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The Harsh Realities of Peak Millennial Activism

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A soldier walking through a destroyed forest in 2000 Meters to Andriivka

Imagine this: After months of finally coming to the conclusion that you want a divorce, you lay it out for your spouse, and then the next morning, Russia invades Ukraine. Okay, sure, perhaps if you don’t live in Eastern Europe, the invasion might not really affect you as much as the reality that you now need to retain a divorce attorney. But for Vytas (Marius Repšys) and Marija (Žygimantė Elena Jakštaitė), in Lithuania, the war presents a new complication during this unpredictable time for them and their daughter, Dovilė (Amelija Adomaitytė). Director and screenwriter Andrius Blaževičius puts a microscope on the complex family dynamic that inevitably appears after a divorce and sets it during the timely invasion of Ukraine to put the realities of war and social justice into sharp focus.

What Is ‘How To Divorce During the War’ About?

In 2022, Marija and Vytas wake up in separate beds to the news that Russia is launching a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. This is just a day after Marija told Vytas that she wants a divorce, not telling him that she’s been quietly having an affair with her co-worker, Jūratė (Indrė Patkauskaitė), for months. While Vytas feels completely blindsided by this, his more immediate problem is now that he must find a place to live. Marija is the sole breadwinner of the family, working for a video production company that makes social media video slop. Vytas, a once-successful filmmaker currently out of work, both looks down on Marija’s day job and actively benefits from her salary. In exchange, he is the primary homemaker, taking care of their daughter Dovilė, making dinner, and cleaning the house meticulously.

The separation completely throws both Marija and Vytas’ lives into disarray. The couple is pro-Ukraine and makes every effort to show it. Vytas is forced to move home to his Russian-sympathetic parents, but every other day, he’s throwing rocks into the windows of Russian cars. He begins volunteering at a food bank and participates in artistic protests in the city, using his modicum of fame to amplify their message. Meanwhile, Marija brings in a Ukrainian family of refugees to live with her and Dovilė shortly after the war begins. She actively opposes her company’s continued partnership with Russia at the risk of her own career, and ties up the Ukrainian flag on her balcony with her daughter in a firm show of support.

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However, as the war wages on, Vytas’ actions feel more and more performative, and Marija becomes annoyed with the extended stay of the refugees in her home, with whom she can barely communicate. In the background, Dovilė experiences troubles at school as children echo the varying sentiments of their parents. How To Divorce During the War carefully and deliberately illustrates the very real and complicated feelings that come with the Russian invasion, and rather than wag a finger at anyone, the film forces you to look at the nuances of the war, warts and all.

‘How To Divorce During the War’ Depicts Performative Activism’s Upsides and Downsides

Living in the Lithuanian capital of Vilnius, both Marija and Vytas are no stranger to working with their European neighbors, and many Lithuanians have some kind of tie to the two warring countries. Although Marija and Vytas outwardly express their support for Ukraine, this support wanes in ferocity as time stretches on. It’s not that they are just posting black squares on social media or tweeting into a void — they aren’t slacktivists — but their performative actions and the desire to be on the right side of history feel, in many ways, self-serving.

The upper-middle-class privilege comes on full display after the split. Marija is happy for a Ukrainian mother and her two sons to come and live with her, in a very bold show of how eager she is to help. But she jams all three of them into Vytas’ former office, and it’s not long before she’s complaining about how dirty they are and struggling to communicate with them. When she defiantly quits her job due to the fact that her company won’t break ties with Russia, she doesn’t consider that she still has to provide for her daughter and also the new family living with her. It’s a perfect example of that privilege that Marija is so confident in quitting based on her morals, when the reality is that most people work for morally-dubious companies and remain there for the simple reason that they need a paycheck.

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A soldier walking through a destroyed forest in 2000 Meters to Andriivka


‘2000 Meters to Andriivka’ Review: A First-Hand Look at a Nightmare With No End in Sight | Sundance 2025

Mstyslav Cherno takes us into the darkest depths of the war in Ukraine.

With Vytas, his return home means that he’s plagued with his parents essentially watching the Russian version of Fox News, a channel spouting propaganda that he desperately tries to push his parents not to believe. Whenever he sees a Russian license plate, he doesn’t even hesitate to throw a rock through the car window as a violent form of protest. Of course, the Russian government is to blame for the invasion, but should these citizens pay the price of something they have little to no control over? Vytas thinks so. Rather than seeking employment, he volunteers (occasionally helping himself to the food that is meant to go to refugees thanks to his dwindling funds) and participates in artistic protests to a crowd of dozens where he lies on the ground covered in fake blood.

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Protesting, volunteering, and housing refugees all benefit the Ukrainian effort, which, for Marija and Vytas, might excuse the fact that their motives behind their actions are largely an effort to self-soothe. Being fully aware that Russia is in the wrong means that they are also conscious that they might not be doing enough. Add to the fact that Russia is less than a five-hour drive away, and the growing fear of what Putin might do next, and both characters are pushed to their extremes.

Andrius Blaževičius Gets the Details Right in ‘How To Divorce During the War’

Žygimantė Elena Jakštaitė as Marija and Marius Repšys as Vytas talking to Amelija Adomaitytė as Dovilė in How To Divorce During the War
Žygimantė Elena Jakštaitė, Marius Repšys, and Amelija Adomaitytė in How To Divorce During the War
Image via M-Films

Blaževičius carefully toes the line between the politics and the domestic drama of How To Divorce. While it might be easy for us to shame Marija for how she treats her new house guests and chastize Vytas for his vandalism, it’s also hard to paint them as pure villains. Galvanized by good intentions, Blaževičius makes a very pointed commentary on the burden of living in this world where we are constantly exposed to the horrors of war and disaster. Feeling helpless and hopeless, it’s not hard to see why the protagonists of the story want to do everything they can, even if it’s not sustainable for them.

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Both Repšys and Jakštaitė deserve praise for their performances. After the separation, Repšys plays the awkwardness of Vytas perfectly. From awkwardly asking a Ukrainian sex worker about her family after doing the deed to being covered in red corn syrup while waxing on about the purpose of their protest, Repšys can make us both sympathize with Vytas while also cringing at him. Jakštaitė has the difficult task of making us empathize with Marija. As the cheating spouse and the homeowner stressing out her refugees, it’s not easy to like her. But Jakštaitė is able to show Marija’s frustration and depression without saying a word, humanizing her in just a few quiet moments that remind us that Marija is not the one we should shift all our blame onto.

Blaževičius follows the timeline of events, carefully documenting with an inobtrusive eye as feelings change, politics shift, and a desire for equilibrium trumps the passion for social justice. Lithuanian cinematographer Narvydas Naujalis is able to speak volumes in his shots of the quiet daily life of a country that is on edge. Simple things like the setting of the film depict the evolution of the characters; what starts as a clean and bright apartment where Marija and Vytas live with their daughter slowly dims and becomes cluttered as the film progresses. Layered with symbolism and unafraid to show the spectrum of reactions to a tumultuous time, How To Divorce During the War is a thoughtful drama that highlights the global impact of a war on the smallest scale.

How to Divorce During the War debuted at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival.


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Release Date

January 26, 2026

Runtime
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108 minutes

Director

Andrius Blaževičius

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Writers

Andrius Blaževičius

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Producers

Marija Razgutė

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Cast

  • Cast Placeholder Image

    Žygimantė Elena Jakštaitė

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    Marija

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Pros & Cons
  • Strong performances from the leads, especially during the characters’ most unlikeable moments.
  • Bla?evi?ius presents a complex issue without losing the intimate look at the divorcing couple.
  • The film loses focus with the family dynamic and Dovil?’s character is kind of neglected.
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Stephen King’s R-Rated, Erotic Netflix Thriller Will Awaken Your Darkest Demons

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Stephen King's R-Rated, Erotic Netflix Thriller Will Awaken Your Darkest Demons

By Robert Scucci
| Published

Have you ever wanted to book a romantic weekend with your better half just to get away from it all and rediscover the magical feelings that brought you together in the first place? If you’re smart, you’ll get a nice hotel within walking distance of the beach and all your favorite restaurants. That’s the safest bet.

Otherwise, you could end up like Jessie (Carla Gugino) in Gerald’s Game (2017), handcuffed to a bed in a remote cabin where nobody can hear you scream. Your husband has died of a heart attack after taking too much viagra, he’s getting eaten by the stray dog you fed earlier that found its way inside, and you’re hallucinating a demon known as the Moonlight Man, who stands just outside your field of vision and taunts you. You’re about one cup of water away from dying of dehydration because you can’t reach the keys, and by the time anybody finds you, it will be far too late.

Gerald's Game 2017

What I’m trying to say here is that Gerald’s Game is a beyond solid psychological thriller, but not the kind of scenario you’d want to live through when you’re just trying to reignite the spark in your marriage. For that, just hire a babysitter and go bowling.

Not Exactly Going Out In A Blaze Of Glory

Gerald’s Game starts out innocently enough, but since it’s a Stephen King adaptation, you should expect the usual dark turns. Jessie and Gerald’s (Bruce Greenwood) trip to remote Alabama was never supposed to turn into a tragedy, but fate wasn’t on their side that evening. In an ideal world, the couple would live out their wildest sexual fantasies, cook some steaks, drink some wine, and head home with their marriage successfully rejuvenated.

Gerald's Game 2017

Instead, Gerald dies of a heart attack after taking viagra and pushing his fantasy a little too far, upsetting Jessie, who didn’t want to take part in the kind of role-playing he was into. Handcuffed to her bed and unable to reach her phone or the keys, Jessie is completely alone, and things are about to get dark, both literally and figuratively.

The stray dog Jessie fed a cut of Gerald’s expensive steak to earlier finds its way into the house because Gerald left the door open. Hungry and looking for more food, the dog realizes that Gerald’s fresh corpse will provide all the sustenance it needs for the next couple of days. Fearing she’ll suffer a similar fate if she dehydrates before freeing herself, Jessie panics, which sends her spiraling in the worst way.

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Gerald's Game 2017

Not only is the prospect of Jessie dying handcuffed to her bed very real, but the dog also comes and goes as it pleases and will probably turn on her once it finishes with Gerald. To make matters worse, Jessie becomes delirious from lack of food and water, causing her to hallucinate a living Gerald who taunts and belittles her. Even worse, she sees a boogeyman lurking in the darkest corners of the bedroom, calling himself the Moonlight Man, who is either a figment of her imagination or an actual intruder.

This One Will Mess You Up For A Minute

Since we’re seeing everything from Jessie’s perspective in Gerald’s Game, the waters are muddied by her anxiety, her trauma, and her lack of sustenance. In so many words, Jessie is an unreliable protagonist, but there’s something else going on here that elevates this above your typical psychological thriller. Jessie is a strong-willed woman stuck in an unthinkably horrific situation. She’s not your typical damsel in distress, which makes her breakdown all the more effective.

Gerald's Game 2017

Jessie’s predicament stirs up a whirlwind of emotions tied to her past, having been mistreated by her father as a little girl in ways that mirror Gerald’s fantasies before he died. What’s more, Jessie may not be as unreliable as you think when you consider the shots that play out from a more objective, almost omniscient perspective. She’s dealing with serious trauma, that goes without saying, but something else is happening just beneath the surface that will make your skin crawl when you realize what may actually be at play.

She’s rightfully in a heightened state due to her life-or-death conditions, and it’s implied that she normally has her wits about her when she’s not trapped in this very specific set of circumstances. Her anxieties are valid here, and her regression into her past traumas is triggered by what’s specifically happening to her in the present. It all makes for a rich character study that only the best psychological thrillers understand how to lay out for the audience.

Gerald's Game 2017

Gerald’s Game is not for the faint of heart, but if you have the stomach for it, it’s one of the best psychological thrillers streaming on Netflix today.


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Forget ‘Send Help,’ Your Next Favorite Survival Thriller Hits Streaming This April

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Sam Raimi’s Send Help was a well-received throwback to the Spider-Man director’s low-fi (or at least lower-fi) roots, much like 2009’s excellently mean-spirited Drag Me to Hell, and it smartly capitalized on a recent trend of survival thriller movies. It has a 93 percent on Rotten Tomatoes and made $94 million, because audiences are in the mood for movies about people overcoming terrible experiences these days. Now Netflix is going to hop on the trend in April with the upcoming survival thriller Apex.

Starring Charlize Theron and Taron Egerton, Apex was directed by Icelandic filmmaker Baltasar Kormákur — who also made the harrowing survival movie Everest. Unlike that movie’s grounded, real-life story, Apex is about a woman who goes on a wilderness adventure and is stalked by a killer. It’ll be available on Netflix on April 24.

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Taron Egerton and Charlize Theron in Apex
Taron Egerton and Charlize Theron in Apex
Image via Netflix

Maybe it’s because the average movie-watcher spent a year or so inside their home in the not-so-distant past, but people seem drawn to stories about being trapped in dangerous situations and surviving impossible odds. It’s the thrill of being out in nature paired with the thrill of proving the depths of your inner strength, all in the name of the kind of “what would I do in this situation?” fantasy that everyone has considered once or twice while watching a movie. It could also be a reaction to superhero movies, since those are all about special people doing special things, whereas survival movies are generally about normal people doing special things.

Another strength of survival thrillers is how malleable the genre is. Apex positions the desperate survivor as the hero, but Send Help was about a woman realizing how much she thrived in a survival situation and using it to her advantage to torment someone who terrorized her in her normal life. And yet both movies fit into the same genre! Survival thrillers can be about the excitement of someone surviving (humanity is great), or they can be about the schadenfreude of watching someone fail at surviving (nature is great), or, in the case of Apex and Send Help, they can simply be about how Charlize Theron and Rachel McAdams are great.

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What Are the Best Recent Survival Thriller Movies?

A woman on a lake in Apex Image via Netflix
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The survival thriller genre has blown up in the last few years, and Netflix has a handful of notable ones beyond the upcoming Apex: J.A. Bayona’s Society of the Snow is based on a true story about the members of a rugby team whose plane crashed in the Andes Mountains in the ‘70s. The Swimmers is another one based on a true story, focusing on two Syrian refugees who helped guide a boat of other refugees across the Aegean Sea. Going a little further back, there was the smash-hit Bird Box, which was at least about surviving a tough situation even if it wasn’t so much about the wilderness.

Outside of Netflix, there’s Ridley Scott’s The Martian (based on a book by Project Hail Mary’s Andy Weir, of course) and Alien, because what is outer space if not the ultimate wilderness? Good survival thrillers also tend to be huge for the people who make them, like Cast Away, The Revenant, and 127 Hours. Perhaps every great director has a survival thriller in them? Saving Private Ryan is about surviving war, if that counts, and GoodFellas is about surviving the mob, so there are Spielberg and Scorsese.


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Release Date

April 24, 2026

Director

Baltasar Kormákur

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Writers

Jeremy Robbins

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New Video Has Fans Discussing Their Happiness

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Rihanna Seemingly Addresses Baby Rumors, Talks "Little Pouch"

Spinning the block on an ex is one of those ‘proceed with caution’ actions. But in the RARE cases that things work out, that renewed love can be a sight to see! Take Nelly and Ashanti, for example! This week, fans gushed about the couple’s happiness after a new video showed an impromptu karaoke session that left them both smiling and laughing. Reactions have even teased that Nelly, specifically, hasn’t stopped cheesin’ since seeing Ashanti on that Verzuz stage four and a half years ago.

RELATED: Aww! Ashanti Melts In Nelly’s Arms After His Romantic Wedding Anniversary Surprise (VIDEO)

Nelly & Ashanti Share Baewatch Vibes 

On Monday (March 30), The Shade Room reposted a video of Nelly and Ashanti vibing in what appeared to be their home. It’s unclear whether the couple was headed out the door or just getting back, since they were both dressed. Ashanti in her red fur, and Nelly in his crisp white tee. Also, they both had diamonds on their ears and necks. The clip itself is only a few seconds long. Shanti introduces Nelly as her “baby daddy,” and then they randomly start singing Johnny Gill’s ‘My My My’ before busting out laughing. Watch the wholesome moment below. 

Social Media Is Loving The Couple’s Happy Energy

As mentioned, that moment with the Haynes set fans off…in a good way! Folks were especially here for the overall joyful energy in the video. A spin-the-block love story for the ages! Married, in love and at peace are some of the things the roommates, especially, pointed out in over 1,500 comments reacting to “The Haynes” clip.

@yanifnii wrote, “It still makes me happy this happened.” 

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“A successful spin the block story,” @itzbeautifulgurl said.

“It’s the fact that he spun the block and ain’t stop smiling since and neither has she ❤️❤️❤️❤️,” @_sittinprettywidit_ added.

@thevibeconnoisseur_ also said, “Still ain’t stopped smiling. I love it.” 

“I never knew Nelly smiled so much it’s true that the right person brings the right happiness out of you,” @bknica_323_ commented.

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“This is what I’m better with you than without you looks like ❤️,” @msnikki_iam wrote.

“They match each other’s energy 😍,” @suckafree_365 added.

@brownskin__asian commented, “They belonged together even we knew it 😍.” 

“This man have not been this happy in a long time Ashanti came back and the grass was way greener on her side 😂😂❤️,” @caramel_d_light said.

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“Can’t even hate on them, they are bestfriends and husband and wife. They are definitely meant to be together,” @tonidwrld added.

@_missprettywu commented, “For all the haters. Saying just cause they smiling don’t mean they happy. How u know that?? Relationships have ups and downs. And when u aren’t happy it’s hard to hide. So good for them RELATIONSHIP GOALS ♥️.” 

Nelly Still In Hot Water Over Trump Performance & Comments

Still, not all of the comments were glowing reviews. Some roommates, like @angmadson71, tagged Ashanti, showing her love while saying she can’t support Nelly. Others like @coolie_melanin and @daethewriter labeled him a Trump supporter and called out the rapper for not speaking against the president. Some like @thesweetestspice reminded Nelly that he’s still “cancelled.”

So where is the Trump affiliation coming from? Last year, Nelly performed at an inaugural ball dedicated to Trump. After video surfaced on social media, fans went IN, dissing the rapper for seemingly supporting the controversial president.

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Nelly fueled the flames when he clarified in interviews that his performance wasn’t political. According to Rolling Stone, the artist claimed it was an “honor to perform for the president of the United States, regardless of who is in office.” Months later, in June, he was still defending himself. Stepping into The Shade Room, Nelly said that he and Snoop Dogg, who faced similar backlash over a Trump performance, “do more in the community” and have done so for over 20 years.

Swipe below to see his full response. 

RELATED: Chilli Addresses Controversy Over Trump Donations & Viral Michelle Obama Conspiracy Post (PHOTO + VIDEO)

What Do You Think Roomies?

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The Best Superhero Movie Of All Time Is Now On Most Streamers

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The Best Superhero Movie Of All Time Is Now On Most Streamers

By Jonathan Klotz
| Published

The debate over the best of anything can often be hard to settle, from the best hot dog to the best pizza, but when it comes to superhero blockbusters, there’s a correct answer. Spider-Man 2 andAvengers: Endgame have their defenders, and a case can be made for the original Superman, but nothing can compare to Christopher Nolan’s superhero magnum opus, The Dark Knight.

Now widely available on streamers like Hulu, Disney+, and HBO Max, the Emmy-winning film is not only the best superhero film ever made, but it’s one of the best crime movies of all time, and there’s no debate that it features one of the greatest performances in movie history, thanks to Heath Ledger’s performance as The Joker. 

The Dark Knight Never Lets Up

I was a huge fan of Ledger going back to The Patriot and A Knight’s Tale, but I was one of many comic book fans who heard Nolan cast him as The Joker and were left shaking our heads, wondering how the Australian pretty boy could follow in Jack Nicholson’s footsteps. The opening scene of The Dark Knight made it clear that Ledger’s Clown Prince of Crime was going to be something very different that no one had ever seen on the big screen before. Joker was a force of nature, an instrument of pure chaos who, as Michael Caine’s Alfred famously tried to describe, “some men just want to watch the world burn.” 

Superhero films, especially Marvel’s post-Endgame content, can be accused of being all set up, but The Dark Knight is a runaway train driven by Ledger with Christian Bale’s Batman barely hanging on, from the opening bank heist to the nighttime chase and finally, the prisoner’s dilemma onboard a pair of ferries. Christian Bale’s second time around as Batman could have easily found him playing second-fiddle in his own movie, but Bale rose to the occasion and matched Ledger beat for beat in all of their scenes together. If anything, the film moves too fast and doesn’t give the audience enough time to breathe, which is why, on your latest rewatch, you’ll appreciate Aaron Eckhart’s Harvey Dent scenes as a chance to relax a little bit. 

Heath Ledger won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor thanks to his performance in The Dark Knight, only to be topped years later by Joaquin Phoenix winning the Oscar for Best Actor in Joker, a film that would have never been made if not for Ledger’s iconic performance. Ledger did such an amazing job that the comic version of the Joker was forever changed to reflect the unhinged, chaotic performance, an impressive feat considering the character had been an icon for over 60 years. 

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One Of The Best Crime Thrillers Of All Time

Removed from its comic book origins, The Dark Knight remains a spectacular experience, closer to Heat than to Batman (1989). The jailhouse discussion between Batman and Joker is the superhero equivalent of the famous diner scene, and it’s so good that almost every action thriller, comic book-based or not, has tried to recreate it. I roll my eyes whenever I see a movie try to explain that being caught was always part of the villain’s plan, because no one will ever do it as well as Nolan, Bale, and Ledger. 

Spider-Man 2 is iconic, with Tobey Maguire and Alfred Molina, under the watchful eye of Sam Raimi, bringing layers of drama and pathos to what could have been a simple cash-in sequel. Yet it doesn’t transcend the entire genre the way that The Dark Knight does, a film that would have worked with generic characters, but by recontextualizing the Batman/Joker rivalry, it’s elevated to greatness. It also helps that it stands alone, with no teasers for a sequel and no cameos that lead nowhere. 

The Dark Knight Defied Expectations

I have never been happier to be wrong than I was about Heath Ledger’s performance as The Joker. The Dark Knight was one of the greatest surprises in movie history, and today, when it’s widely praised as a nearly-perfect film and better than anything Marvel has ever done, it’s been forgotten that legions of fans expected it to be a flop. Imagine everyone’s surprise when it set box-office records on the way to earning over a billion dollars and garnering dozens of award nominations.

If you’ve never seen it, it’s been a few years, or you re-watch it every year, The Dark Knight is always worth your time. It’s timeless, it’s near-perfect, and there’s something in it that appeals to everyone.


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Bravo star teases more fallout from Amanda Batula and West Wilson romance: 'Brace yourselves, America'

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The controversial relationship reveal between the “Summer House” stars has taken the internet by storm.

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Get JLo’s Designer Mesh Ballet Flats Look for $41 on Amazon

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Us Weekly has affiliate partnerships. We receive compensation when you click on a link and make a purchase. Learn more!

Jennifer Lopez is a masterclass on how to dress to impress, no matter how casual the occasion. While accompanying her child, Emme, as they got a haircut in Beverly Hills, the singer wore an all-black-everything ensemble and looked incredibly chic in a satin scoop-neck blouse and pencil skirt. Naturally, all of her accessories were designer, including the pair of black mesh flats that kept the look semi-low key for a trip to the salon (and that we are now obsessing over).

JLo’s shoes are the Christian Louboutin Galativi Mesh Flats. An exact pair is hard to come by, though even if you can snag your size on a site like Poshmark or TheRealReal, the flats will still set you back a couple of hundred dollars. Luckily, we found a similar point-toe mesh flat on Amazon that looks just as luxurious without the cringe-inducing couture price.

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Get the Reitoye Flats for $41 (originally $46) at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change.

While you certainly don’t have to dress to the nines for a routine cut and color, swapping out your trusted pair of sneakers for mesh flats will definitely elevate a typical running errands outfit. The investment is twofold: If you’re stepping out in a t-shirt and jeans, mesh flats will effortlessly enhance your overall appearance. If your everyday aesthetic is semi-formal like Jenny from the Block’s satin tank and pencil skirt, the shoes can offer you a bit of comfort, whilst still maintaining a polished impression.

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Related: Jennifer Aniston Gave Loafers a Polished Upgrade, and the Look Is Just $38

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Relaxed, everyday loafers are already trendy, but with Jennifer Aniston on board? We’re even more inclined to get a pair. Aniston combined timeless heels with a chic loafer style, and we found a similar (and comfier!) option for just $38. Like Aniston’s, these shoes are certain to turn some heads. Elegant and sleek, these loafer-style […]

The Reitoye Flats have rubber soles and faux leather lining, with mesh encompassing the entire foot. The insole is cushioned, offering arch support, and made from cowhide, an optimal material for the spring and summer months when sweat is common. The pointed-toe flats also come in a range of sizes (including some halves), from a U.S. 6 to a U.S. 12, and cost only $46 – a fraction of the Louboutins.

According to reviewers, the shoes look even better in person. One commenter noted, “they’re very stylish,” and says the cutout design “adds a little something to an otherwise basic shoe.” Another added that, in addition to the look of the shoe, the flat is also (and, arguably, more importantly) comfortable: “I have wide feet, so I got an 8.5 instead of a regular 8 since these are pointy-toed. And they fit really well! No slipping off the heel and no squishing my toes.”

Lopez’s everyday style is unmatched. Though the actress tends to wear designers on the regular, don’t be fooled by the rocks that she’s got. We were able to find an Amazon version of her coveted mesh flats for only $41! A steal that, we think, Jenny from the Block would approve of.

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Get the Reitoye Flats for $41 (originally $46) at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change.

 More Jennifer Lopez-Inspired Ballet Flats

CANNES, FRANCE - MAY 18: Jennifer Lawrence is seen leaving hotel Carlton during day six of the 78th Cannes Film Festival on May 18, 2025 in Cannes, France. (Photo by Jacopo Raule/GC Images)


Related: Get Jennifer Lawrence’s $690 Comfy Sock Shoes Look for Just $40

A stroll through New York City requires comfortable footwear, and Jennifer Lawrence clearly knows the drill. The problem? Her simple pair of sock shoes cost $690, which is basically our shoe budget. . . for the next two years. The Puxowe Mesh Ballet Flat is a worthy alternative, giving off a similar vibe and nailing […]

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Tia Mowry Opens Up About How She “Manifested” New Romance

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Lover Girl! Tia Mowry Opens Up About How She Manifested Her New Romance

Tia Mowry is getting candid, opening up about how she “manifested” her new romance.

RELATED: Head Over Heels?! Tia Mowry Seemingly Confirms New Romance & Reveals She’s In Love (WATCH)

Tia Mowry Opens Up About How She “Manifested” Her New Romance

On Wednesday, March 25, PEOPLE published an exclusive interview with Mowry. Furthermore, the outlet reportedly spoke with her while she was attending the Jhpiego Laughter Is the Best Medicine Gala on Wednesday, March 18. While there, Mowry spoke on how she “manifested” her new romance.

“I will say that I’ve been in a place of solitude for a very long time. And there, I was really able to learn who I am, what it was that I wanted, and what it was that I needed. And I manifested this. I really did,” she said.

Per Mowry, she “became really positive” and spoke her new love “into existence.”

“I like speaking it into existence, just being really positive about the words that you are telling yourself. Visualization, I’m a huge believer of visualizing things and visualizing feelings. And I just started to stop just talking bad and poorly about dating because it was very easy to do that,” she said. “But I was like, ‘You know what? I believe in neuroscience and how the brain works, and if I continue to speak negative about it, that’s what my brain is going to seek out and find.’ But if I just start to speak positive things into existence, then it’ll eventually happen. And I really, in a way too, I was okay with being by myself.”

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Was Any Info Shared About Her New Man?

Per the outlet, Mowry declined to share any details about the new man in her life. However, she did note that she’s “very happy.”

“I want to protect [our privacy],” she reportedly explained.

Furthermore, she noted that intention and balance are important to her at this time in her life. And, despite finding love, she remains focused on “being the best mom.”

More On Tia Mowry’s New Romance

As The Shade Room previously reported, in February, Tia Mowry appeared to soft-launch her new romance by including a photo of a man’s feet planted behind hers on her beach.

In March, Mowry then confirmed her new love while appearing on the red carpet at Essence’s Black Women In Hollywood 2026 event.

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More recently, Mowry gave fans another subtle look at her man while also showing off apparent roses he gifted her.

RELATED: Soft Girl Era? Tia Mowry Teases Photos With Mystery Person After Revealing She’s In Love

What Do You Think Roomies?

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A Series-Best Hour Ends in a Brutal Climax

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Sandra Oh as Debbie Grayson, angry with tears in her eyes in Invincible Season 4, Episode 5.

Editor’s note: The below recap contains spoilers for Invincible Season 4 Episode 5.

It’s not controversial to say that last week’s episode of Invincible wasn’t one of its best. We saw Mark Grayson (Steven Yeun) take an unwanted trip down to Hell to help Damien Darkblood (Clancy Brown) and his father, Satan (Bruce Campbell), defeat Volcanikka (Indira Varma). However, it did end with some pretty major cliffhangers. After getting his yellow-and-blue suit back, Mark receives a visit from Nolan (J.K. Simmons) and Allen (Seth Rogen), requesting his aid. While “Hurm” was one of the series’ weakest installments, “Give Us a Moment” is one of its most intense and emotional to date.

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Nolan Finally Talks With Debbie in ‘Invincible’ Season 4 Episode 5

Sandra Oh as Debbie Grayson, angry with tears in her eyes in Invincible Season 4, Episode 5.
Sandra Oh as Debbie Grayson, angry with tears in her eyes, in Invincible Season 4, Episode 5.
Image via Prime Video

Episode 5 begins mere minutes after last week’s cliffhanger. As Eve (Gillian Jacobs) and Allen converse on the Graysons’ rooftop, Nolan and Mark have an awkward father-son reunion. Nolan is trying his best to show Mark that he’s truly changed, saying that while he’s full of regret about the Viltrum breeding plot, Mark was the one good thing to come out of it. Mark is still not having it, angry that Nolan has once again lied to him. Knowing that there’s not much time left, Nolan makes a last-ditch attempt to persuade Mark, telling him that the entire Coalition is aligned and that they’ll embark on their two-week trip to Talescria in the morning.

As Mark takes his time to make his final decision, Nolan finally attempts to apologize to Debbie (Sandra Oh). Mark warns Nolan that it will not go well, telling him, “Who is the apology for, her or yourself?” Nolan approaches the front door, but nearly walks away until Debbie opens it. She remains silent as Nolan tries to explain himself by saying, “I did the unspeakable… twice. I didn’t want Mark to get his powers. 20 years with you made me human. I’m sorry for it. I will spend the rest of my life trying to repair the damage I did.”

Debbie finally speaks, telling her ex-husband that his apology is “bullshit” and that, no matter how hard he tries, nothing he can do or say will repair the damage he caused. Nolan continues to try to explain himself, even going as far as to say that his romantic fling with Andressa (Rhea Seehorn) was a mistake. This only enrages Debbie more, and she punches Nolan in the chest, hurting her wrist. Hysterical, she demands that Nolan leave and never come back.

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Mark and Oliver Leave Earth in ‘Invincible’ Season 4 Episode 5

Eve, Mark, Debbie, Paul, and Oliver having a meal in Invincible Season 4, Episode 5.
Eve, Mark, Debbie, Paul, and Oliver having a meal in Invincible Season 4, Episode 5.
Image via Prime Video

After being teased in Episode 2, Tech Jacket (Zoey Deutch) finally makes her debut. Yes, her. In the series, Tech Jacket is actually a teenage girl named Zoe Thompson, who works alongside her father, Ed (Bobby Moynihan), in defending the planet. Allen meets with Zoe and Ed, recruiting the former to join the Coalition of Planets. With her father’s approval, she agrees to join in the fight. Mark has also made his decision to join his father and Allen in the war, telling Debbie that this isn’t about Nolan; it’s about protecting the universe.

Angered that Nolan didn’t even visit him, Oliver (Christian Convery) tells Mark and Debbie that he is coming too. Shocked, Debbie and Mark immediately tell him no. Oliver explains that he wasn’t there for his real mom and that he needs to fight for Debbie, and nobody will stop him. Debbie finally agrees to let Oliver tag along, but requests that he, Mark, Eve, and Paul (Cliff Curtis) have one last family dinner with her. While his wife and sons share a melancholy meal, Nolan visits Art (Mark Hamill), and the two have some beers while catching up with one another. Nolan admits that he is happy for Debbie before apologizing to Art. He then asks Art to fix his suit, but Art rejects him, saying that he “only dresses heroes.” The two share an awkward goodbye, Nolan flies off, and Art lets out a big sigh of relief.

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Invincible-S4-interviews-Steven-Yeun--Gillian-Jacobst-Youtube-1


‘Invincible’ Season 4 Stars Officially Confirm Dark Turn for Mark and Eve

Steven Yeun and Gillian Jacobs tease the internal turmoil and conflict Mark and Eve will face in Season 4 of Invincible.

That night, Mark and Eve talk in bed, reminiscing on how they first met, as well as their belief that Robot (Ross Marquand/Zachary Quinto) and Monster Girl (Grey Griffin/Kevin Michael Richardson) will soon find their way home. Mark then asks Eve what it was she wanted to tell him before Nolan and Allen arrived, but she brushes the question off. In the morning, Mark bids farewell to Debbie, Eve, and Paul. Nolan is frustrated by Oliver’s insistence on joining the battle, but the young superhero stands firm on his decision. Alongside Tech Jacket, Mark, Oliver, Nolan, and Allen board the Venture and leave Earth. At the GPA headquarters, Cecil (Walton Goggins) and Donald (Chris Diamantopoulos) watch the liftoff, noting that for the first time in 20 years, the planet is Viltrumite-free. (Given how many times Mark has already left Earth in the past three seasons, that isn’t entirely true.)

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Conquest Meets His Bloody End in ‘Invincible’ Season 4 Episode 5

On the ship, Oliver continues to give Nolan the cold shoulder, much to his dismay. Allen notices that Nolan is in a funk and expresses his concern to Mark, who tells him that Nolan expected Debbie to be happier and has realized that he has let Oliver down. Their conversation is interrupted when Conquest (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) and a Viltrumite gunship attack the Venture. Mark and Allen frantically search for Oliver and Nolan, finding the former barely conscious.

Conquest swoops in and begins crushing Oliver’s skull, and Nolan rescues him, ordering him to seek shelter on a nearby planet. Conquest begins taunting Mark about Eve, which only enrages him further. Nolan orders Tech Jacket, Allen, and the others to get to safety, and flies down to the nearby planet to save Mark and Oliver. Mark and Conquest continue to fight, which culminates in the bloodthirsty Viltrumite overpowering our hero. While on the ground, Mark begins choking Conquest, who then proceeds to punch a hole in Mark’s chest to rip out his organs. It’s one of the most graphic and upsetting scenes in the series. Mark is finally able to suffocate Conquest, but the damage to his body has already been done, and he collapses, near death. Nolan and Oliver are shocked when they discover a bloodied and withering Mark next to Conquest’s corpse.

Episode 5 ends with Telia (Tatiana Maslany) updating Thaedus (Peter Cullen) about the attack, informing him that she had no choice but to leave the team behind. Thaedus doesn’t seem too concerned, telling her that she made the correct decision in fleeing. In the post-credits scene, two Viltrumites stress that Thragg (Lee Pace) won’t be happy that Nolan and Mark have gotten away. It’s then revealed that Allen and Tech Jacket are hiding in an escape pod in the lower decks of the Viltrumite gunship.

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“Give Us a Moment” is a lot, but after last week’s lackluster episode, that’s not a bad thing. In fact, it’s easy to forgive some of this season’s weaknesses, as this week’s episode is one of the best in the series. Not only does it feature several emotional character moments for all four members of the Grayson family, but it also convincingly confirms that the stakes have never been higher. Mark’s climactic fight with Conquest is brutal, but it’s also vital. We’ve seen Mark beaten badly before, but this is on a whole new level. It’s safe to say that Invincible Season 4 is now fully back on track.


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Release Date
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March 26, 2021

Network

Amazon Prime Video

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Franchise(s)

Invincible

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Pros & Cons
  • Mark’s fight with Conquest is brutal, bloody, upsetting, and the perfect way to show that the stakes have never been higher.
  • Debbie and Art don’t forgive Nolan too easily, which is good.
  • Tech Jacket makes her debut with a fresh spin on the character.
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Bold and the Beautiful: Sheila’s Twisted Scheme Targets Taylor!!

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Bold and the Beautiful: Sheila Carter (Kimberlin Brown) - Taylor Hayes (Rebecca Budig)

Bold and the Beautiful explodes as Sheila Carter (Kimberlin Brown) is getting suspicious and starting to put the pieces together this week. So, it’s not going to be long before she finds out Taylor Hayes (Rebecca Budig) was in bed with her husband, Deacon Sharpe (Sean Kanan).

And when Sheila is hurt and furious and ready to retaliate, we’re wondering if she will shock the fans and respond in a way that nobody saw coming. We’re going to dig into what would be the soapiest twist that would stun Taylor and Deacon and everybody.

Sheila Reverts to Old Habits This Week on Bold and the Beautiful

So, by the end of this week, according to B&B spoilers, Sheila is going to revert to her old habits, but that doesn’t necessarily mean she’s going to get murdery. She has worked really hard to change her life after she got that release from prison that she wasn’t expecting, and she wanted to prove to Deacon that she’d changed. And Sheila may be pressed to see that she can’t behave like she used to.

So, this week we already saw Sheila nearly catch Deacon in bed with Taylor. Honestly, it’s insane that Sheila was creeping into Steffy Forrester‘s (Jacqueline MacInnes Wood) house while she was out of town, coming in the back door. That sort of stalking is one of Sheila’s old habits, and it’s insane. She came to bring Taylor flowers, then heard noises after creeping in the back door of a house that Sheila knows she’s not allowed to be in.

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Sheila’s Bizarre Reaction on B&B

And then it got crazier. Why was Sheila’s first thought when she heard music and moaning that somebody’s hurting Taylor? Right? All these assumptions. To me, it’s not the best writing. But Sheila burst into Taylor’s room with that butcher knife, waving it around, ready to protect Taylor. Thankfully, Deacon jumped off the balcony and into the shrubbery before Sheila saw her husband.

And then Taylor panicked, thinking Sheila was going to kill her. You know, Taylor was scared that Sheila had somehow spotted Deacon. And then Sheila decided that Taylor was having some, you know, lady me time. And Sheila even admired how all out Taylor went with the candles and whatnot to do some self-pleasuring. It was just all so cringy.

Sheila then recommended some audio books to Taylor. It was all embarrassing. So, she threw on a robe and was shoving Sheila out of the house, just telling her, “Go, go, go.” Taylor reminded Sheila that she’s not supposed to be there. Taylor said, “If Steffy was home, her daughter would have called the cops on Sheila.” And then Taylor told Sheila, “Leave and don’t you ever come back to the house.”

The Il Giardino Pizza Box Clue

But as Taylor was kicking her out, Sheila noticed the Il Giardino pizza box and that was what started her wheels turning. That was also insane because that is Finn (Tanner Novlan) and the kids’ favorite place to pick up pizza from. They do it all the time. And for all Sheila knows, it could have been from earlier in the day before Steffy and Finn left with the kids.

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I don’t think a pizza box is a sign of cheating since there’s probably pizza boxes from Il Giardino in that house, you know, at least once a week. But that was what inspired Sheila to start thinking. And then when she got back to Il Giardino, she asked an employee if he’d seen Deacon, and he hadn’t. At that point, why didn’t Sheila pick up her phone and call Deacon instead? Sheila paced around downstairs till closing time.

Then she finally went upstairs and Deacon was on the sofa pretending to be asleep. And honestly, he’d been there for quite some time. So, on the next episode, we have Sheila telling Deacon that she went over to Steffy’s to bring Taylor flowers and she thought somebody was assaulting her. And Sheila says she thought Taylor was in danger, so she grabbed a butcher knife and went upstairs.

And then Sheila tells Deacon he’ll never guess what she walked in on. And of course, he’s playing dumb, but he’s also probably terrified that Sheila caught a glimpse of him. And it certainly was a really close call. But it seems like Sheila is in a way testing Deacon to see how he reacts, to see what he says.

Hope and Liam’s Phone Call May Be a Big Clue on Bold

Other spoilers for this week say that Sheila’s suspicions grow and that she’s putting everything together. And one thing that might trip them up ties to a phone call between Hope Logan (Annika Noelle) and Liam Spencer (Scott Clifton). There was no reason in another storyline for this phone call. And that’s why I think it’s a big hint. So, he called to ask Hope what she wanted for dinner. And then Liam said he’d grab something and bring it home.

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And that phone call might have actually been important. So, Hope’s supposed to be out to dinner with Deacon. That’s the alibi he gave Sheila. But if Liam went over to pick out takeout from Il Giardino, that’s another sign, another red flag. So, Sheila might notice a receipt from Liam’s purchase or one of the servers may mention that Deacon’s son-in-law picked up dinner. That’s a big red flag.

Bold and the Beautiful: Sheila Carter (Kimberlin Brown) - Taylor Hayes (Rebecca Budig)Bold and the Beautiful: Sheila Carter (Kimberlin Brown) - Taylor Hayes (Rebecca Budig)
Bold and the Beautiful: Sheila Carter – Taylor Hayes

What If Sheila Doesn’t Go Psycho on Bold and the Beautiful?

So then there’s the spoiler about Sheila reverting back to her old ways or you know so it seems. But if she starts to go psycho, I think Deacon might tell Sheila, “You got to dial it back or you’re going to wind up in prison for the rest of your life and if you hurt Taylor, I will hate you.” I think Deacon could say something like that to her.

And from there, it’d be really wild if instead of trying to kill Taylor, we have Sheila doing something unexpected on Bold and the Beautiful. Remember that old Dolly Parton song, Jolene? If you don’t know the song, it’s Dolly singing about this beautiful woman who has been fooling around with another woman’s guy and then she’s begging Jolene, “Please don’t take my man. Please don’t take him just because you can.”

B&B Shocker: Sheila Falls Apart?

So, I’m wondering if we get a twist and Sheila shows up at first acting scary and confrontational and of course Taylor would be terrified she’s going to kill her for fooling around with Deacon. And then surprisingly, we could see Sheila break down. Literally get down on her knees and begs Taylor, “Please don’t take Deacon away from me. He’s all I have.” Which is true. Sheila’s got no family that’ll give her the time of day. She’s the town pariah.

And aside from Li Finnegan (Naomi Matsuda), everybody either hates Sheila, is scared of her, or both. And nobody wants her around. And I mean, it’s one thing for Taylor to steal Deacon from Sheila the Psycho, but another for Taylor to steal Deacon from this heartbroken woman who’s begging Taylor to please don’t take her man. Because that’s another thing entirely. It is cruel and she’s not a cruel person. Taylor isn’t.

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Sheila Could Remind Taylor She Violated Professional Ethics

So, Sheila may remind Taylor that Deacon was really struggling when he started therapy with her. And Sheila might try to make Taylor see how inappropriate it was for her to get involved with Deacon when he was in that vulnerable state because let’s be real, it was totally inappropriate and Sheila might literally beg Taylor, don’t take Deacon, please.

I think that would be such a huge twist because everybody expects Sheila to go homicidal on Taylor and maybe on Deacon, too. And Steffy’s so worried because of how dangerous and crazy Sheila is. So, I think it would be really interesting and actually refreshing if instead of proving Steffy right, we could see Sheila actually prove that she’s changed.

And maybe she doesn’t get murdery with Taylor, but begs her instead to not do this. I mean, how can she refuse Sheila, begging her for compassion? I think Taylor would be in a tough position of being selfish and stealing Sheila’s husband on top of Taylor violating her professional oath, or, you know, she could do the right thing and turn her back on Deacon. I think it would be a really cool twist and I’m really hoping to see it go this way instead of Sheila doing the same old things she always does.

And I think it would be interesting to see Taylor have this reality check that she is the villainess of this story. You know, this is not Romeo and Juliet. This is a bad person taking a woman’s husband. You know, Sheila is not the villain here. It is Taylor. And that would be, I think, game-changing and an amazing plot twist.

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10 movies coming to Netflix in April 2026 — including a new Charlize Theron action film

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You can also get a dose of nostalgia by revisiting “The Wiz” and “Smokey and the Bandit.”

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