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The Shards Producers Defend Finale Changes, Tease Season 2
The Shards executive producers are breaking their silence on the finale’s shocking departure from Bret Easton Ellis‘ book.
During the Wednesday, September 9, episode of the FX series, Bret (Igby Rigney), Susan (Kaia Gerber), Robert (Homer Gere), Debbie (Hayes Warner), Thom (Graham Campbell), Liz (Evan Rachel Wood), Ryan (Daniel Dale) and Steven (Jordan Roth) are all revealed to be under suspicion as The Trawler.
“And that’s when things really got crazy,” Bret said in a voiceover before the credits rolled.
Fans who read Ellis’ novel know that the book had an entire conclusion that wasn’t included in Wednesday’s episode — but there was a reason for that.
“Everyone assumes Ryan Murphy is doing a limited series because that’s what he does a lot of. That’s what we do a lot of,” executive producer Brad Simpson exclusively told Us during a joint interview with Nina Jacobson about The Shards actually planning to have a multiple-season arc. “But it feels like book fans may be looking at it and thinking, ‘Oh, my God, they’re going to rush the end of the book.’ Which we definitely didn’t do.”
The vision is for The Shards to go “for at least two seasons.”
“We haven’t finished the story, so that is the hope. It could go further if we wanted it to. But we haven’t made it to the end of the book yet, so we’ll see,” he continued. “The other thing that I would say about the adaptation is the adaptation has you always in Brett’s point of view. It’s a first-person narrator and he’s telling everything from his point of view. Part of the fun of the show was we got to go into other people’s point of view.”
Simpson argued there was still a lot of story to tell — especially after Terry’s (Wes Bentley) mysterious murder. “Terry is pushed off the balcony on the second floor of his house at a big Halloween party and this is a mystery in the book who did it. And it’s presented as the sort of cliffhanger mystery at the end of our season,” he explained. “But in the book, it’s what propels you to the last half of the story. For our show, it marks the end of the season.”
The Shards is a TV adaptation of Ellis’ fictionalized memoir about his high school years. Released in2023, the book was Ellis’ first in 13 years and has a disclaimer stating that all the major players in The Shards are fictional — apart from the narrator.
“Bret’s book is a very condensed timeline. The book really takes place from the start of school until early fall. We wanted to do it over at least two seasons and so we were both needing to compress the timeline even further but also expand the world,” Simpson shared. “We needed more than what was there, and so part of the joy of collaborating with Ryan Murphy is that you know Ryan is known for the imagination and his storytelling.”
He continued: “What we had to do was keep true to the book, not race till the end but also add in new elements. So Ryan added in characters who weren’t in the book. Characters that were in the book went to places they didn’t go and it was a lot of fun. It was a lot of fun to have the time to stretch stuff out. Usually, when you’re doing adaptation, you’re chucking stuff out of the book or compressing. But we got to do the opposite.”
While the show left Us with many unanswered questions, Simpson hinted that Murphy “definitely has the answers.”
“He has an idea of who he thinks the killer is. At the end of Bret’s book, there’s no definitive answer on who the killer is. He lets it be a mystery with different suspects having fingers pointed at them,” Simpson noted. “Part of the joy of the book and what we’re doing on the show is more akin to Twin Peaks. You start off with this question about who killed Laura Palmer, but really the show is about the journey that all the characters are on through this weird and increasingly bizarre world. While we have an idea of who the killer is and have an idea how things are going to come together, nothing is set in stone. Part of the point is to remain true in spirit — at least to Bret’s book — where even when he thinks you’ve identified the killer, you’re not quite sure.”
Jacobson, meanwhile, pointed out how Bret will start to be questioned.
“This is the first time in this season that you really start to ask yourself whether Bret can be trusted as a narrator. We wanted to keep that part of the book to nod to it subtly by the end of the first season,” she teased to Us. “What your relationship to Bret is will continue to change and morph as the show goes on.”
Jacobson confirmed that season 2 would stay true to some parts of the book while introducing new elements, adding, “That spine of the season will probably [be] that basic format of some things that you know from the book, mixed in with inventions and creations that create more complications between the characters and more perspectives. It would be that sort of same hybrid.”
According to Simpson, the writers have been keeping an eye on public reception to the show.
“One of the things we’ve been doing is sort of monitoring what people love. You’re definitely see more of our main cast. I think you’ll see some more of our supporting cast come to the front,” he teased. “As we talk about the next season right now, nothing is set in stone. So there’s nothing I can really tip or tease, except that Ryan always makes some left turns and I’m sure we’ll see some special guest stars. One of the pleasures of a show like this is that we really want to — from the jump — if we’re doing another season and get back to our core cast.”
The possibilities don’t stop at season 2. Simpson and Jacobson hinted that there could be more episodes beyond that — and maybe even a spinoff.
“I think we’re in a season by season world here in this streaming economy,” Simpson teased. “So let’s see.”
The Shards is currently streaming on Hulu.
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Nicole Kidman may have been promoting “Practical Magic 2,” but the conversation surrounding the Hollywood icon has taken a very different turn.
The actress’ latest red carpet appearance has ignited a fresh wave of cosmetic surgery speculation, with fans dissecting photos from the film’s premiere and experts offering their own theories.
While Kidman has long faced scrutiny over her youthful appearance, this time attention has shifted from her face to another feature that has become the subject of intense online discussion.
For years, Nicole Kidman has been at the center of discussions about beauty, aging, and cosmetic enhancements.
That familiar debate resurfaced when the actress arrived at the Los Angeles premiere of “Practical Magic 2” in a head-turning Atelier Versace creation designed by Pieter Mulier.
The dramatic black gown showcased intricate lace detailing and a plunging neckline that immediately drew attention.
Paired with a coordinating lace choker, statement earrings, and matching heels, the look delivered one of the evening’s most memorable fashion moments.
Yet much of the reaction centered on Kidman’s noticeably fuller bust. Observers quickly began comparing recent photographs to older appearances, with some questioning whether the 59-year-old’s look could be attributed solely to styling choices.
Kidman’s Fuller Bust Prompts Expert Assessment
As the speculation intensified, Beverly Hills plastic surgeon Dr. Cat Begovic weighed in on the conversation after reviewing photographs from the premiere.
Although she stressed that she has never personally examined or treated Nicole Kidman, the surgeon pointed to specific features she believed stood out in the images.
Dr. Begovic told the Daily Mail that the “Babygirl” actress appeared to have “more defined cleavage and upper pole fullness,” characteristics sometimes associated with breast augmentation.
Based solely on the photographs, she estimated that the look could be consistent with implants in the range of “225-250 cc moderate projection.”
“They look to me to be around 225-250 cc moderate projection,” she speculated, before adding, “They are proportionate to her frame and she looks feminine and stunning.”
The discussion also showed the different implant projection options available, ranging from lower-profile designs that create a softer contour to higher-profile implants that produce a rounder, fuller appearance.
Nicole Kidman Revealed Why She Stopped Using Botox After Trying It
As speculation about Kidman’s appearance continues to surface whenever she steps on the red carpet, the actress addressed one of the biggest questions about her looks years ago.
Long before the latest “Practical Magic 2” debate, Kidman openly admitted that she had experimented with Botox but ultimately decided it wasn’t for her.
Speaking in an interview in 2011, the Hollywood star shared with PEOPLE, “I’ve tried a lot of things, but aside from sports and good nutrition, most things don’t make a difference. I have also tried Botox.”
She added, “I didn’t like how my face looked afterwards. Now I don’t use it anymore – I can move my forehead again!”
More From The Blast
Kidman Once Insisted She Was ‘Completely Natural’ Amid Plastic Surgery Speculation
Even before her Botox admission became public, Nicole Kidman had repeatedly found herself defending her appearance against rumors that she had undergone extensive cosmetic work.
As scrutiny intensified throughout the late 2000s and early 2010s, the actress consistently maintained that she had not undergone plastic surgery.
In one of her most widely quoted responses, Kidman told Marieclaire in 2007, “I am completely natural. I have nothing in my face or anything.”
She paired those comments with a detailed explanation of the habits she believed helped maintain her appearance. Kidman said she was diligent about sunscreen because of her fair skin, avoided smoking, and prioritized exercise and overall wellness.
The actress also made it clear she wasn’t interested in criticizing others for their personal choices. “Anybody can do anything to themselves – I don’t judge,” she said, while reiterating that she personally believed in being physically fit.
Nicole Kidman’s ‘The Hours’ Transformation Sparked Years Of Appearance Speculation
Long before Kidman found herself at the center of fresh cosmetic-surgery speculation, one of the biggest debates surrounding her appearance came from a transformation that had nothing to do with plastic surgery at all.
Instead, it revolved around the prosthetic nose she wore while portraying Virginia Woolf in the 2002 drama “The Hours.” The physical transformation became one of the film’s most talked-about elements and eventually sparked a fierce behind-the-scenes battle in Hollywood.
The prosthetic was designed to help Kidman resemble the acclaimed British author, and the makeover was so dramatic that many viewers barely recognized her.
In 2023, Vanity Fair revealed that powerful Hollywood figures clashed over whether to use the nose at all.
Costume designer Ann Roth and producer Scott Rudin supported the transformation, believing it helped Kidman disappear into the role. However, Harvey Weinstein reportedly opposed the prosthetic and attempted to intervene before the film’s release.
The debate became so intense that the nose nearly overshadowed the movie itself. Kidman later admitted she worried audiences would laugh when they first saw her in character, saying she feared the transformation might distract from the performance.
Ironically, the controversy became part of Oscar history. When Kidman won Best Actress for “The Hours” in 2003, presenter Denzel Washington famously announced the winner with the words, “By a nose.”
Being one of the most popular film franchises in history — with some of the highest-grossing movies in history — it only makes sense that the Marvel Cinematic Universe would put some major budget into its movies as the company grows more and more successful. Sometimes these investments greatly pay off, like with Avengers: Endgame. Other times, they unfortunately don’t.
Sometimes, they put a high budget into a movie, and for a while, it becomes the highest-grossing release of all time. However, there are other times in which they put these large sums of cash into production, and they lose a ton of money in the process. Regardless of the success or lack thereof, there’s no denying that few studios pour as much cash into their projects as the MCU, and the films on this list are the most expensive in their history so far.
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‘The Avengers’ (2012) – $220 million
When it came to finishing off Phase One of the MCU, it’s certain that Kevin Feige and the rest of Marvel Studios wanted to invest enough budget into their first big crossover event to ensure that this cinematic universe could continue with the popularity it was gaining. Bringing the likes of Captain America (Chris Evans), Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.), Thor (Chris Hemsworth), Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson), and Hawkeye together for the first time was going to take some money and effort.
The Avengers was a movie unlike any other, depicting a day unlike any other. Despite the popularity the MCU was gaining at the time, The Avengers was still somewhat of a risk for Marvel Studios. They needed this movie to succeed and secure the popularity of the MCU going forward. It most certainly worked out for them, given how popular this flick ended up being.
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‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ (2026) – $225 million
Spider-Man: Brand New Day was a gigantic success. It’s not even a question that Marvel Studios’ $225 million investment is being paid back in full, and then some. With the fourth Tom Holland solo Spider-Man film becoming one of the highest-grossing movies of all time, there’s zero doubt that the studio is going to continue pumping good money into their Spider-Man franchise.
Spider-Man: Brand New Day is the definition of an abundant success. Thanks to how well director Destin Daniel Cretton utilized his budget, how great the performances are, and the amount of genuine love, passion, and soul that was put into this flick, Holland’s Spidey outing is everything Marvel Studios needed at this time in their career. It’s thanks to Spider-Man: Brand New Day‘s success that one can be sure that Marvel Studios and Sony Pictures Entertainment will be putting an even larger budget into the fifth entry.
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‘Captain America: Civil War’ (2016) – $230 million
Everyone loves the Steve Rogers Captain America trilogy, thanks to the fact that it gave people one of the most beloved superhero movies of all time: Captain America: The Winter Soldier. While the second is one of the best superhero movies, the third is a legendary one, bringing not just the MCU heroes against each other by adapting the famous “Civil War” comic storyline, but also introducing Spider-Man into the universe.
Despite not being as good as the first sequel, Captain America: Civil War is still a great product and has a huge impact on the cinematic universe as a whole. Having action sequences that have spectacle and others that are extremely personal, Captain America: Civil War feels like another The Avengers film in all the best ways. It keeps the deep emotions a good story needs, while continuing the epic stakes of the other big team-up movies.
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‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3’ (2023) – $250 million
With how absurdly popular the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise became after the first entry in the series. Thanks to James Gunn, a lot of the Guardians became fan-favorite characters in the MCU. So, it only makes sense that when the final movie in the trilogy was put into production, Marvel Studios was going to invest in making it the best movie it could be.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 was made on a $250 million budget, and boy did Gunn use it in the best way he possibly could. This third project is iconic in almost every way. The cinematography by Henry Braham is stellar, the performances from the entire cast are excellent, and the director and writer use this entry to finish up everyone’s arcs with grace and prowess. Safe to say, this investment definitely paid off.
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‘Thor: Love and Thunder’ (2022) – $250 million
Some may be surprised that one of the worst Marvel movies also has one of the largest budgets in the studio’s history. Thor: Love and Thunder‘s $250 million budget, unlike other movies, cannot really be appreciated on the screen. This Taika Waititi movie gets a ton of flak for its abysmal visual effects quality, and rightfully so. There are far too many moments where the visuals are genuinely laughable.
While it was a success at the box office, grossing$760.9 million, it didn’t save Thor: Love and Thunder from the rough reviews it received. So, while it may have been somewhat of a success at the box office, the investment didn’t matter because the film was a flop critically. This negative reception surely contributed to Waititi reportedly not returning for movie five, which is probably for the best.
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‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ (2022) – $250 million
A $250 million Marvel Studios film that was far more successful both at the box office and in reviews is Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. After the tragic passing of Chadwick Boseman, audiences and critics alike were worried about the Black Panther sequel. They wondered if it was going to be possible to pull it off and whether the studio would decide to recast the role of T’Challa or not. Thankfully, the direction they went in not only served the movie well, but also audiences who were grieving Boseman right alongside the cast and crew.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is a moving tribute to Boseman and his legacy, while also being a strong and emotionally compelling film. The middle act slightly lags, but outside of that, it’s incredibly well done and one of the best post-Avengers: Endgame movies. Not to forget, it has a phenomenal score — nobody was really surprised — thanks to the efforts of returning composer Ludwig Göransson.
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‘Eternals’ (2021) – $272.6 million
Not only were fans and critics generally not pleased with 2021’s Eternals, but neither was Marvel. Noted by Forbes as “… one of the biggest failures of the 30 films in the Marvel Cinematic Universe”, this project was rough and even considered over-budget by many. Moreover, its worldwide box office was only $402 million… yikes.
It’s honestly quite sad that Eternals didn’t pan out the way Marvel Studios intended, because the director, Chloé Zhao, is extremely talented. She’s behind movies like Hamnet and Nomadland, and if her vision had been better translated, it could have really been something different in the MCU. The Marvel movie should have been more appreciated in general, thanks to the great technical quality — people commonly note Makkari’s (Lauren Ridloff) abilities as one of the best visual representations of super speed in superhero cinema — and the wonderful performances.
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‘Black Widow’ (2021) – $289 million
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After over a decade of people asking for a movie about Black Widow, fans finally got what they were asking for in 2021 with the aptly titled Black Widow. While it didn’t turn out as well as many would have liked—partially because Marvel Studios questionably decided to wait until after she died in Avengers: Endgame to make her solo movie, lessening the impact of the project by a lot.
While it gave the world the ever-iconic Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh) and made her a commonly beloved hero in the MCU cast, it didn’t spawn as much good as people expected. This isn’t to say it’s a bad movie, but it certainly was underwhelming for many. It’s not clear whether Marvel Studios was pleased with how much money—$289 million—they put into it, but the result can be assumed.
7
‘The Marvels’ (2023) –$374 million
If anything is certain, it’s that after Avengers: Endgame, Marvel struggled critically and financially. In 2023, they’d experience one of their largest financial losses of all time with the Captain Marvel sequel, The Marvels. With a budget of $374 million, the follow-up only brought in a truly painful $206 million. When accounting for the fact that the budget typically doesn’t include the marketing costs for the movie, this number hurts to even think about.
Many will argue, though, that The Marvels didn’t deserve such a reception. Is it perfect? Definitely not, but this project is not nearly as bad as some would say. Many attribute the negativity to a large group who have pretty unfair opinions of both the character and Brie Larson. The film has an audience score of 79% on Rotten Tomatoes, with a critics’ score of 63%, which is pretty sad, as the movie is, at the very least, fun and not nearly rough enough to warrant such a horrible financial reception. Also, the power gimmick between the three protagonists is unique and makes the fight scenes some of the coolest post-Avengers: Endgame.
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‘Avengers: Infinity War’ (2018) – $300–400 million
Stepping away from Marvel Studios’ losses, Avengers: Infinity War is one of their biggest successes in the company’s history, and is considered the best film in the Avengers franchise. It’s the first part of the finale to the Infinity Saga and a gigantic accomplishment on the part of directors Joe and Anthony Russo. On paper, it should not have worked as well as it does, but it’s a great example of how studios and filmmakers can correctly utilize a large budget, which in this case comes out to an estimated $300–400 million.
Avengers: Infinity War uses its budget to manage a gigantic cast of main characters alongside huge spectacle action sequences. Thanos (Josh Brolin) is also a fully CGI character and looks convincing and terrifying. Truly, Infinity War has some of the best visual effects in the MCU and even superhero films in general, and it was a huge success, with a worldwide box office of a whopping $2 billion.
2026 has been a quiet year for Tom Cruise so far, but one of his movies with another huge star that’s more than 30 years old is finally getting its due on streaming. Cruise hasn’t starred in a movie so far this year, but he’s coming for his first official Oscar next month with the release of Digger, the sweeping drama/epic directed by Alejandro G. Iñárittu. Cruise is all but guaranteed to earn an Oscar nod for his performance in the film, and many experts are predicting he’ll win the award, especially knowing how much Oscar voters love a good narrative — few stories can match Cruise finally winning for Best Lead Actor after all he’s given cinema over the years. Cruise last graced the screen in 2025 with his Mission: Impossible swan song, The Final Reckoning.
Tom Cruise is, without question, the biggest movie star of his generation and one of the most important Hollywood figures of all time. Few can say they’ve accomplished as much as he has over the course of his career, but one who has come close is Brad Pitt. Pitt may not have long-running roles like Ethan Hunt and Pete Mitchell, but he’s starred in some of the biggest blockbusters of all time, like World War Z and F1. Cruise and Pitt have only teamed up once during their lengthy careers, and it came all the way back in 1994 with Interview with the Vampire, the fantasy film based on the novel of the same name by Anne Rice. Interview with the Vampire has recently found a streaming home on HBO Max, where it’s quietly become one of the top 10 most-watched titles in America.
What Is ‘Interview with the Vampire’ About?
The official synopsis for Interview with the Vampire, which earned scores of 66% from critics and 86% from audiences on Rotten Tomatoes, reads as follows: “Born as an 18th-century lord, Louis is now a bicentennial vampire, telling his story to an eager biographer. Suicidal after the death of his family, he meets Lestat, a vampire who persuades him to choose immortality over death and become his companion. Eventually, gentle Louis resolves to leave his violent maker, but Lestat guilts him into staying by turning a young girl whose addition to the “family” breeds even more conflict.” The 1994 film was directed by Neil Jordan, and it also features stars like Antonio Banderas, Christian Slater, and John McConnell.
Check out Interview with the Vampire on HBO Max in America and stay tuned to Collider for more updates and coverage of Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt’s future projects.
- Release Date
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November 11, 1994
- Runtime
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123 minutes
- Director
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Neil Jordan
- Writers
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Anne Rice
- Producers
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David Geffen
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There are cute hiking outfits, and then there are Kate Middleton hiking outfits — and hers are enough to make me want to plan a day on the trails. The Princess of Wales has mastered making practical outdoor pieces look surprisingly polished, and her favorite khaki hiking pants are no exception.
Earlier this spring, Middleton stepped out in a pair of khaki Fjallraven hiking pants, styling them with a navy top, matching jacket and hat and brown hiking boots. Her exact $250 pair is currently sold out, but I found a similar style on Amazon for just $35.
Get the Moosehill 5-Pocket Hiking Pants for $35 (Was $40) at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change.
The Moosehill 5-Pocket Hiking Pants have the same outdoorsy-but-polished feel as Middleton’s pair, right down to the khaki color and streamlined silhouette. They also come in sage green, black, gray and several other versatile shades, with sizes ranging from 2 to 18.
Jennifer Aniston has practically perfected the jeans-and-a-sweater uniform, but her accessories are usually what make those simple outfits feel a little more special. Her latest bag is proof: the slightly unexpected shape gives an otherwise classic fall look just enough personality while still feeling completely polished. The Friends alum was recently spotted in New York […]
Better yet, these pants aren’t just cute enough to make me want to hit the trails — they’re designed for actually doing it. The quick-dry, water-repellent fabric can handle everything from unexpected rain to sweaty climbs, while a partially elastic waistband keeps things comfortable. Adjustable drawstrings at the hems let you turn them into capris, and five pockets give you plenty of room for your phone, keys and other hiking essentials.
Shoppers confirm they can handle a serious adventure, too. One reviewer who wore them on a “5-day hike in Patagonia” said they “held up so well” and loved the pockets because you “don’t need to carry a bag.” Another buyer called them “super comfy and flattering,” pointing to the “slight boot cut shape” and breathable material.
It’s the polished silhouette that really makes me want to add Middleton’s outdoorsy style to my fall rotation. These look just as cute paired with hiking boots for a day outside as they would with sneakers for running errands or grabbing coffee afterward. Suddenly, a crisp fall hike sounds even better.
Get the Moosehill 5-Pocket Hiking Pants for $35 (Was $40) at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change.
Looking for something else? Explore more from Moosehill here and don’t forget to check out all of Amazon’s Daily Deals for more great finds!
UsNow Fall Sale Alert: These chic fashion finds are up to 60% off – plus free shipping
Welcome to fall with our biggest sale of the season. Our favorite dresses, tops, handbags, and shoes are all on sale + free shipping. Inventory is limited so hurry before they’re gone.
There are bags, and then there are the big, slouchy totes that somehow make everything you wear look cooler. Cindy Crawford stepped out with the latter, and suddenly we’re ready to give our tiny purses a break. Between the rich brown leather and relaxed shape, it’s the kind of bag we’d want beside Us from […]
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Chrissy Teigen knows how to rise to the occasion with a polished, rich-looking outfit. Another superpower she has? Dressing down in the most chic everyday pieces that actually feel comfortable. Case in point: The model showed off a series of pictures “winding down,” and in one, we spotted her wearing the easiest travel-ready pants. It only took Us a few minutes before we were hunting for a pair of our own.
The Cravings cookbook author took a full-body mirror selfie, showing off her unbelievably relaxed daytime look. The outfit featured a black tucked-in tank top, an oversized embroidered bag and simple jewelry; however, the major eye-grabber is her Dries Van Noten pants that cost a few hundred. That’s a little out of our budget, so we found an equally comfy pair on Amazon for only $22.
Get the Lepunuo Wide-Leg Drawstring Palazzo Pants for $22 (was $25) at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change.
Similar to Teigen’s designer style, these affordable palazzo pants have a loose fit, a high waist and those leg-lengthening vertical stripes that make you appear model-tall. And of course, these pants are available in the same color scheme, featuring a white base and white lines, just like the celeb’s.
Gwyneth Paltrow loves showing off her OOTDs, and Us Weekly editors can’t stop dissecting them for fashion inspiration. Her outfits are always strategically styled, looking polished yet totally attainable, and that’s exactly how we feel about her French-inspired look that she calls the “best summer walking outfit in Paris.” Listen, when the Goop founder refers […]
What makes this Amazon find arguably more comfortable comes down to a few details. In addition to the easy-going fit, the pants also have a drawstring waistband, which allows you to adjust the fit just the way you like it. These pants also appear to have a much more manageable length, so you can skip the visit to the tailor.
Even better? You’ll love the comfortable fabric, which feels breathable for late-summer wear and early fall outfits. Plus, they’re lightweight enough to pack nicely in your luggage . . . or wear directly on the plane. Chances are the palazzos are so airy, you’ll feel like you aren’t wearing, well, nothing.
We prefer this exact black-and-white striped combo to channel Teigen’s relaxed look; however, there are so many other options to choose from. The pants also come in solid neutral colors, flashy boho patterns and even animal print styles (which are so ‘in’ right now).
Teigen isn’t the only one who’s grabbing this pants style — Amazon shoppers are, too. “I absolutely love these pants,” wrote one shopper. “They are lightweight, comfortable and have a nice flowy fit. The elastic waistband and drawstring make them easy to adjust, and I love the wide-leg style. The material has a nice textured look and feels great for all-day wear.”
Other shoppers wear them while lounging at home, running errands and vacationing, including this one person who said they’re “perfect for summer and summer travel.” They even admitted, “[I] liked these so much I ordered another pair!”
You can easily style these free-flowing palazzo pants with a T-shirt and sneakers for a quick errand run, a blouse and H-band sandals for brunch or do as Teigen does and style them with a fitted tank, heeled booties and a tote. Either way, you’ll feel comfortable for every activity on the agenda, and look good while doing so.
Get the Lepunuo Wide-Leg Drawstring Palazzo Pants for $22 (was $25) at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change.
UsNow Fall Sale Alert: These chic fashion finds are up to 60% off – plus free shipping
Welcome to fall with our biggest sale of the season. Our favorite dresses, tops, handbags, and shoes are all on sale + free shipping. Inventory is limited so hurry before they’re gone.
Barry Melrose, a former NHL coach and longtime ESPN analyst, has died following a battle with Parkinson’s disease. He was 70.
“For decades, Barry Melrose was one of the most distinctive and trusted voices in hockey,” ESPN said in a statement on Wednesday, September 9. “His knowledge of the game was deep, his candor was refreshing, and his passion was unmistakable. He was a foundational part of ESPN’s hockey coverage, and fans and teammates truly appreciated his entertaining delivery and charismatic personality.”
The statement concluded, “We send our deepest condolences to his loved ones. He always kept it interesting and he will be missed.”
Melrose’s storied hockey career included coaching Wayne Gretzky and the Los Angeles Kings to the Stanley Cup Finals in 1993, where the Kings ultimately fell to the Montreal Canadiens, four games to one.
He previously played hockey professionally for the Western Hockey League before graduating to the NHL for stints with the Winnipeg Jets, the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Detroit Red Wings. The athlete retired as an active NHL player in 1986 after competing in 300 games.
Melrose returned to the Western Hockey League to begin his coaching career, leading the Medicine Hat Tigers to a Memorial Cup title in 1987. He landed an NHL coaching job with the L.A. Kings in 1992 and later had a brief stint with the Tampa Bay Lightning.
In 1996, Melrose joined ESPN as a hockey color commentator alongside longtime colleague John Buccigross. It was Buccigross, 60, who announced in October 2023 that Melrose had retired from ESPN after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.
“I’ve had over 50 extraordinary years playing, coaching and analyzing the world’s greatest game, hockey,” Melrose later said in a statement. “It’s now time to hang up my skates and focus on my health, my family, including my supportive wife Cindy, and whatever comes next.”
He added, “I’m beyond grateful for my hockey career, and to have called ESPN home for almost 30 years. Thanks for the incredible memories and I’ll now be cheering for you from the stands.”
Barry was survived by his wife, Cindy, and two sons, Tyrell and Adrien.
NHL legend Claude Lemieux was found dead at age 60 on May 28, 2026. The legendary hockey star’s death came just three days after he made an emotional appearance at Game 3 of the NHL’s Eastern Conference Finals between the Montreal Canadiens and Carolina Hurricanes in Montreal on Monday, May 25, to act as a […]
Following the announcement of the hockey star’s death, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman paid tribute to Barry’s unique place in hockey history.
“From the flowing locks of his distinctive mullet to the flared lapels of his trademark long suit coats, Barry Melrose cut an unmistakable figure whenever you were fortunate enough to run into him at a rink or catch him on your television screen,” Bettman, 74, said in a statement on Wednesday. “You were even more fortunate if you engaged him in conversation or listened to his analysis because he never failed to boost your love of the game of hockey.”
The NHL commissioner went on to describe Barry as a “rangy and rugged defenseman” who had “truly made his mark upon the game.”
“We mourn the passing of a hockey original. And we send our deepest condolences to his wife, Cindy, their sons, Tyrell and Adrien, and all of his teammates, colleagues and admirers around the hockey world,” Bettman concluded.
All eyes are already on Alan Ritchson right now, as the fourth season of his ass-kicking streaming juggernaut Reacher dominates the streaming charts. Adapting Gone Tomorrow, the 13th novel in Child’s long-running series, Reacher Season 4 instantly earned plenty of acclaim from critics, with Collider’s David Caballero writing, “Reacher Season 4 stays true to itself by delivering a fistful of rageful, determined justice that will have you cheering through gritted teeth.”
Reacher Season 3 became the most-watched returning season ever on Prime Video, so it should come as no surprise that Ritchson’s return has also defeated all competition. But this weekend he faces a brand-new challenger, one with just as much brains, brawn, and as surprisingly impressive a singing voice as Ritchson. Yes, the only person who could possibly take down the big man is Ritchson himself, as he stars in the big new blockbuster on the block, Runner. Scheduled to debut in theaters on September 11, Runner features Ritchson as a former solider who is “thrown into a brutal race against time when a critical medical delivery makes him and his unlikely partner (Owen Wilson) the targets of a ruthless cartel.”
Directed by Scott Waugh, whose most recent feature was 2023’s Expend4bles, and written by Miles Hubley and Tommy White, Runner features an exciting cast alongside Ritchson and the Academy Award-nominated Wilson, including Rodrigo Santoro, Leila George, and Kate Box. Ahead of the film’s streaming debut, the embargo has lifted and first reviews are in, with Runner unable to match the heady heights of acclaim received by Reacher. At the time of writing, Runner boasts a middling score of 67% on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, which is Ritchson’s third film in a row to receive a positive majority. In fact, it’s currently even higher than Ritchson’s previous two 2026 blockbusters, War Machine and Motor City
What Did Critics Say About ‘Runner’?
With a 67% average score on Rotten Tomatoes, the reviews for Runner are unsurprisingly mixed. For ScreenRant, Alex Harrison reviewed the film, saying, “It’s not groundbreaking, nor does it consistently punch above its weight, but its tendency to resonate in unexpected ways makes it quite enjoyable to watch.” Other critics added that Runner was “a blast,” “formulaic,” and “an extended” “Very Special Episode” of Reacher.”
Runner hits theaters on September 11. Stay tuned to Collider for the latest stories.
- Release Date
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September 11, 2026
- Runtime
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97 minutes
Anthony Michael Hall’s greatest lesson from Nation’s Dumbest may just be never to judge the fun of reality TV.
“It’s so funny because this is the karma for me talking so much smack about reality shows because my wife is all about it,” Anthony, 58, exclusively shared with Us before he was eliminated from the Wednesday, September 9, episode of Fox’s hit summer series. “Love Is Blind, Love on the Spectrum. When you get married, you got to have at least two TVs. Now I’m on one all summer.”
While competing on Nation’s Dumbest, the National Lampoon’s Vacation actor appeared in a “Family Teacher Conference” episode where family members come to witness their loved ones’ intellectual demise.
Anthony knew he had to call on his wife, Lucia Hall, because of her love for all things reality TV. Anthony and Lucia, 35, have been married since November 2020 and welcomed their first child together in June 2023.
Carmen Electra is sharing her honest reaction to her Wednesday, August 5, Nation’s Dumbest elimination. “I mean, you know, listen, I was absent,” the former Baywatch star, 54, exclusively told Us on Tuesday, August 4 — just one day before she was eliminated from Fox’s new reality competition series. According to the model, she was […]
“I had to pull her in, so she’s like, ‘Oh my god!’” he recalled about his wife’s reaction to the show. “And then my mother was watching our son, and we really had a lot of fun. And she really did save my butt a couple times.”
While competing on Nation’s Dumbest, Anthony had the pleasure of filming with a variety of reality TV pros, including JoJo Siwa and former Dancing With the Stars contestant Hilaria Baldwin.
Anthony Michael Hall Shane Mahood/ FOX
When asked if he would consider doing more reality TV in the future, Anthony said he would “never say never.”
“Right after this, I did get a call from Fox. ‘Come to Dublin to do an episode of Name That Tune,’” he shared. “I was busy on a project. I couldn’t do it, but I was very happy they invited me. Never say never. Don’t judge a book by its cover. Don’t assume you know somebody.”
Anthony continued, “The chemistry between everybody was cool. … Everybody was really supportive, and I have to say, shout out to BBC and Fox. They produced it so well. There was a point where I was doing the show, and I’m going, ‘This show’s going to be a hit.’”
Elle King is on her self-love journey after dealing with some debilitating nerves ahead of filming Fox’s newest game show, Nation’s Dumbest. “I was super nervous,” she exclusively told Us Weekly while discussing joining the competition that tests celebrities’ smarts. “It’s taken me a lot of work, but I like who I am, and I […]
Although Anthony wasn’t the last man standing in the game show where the goal is to avoid being the worst in class, he remains grateful for the experience — even if “my dumb ass failed every logic test for 12 weeks.”
“These people were fun,” he said. “I had a great time with it. It was a trip to be there.”
Nation’s Dumbest airs on Fox Wednesdays at 9 p.m. ET.
What makes or breaks a mystery show is how much information it gives the audience. Most shows in the genre often expect viewers to sit through hours of setup for one big reveal. Obviously, that works well when the payoff is worth it, but for a series to genuinely sustain its momentum until the very end, that formula can get old pretty fast. For a mystery show, every episode should feel like it matters.
That is where pacing becomes everything, because even with the smartest premise in the world, if the story isn’t structured well, the audience has no reason to want more. Luckily, the Netflix shows on this list avoid that problem, keep the cases moving, and turn every chapter of their narrative into an important piece of the bigger picture.
‘Dark’ (2017–2020)
Dark is one of Netflix’s most brilliant shows. The streamer’s first-ever German-language series begins in the small town of Windern after the disappearance of a young boy, but that is only the beginning. Dark actually connects four families across multiple generations and reveals that the caves beneath the town are tied to a time-travel cycle stretching across decades, which is connected to the disappearance in question. Jonas Kahnwald (Louis Hofmann) becomes the closest thing the show has to a central protagonist, because Dark keeps widening its scope until practically every character, relationship, and detail becomes part of something much larger.
There’s no denying that the show is complex and hard to keep up with because of its interconnected timelines, but that’s also the fun part. Almost every episode keeps the audience on their toes and shifts the stakes. Nothing in the show feels disposable because almost every storyline feeds back to the central mystery. This kind of intentional storytelling makes watching Dark an extremely rewarding experience, despite the information overload. In fact, it gives the show rewatch value like no other, because when the rules of its world become clearer, the audience is practically compelled to go back and watch how everything falls into place so perfectly.
‘Dept. Q’ (2025–Present)
Dept. Q could have easily been another gloomy cold-case drama, but the series is way more interesting than that. The story follows Edinburgh detective Carl Morck (Matthew Goode), who is pushed into running a new cold-case unit after surviving a shooting that leaves his partner seriously injured and another officer dead. His first case centers on prosecutor Merritt Lingard (Chloe Pirrie), who disappeared years earlier and was presumed dead. The catch is that the audience learns that Merritt is still alive and being held captive somewhere, while the protagonist has no idea.
This completely changes the nature of the mystery that Carl and his team are trying to solve and gives every episode a sense of urgency. One storyline follows Carl, Akram (Alexej Manvelov), and Rose (Leah Byrne) as they dig into an investigation most people have already forgotten, while the other keeps returning to Merritt to fill in the gaps about what really happened to her. The show perfectly blends its strong character work with a brilliantly paced story, which is what makes it such an easy binge.
‘Dear Child’ (2023)
Dear Child is a six-episode German miniseries that follows a woman named Lena (Kim Riedle) who has been living in complete isolation with two children, Hannah (Naila Schuberth) and Jonathan (Sammy Schrein), under a terrifying set of rules imposed by their captor. The story actually begins with Lena escaping and ending up in a hospital after being hit by a car, which is an interesting creative choice for a mystery show, but it only makes things more confusing. Her appearance connects her to another woman named Lena Beck, who disappeared 13 years earlier.
This brings detective Gerd Bühling (Hans Löw) and the missing woman’s family back into the picture over a case they thought had gone cold. Dear Child’s backwards setup gives every episode an incredible amount of momentum because with every answer, her situation gets stranger. There is definitely a lot for the show to juggle between Hannah and Lena’s individual storylines, but the show never wastes a single minute. Every episode delivers important revelations without ever making the mystery feel boring. Dear Child is criminally underrated, especially for a narrative this tightly constructed.
‘The Chestnut Man’ (2021–Present)
The Chestnut Man is a compelling Danish mystery that begins with a dead woman being found in a Copenhagen playground along with a tiny figure made from chestnuts left beside her. Detectives Naia Thulin (Danica Curcic) and Mark Hess (Mikkel Boe Følsgaard) are assigned to the case, but things get much stranger when they discover evidence on the figure connected to Kristine Hartung, the young daughter of politician Rosa Hartung (Iben Dorner) who disappeared a year earlier and was presumed dead. Suddenly, one disturbing crime expands to reveal something much darker.
What The Chestnut Man does ridiculously well is make practically every episode change the shape of the investigation. The chestnut figures are essentially the killer’s calling card. They begin appearing at the scenes of other attacks, which keeps tying new victims back to the same investigation. It doesn’t take Thulin and Hess long to realize that they are dealing with someone extremely smart, who knows how to cover their tracks flawlessly. There is barely any room for all of this tension to sit still, but that sense of adrenaline makes it impossible for the audience to stop watching until the very end.
‘The Mire’ (2018–2024)
The Mire is a Polish series that begins in 1984, shortly after the end of martial law, when a sex worker and a local Communist official are found dead in the forest. The police quickly settle on an explanation, but journalists Witold Wanycz (Andrzej Seweryn) and Piotr Zarzycki (Dawid Ogrodnik) are not convinced at all. At the same time, two teenagers die under suspicious circumstances, which gives the reporters another reason to keep investigating. Soon enough, the seemingly disconnected tragedies start to converge and expose the town’s politics and crime.
That idea only grows stronger as the series moves forward. The Mire Season 2 jumps to 1997, when a devastating flood uncovers human remains in the forest, while Season 3 pushes the timeline into 1999 and drags even more buried history back to the surface. Each era adds another layer to the same mystery, which gives the show a density that most crime dramas can only dream of achieving. By the end, the audience has moved beyond just caring about individual cases because the town itself becomes the subject of the investigation. The show’s long-form approach makes every episode feel rewarding because The Mire believes in intentional storytelling, where the smallest of details matter.
‘The Snow Girl’ (2023–2025)
The Snow Girl is practically impossible to stop watching. The Spanish series begins during a Christmas parade in Málaga, where five-year-old Amaya disappears in the middle of a crowded street. Journalist Miren Rojo (Milena Smit) becomes obsessed with the case and starts investigating alongside detective Belén Millán (Aixa Villagrán), even as years pass without a clear answer. Then, six years later, a mysterious video suddenly proves that Miren’s obsession wasn’t unfounded. From there, the show moves between different points in time as new evidence appears, old suspects come back into focus, and the journalist’s own past starts affecting how far she is willing to go for the truth.
Every episode in The Snow Girl reveals something meaningful without slowing the story down. The stakes shift within seconds, and that relentless momentum is what makes the show so addictive. Once the case is back in the public eye, Miren’s hunt gets even more aggressive, and in turn, more reckless. The most interesting thing about the show is how it shifts perspectives at extremely crucial moments to let the audience see parts of Amaya’s disappearance from angles Miren cannot, without giving away the full picture too early. The Snow Girl knows exactly how much information to reveal before immersing the audience in the next episode, and that is a masterclass in pacing.
‘Bodies’ (2023)
Bodies has a premise that sounds completely ridiculous until one actually starts watching. The eight-episode Netflix miniseries begins when the exact same naked corpse appears on Longharvest Lane in London across 1890, 1941, 2023, and 2053. Each body is discovered by a different detective, including Alfred Hillinghead (Kyle Soller) in Victorian London, Charles Whiteman (Jacob Fortune-Lloyd) during World War II, Shahara Hasan (Amaka Okafor) in the present day, and Iris Maplewood (Shira Haas) in the future. Now, none of them initially knows that anyone else is investigating the same impossible crime. However, each case gradually starts pointing toward Elias Mannix (Stephen Graham) and a conspiracy stretching across more than 150 years.
The fun comes from watching those four timelines slowly come together. The idea could have gotten messy fast, but Bodies is extremely careful with the rules of its world. The same names, symbols, photographs, and pieces of evidence keep resurfacing across decades, so the audience is essentially solving four cases at once, but every answer narrows them toward the same thing. A lot of shows use time travel as a gimmick, but Bodies actually weaves the concept into its layered narrative. There is simply too much happening in the series for any episode to feel forgettable.
‘The Residence’ (2025)
The Residence breathes new life into the classic locked-room mystery, and the premise works because it’s set right inside the White House. The eight-episode series begins during a disastrous state dinner where White House chief usher A.B. Wynter (Giancarlo Esposito) is found dead. Detective Cordelia Cupp (Uzo Aduba) is assigned the case. The catch is that she is dealing with 132 rooms and 157 suspects, including politicians, staff members, guests, and employees who all seem to be hiding something. FBI agent Edwin Park (Randall Park) is assigned to work alongside her, who quickly realizes that Cordelia has absolutely no interest in investigating the case the conventional way.
She asks completely irrelevant questions and has a habit of comparing human behavior to birds, but beneath her quirks, it’s fascinating to watch her casually pointing out every inconsistency in the case. Now, the sheer size of the suspect pool could have made The Residence feel repetitive, but the show is smart with its structure and moves into a new corner of the White House with every episode. The series works as a screwball comedy, but the whodunit element is never overshadowed by the humor. Aduba holds all of it together and brings a unique charm to Cordelia in all her eccentricity without overdoing it. The result is a show that feels playful without sacrificing the mystery, and that is a treat to watch.
When it comes to Tom Cruise, the box-office readies itself for his impact. Between hit franchises like Mission: Impossible and Top Gun and action smashes like Edge of Tomorrow and Jack Reacher, it’s rare to find a Cruise outing that’s, well, disappointing. But everyone’s success streak dips sometimes, and the star had one major (dare we say, blockbuster) misfire that has recently found new life on Prime Video. If you guessed The Mummy, we’re both frightened and amazed that you’re right.
‘The Mummy’ Is a Monstrous Mess of Mixed and Unmet Potential
The 2017 reboot of the Mummy was a conceptual mess from the very beginning. Rather than being a stunning re-imagining of The Mummy franchise – which originated during Universal’s monster movie era in the 1930s, and was at its peak back when Brendan Fraser was the lead — the film was meant to be more of a proof of concept for Universal Studios’ proposed “Dark Universe” franchise rebooting their old monster properties that, sadly, went nowhere. In fact, there are four different movies titled The Mummy, and of those entries, the one boasting Tom Cruise is somehow the worst. The supernatural action-adventure flick follows U.S. Army Sergeant Nick Morton (Cruise) as he unintentionally brings the ancient Egyptian Princess Ahmanet (Sofia Boutella) back from the dead. Having been mummified, the sorceress returns with unspeakable power and an unparalleled vengeance she seeks to visit against the modern world. However, Morton becomes supernaturally tethered to the titular villain, and slowly begins his own monstrous transformation. The Mummy, then, chronicles the battle for Morton’s soul as he wanders into a terrifying world that’s bigger than he imagined.
Tonally, The Mummy never quite settles on saying anything of note. It tries its hardest to do far too much and ultimately achieves none of it. In just short of two hours, the Alex Kurtzman-directed film struggles to settle on what exactly it actually wants to be. Is it a Tom Cruise action flick? Of course. Is it a horror movie? At times. Is it the kickstart of an expanded universe? Undoubtedly. Is it a comedy? It’s difficult to tell — but Prime Video audiences seem to love it. Or, at least they’re finally curious enough about it after a decade to give Cruise the time of day, making it the #4 most-streamed movie on the platform.
Watch this critical failure if you dare, but just know that everything it tries to build towards crashed and burned before it escaped the shadows…
Dark Universe Crashed and Burned Faster Than Any Blockbuster Franchise
If you’ve been around the movie scene in the last decade, then you already know that the Dark Universe franchise never happened. Although Universal first attempted a “soft” introduction with Dracula Untold, that film didn’t live up to the shared universe standards the studio hoped to achieve. The Mummy is a fascinating relic of an era where every major studio was desperate for its own Marvel-style franchise, complete with big-name stars, rich mythology, and an action-comedy feel. Remember, this was a time when the Marvel Cinematic Universe was in full swing and the DC Extended Universe had been successfully launched in only a few short years. Universal aimed to follow Disney and Warner Bros. with its most iconic movie monsters — and on paper, we understand why. In practice, however, it’s no wonder that this entire concept (like some of Tom Cruise’s other worst movies) died on impact. It’s too bad the end result felt so rushed.
The Mummy may be making waves on streaming, but if you’re looking for a modern take on the Egyptian monster, you’re probably better off waiting for the next Brendan Fraser movie.
The Mummy is available for streaming on Prime Video.
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