm, vulnerability, and unsettling menace all at once. Dastmalchian’s unique voice and naturally eerie screen presence could make for one of the most unsettling interpretations of Freddy Krueger yet.

David Dastmalchian

4. Walton Goggins

Walton Goggins might be the wildcard on this list, but he possesses one quality that’s essential to Freddy Krueger: charisma.

Freddy doesn’t simply kill his victims he enjoys tormenting them. Goggins has repeatedly demonstrated an ability to mix dark humor, intimidation, and unpredictability into every performance. That combination could make for a Freddy who is equal parts entertaining and terrifying.

Walton Goggins

5. Andy Serkis (Motion Capture)

Andy Serkis has built an incredible career bringing unforgettable characters to life through motion capture. From Gollumin The Lord of the Rings to Caesar in the Planet of the Apes trilogy and Supreme Leader Snoke in the Star Wars sequel trilogy, Serkis has repeatedly shown that digital performances can be just as emotionally powerful as traditional acting.

Rather than relying solely on practical makeup, Paramount could use motion-capture technology to create a Freddy Krueger whose movements feel unnaturally fluid, distorted, and dreamlike. Serkis’ mastery of performance capture could allow Freddy to move in impossible ways that perfectly fit the surreal nature of nightmares, creating one of the most visually unique versions of the character ever seen on screen.

Andy Serkis

Final Thoughts

Paramount’s newly announced A Nightmare on Elm Street film is still in the early stages of development, meaning fans may be waiting a while before an actor is officially cast as Freddy Krueger.

Whoever lands the role will have enormous shoes or rather, a burned fedora and bladed glove to fill. Robert Englund’s portrayal defined the character for decades, but every horror icon eventually finds a new generation.

Whether it’s Bill Skarsgård’s haunting presence, Jack O’Connell’s intensity, David Dastmalchian’s psychological edge, Walton Goggins’ sinister charisma, or Andy Serkis’ groundbreaking motion capture performance, each actor brings something unique that could help Freddy Krueger haunt audiences once again.

Chicago Cubs infielder Alex Bregman is on the mend after taking a foul ball off his face during a game against the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday, September 20.

Bregman, 32, shared a pair of photos to his Instagram Story to show the damage of the errant ball as he waits for X-ray and CT scan results.

In each photo, his left eye is swollen shut and the cheek below is bloodied and bruised. He also has gauze in his nose in one of the pictures, which he captioned, “Thanks for all the messages yall. ​I’ll be back.”

“He got hit in the left cheekbone essentially, under the eye,” Cubs manager Craig Counsell told the media on Sunday. “I don’t know anything more than that right now. He was bleeding from his nose a little. There’s some swelling. It’s a terrible, terrible accident. We hope he’s OK.”

Related: Tampa Bay Rays Pitcher Hit in Face by 105 MPH Foul Ball

Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher Hunter Bigge is recovering in a Florida hospital after he was struck in the face by a foul ball during his team’s 4-1 loss on Thursday, June 19, to the Baltimore Orioles. Bigge, 27, dropped to the ground but never lost consciousness and was communicating with first responders, according to […]

The incident happened in the fourth inning of the Cubs’ 9-1 win over the Reds in Cincinnati. Bregman was standing in the on-deck circle as lefty Michael Busch was at the plate. Busch, 28, hit a check-swing foul ball that struck Bregman, who immediately began clutching his face. Busch dropped to his knees as the ballpark went quiet and Cubs staff tended to Bregman, who was guided off the field moments later.

“It just happens so fast,” Busch said. “[Reds pitcher Luis Mey] is throwing the ball hard and it comes off hard. Any time it enters the head area, it’s always a scary thing. We try to focus on the game, but it’s tough. Hopefully he’s OK, first and foremost.”

The Cubs have not yet determined if Bregman will be ready to play when the team takes the field again on Tuesday, September 22, at home against the Miami Marlins.

“You know, we’ve got to get good results from the hospital,” Counsell said. “He got hit in the face [so] you’re worried just about his general wellbeing first. I want to get a good report first.”

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Related: Tarik Skubal Visited Guardians’ David Fry in Hospital After Fracturing Face

Detroit Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal went beyond a text message after his 99 mph fastball fractured the face of Cleveland Guardians player David Fry. Hours after the game at Cleveland’s Progressive Field on Tuesday, September 23, Skubal, 28, accepted an offer from Guardians manager Stephen Vogt to ride with him to the hospital and check […]

Bregman is in the first year of a five-year, $175 million contract that he signed with the Cubs in January. He came to Chicago after regaining his All-Star form in his lone season with the Boston Red Sox in 2025.

“You just hope your friend is OK,” Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong said. “That’s the news that I’m hoping for. But scary stuff. Such a rarity.”

With the Cubs out of the division race and on the verge of clinching the playoffs anyway, the team can be cautious with Bregman as it jockeys for position in the wild card race. The MLB postseason begins on September 29.

Jack Haven is scrambling to meet the earnings threshold needed to keep their SAG health coverage. With the deadline looming, the Netflix actor has publicly appealed to casting professionals for a paid gig. To sweeten the pitch, Haven showcased their versatility and made it clear that almost no job is off the table.

Jack Haven Needs $4K In SAG Work By Month’s End

“Dead End: Paranormal Park” star Jack Haven is turning to the internet for work as they race to secure their health insurance.

The actor posted a YouTube video titled “Are You Casting?” explaining that they need to earn another $4,000 from SAG-covered work by the end of the month. Reaching that figure would allow Haven to qualify for SAG health insurance beginning in January.

“I’m in a bit of an emergency situation,” Haven told viewers before making a direct appeal to anyone with a production that could hire them.

Haven Says They Will Do ‘Pretty Much Any Job’

Haven wasn’t picky about the role, either, declaring, “I will do pretty much any job.”

The Netflix star then rattled off some of what they could bring to a production, saying they can sing, dance, speak softly or loudly, and perform accents. Haven even briefly demonstrated a British accent for potential employers.

They ended the roughly minute-long pitch by providing an email address for anyone with a SAG job available and stressed that the opportunity “would be very appreciated.”

Jack Haven Is Best Known For Netflix’s ‘Atypical’

Haven may be most familiar to Netflix viewers for their role as Casey Gardner on “Atypical,” which ran for four seasons.

The actor played the younger sister of the show’s central character, Sam Gardner. Casey was introduced in the series premiere as a talented high school track athlete and remained a key part of the comedy-drama through its final episode.

“Atypical” debuted on Netflix in 2017 and wrapped after four seasons in 2021, giving Haven one of the most substantial roles of their career.

Haven Said ‘Atypical’ Helped Them Embrace Their Identity

Haven has previously opened up about how playing Casey affected their life off camera.

The actor, who was then known professionally as Brigette Lundy-Paine, came out as non-binary in 2019 and uses they/them pronouns. Speaking to Bustle the following year, Haven said their time on “Atypical” helped them embrace that part of themselves.

“I think that part of that lesson [of playing Casey is] that it’s OK to be your truth,” they explained. For Haven, that meant recognizing that they were “a queer person who doesn’t align with gender.”

Jack Haven Wants Hollywood To Move Beyond Gender Norms

Haven also challenged Hollywood’s approach to gender, arguing that characters do not need to be confined by traditional expectations.

In their 2020 Bustle interview, the actor said storytelling could focus on writing people as “people” rather than being “obsessed with reinforcing gender norms.”

Haven brought that philosophy to “Bill & Ted Face the Music,” in which they played Billie, the daughter of Keanu Reeves’ Ted “Theodore” Logan. Although the movie never explicitly addresses Billie’s gender identity, Haven approached the character as non-binary.

The actor said they did not discuss that choice with the filmmakers beforehand. Instead, Haven explained that playing characters that way had become something they did “naturally.” They saw a similar quality in Casey, telling Bustle that both characters avoided fitting neatly into a particular “gendered performance.”

The Bold and the Beautiful spoilers for the two weeks starting September 21st with Finn Finnegan (Tanner Novlan) begging his wife Steffy Forrester (Jacqueline MacInnes Wood) to call off this insane surrogacy when she blindsides him.

Also coming in the two weeks of September 21st through October 2nd, we will have R.J. Forrester (Brayan Nicoletti) annoying Zende Forrester (Delon de Metz) and Taylor Hayes (Rebecca Budig) is really worried.

Bold and the Beautiful Spoilers: Carter’s Rotten Move

Let’s get into all the good stuff coming Monday, September 21st on The Bold and the Beautiful. Look for the emotional conversation between Carter Walton (Lawrence Saint-Victor), Steffy, and Daphne Rose (Murielle Hilaire) to pick back up from Friday’s episode where Carter has Steffy pretty much cornered at her house. After Daphne got there, Carter took full advantage and he forced Steffy’s hand, put her in an impossible situation.

Because right in front of Steffy, Carter said to Daphne, “She’s going to give us a baby.” So Steffy’s looking devastated and Daphne says to Steffy, “I can’t believe what I’m hearing.” And Steffy tells Daphne she could never imagine sacrificing her body and giving up her child. But Steffy says for Daphne, she will do it because she’s her best friend. And Steffy says only for her. And Daphne is thanking her profusely.

B&B Spoilers: Steffy & Carter Strategize

The other option though is Steffy telling Daphne the truth that she and Carter got intoxicated and cheated thinking their marriages were over and Steffy wound up pregnant. So, it looks like Daphne takes off and then Carter sits with Steffy talking to her. So, it looks like they’re going to finalize this surrogacy plan after Carter pulled what is just essentially a dirty trick on Steffy. Also, Finn gets a warning from Taylor and she may be telling Finn to make sure he continues to keep Sheila Carter (Kimberlin Brown) out of his life so that Steffy feels safe and Taylor may urge Finn not to let anybody come between him and Steffy.

We also have Sheila and Deacon Sharpe (Sean Kanan) reconnecting. They’re talking at Bikini Bar and Taylor definitely is not gonna like this. Sheila says to Deacon, “I still can’t believe you proposed and the good doctor turned you down.” Taylor is not going to like Deacon and Sheila talking about Taylor’s relationship with Deacon and that she turned down his marriage proposal. I am wondering if Deacon actually tells Taylor this for a reason, you know, if he is thinking it might push her to reconsider turning down his marriage proposal.

Bold and Beautiful Spoilers: Steffy Shocks Finn

Tuesday, September 22nd on The Bold and the Beautiful. Finn is in for a shock from Steffy. And of course, this is when she tells Finn she is going to be the egg donor and the surrogate for Daphne and Carter. This blindsides Finn. It comes out of nowhere. They’ve never even discussed Steffy possibly being the donor or the surrogate. And Steffy looks distraught telling Finn the news. Also, Ridge Forrester (Thorsten Kaye) gets a visit from his son-in-law, Finn, who needs advice on Tuesday. And this may be about Steffy’s surrogacy.

Finn is up in the CEO office at Forrester Creations with Ridge. And things look intense. I mean, honestly, Finn should not go to Ridge for advice on relationships. He is a train wreck known for doing women dirty and disrespecting them. Taylor already told Ridge how stressed out Steffy is.

And I’m sure Ridge is gonna blame all of it on Finn and tell him it all goes back to Sheila and Finn not being honest with Steffy about Sheila going to Monaco. And if Finn tells Ridge about Steffy doing this surrogacy, of course, Ridge is going to say she’s doing something heroic and Finn needs to suck it up and live with it. In the end, I think after all of this, Ridge is going to look very foolish when the dirty truth comes out.

B&B Spoilers: Finn Pleads with Steffy

Wednesday, September 23rd on The Bold and the Beautiful. Finn begs Steffy not to be Carter and Daphne’s surrogate. And of course, it’s understandable because this is a really difficult situation for Steffy and Finn. This is Steffy’s biological child. And as this pregnancy progresses, Steffy and Finn are going to love this baby and then they have to give it up. Even if this was a legit surrogacy, it would still be incredibly difficult for Steffy and Finn and a huge strain on their marriage.

But of course, it’s not legit. It’s a huge lie and Steffy could very well lose Finn when it all comes out. Plus, Taylor isn’t happy to hear about Sheila opening up to Deacon. So, it sounds to me like he tells Taylor he did talk to Sheila at Bikini Bar. And again, I wonder if Deacon mentions it intentionally, trying to kind of nag at Taylor. Sort of a scheme to get her to change her mind.

Bold and the Beautiful Spoilers: Katie Makes Moves

Thursday, September 24th on The Bold and the Beautiful. Katie Logan (Heather Tom) is thinking about new things she wants for Logan. And we could see Katie looking for a new couture designer as a follow on to Eric Forrester‘s (John McCook) collection. Also, the Brooke Logan (Katherine Kelly Lang) versus Katie war intensifies this fall and things get really messy and this may be the start of that new drama.

R.J. and Zende begin working together on Electra Forrester‘s (Laneya Grace) new youth line. R.J. in his mind thinks he’s the head honcho and he sees him and Electra as this dream team and R.J. may want Zende to report to him which absolutely will not go over well. R.J. does not have nearly as much experience, but Ridge may actually back his son up.

Bold Spoilers: Darcy Reassures Dylan

Friday, September 25th on The Bold and the Beautiful. Darcy Dylan (Kelly Sullivan) makes clear to Melissa Dylan (Sydney Bullock) she does not need Katie’s approval to be with Will Spencer (Crew Morrow). You know, so long as Dylan is good to Will and they’re happy, that’s all that matters to Darcy. Unfortunately, Dylan really does want Katie’s approval and she’s way out of line. That’s why Will puts Katie in her place this week and tells her if she’s going to compare Dylan to Brooke, then Will is going to compare Katie to Stephanie Forrester.

And that really ticks off Katie. But Will is absolutely right. And I think Katie is going to be irate to be compared to Stephanie. And I’m sure Bill Spencer (Don Diamont) is gonna hear about it. He may find it funny. I could totally see that because Bill likes to laugh at stuff. And to me, Electra is more like Brooke because her ego is just as huge. And Dylan to me is more like underdog Katie.

Zende’s frustrations get the better of him. I suspect R.J. is going to really annoy Zende on this youth line. But I also think that if he goes to Ridge about it, I’m quite certain that Zende is not going to get what he wants from Ridge. He’ll probably side with his precious son R.J.

B&B Spoilers: Taylor’s Insecurities Surface

September 28th through October 2nd on The Bold and the Beautiful. Taylor may start reconsidering Deacon’s proposal now that Sheila is sniffing around. We’ll see if Zende considers walking away from Forrester Creations over R.J.’s attitude. Carter and Steffy’s surrogacy scheme is heating up. They have to figure out how to fake the insemination and fake the doctor side of this because they have to do it soon since she’s already pregnant. We’re going to see Deke Sharpe (Harrison Cone) getting a new man in his life soon. And we should also see Hope Logan (Annika Noelle) and Deke working on a new collection in coming days.

Li Finnegan (Naomi Matsuda) may step back from Sheila because of the Monaco stunt she pulled on Finn. And I think we are going to see Finn worried that this surrogacy is too much on Steffy because I do think it’s going to be hard on her and Finn’s going to notice how stressed Steffy is, but with no idea it’s more about the cheating than the surrogacy. R.J. and Electra get closer and so do Will and Dylan in coming days. We’re going to get lots more scenes of Darcy and Dylan both with and without her daughter.

Brooke is back on screen and has her own new storyline soon. Katie is going to be making moves very soon that have Brooke thinking that Katie has gone too far. I really hope that she is going to be recruiting Zende over to Logan. I remember Brooke said you don’t get to hire any Forresters.

By Robert Scucci
| Published 35 seconds ago

What do you get when you combine Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory with Soylent Green and the kind of culinary bedlam that happens in 1985’s The Stuff? This is a deep pull, so I’ll just give you the answer: 1988’s Consuming Passions, a dark satire about what happens when chocolate is made of people, and the corporation behind it doesn’t care because it simply wants “profit line to go up” no matter the cost.

Consuming Passions thrives on its absurdity, but is also oddly prescient because it locks into the enshittification we’ve been seeing across the board with consumer products for the better part of the last decade. When it comes to food in this context, the ingredients become increasingly questionable, but it really doesn’t matter so long as people keep paying for it and the shareholders are happy.

These days, it starts with a 12-pack of soda costing $14, but the vision that Consuming Passions offers is infinitely more bleak: we’re just eating people now and calling it a sweet treat.

PASSIONELLES ARE MADE OF PEOPLEEEEE

Consuming Passions takes place at a chocolate factory gearing up to launch Passionelles, an expensive new confection that probably tastes exactly like every other piece of chocolate until Ian Littleton (Tyler Butterworth) accidentally sends three workers into a vat and gets them incorporated into the recipe. Mr. Farris (Jonathan Pryce) and Graham Chumley (Freddie Jones) are understandably concerned about this development, especially after realizing the contaminated batch has already shipped. Then the customer feedback starts rolling in, and wouldn’t you know it, accidental cannibalism is testing extremely well with consumers!

Unfortunately, recreating the recipe without feeding another human being into the machinery proves difficult, which is where Consuming Passions starts asking some very reasonable questions about how much human life is worth when quarterly sales are looking this good. Customers like Mrs. Garza (Vanessa Redgrave) want more Passionelles badly enough that simply discontinuing them becomes an increasingly inconvenient solution. And as you would expect, “stop selling the chocolate with people in it” isn’t the slam-dunk business decision you’d think it would be.

Come With Me, And You’ll See, A World Of Pure Cannibalization!

The best way to describe the chocolate factory in Consuming Passions is what you get if Willy Wonka stopped caring about pure imagination and only considered the bottom line while building his chocolate empire. Don’t get me wrong, there are plenty of ethical concerns taking place at Wonka’s stomping grounds that any OSHA representative would have a field day with, but the key difference is that Wonka is a master of deception and clearly has a screw loose, while everybody within Consuming Passions’ fiction is operating based solely on greed and quarterly projections.

I can’t think of a better film that captures exactly what could go wrong when quality control goes out the window and the only thing motivating anybody is the almighty dollar. After watching this one, you’ll find yourself reading every single ingredient statement, wondering what multiple-syllable words are actually fancy ways of saying “people are in this.”

What really makes Consuming Passions such a treat to watch, though, is how straight everybody plays it. The recurring gags feel lived in, like every time somebody blows past the security gate, knocking the arm straight off and causing a ruckus because they’re in a hurry. The film is fully aware of its own absurd messaging, but it still feels like warning shots are being fired. What’s most alarming is that the further we barrel down the information superhighway toward an AI-dominated technological hellscape that would make any sane person wish simulation theory was real, Consuming Passions’ premise doesn’t seem all that far-fetched.

Consuming Passions tastes like a comedy, but has a distinct cautionary aftertaste. It’s saying, “If any corporation could get away with feeding you people, they probably would.” Soylent Green offers a more grounded, bleak version of the same future, while Consuming Passions leans into absurdity to get exactly the same point across. Civilization isn’t nearly as far gone in this black comedy, but if the world everybody’s inhabiting here continues down the same path, not even Charlton Heston’s whistleblowing could save the day.

As of this writing, Consuming Passions is streaming for free on Tubi.

Taylor Frankie Paul says she’s leaving Hulu’s “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives.” The reality star and mother of three has appeared on the show since season 1 aired in 2024. Over the years, however, the drama in Paul’s personal life has only intensified, and she says it’s time to walk away.

Paul’s announcement that she’s leaving the series comes amid news that her co-star, Mikayla Matthews, is leaving the show because Paul was still allowed to film. Mayci Neeley and Layla Taylor also spoke out and said they were on the fence about coming back for another season.

Despite the shocking news, Taylor Frankie Paul has received support in the comments from fans, many of whom thanked her for calling out the “bullying” occurring on set.

Taylor Frankie Paul Said She’s Leaving ‘The Secret Lives Of Mormon Wives’

Paul wrote about her exit from “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” on Instagram, thanking the series for turning her into a household name.

“My gratitude goes to all the networks that supported me throughout this and gave me the chance to return. However I don’t desire to move forward like this,” she said. “I originally was willing to be removed to let them all continue on with less stress, and I’m back to that point.”

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She continued, “Some of the girls know what I’ve been through and then to turn and collectively pile on with their ‘statements,’ knowing there has been ongoing abuse through the system the last 8 months on top of what I’ve endured.”

Taylor Frankie Paul Calls Out ‘Bullying’ From ‘SLOMW’ Co-Stars

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Season 5 of “SLOMW” became available to stream on Hulu on September 10, 2026. The cast includes Paul, Whitney Leavitt, Jen Affleck, Jessi Draper, Matthews, Neeley, Taylor, and Miranda Hope.

The latest season only consists of five episodes because production was halted in the middle of filming due to Paul’s reported domestic violence case with her ex, Dakota Mortensen.

Paul went on to imply in her caption that she was hurt by her co-stars’ pile-ons, since they often relied on her to lead the way behind the scenes.

“I’m grateful I never followed through with their requests of demands and I’m grateful I kept same pay out of fairness and integrity,” she wrote.

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Paul also claimed she’s experienced “bullying for months now” by being part of the show, and said it’s been hard to move forward with her co-stars because she’s constantly being judged.

“However it’s a pleasure to remove myself so they can continue, because I’ve almost convinced myself I’m deserving of all this pain and to a certain degree absolutely this is consequences of my actions. My question has been how much suffering and scrutiny is going to be enough…I’m just relieved to be out,” she finished.

Taylor Frankie Paul Gets Support From Fans

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Paul’s message clearly resonated with some viewers, as they flooded her comments with support while calling out the other women.

“Fully support you, Taylor. I agree with everything here,” one user wrote, while another praised her for “finally addressing the bullying.”

“Proud of you,” they added, leading a fourth to write, “I will never understand all of these WOMEN on here simply to say mean, hurtful, awful things to and about her.”

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Another viewer affirmed Paul by accusing the remaining cast members of being “obsessed [with] looking for a problem to have with you.”

Cast Members Walked Away From The Show Because Of Paul

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Before Paul announced her departure, “SLOMW” OG Matthews said she was walking away from the show after filming season 6 because of Paul’s appearance, per The Blast.

“The ONLY reason I’m leaving the show is because I was told a certain person was coming back,” she said online. “I told [production] before agreeing to do [season] 6 that I wasn’t going to film if that certain someone came back. Because it’s UNETHICAL and kids are involved.”

According to Matthews, she agreed to film season 6 because Paul wasn’t there. At some point during filming, production allowed her to return. “I said great, then I will not be participating, god bless and goodbye, haven’t filmed a day since,” Matthews added.

Mortensen ‘Done Filming’ The Series

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And those two aren’t the only ones who have left the show. According to another report from The Blast, Mortensen and Jordan Ngatikaura are also “done filming.”

“Wish them the best, but like, let’s just keep it with the women,” Draper said on a recent podcast before adding that the men need to heal away from the cameras.

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