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TL;DR: Get 1TB storage you can plug into almost anything when you get the Dual USB-C USB-A Flash Drive for $74.97.
Got a ton of files? Whether it’s work documents, school projects, or a mountain of photos and videos, those low-storage warnings aren't going away. It's even worse when you have a cloud drive you could technically offload some files into, but you don't have a strong enough signal to upload quickly. How about going for a modern take on a classic solution.
The Dual USB Flash Drive is a total game-changer for file storage because it gives you a full 1TB of storage you can plug into most smart devices, and it's marked down to $74.97 (from $109).
How does a flash drive replace cloud storage?This flash drive isn’t just your average storage device. It’s got both USB 3.2 and Type-C connectors, meaning it’s ready to roll with practically any device you own: smartphones, tablets, laptops, desktops, you name it.
That compatibility wouldn't be anything to write home about without also having 1TB of storage space. This drive is built to handle a hefty library of files, whether it's high-resolution photos, HD videos, or important work documents. You can store everything in one place without running out of space anytime soon.
Speed is where this drive really shines. With read and write speeds of 20-30MB/S, it transfers files quickly and efficiently. Whether you’re moving large video files, backing up important data, or just shuffling some documents between devices, you won’t be left twiddling your thumbs while you wait. And not to rub it in cloud storage's face again, but you don't need Wi-Fi to access a flash drive. You also don't need to pay a subscription.
This flash drive is encased in a sturdy metal shell that’s built to withstand the bumps and bruises of everyday life. It’s water-resistant, dustproof, and even tough enough to survive the occasional drop. So, whether it’s tossed in your backpack, slipped into your pocket, or left rattling around in your car, you can trust that your data is well-protected.
Get a 1TB Dual USB-C/USB-A High Speed Flash Drive for $74.97.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
Opens in a new window Credit: UGR Tech Dual USB-C + USB-A 3.2 High Speed Flash Drive (1TB) $74.97TL;DR: Through September 1, save 82% on a web hosting plan with no subscription fees — now $39.97 for life with code SAVE10 at checkout.
Launching your first website can be confusing, especially when companies try to sell you a subscription to their platform. Do you really need to pay Squarespace every month just to run a blog or a portfolio for your artwork? We don’t think so.
But we also know about DoRoyal. They have a lifetime — vs. a monthly — subscription, so you only have to pay once to launch and run your website for life. And, it's only $39.97 with code SAVE10 through September 1 (reg. $225). You won’t find a better price anywhere else.
We want to see your blog or portfolio out in the wildThe first step in launching your website is choosing a domain name (like “yourname.com”). This will be an extra cost and not done through DoRoyal, but these are relatively inexpensive (about $14/year).
Once you have your blog or portfolio’s identity sorted out, connect it to DoRoyal and get to the fun part — designing how it looks. Don’t worry, you won’t need any coding skills. The platform has a website builder with over 800 themes that you can customize to your liking.
You can also create subdomains for different sections of your website for a blog, shop, or portfolio (such as “shop.yourname.com”) to keep everything connected. Or, set up a custom email address to look extra professional when contacting customers or clients. It’s easy to manage everything from the admin panel inside of DoRoyal.
If you have any questions about launching, customizing, or maintaining your website, DoRoyal has an excellent support team you can reach out to for help. One user testimonial states that the team has been available “Almost around the clock.”
Get your dream website up and running with this DoRoyal lifetime web hosting plan at $39.97 with code SAVE10 (reg. $225) through September 1 at 11:59 p.m. PT.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
Opens in a new window Credit: Sidular DoRoyal Website Hosting: Lifetime Subscription $39.97TL;DR: Through September 3, use code CONNECT to get this VPN router for $169 with free shipping (save $50).
Are you tired of paying monthly fees for a VPN that’s annoying to connect your devices to and slows down your connection when you’re streaming? You’re not alone. Many people are switching to this VPN router as a more affordable and effective alternative.
Think of it as a VPN that offers more security and features than your digital one, all with no recurring fees. Grab yours for $169 with free shipping after using code CONNECT at checkout through September 3 (reg. $219).
How does it work?If you can connect your devices to Wi-Fi, you can set up this VPN router. Plug it into your USB-C computer for power, connect it to your chosen network, and pair up to five devices.
Connect your smart TV to networks overseas, unblock streaming websites, and enjoy how the gadget simultaneously blocks pesky ads. We bet your overpriced digital VPN wasn’t doing that for you before. You may also notice faster speeds since these servers go up to 300Mbps.
Or, join servers from your laptop to stay secure when browsing on public Wi-Fi. This router has more than 150,000 servers, so plenty of options exist to protect your data.
Speaking of your protection, this device uses military-grade encryption and a decentralized private network to keep your online activity private. Most digital VPNs use centralized private networks (where your traffic passes through a single point), but a decentralized private network (where your traffic passes through tons of points) offers faster performance and enhanced security since there isn’t a single point of failure.
Ready to wave goodbye to fees and say hello to more security? Get the Deeper Connect Air VPN router for $169 with free shipping after using code CONNECT at checkout through September 3 at 11:59 p.m. PT (reg. $219).
StackSocial prices subject to change.
Opens in a new window Credit: Deeper Network Deeper Connect Air Portable VPN Travel Router $169.00TL;DR: Watch Atlanta Dream vs. Los Angeles Sparks in the WNBA with WNBA League Pass. Avoid blackouts and watch the WNBA from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
At this stage in the WNBA season, everyone's looking towards the playoffs. However, neither Atlanta Dream nor Los Angeles Sparks have had a great season.
While Atalanta could still be in the running for a playoff spot, it's been an especially tough run for Los Angeles, who are currently sat at the bottom of the Western Conference. But there's still time to have an end-of-season upswing.
The good news is that you can watch Atlanta Dream vs. Los Angeles Sparks for free from anywhere around the world. Read below to find out how.
When is Atlanta Dream vs. Los Angeles Sparks?Atlanta Dream vs. Los Angeles Sparks in the WNBA starts at 7 p.m. ET on Sep. 1. This fixture takes place at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California.
How to watch Atlanta Dream vs. Los Angeles SparksBasketball fans can watch Atlanta Dream vs. Los Angeles Sparks plus the remainder of the WNBA 2024 season from anywhere in the world with a WNBA League Pass.
The WNBA League Pass unfortunately doesn't show locally televised games live in the participating teams' local areas, but you can bypass the blackout restrictions by signing up for a VPN. A VPN is a useful online tool that works by obscuring your real IP address (digital location) and then connecting you to a secure server in another location or country, allowing you to watch every WNBA League Pass game live, excluding games streamed by Amazon Prime Video.
To access every WNBA League Pass game, follow these easy steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in a location with no broadcast deals for the WNBA
Log in to WNBA League Pass
Stream every WNBA game live (except games hosted by Amazon Prime Video)
ExpressVPN is the best choice for hiding your real IP address and streaming more sport, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure
Fast connection speeds free from throttling
Up to eight simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is currently on sale for $99.95 for a limited time — which is a saving of 49%. This offer includes a bonus three months of usage for free, along with a year of unlimited cloud backup and a generous money-back guarantee within 30 days.
Stream Atlanta Dream vs. Los Angeles Sparks in the WNBA from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
TL;DR: Watch Las Vegas Aces vs. Phoenix Mercury in the WNBA with WNBA League Pass. Avoid blackouts and watch the WNBA from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
It's all to play for as the WNBA nears the playoffs. While some teams have already punched their ticket to the postseason, Las Vegas Aces and Phoenix Mercury are close but not there yet. That's why every win is crucial at this stage of the season — so Las Vegas and Phoenix are sure to put on one hell of a game.
Both teams' records are solid this season, though Las Vegas have the edge in terms of number of wins. And don't forget the Aces have won the WNBA Championship the past two years — can they put themselves on track to do it a third time?
The great news is that you can watch Las Vegas Aces vs. Phoenix Mercury for free from anywhere around the world. Read on to find out how.
When is Las Vegas Aces vs. Phoenix Mercury Sun?Las Vegas Aces vs. Phoenix Mercury in the WNBA starts at 4 p.m. ET on Sep. 1. This fixture takes place at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona.
How to watch Las Vegas Aces vs. Phoenix MercuryBasketball fans can watch Las Vegas Aces vs. Phoenix Mercury plus the remainder of the WNBA 2024 season from anywhere in the world with a WNBA League Pass.
While the WNBA League Pass doesn't show locally televised games live in the participating teams' local areas, you can bypass the blackout restrictions by signing up for a VPN. A VPN is a useful online tool that works by masking your real IP address (digital location), then connecting you to a secure server in another location, enabling you to watch every WNBA League Pass game live, excluding games streamed on Amazon Prime Video.
To access every WNBA League Pass game, follow these easy steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in a location with no broadcast deals for the WNBA
Log in to WNBA League Pass
Stream every WNBA game live (except games hosted by Amazon Prime Video)
ExpressVPN is the best choice for hiding your real IP address and streaming more sport, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure
Fast connection speeds free from throttling
Up to eight simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is currently on sale for $99.95 but for a limited time only — 49% off. This offer includes a bonus three months of usage for free, along with a year of unlimited cloud backup and a money-back guarantee within 30 days.
Stream Las Vegas Aces vs. Phoenix Mercury in the WNBA from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
TL;DR: Watch Indiana Fever vs. Dallas Wings in the WNBA with WNBA League Pass. Avoid blackouts and watch the WNBA from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
The WNBA 2024 playoffs kick off later this month, and both Indiana Fever and Dallas Wings are still competing for a post-season spot. Indiana Fever are still in contention, while the Dallas Wings are sitting near the bottom of the standings without much hope.
If you want to watch Indiana Fever vs. Dallas Wings in the WNBA from anywhere in the world, keep reading to find out all the information you need.
When is Indiana Fever vs. Dallas Wings?Indiana Fever vs. Dallas Wings in the WNBA starts at 4 p.m. ET on Sept. 1. This fixture takes place at the College Park Center in Arlington, Texas.
How to watch Indiana Fever vs. Dallas WingsWatching Indiana Fever vs. Dallas Wings and the rest of the WNBA 2024 season couldn't be easier with the WNBA League Pass.
The WNBA League Pass may however not show locally televised games live in the participating teams' local areas. You can get around this however by using a VPN. By hiding your real IP address, a VPN allows you to connect to secure servers in other locations and watch every WNBA League Pass game live, excluding games hosted by Amazon Prime Video.
To access every WNBA League Pass game, follow these easy steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in a location with no broadcast deals for the WNBA
Log in to WNBA League Pass
Stream every Indiana Fever vs. Dallas Wings plus other WNBA games live (except games hosted by Amazon Prime Video)
ExpressVPN is the best choice for hiding your real IP address and streaming more sport, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure
Fast connection speeds free from throttling
Up to eight simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.
Stream Indiana Fever vs. Dallas Wings in the WNBA from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
TL;DR: Watch Chicago Sky vs. Minnesota Lynx in the WNBA with WNBA League Pass. Avoid blackouts and watch the WNBA from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
The WNBA 2024 playoffs kick off this month, and teams who have not yet secured their position will be fighting for a spot. Next to the court are Chicago Sky and Minnesota Lynx. The Lynx have already qualified for a post-season spot, but it's still all to play for Chicago Sky as they sit in eighth place in the standings.
If you want to watch Chicago Sky vs. Minnesota Lynx in the WNBA from anywhere in the world, keep reading to find out all the information you need.
When is Chicago Sky vs. Minnesota Lynx?Chicago Sky vs. Minnesota Lynx in the WNBA starts at 3 p.m. ET on Sept. 1. This fixture takes place at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
How to watch Chicago Sky vs. Minnesota LynxBasketball fans can watch the WNBA 2024 season from anywhere in the world with the WNBA League Pass.
The WNBA League Pass may however not show locally televised games live in the participating teams' local areas. But you can get around this by using a VPN. These are tools that work by hiding your real IP address (digital location). With this, you'll be able to connect to secure servers in other locations and watch every WNBA League Pass game live, excluding games hosted by Amazon Prime Video.
To access every WNBA League Pass game, follow these easy steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in a location with no broadcast deals for the WNBA
Log in to WNBA League Pass
Stream every Chicago Sky vs. Minnesota Lynx plus other WNBA games live (except games hosted by Amazon Prime Video)
ExpressVPN is the best choice for hiding your real IP address and streaming more sport, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure
Fast connection speeds free from throttling
Up to eight simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.
Stream Chicago Sky vs. Minnesota Lynx in the WNBA from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
Summer is in the rearview, but fret not. Though 2024 has already offered us some absolutely sensational (and sexy) cinema with the first half of the year, fall means FYC season is upon us. And with that comes an avalanche of tantalizing movies.
For Your Consideration, we've not only highlighted festival favorites and prestige dramas sure to gain Oscar buzz, but also heartwarming sequels, pulse-pounding thrillers, nail-biting horror, gut-busting comedies, eye-popping adventures, and mind-bending musicals. Whatever kind of movie you're looking for this season is serving it up.
Here are the fall 2024 movies you'll want to know about.
SeptemberBeetlejuice BeetlejuiceIt's showtime! 36 years since Beetlejuice introduced us to the ghost with the most, Tim Burton is reuniting with collaborators Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, and Catherine O'Hara for the long-awaited sequel.
SEE ALSO: 'Beetlejuice Beetlejuice': Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, Jenna Ortega, and Catherine O'Hara on how they brought back the iconic Tim Burton storyThis time around, Lydia Deetz (Ryder) has an angsty teen of her own in Astrid (Wednesday's Jenna Ortega). When Astrid — like her mother before her — gets too cozy with the dead, Lydia and her stepmother Delia (O'Hara) must team up with their former foe, Beetlejuice (Keaton), to outwit the rules of the afterlife. And he'll need their help against his vengeful ex-wife (Monica Bellucci).
Bursting with familiar iconography, spookiness, and kookiness, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is sure to thrill fans new and old. — Kristy Puchko, Entertainment Editor
Starring: Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, Catherine O'Hara, Justin Theroux, Monica Bellucci, Jenna Ortega, and Willem Dafoe
How to watch: Beetlejuice Beetlejuice opens in theaters Sept. 6.
Rebel RidgeWhen a corrupt small-town police force gets in the way of a former Marine posting bail for his cousin, all hell breaks loose in Rebel Ridge.
This no-holds-barred thriller comes courtesy of director Jeremy Saulnier, whose gnarly Green Room pitted a punk rock band against neo-Nazis in a similar tale of underdogs facing down evil. Expect brutal action and a star-making turn from lead Aaron Pierre. Don't believe me? Just watch the trailer above. The way he fakes out his foes by asking, "What if we just walk away?" only to turn follow up with a deadpan, "but then I was like, 'nah,'" is seared into my brain. — Belen Edwards, Entertainment Reporter
Starring: Aaron Pierre, Don Johnson, AnnaSophia Robb, David Denman, Emory Cohen, James Cromwell, Steve Zissis, Zsané Jhé, and Dana Lee
How to watch: Rebel Ridge premieres Sept. 6 on Netflix.
Look Into My EyesLana Wilson, the director behind Miss Americana, is back with a new documentary, and this time the subject matter isn't Taylor Swift — it's psychics.
The trailer above shows a series of conversations between mediums and their clients in New York City, teasing an insight into the psychology around grief, healing, and human connection. Whether you're a believer or a cynic, this A24 offering could make you reconsider what you think about clairvoyants. — Sam Haysom, Deputy UK Editor
How to watch: Look Into My Eyes opens in theaters Sept. 6.
The Front RoomBrandy Norwood goes head-to-head with an insidious mother-in-law in A24 horror The Front Room.
Directed by Max and Sam Eggers (brothers of The Northman's Robert Eggers), this thriller stars the screen and music icon as Belinda, who finds her life upended when her mother-in-law Solange (Poor Things' Kathryn Hunter) moves in. Newly pregnant and overwhelmingly done with Solange's unsettling behavior and constant commentary, Belinda realizes the old woman might actually be dangerous to her — and her unborn child. Convincing her husband (Andrew Burnap) seems impossible, so it seems Belinda might have to take matters into her own hands. — Shannon Connellan, UK Editor
Starring: Brandy Norwood, Andrew Burnap, Neal Huff, and Kathryn Hunter
How to watch: The Front Room opens in theaters Sept. 6.
His Three DaughtersOne of Mashable's favorites out of TIFF 2023, His Three Daughters centers on three sisters struggling to cope as their elderly father enters his final days of at-home hospice care. Stuck together in a cozy but emotionally claustrophobic New York City apartment, they face sibling rivalry, philosophical differences, and heated emotions.
Each member of writer/director Azazel Jacobs' cast is stellar. And as I wrote in our review, "His Three Daughters is a simple but elegant drama that grapples with the ugliness of grief and comes out with as happy an ending as a shattering death might bring. It's chaotic, charismatic, and ultimately cathartic. Don't miss it." — K.P.
Starring: Carrie Coon, Natasha Lyonne, Elizabeth Olsen, and Jovan Adepo
How to watch: His Three Daughters opens in theaters Sept. 6, and debuts on Netflix Sept. 20.
My Old AssWhat if you could go back in time and talk to your younger self? Would you provide comfort? Advice? Warnings? Or maybe a hasty mix of all of the above?
This is the comedic premise of writer/director Megan Park's buzzed-about Sundance movie, My Old Ass. 18-year-old Elliott Labrant (Maisy Stella) is on a camping trip with friends, hanging out and getting high, when a 39-year-old version of herself (Aubrey Plaza) crashes the party. Far from the sentimental meeting either might wish for, their connection across time proves a mind-blowing trip, peppered with laughs and life lessons. — K.P.
Starring: Maisy Stella, Percy Hynes White, Maddie Ziegler, Kerrice Brooks, and Aubrey Plaza
How to watch: My Old Ass opens in theaters Sept. 13.
Speak No EvilOne of the scariest movies of 2022 is getting a Hollywood remake, courtesy of The Woman in Black director James Watkins.
The premise of this psychological thriller seems simple: It's a holiday-turned-horror story. But the specifics (at least of Christian Tafdrup's Danish original) are soul-scorchingly harrowing. When a family of three visits the home of a family they befriended on vacation, things go from amiable to awkward to nerve-shreddingly tense. But which red flag would have you fleeing? Dare you find out? — K.P.
Starring: James McAvoy, Mackenzie Davis, Aisling Franciosi, Alix West Lefler, Dan Hough, and Scoot McNairy
How to watch: Speak No Evil opens in theaters Sept. 13.
Omni LoopMary-Louise Parker brings her signature smirk to a time-travel tale that's sure to mess with your head — and heart.
Imagine if you learned there's an actual black hole growing in your chest. For most, that'd be a death sentence. But when a condemned-to-die quantum physicist (Parker) learns her medication allows her into a time-loop, she digs in Groundhog Day-style to find a solution. The cast alone should have you marking your calendar. — K.P.
Starring: Mary-Louise Parker, Ayo Edebiri, Hannah Pearl Utt, Chris Witaske, Carlos Jacott, Harris Yulin, Steven Maier, and Eddie Cahill
How to watch: Omni Loop opens in theaters and on digital Sept. 20.
WolfsFrom Jon Watts, the director who brought us Spider-Man: Homecoming, Far From Home, and No Way Home, comes an assassin comedy that looks like it has killer laughs.
Ocean's Eleven stars George Clooney and Brad Pitt re-team to play "fixers" who are used to working solo — but now have to work together on a particularly messy job. Visual gags, bickering banter, and wild turns are teased in the trailer, along with an anti-bromance vibe that's undeniably amusing. Let the funny business begin! — K.P.
Starring: George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Amy Ryan, Austin Abrams, and Poorna Jagannathan
How to watch: Wolfs opens in theaters on Sept. 20, and debuts on Apple TV+ on Sept. 27.
The SubstanceCoralie Fargeat's sci-fi body horror The Substance won best screenplay at Cannes, and now it's crawling into cinemas. Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley lead this sinister satire, which scrutinizes the beauty industry, Hollywood, and ageism through the titular product known only as "The Substance." This injectable solution lets you "generate another you" with whom you must share time. Of course, that's not as simple as it sounds.
"While visceral in spurts, The Substance is never quite in control of its satire on sexualization, an excess in which it revels without always meaningfully subverting," writes Siddhant Adlakha in his review for Mashable. "Its lead performances are fine-tuned — especially from Demi Moore, who delivers intrepid, career-best work — but the film is more a collection of mild jabs than a full-throated deconstruction of a cultural gaze." — S.C.
Starring: Demi Moore, Margaret Qualley, Dennis Quaid, Hugo Diego Garcia, Joseph Balderrama, Oscar Lesage
How to watch: The Substance hits theaters Sept. 20.
The Wild RobotSatisfy your cravings for animated adventure with The Wild Robot, based on the book series by Peter Brown and directed by Chris Sanders (Lilo & Stitch, How to Train Your Dragon).
Lupita Nyong'o lends her voice to Roz, a robot who's been shipwrecked on a faraway island. There, she'll grow close to the island's animal inhabitants — voiced by the likes of Pedro Pascal, Kit Connor, and Catherine O'Hara — and raise an orphaned gosling, all while learning to live and feel beyond the demands of her programming. If the heartstring-tugging storyline and killer voice cast haven't already lured you in, The Wild Robot's vibrant, painterly animation certainly will. — B.E.
Starring: Lupita Nyong'o, Pedro Pascal, Kit Connor, Catherine O'Hara, Bill Nighy, Stephanie Hsu, Mark Hamill, Matt Berry, and Ving Rhames
How to watch: The Wild Robot hits theaters Sept. 27.
Apartment 7AReady for a horror movie that's going to make you rethink the hatred of sequels?
Playing as a predecessor to Roman Polanski's 1968 classic Rosemary's Baby, Apartment 7A focuses on aspiring dancer Terry Gionoffrio (Julia Garner), who has made some powerful friends in 1965 New York. Specifically, when she was down on her luck, she was welcomed into the posh parlors of the Bramford apartment building by a beguiling, elderly couple (Dianne Wiest and Kevin McNally). Terry begins to suspect something strange and sinister lurks behind their friendly faces — and their odd-smelling presents. Fantastically frightening with a contemporary sensibility for scares and political commentary, Apartment 7A is a horror offering that demands to be seen. — K.P.
Starring: Julia Garner, Dianne Wiest, Jim Sturgess, Marli Siu, Kevin McNally, and Rosy McEwen
How to watch: Apartment 7A debuts on digital and Paramount+ Sept. 27.
MegalopolisOut its world premiere at the prestigious Cannes International Film Festival, Francis Ford Coppola's latest got mixed reviews. But the trailer above would have you thinking critics have never understood the genius of the mind behind such epic films as The Godfather, Apocalypse Now, and Bram Stoker's Dracula. Well, that bold trailer pulled those quotes out of thin air — or possibly ChatGPT.
Whether Megalopolis is great or a great disaster is almost beside the point. With a cast like this and a controversy like that, don't you want to see for yourself what this movie is really all about? — K.P.
Starring: Adam Driver, Giancarlo Esposito, Nathalie Emmanuel, Aubrey Plaza, Shia LaBeouf, Jon Voight, Laurence Fishburne, Talia Shire, Jason Schwartzman, Kathryn Hunter, Grace VanderWaal, Chloe Fineman, James Remar, D.B. Sweeney, and Dustin Hoffman
How to watch: Megalopolis opens in theaters Sept. 27.
Rez BallBased on the nonfiction sports novel Canyon Dreams by journalist Michael Powell, Rez Ball focuses on the Chuska Warriors, a high school basketball team made up of Indigenous teens from New Mexico. When their star player dies unexpectedly, the team could be lost to grief. But with the state championships approaching, there's a chance to be winners who can cement their friend's legacy. To do that, they're going to have to turn to their Native American roots to play a game all their own.
Sterlin Harjo, the co-creator of Reservation Dogs, teamed with writer/director Sydney Freeland on the adapted screenplay. NBA all-star LeBron James produces. — K.P.
Starring: Jessica Matten, Kauchani Bratt, Cody Lightning, Dallas Goldtooth, Ernest David Tsosie, Kusem Goodwind, Zoey Reyes, Amber Midthunder, and Julia Jones
How to watch: Rez Ball debuts on Netflix Sept. 27.
Will & Harper Will Ferrell and Harper Steele go on a road trip. Credit: TIFFThe titular duo of this road trip documentary is responsible for such big-swing comedies as Casa de mi Padre, A Deadly Adoption, and Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga. But long before these, they were buddies, building a bond working at Saturday Night Live.
Will Ferrell and Harper Steele have known each other for decades. But when at 61, Harper came out as a trans woman, the time came for the friends to reconnect. A 16-day road trip across America was not only a way for Will to better understand Harper, but also for Harper to revisit dive bars, sports arenas, and other once-treasured spaces that might not be as welcoming as they once were. Together, they explore friendship, privilege, and what it means to be trans in the U.S. And while the content can be heavy, under the direction of Josh Greenbaum, who helmed the supremely hilarious Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar, the tone is light, accessible, and resoundingly heartwarming. — KP
Starring: Will Ferrell and Harper Steele
How to watch: Will & Harper debuts on Netflix Sept. 27.
OctoberIt's What's Inside A woman screams in "It's what's Inside." Credit: SXSWFrom Talk to Me to Bodies Bodies Bodies, cursed party games have become a bit of a thing in horror of late. Greg Jardin's genre-fusing thriller is one such film, promising a group of college buddies, a pre-wedding party game, and a whole lot of body-swapping that leads to an existential mind-fuck. The Netflix film was executive produced by Colman Domingo and his husband Raúl Domingo, and got a lot of buzz out of Sundance and SXSW.
In his review, Mashable contributor Siddhant Adlakha wrote, "Wielding devilishly enjoyable visual language, it provides winking hints of catharsis that make even its most audacious, galaxy-brained genre swerves feel like a couple's therapy session atop the world's tallest, fastest rollercoaster. It's a frenetic and fascinating film that can't be missed." — S.C.
Starring: Brittany O'Grady, James Morosini, Alycia Debnam-Carey, Devon Terrell, Gavin Leatherwood, Reina Hardesty, Nina Bloomgarden, and David Thompson
How to watch: It's What's Inside debuts on Netflix Oct. 4.
Joker: Folie à DeuxTodd Phillips' Joker was polarizing, to say the least. But between winning the Golden Lion at the Venice International Film Festival and dancing its way to becoming the sixth-highest grossing movie of 2019, it was almost guaranteed a sequel. And even the movie's haters had to do a double take when Lady Gaga signed on to play Harley Quinn opposite Joaquin Phoenix's titular villain.*
With each new bit of information — be it rumors about a Looney Tunes opening sequence or shots of some compelling costumes — Joker: Folie à Deux intrigues. Set two years after its predecessor, this supervillain sequel promises a story full of mayhem, musical numbers, and even romance. — K.P.
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Lady Gaga, Brendan Gleeson, Catherine Keener, and Zazie Beetz
How to watch: Joker: Folie à Deux opens in theaters Oct. 4.
The OutrunDirected by Nora Fingscheidt and co-written with author Amy Liptrot, The Outrun adapts Liptrot's 2016 memoir with a spectacularly raw performance from Saoirse Ronan. Set on the remote Orkney Islands, off the northern coast of Scotland, it's a brilliant, authentic depiction of a young woman in recovery from alcoholism. Rona (Ronan) leaves her turbulent life in London behind, returning to her seaside hometown where apologies await and past trauma simmers. Healing and self-forgiveness are also on the horizon. — S.C.
Starring: Saoirse Ronan, Paapa Essiedu, Saskia Reeves, Stephen Dillane, Lauren Lyle, Izuka Hoyle, Nabil Elouahabi, and Naomi Wirthner
How to watch: The Outrun opens in U.S. theaters Oct. 4, and UK cinemas Sept. 27.
The Platform 2The idea for Galder Gaztelu-Urrutia's The Platform is so good that it pretty much had to get a sequel.
The original (one of Mashable's best sci-fi movies on Netflix) takes place in a vertical prison where a giant table of food is gradually lowered top to bottom, and prisoners wake up in a random new cell each month. If they're at the top, they have plenty to eat; lower down, it's a fight for survival. The Platform 2's teaser takes us to the same prison with a new cast of characters — and what looks like just as much chaos and bloodshed. — S.H.
Starring: Milena Smit, Hovik Keuchkerian
How to watch: The Platform 2 debuts on Netflix from October 4.
Saturday NightFor 50 years, Saturday Night Live has been a staple of American television. But as Jason Reitman's upcoming film Saturday Night tells it, the hours leading up to SNL's first-ever live broadcast were an absolute disaster. Fighting actors, onset accidents, NBC executives hoping for the show to fail — you name it, it's going wrong in Saturday Night.
The movie follows SNL head honcho Lorne Michaels (The Fabelmans' Gabriel LaBelle) as he attempts to weather the behind-the-scenes chaos. It also introduces members of the original SNL cast, including Gilda Radner (Ella Hunt), Chevy Chase (Cory Michael Smith), Garrett Morris (Lamorne Morris), and Dan Aykroyd (Dylan O'Brien). Can this troupe of relative unknowns band together and put on the greatest 90-minute live sketch show NBC has ever seen? Or at least, a good enough show to keep them on the air? — B.E.
Starring: Gabriel LaBelle, Rachel Sennott, Cory Michael Smith, Ella Hunt, Dylan O’Brien, Emily Fairn, Matt Wood, Lamorne Morris, Kim Matula, Finn Wolfhard, Nicholas Braun, Cooper Hoffman, Andrew Barth Feldman, Kaia Gerber, Tommy Dewey, Willem Dafoe, Matthew Rhys, and J.K. Simmons
How to watch: Saturday Night hits theaters Oct. 11.
Piece by PieceAmerican music mogul Pharrell Williams has given audiences a barrage of hit songs, collaborated with some of the biggest artists in rap, and has won 13 Grammys (so far). It's about time someone told his story. But a bog-standard bio-doc of talking heads and concert footage was never going to fully grasp the creativity of this icon. So, Academy Award–winning documentarian Morgan Neville (20 Feet from Stardom) brings a bold new angle by reenacting this story with Lego-inspired animation. Williams not only lends his voice, but also produces, welcoming in a flood of famous friends and collaborators all reimagined as mini-figs. It looks bonkers, and we're absolutely stoked to see it. — K.P.
Starring: Pharrell Williams, Jay-Z, Timbaland, Gwen Stefani, Justin Timberlake, Busta Rhymes, Snoop Dogg, Daft Punk, and Kendrick Lamar
How to watch: Piece by Piece opens in theaters Oct. 11.
We Live in TimeReady to cry your eyes out?
John Crowley, the director of the gloriously romantic Brooklyn, has teamed with two of England's most in-demand young stars, Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield, to absolutely knock us out. We Live in Time is a romance, and sure, you might easily swoon watching these critically heralded hotties flirt and fall in love, all while wearing cozy sweaters. But these two heavy-hitters don't tend toward light-hearted fare. So, expect this decades-spanning romantic drama — that kicks off with a nearly deadly meet-cute collision — is definitely going to be laced with loss and tragedy. What is it the Brits say? Keep calm and carry on? — K.P.
Starring: Andrew Garfield and Florence Pugh
How to watch: We Live in Time opens in theaters Oct. 11.
AnoraThis summer Anora took home the prestigious Palme d'Or prize at the illustrious Cannes International Film Festival. But don't let its posh pedigree have you mistaking Sean Baker's latest with some stuffy art house drama. The writer/director behind such deeply poignant yet brightly funny films as Tangerine, The Florida Project, and Red Rocket has done it again, delivering a drama that is lusty and alive.
Mikey Madison (Scream 5) stars as Anora, a Brooklyn sex worker whose fling with a Russian playboy swiftly leads to wedding bells. But the fantasy of wealth and wonder comes crashing down when the cronies for her new oligarch in-laws come banging at the mansion door. You might think you know how this story goes. You'd be wrong. — K.P.
Starring: Mikey Madison, Mark Eydelshteyn, Yura Borisov, Karren Karagulian, Vache Tovmasyan, and Aleksei Serebryakov
How to watch: Anora opens in theaters on Oct. 18.
Nickel BoysColson Whitehead's harrowing Pulitzer Prize–winning novel The Nickel Boys has been adapted for the screen by director RaMell Ross and co-writer Joslyn Barnes, and it's sure to be a stunner. Ross made his feature-length debut in 2018 with Hale County This Morning, This Evening, which snagged an Oscar nomination for best documentary feature. This is his first feature-length narrative, and it's premiering on opening night of the prestigious New York Film Festival.
Like its source material, Nickel Boys is based on the true story of a state-run juvenile reform school in Jim Crow-era Florida where the students, the majority of whom were young Black boys, suffered extreme abuse. It was all covered up, only to be discovered by students of archaeology decades later. This story is told through a powerful friendship between two Black students, Elwood and Turner, whose experience will stay with you long after the credits roll. — S.C.
Starring: Ethan Herisse, Brandon Wilson, Hamish Linklater, Fred Hechinger, Daveed Diggs, and Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor
How to watch: Nickel Boys opens in theaters Oct. 25.
The Remarkable Life of Ibelin Mats Steen is at the center of "The Remarkable Life of Ibelin." Credit: NetflixOnline communities are often under-appreciated as real human connections, with the idea of genuine friendship constantly dismissed by those less online. But in these groups, digital worlds offer endless possibility, and for the gamer at the center of this doc, that would be incredibly freeing. In The Remarkable Life of Ibelin, documentarian Benjamin Ree examines the power of such a community through the experiences of 25-year-old Norwegian gamer Mats Steen.
The film is a posthumous ode to this young man, born with a degenerative muscular disease, who forged a whole life online within World of Warcraft under the avatar Ibelin. Steen's online community responded to a post from his parents after he passed away, revealing a large, connected world of friends and experiences they never knew he had, and one that provided a huge amount of comfort — and adventure — to him. —S.C.
How to watch: The Remarkable Life of Ibelin debuts on Netflix Oct. 25.
Venom: The Last DanceTom Hardy is back as investigative journalist Eddie Brock and the alien symbiote Venom, who has become his greatest friend and biggest pain in the neck. To conclude the Venom trilogy, this gruesome twosome must face off against forces on Earth and beyond that will do anything to track them down. Sure to be the wackiest buddy movie of 2024, Venom: The Last Dance promises plenty of action, plenty of punchlines, and the kind of unhinged spectacle only Spider-Man's weirdest foe can deliver. —K.P.
Starring: Tom Hardy, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Juno Temple, Rhys Ifans, Peggy Lu, Alanna Ubach, and Stephen Graham
How to watch: Venom: The Last Dance opens in theaters on Oct. 25.
NOVEMBEREmilia PérezPer Siddhant Adlakha's review out of Cannes, "The tale of a vicious cartel boss who undergoes gender-affirming surgery, Emilia Pérez places women front and center in a traditionally male-led gangster genre. But rather than subverting its visual and tonal hallmarks, French filmmaker Jacques Audiard compliments them with a liberating sense of expression through song and dance."
That's right, a gangster musical. We've gotten a taste of what Audiard has in store for us with the Cannes Jury Prize–winning film's tantalizing teaser. But we can't wait to see what leading ladies Zoe Saldaña, Karla Sofía Gascón, Selena Gomez, and Adriana Paz deliver to this intriguing crime movie, as all four collectively won Cannes' Best Actress honor. — K.P.
Starring: Zoe Saldaña, Karla Sofía Gascón, Selena Gomez, Adriana Paz, and Édgar Ramírez
How to watch: Emilia Pérez opens in select theaters on Nov. 1, and debuts on Netflix Nov. 13.
ConclaveBased on Robert Harris' 2016 novel of the same name, Conclave ushers audiences behind the scenes of one of the Catholic church's most sacred and secretive traditions. When the pope dies, the college of cardinals gathers to vote on who will ascend to lead the church and be God's voice on Earth. It's a heavy responsibility, but the politicking and pettiness among these men of the cloth can be shocking — and I confess! — quite thrilling.
Following a festival run that includes the Toronto International Film Festival, Conclave will open in the thick of For Your Consideration season. So Focus' ambitions for this Edward Berger-directed psychological thriller are quite clear. And with a cast like this, Conclave is gathering buzz fast. —K.P.
Starring: Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow, Lucian Msamati, Carlos Diehz, Sergio Castellitto, and Isabella Rossellini
How to watch: Conclave opens in theaters Nov. 1.
HereticHugh Grant was best known as a romantic lead back in the day, but in Heretic he's in full-blown creepy horror mode.
In writer-director duo Scott Beck and Bryan Woods' Heretic, two missionaries knock on the door of a seemingly friendly older man who invites them in with the promise that his wife is making a pie. But instead of pie, they find themselves locked inside and forced to play a life-or-death game. A24's latest has Barbarian vibes with a dose of religious horror. — S.H.
Starring: Hugh Grant, Sophie Thatcher, and Chloe East
How to watch: Heretic opens in theaters Nov. 15.
Gladiator IIPaul Mescal and Pedro Pascal face off in the long-awaited sequel to Ridley Scott's five-time Oscar–winning drama Gladiator.
Set 20 years after the death of Russell Crowe's Maximus, Gladiator II follows Lucius (Mescal) who was a boy when his uncle, the vicious Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix), ruled. As a man, he enters the Colosseum to do battle — not only against determined warriors, but also against the cruel overlords who make sport of the enslaved's suffering. Expect epic fight scenes, macho drama, and smolders so hot they could burn the movie theaters to the ground. — K.P.
Starring: Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal, Joseph Quinn, Connie Nielsen, and Paul Mescal
How to watch: Gladiator II opens in theaters Nov. 22.
The Piano LessonIn 2016, Denzel Washington won critical acclaim for his movie adaptation of playwright August Wilson's Fences. Now, his son Malcolm Washington follows in his footsteps, making his feature directorial debut with another work from Wilson's Pittsburgh Cycle of plays, The Piano Lesson.
Set in 1936, the drama centers on a Black family recovering from the Great Depression, when the fate of an heirloom piano gets heated. John David Washington (Malcolm's brother) stars as Boy Willie, who wishes to sell the instrument, while his sister (The Harder They Fall's Danielle Deadwyler) wants to keep it in the family. Dealing with issues of identity, resilience, and legacy, The Piano Lesson is sure to hit hard. — K.P.
Starring: Samuel L. Jackson, John David Washington, Ray Fisher, Michael Potts, Erykah Badu, Skylar Aleece Smith, Danielle Deadwyler, and Corey Hawkins
How to watch: The Piano Lesson debuts on Netflix Nov. 22.
SpellboundFrom Shrek co-director Vicky Jenson comes a fresh fairy tale about princess and monsters, but not quite like you'd expect.
West Side Story's Rachel Zegler lends her voice to a plucky princess who's on a quest to break the spell that's turned her parents — Javier Bardem and Nicole Kidman in the Meet The Ricardos reunion we didn't see coming — into rampaging but adorable monsters. Behind the colorful aesthetic and the star-studded cast, this animated adventure also boasts new songs from The Little Mermaid composer Alan Menken and Tangled lyricist Glenn Slater. All these ingredients seem destined to make magic happen — K.P.
Starring: Rachel Zegler, John Lithgow, Jenifer Lewis, Tituss Burgess, Nathan Lane, Javier Bardem, and Nicole Kidman
How to watch: Spellbound debuts on Netflix Nov. 22.
Wicked: Part 1For 20 years, Wicked has lit up Broadway with its magic and song. Now, the musical — based on Gregory Maguire's 1995 novel, which turned the tables on the tale of the Wicked Witch — is coming to movie theaters. Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande star as the green-skinned Elphaba and her bubbly bestie Glinda, who will defy gravity on the big screen!
Stephen Schwartz, the stage show's lyricist, and playwright Winnie Holzman collaborated on the screenplay. Jon M. Chu, who directed Crazy Rich Asians, In the Heights, and several Step Up sequels, is helming. With beloved song numbers, a star-stacked cast, and the promise of getting into some of the storylines the stage show cut, this movie had to become a two-parter. And we suspect the first half will prove popular.* — K.P.
Starring: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey, Ethan Slater, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, and Bowen Yang
How to watch: Wicked: Part 1 opens in theaters Nov. 22.
Moana 2Moana (voiced by Auli'i Cravalho) and trickster demigod Maui (voiced by Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson) are back for more adventures on the high seas.
The sequel to 2016's Moana sees our titular character, now a full-fledged wayfinder, following her ancestors' call on a new quest to unite all the peoples of the ocean. Cursed islands and terrible storms await, along with the return of the pesky Kakamora from the first film. But the real question remains: Will any of Moana 2's songs hit as hard as "How Far I'll Go" and "Shiny"? — B.E.
Starring: Auli'i Cravalho, Dwayne Johnson, Temuera Morrison, Nicole Scherzinger, Khaleesi Lambert-Tsuda, Rose Matafeo, David Fane, Hualālai Chung, Rachel House, Awhimai Fraser, Gerald Ramsey, and Alan Tudyk
How to watch: Moana 2 hits theaters Nov. 27.
DECEMBERNightbitch Amy Adams goes for a run with dogs in "Nightbitch." Credit: TIFFHave you ever wished you could run out into the night, free as a bird with nothing to fear? That seems to be the appeal of Nightbitch. Based on Rachel Yoder's 2021 novel, the upcoming comedy-horror movie that stars six-time Academy Award nominee Amy Adams as a stay-at-home mom who occasionally transforms into a dog.
If that pairing of premise and talent isn't enough to get you pumped (and it should be!), consider that at the helm is Marielle Heller, the brilliant director behind three superb movie adaptations: coming-of-age dramedy The Diary of a Teenage Girl, the Mr. Rogers biopic A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, and the Academy Award–nominated biographical comedy Can You Ever Forgive Me? Now tell me you're not howling in anticipation. — K.P.
Starring: Amy Adams, Scoot McNairy, Arleigh Patrick Snowden, Emmett James Snowden, Zoë Chao, Mary Holland, Archana Rajan, and Jessica Harper
How to watch: Nightbitch opens in theaters Dec. 6.
The Order Jude Law plays an agent on the trail in "The Order." Credit: TIFFFrom director Justin Kurzel (Macbeth, The Snowtown Murders) comes a crime thriller unearthed from a dark corner of the U.S.'s not-so-distant history.
Based on Kevin Flynn and Gary Gerhardt's non-fiction book The Silent Brotherhood, The Order takes audiences into the 1983 FBI investigation into a band of white supremacists in the Pacific Northwest. Jude Law stars as an a hardened agent who suspects a spate of bank robberies and bombings are tied to a sinister conspiracy, dreamed up by a dangerously charismatic domestic terrorist named Robert Jay Mathews (Nicholas Hoult). Between a disturbing true story and sharp turns from Law and Hoult, this showdown is sure to leave audiences rattled. — K.P.
Starring: Jude Law, Nicholas Hoult, Tye Sheridan, Jurnee Smollett, and Marc Maron
How to watch: The Order opens in theaters Dec. 6.
Y2KNostalgia and sci-fi shenanigans collide in Y2K, the deranged directorial debut from Saturday Night Live alum Kyle Mooney. Set on New Year's Eve 1999, this teen comedy follows a bunch of high schoolers' whose holiday house party turns homicidal when our worse fears of the Y2K bug are realized. Yes, I mean our household electronics and beloved Tamagotchis turn Terminator and try to kill all humanity.
In our SXSW review, I cheered Mooney's movie as "a solid stoner comedy, gleefully dumb and unapologetically wacky." However, "As a teen comedy, Y2K lacks the emotional awareness of classics like Clueless, the original Mean Girls, or Superbad." But with your expectations managed, Y2K should prove wild fun in its watching. — K.P.
Starring: Rachel Zegler, Jaeden Martell, Julian Dennison, Kyle Mooney, and Alicia Silverstone
How to watch: Y2k opens in theaters Dec 6.
The Lord of the Rings: The War of the RohirrimMiddle-earth gets the anime treatment in The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim, directed by Kenji Kamiyama and executive produced by Peter Jackson.
Set 183 years before the Lord of the Rings trilogy, The War of the Rohirrim returns us to the kingdom of Rohan, headed up by King Helm Hammerhand (voiced by Succession's Brian Cox). When an attack from Dunlending lord Wulf (voiced by Luke Pasqualino) leaves Rohan in peril, it's up to Helm and his fearsome daughter Héra (voiced by Gaia Wise) to save the day. Together, they and all the Rohirrim will make a last stand at the ancient stronghold of the Hornburg, otherwise known as Helm's Deep. You know the full-body chills you get whenever you hear Howard Shore's Rohan theme from the original Lord of the Rings movies? Yeah, get ready for a whole movie of that feeling. — B.E.
Starring: Brian Cox, Gaia Wise, Luke Pasqualino, Miranda Otto, Lorraine Ashbourne, Yazdan Qafouri, Benjamin Wainwright, Laurence Ubong Williams, Shaun Dooley, Michael Wildman, Jude Akuwudike, Bilal Hasna, and Janine Duvitski
How to watch: The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim hits theaters Dec. 13.
Kraven the HunterNo, really this time. When the trailer for this Spider-Man spinoff hit last summer, we were quick to rejoice. But the bumps kept coming, so this supervillain offering made our summer movie preview for 2024 as well. But this December, we'll finally see what director J.C. Chandor has in store.
Where the MCU has been wallowing in grief post-Snap and the DCEU got bogged down in dramas onscreen and scandals off, Sony was chasing the weird spirit behind the Venom movies with this story about an animalistic anti-hero who oozes sex appeal and rips off his foe's noses without blinking an eye. Sure, Madame Web (another Spidey spin-off) got thrashed in theaters and online. But hey, it was better than Morbius. So even with this delayed release, we're cautiously optimistic.* — K.P.
Starring: Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Russell Crowe, Ariana DeBose, Fred Hechinger, Alessandro Nivola, and Christopher Abbott
How to watch: Kraven the Hunter opens in theaters Dec 13.
Mufasa: The Lion KingSimba isn't the only Lion King who's been on an epic adventure through the Pride Lands. In Disney's upcoming Mufasa: The Lion King, we learn that a young Mufasa (voiced by Aaron Pierre), went on a life-changing journey of his own.
As an orphaned cub, Mufasa crosses paths with lion prince Taka (voiced by Kelvin Harrison Jr.), and the two become as close as brothers. That's sweet for now, but Taka will one day grow up to be Scar, meaning that somewhere down the line, the two will become foes. (Maybe it's because Mufasa actually usurps the throne that was Taka's by blood? Just spitballing.) Disney's live-action The Lion King was a mixed bag, but maybe Mufasa director Barry Jenkins (Moonlight, The Underground Railroad) can bring something new to this story. — B.E.
Starring: Aaron Pierre, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Seth Rogen, Billy Eichner, Theo Somolu, Anika Noni Rose, John Kani, Tiffany Boone, Preston Nyman, Mads Mikkelsen, Thandiwe Newton, Lennie James, Keith David, Donald Glover, Blue Ivy Carter, Folake Olowofoyeku, Abdul Salis, and Beyoncé Knowles-Carter
How to watch: Mufasa: The Lion King hits theaters Dec. 20.
Babygirl Nicole Kidman and Harris Dickinson get close in "Babygirl." Credit: A24The premise of Babygirl: A high-powered CEO risks their career and personal life when they begin hooking up with a young intern. But writer/director Halina Reijn, who enthralled us with the high-energy whodunnit Bodies Bodies Bodies, turns the tables by casting Nicole Kidman as this all-mighty businessperson, and Triangle of Sadness' Harris Dickinson as the object of her desire. What other twists does Reijn and company have in store? We can't wait to find out. — K.P.
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Harris Dickinson, Antonio Banderas, and Sophie Wilde
How to watch: Babygirl opens in theaters Dec. 25.
NosferatuFilmmaker Robert Eggers has created such gnarly films as period-set horror movie The Witch, the surreal thriller The Lighthouse, and Viking epic The Northman. Now he's turned his lens to vampires, specifically F.W. Murnau's iconic 1922 film Nosferatu.
You see, as an unauthorized adaptation of Bram Stoker's Dracula, Murnau's movie boasted characters like Count Orlok and Ellen Hutter. The trailer above shows Lily-Rose Depp as Ellen Hutter, a haunted young lady who has caught the eye of a blood-sucking creature of the night. What fresh blood (and thrills) will Eggers mine from this horror landmark? We'll find out this Christmas. —K.P.
Starring: Bill Skarsgård, Nicholas Hoult, Lily-Rose Depp, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Emma Corrin, Ralph Ineson, Simon McBurney, and Willem Dafoe
How to watch: Nosferatu opens in theaters Dec. 25.
* denotes that this blurb appeared in a previous Mashable list.
If you're reading this, you're looking for a little help playing Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game.
Strands requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns. Every single letter in the grid will be part of an answer. There's always a theme linking every solution, along with the "spangram," a special, word or phrase that sums up that day's theme, and spans the entire grid horizontally or vertically.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on MashableBy providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.
If you're feeling stuck or just don't have 10 or more minutes to figure out today's puzzle, we've got all the NYT Strands hints for today's puzzle you need to progress at your preferred pace.
SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for September 1 SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Here's the answer hints for September 1 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Serve ginger-lyThese words are a delicious combo.
Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explainedThe answers all relate to items in a type of sushi.
NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.
NYT Strands spangram answer todayToday's spangram is CaliforniaRoll.
NYT Strands word list for September 1Avocado
Crab
Mayo
Cucumber
Rice
Seaweed
CaliforniaRoll
Looking for other daily online games? Mashable's Games page has more hints, and if you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now!
Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Strands.
TL;DR: Through Sept. 1, jump on limited-time savings and get a lifetime license to Microsoft Office Pro 2021 including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and more for £30.36.
Opens in a new window Credit: Retail King Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows: Lifetime License £30.36 at the Mashable ShopIt's not just that PowerPoint, Excel, Word, and all their mates are popular. They're also incredibly useful. The downside is that normally, Microsoft 365 isn't something you just buy once. Paying for a subscription just means you're renting your productivity. If you want to own it instead, you have to get a license that doesn't expire.
Microsoft Office Pro 2021 for Windows has a few years on it, so this version might not have all the bells and whistles of the latest Microsoft 365 update, but you also don't have to pay for it every year. Once you've got your lifetime pass, you hold onto your access for the rest of your device's life, and it only costs £30.36 (reg. £167.11). That price is actually marked down a little extra, but you have to hurry to take advantage.
Stop paying annually for MS OfficeHere's what you get with this Office license: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, Outlook, Publisher, Access, and the free version of Teams. You can use these apps at work or at home for as long as you like.
If you're used to Microsoft 365, Office may look a little different, but the important features are all there. Word still has great templates and Publisher is still an easy way to make flyers and posters. The big difference is you don't have to pay for them every month or year, so there's finally time to figure out what all the formulas in Excel do.
Just remember that once your apps are installed on your device, that's where they live. This license only allows you one installation on one computer. That's what makes this such a good gift for office workers and students. The software you buy today could still be useful for years to come.
Marked down for a limited timeDon't miss your chance to get lifetime access to essential productivity programs at a discount.
Sept. 1 at 11:59 p.m. PT is the deadline to get a lifetime license to Microsoft Office Pro 2021 for Windows for just £30.36. No coupon needed.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
TL;DR: Unblock TNAFlix from anywhere in the world with a VPN. The best service for unblocking porn sites is ExpressVPN.
Your access to porn sites is often restricted, which is probably a good thing. However, there is a time and a place for everything. And when the time is right, you shouldn't have to put up with online restrictions.
If you're looking for the best way to unblock porn sites like TNAFlix from anywhere in the world, we have the information you need.
How to unblock TNAFlix for freeVPNs can unblock porn sites by connecting you to secure servers in other locations.
VPNs can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in another location, bypassing geo-restrictions to secure access to porn sites like TNAFlix from anywhere in the world. This might sound complicated, but you can unblock your favorite porn sites in just a few simple steps:
Sign up for a VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in a location that supports access to TNAFlix
Visit TNAFlix
Watch TNAFlix content from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for unblocking porn sites are not free, but most do offer free trials or money-back guarantees. By taking advantage of these offers, you can unblock porn sites and then recover your investment at a later date. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it works well if you're traveling or temporarily away from home.
If you want to retain permanent access to sites like TNAFlix from anywhere in the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for bypassing online restrictions is on sale for a limited time.
What is the best VPN for porn?ExpressVPN is the top choice when it comes to unblocking porn sites like TNAFlix, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy
Fast streaming speeds free from throttling
Up to eight simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.
Unblock TNAFlix for free with ExpressVPN.
TL;DR: Unblock Kick from anywhere in the world with a VPN. The best service for unblocking Kick is ExpressVPN.
There are times in life when you won't be able to access your favorite sites. In these moments, you should really consider using a VPN. These handy tools can bypass restrictions to secure access to everything the online world has to offer. And you shouldn't need to spend anything.
If you're looking for the best way to unblock Kick for free from anywhere in the world, we have the information you need.
How to unblock Kick for freeVPNs can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to secure servers in other locations. This process bypasses geo-restrictions so that you can access Kick from anywhere in the world. The process is actually really straightforward.
Access Kick from anywhere in the world in just a few simple steps:
Sign up for a VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in a location that supports access to Kick
Access Kick from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for unblocking sites like Kick are not free, but most do offer free trials or money-back guarantees. By taking advantage of these offers, you can retain access to your favorite sites without spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it works well if you're traveling or temporarily away from home.
What is the best VPN for Kick?ExpressVPN is the top choice when it comes to unblocking sites like Kick, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy
Fast streaming speeds free from throttling
Up to eight simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.
Unblock Kick for free with ExpressVPN.
TL;DR: Watch Seattle Storm vs. Connecticut Sun in the WNBA with WNBA League Pass. Avoid blackouts and watch the WNBA from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
We're getting close to the WNBA playoffs, which means teams are more determined than ever to earn a postseason place. Connecticut Sun have already clinched a playoff spot, while Seattle Storm are close, but not quite there yet.
What's exciting about this game is that both team sits near the top of their respective conferences. Ultimately, they're two of the best performing squads this season. The action should be fast and furious, particularly with Seattle out to prove themselves.
Fortunately, we have all information you need to watch Seattle Storm vs. Connecticut Sun in the WNBA for free, no matter where you are around the world.
When is Seattle Storm vs. Connecticut Sun?Seattle Storm vs. Connecticut Sun in the WNBA starts at 1 p.m. ET on Sept. 1. This fixture takes place at the Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut.
How to watch Seattle Storm vs. Connecticut SunBasketball fans can watch Seattle Storm vs. Connecticut Sun plus the remainder of the WNBA 2024 season from anywhere in the world with a WNBA League Pass.
It's worth noting that the WNBA League Pass doesn't show locally televised games live in the participating teams' local areas. But you can bypass this restriction by using a VPN. A VPN is a useful online tool that can hide your real IP address (digital location) and then connect you with secure servers in other locations, enabling you to watch every WNBA League Pass game live, excluding games on Amazon Prime Video.
To access every WNBA League Pass game, follow these easy steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in a location with no broadcast deals for the WNBA
Log in to WNBA League Pass
Stream every WNBA game live (except games hosted by Amazon Prime Video)
ExpressVPN is the best choice for hiding your real IP address and streaming more sport, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
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Fast connection speeds free from throttling
Up to eight simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is currently on sale for $99.95 but for a limited time only. This deal — 49% off — includes an extra three months for free, along with a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.
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TL;DR: Live stream Manchester United vs. Liverpool in the Premier League for free with a seven-day trial of Fubo. Access Fubo from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
After a promising victory over Fulham in the first round of Premier League fixtures, Manchester United suffered a disappointing defeat to Brighton last weekend. And it certainly doesn't get any easier for Manchester United, because Liverpool are coming to town on the back of two impressive wins.
If you want to watch Manchester United vs. Liverpool in the Premier League for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
When is Manchester United vs. Liverpool?Manchester United vs. Liverpool in the Premier League kicks off at 11 a.m. ET on Sept. 1. This fixture takes place at Old Trafford.
How to watch Manchester United vs. Liverpool for freeManchester United vs. Liverpool is available to live stream for free with a seven-day trial of Fubo.
Fubo offers coverage of all 380 matches of the 2024-25 Premier League season in Canada, but anyone can access this package with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Canada, meaning you can unblock free live streams of the Premier League from anywhere in the world.
Access free live streams of the 2024-25 Premier League by following these simple steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in Canada
Sign up for a seven-day free trial of Fubo
Watch Manchester United vs. Liverpool in the Premier League for free from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Manchester United vs. Liverpool in the Premier League without committing with your cash. This isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream this weekend's Premier League fixtures before recovering your investment.
What is the best VPN for the Premier League?ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries including Canada
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure
Fast connection speeds free from throttling
Up to eight simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.
Live stream Manchester United vs. Liverpool in the Premier League for free with ExpressVPN.
TL;DR: Live stream Newcastle United vs. Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League for free with a seven-day trial of Fubo. Access Fubo from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
Another weekend, another round of Premier League fixtures. There are a number of intriguing matchups this weekend, but Newcastle United vs. Tottenham Hotspur might be the best. Both teams have picked up four points so far, but something has got to give at St. James' Park.
If you want to watch Newcastle United vs. Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
When is Newcastle United vs. Spurs?Newcastle United vs. Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League kicks off at 8:30 a.m. ET on Sept. 1. This fixture takes place at St. James' Park.
How to watch Newcastle United vs. Spurs for freeNewcastle United vs. Tottenham Hotspur is available to live stream for free with a seven-day trial of Fubo.
Fubo offers coverage of all 380 matches of the 2024-25 Premier League season in Canada, but anyone can access this package with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Canada, meaning you can unblock free live streams of the Premier League from anywhere in the world.
Access free live streams of the 2024-25 Premier League by following these simple steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in Canada
Sign up for a seven-day free trial of Fubo
Watch Newcastle United vs. Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League for free from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Newcastle United vs. Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League without committing with your cash. This isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream this weekend's Premier League fixtures before recovering your investment.
What is the best VPN for the Premier League?ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries including Canada
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure
Fast connection speeds free from throttling
Up to eight simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.
Live stream Newcastle United vs. Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League for free with ExpressVPN.
TL;DR: Live stream Chelsea vs. Crystal Palace in the Premier League for free with a seven-day trial of Fubo. Access Fubo from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
Crystal Palace have not made a strong start to their Premier League campaign. Two defeats from two games leaves the Eagles desperate to take something from their upcoming game at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea recovered from an opening day defeat to win comfortably against Wolves in the second round of fixtures, and will be looking to build on that positive result this weekend.
If you want to watch Chelsea vs. Crystal Palace in the Premier League for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
When is Chelsea vs. Crystal Palace?Chelsea vs. Crystal Palace in the Premier League kicks off at 8:30 a.m. ET on Sept. 1. This fixture takes place at Stamford Bridge.
How to watch Chelsea vs. Crystal Palace for freeChelsea vs. Crystal Palace is available to live stream for free with a seven-day trial of Fubo.
Fubo offers coverage of all 380 matches of the 2024-25 Premier League season in Canada, but anyone can access this package with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Canada, meaning you can unblock free live streams of the Premier League from anywhere in the world.
Access free live streams of the 2024-25 Premier League by following these simple steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in Canada
Sign up for a seven-day free trial of Fubo
Watch Chelsea vs. Crystal Palace in the Premier League for free from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Chelsea vs. Crystal Palace in the Premier League without committing with your cash. This isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream this weekend's Premier League fixtures before recovering your investment.
What is the best VPN for the Premier League?ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries including Canada
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure
Fast connection speeds free from throttling
Up to eight simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.
Live stream Chelsea vs. Crystal Palace in the Premier League for free with ExpressVPN.
Connections is the latest New York Times word game that's captured the public's attention. The game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.
If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for August 30's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections?The NYT's latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications' Games section. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.
Tweet may have been deletedEach puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer. If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.
Tweet may have been deletedPlayers can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.
SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for September 1 Here's a hint for today's Connections categoriesWant a hit about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:
Yellow: Heat up
Green: Lobe is one
Blue: Dark shades
Purple: Not mentioned: Software for pairing with hardware
Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:
Yellow: COOK IN A PAN
Green: PARTS OF THE EAR
Blue: SHADES OF BLACK
Purple: WHERE YOU MIGHT FIND A "DRIVER"
Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.
Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.
Drumroll, please!
The solution to today's Connections #448 is...
What is the answer to Connections todayCOOK IN A PAN - BROWN, CHAR, GRILL, SEAR
PARTS OF THE EAR - ANVIL, CANAL, DRUM, HAMMER
SHADES OF BLACK - CHARCOAL, JET, RAVEN, SABLE
WHERE YOU MIGHT FIND A "DRIVER" - GOLF BAG, LIMOUSINE, MOVIE SET, TOOLBOX
Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.
Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Connections.
Oh hey there! If you're here, it must be time for Wordle. As always, we're serving up our daily hints and tips to help you figure out today's answer.
If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for August 30's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable Where did Wordle come from?Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once.
Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.
What's the best Wordle starting word?The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.
What happened to the Wordle archive?The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles used to be available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it. Unfortunately, it has since been taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times.
Is Wordle getting harder?It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.
SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for September 1 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:Not hard.
Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?There are no reoccurring letters.
Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...Today's Wordle starts with the letter M.
SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. The Wordle answer today is...Get your last guesses in now, because it's your final chance to solve today's Wordle before we reveal the solution.
Drumroll please!
The solution to today's Wordle is...
MUSHY.
Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.
Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.
Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Wordle.
The year is 1983. Talk radio host Alan Berg (Marc Maron) is on the Colorado airwaves comically dressing down racist callers, while elsewhere across the Pacific Northwest, a series of armed robberies becomes a matter of concern — even more than usual — because of possible white supremacist ties. This is the backdrop of The Order, Justin Kurzel's highly engrossing (if politically slight) police story, in which fictitious FBI officer Terry Husk (Jude Law) begins pulling on real-world threads with disturbingly modern implications.
Written by Zach Baylin, the film is based on Kevin Flynn and Gary Gerhardt's late-'80s nonfiction book The Silent Brotherhood, which tells of a real white supremacist splinter group known as "the Order" (or "the Silent Brotherhood"), whose concerns with preserving white supremacy led them to meticulous acts of terror. It is, first and foremost, an incredibly fun movie, even if "fun" may not seem like the right approach for such volatile material.
This is, in part, because Kurzel finally discards his perpetually dour cinematic mindset, and replaces it with the thrills and frills of a Hollywood action drama. However, the film's success is also owed to Law's central performance as a lonely, no-nonsense cop for whom the work comes first, even if it drives him up the wall, and keeps him constantly on the verge of explosion.
What is The Order about? Credit: Vertical EntertainmentWithin its opening minutes, The Order depicts the dueling danger and ridiculousness of white supremacy, thanks to Maron's distinctly Maron-esque version of Berg, a Jewish radio personality who fields calls from frustrated bigots looking for an outlet. His sharp and witty barbs can be heard even before the first images appear, though once they do, they present a stark contrast to this lively soundtrack. In the dead of night, a pair of neo-Nazis guns down one of their own for talking too much about their plans.
Berg is only shown on-screen a handful of times, but his show is the film's de facto narrator, appearing at a handful intervals to remind us of the everyday form that antisemitism and white supremacy can take. While this makes for necessary comic relief, it's also a vital contrast. Much of the movie depicts the more far-flung extremes of white supremacy, through fringe militias ready and willing to take violent action, but the recurrence of Berg's voice keeps the Overton window from shifting too greatly; he reminds us that his easily dismissed callers and the movie's armed factions bloom from the same seed.
Those familiar with Berg's life will know how his story eventually intersects with that of the Order — a disorienting instance of narrator and narrative coming into contact — but outside of this moment, the movie mostly tells the story of two people. The first is Husk, appropriately named for his new lot in life after putting in for a transfer. The temperamental agent sits in the FBI's sparse Idaho branch, waiting for his wife and children to join him, though they may as well be phantoms. He's empty, and has nothing but the job.
The movie's second major character is Robert Jay Matthews (Nicholas Hoult), who goes by Bob; he leads the Order through planning and pulling off armed robberies in order to fund a weapons stockpile. In contrast to Husk, Bob is charismatic, well-liked and always surrounded by people. The neo-Nazis he recruits consider him a brother. He has a wife and son at home, and even a pregnant mistress. Right from its basic premise, The Order establishes the allure of his cult: community and togetherness.
Husk, upon spotting suspicious "white pride" flyers around town, makes inquiries at the local sheriff's office, though no one seems concerned except for rookie cop Jamie Bowen (Tye Sheridan), who more willingly spots these red flags since he has mixed race children, and is married to woman of color (Morgan Holmstrom, an actress of First Nations and Filipina ethnicity). With Bowen's help, Husk begins making inquiries around town in the hopes to identifying the group's ringleader, but Bob is always one step ahead, leading to a an exhilarating cat-and-mouse game involving deviously enjoyable heists and shootouts, albeit at the cost of examining the more challenging corners of its subject matter.
The Order takes a functional approach to white supremacy. Credit: Vertical EntertainmentAs a period-specific film about a white supremacist cult, The Order resembles Spike Lee's BlacKkKlansman at a distance, down to their use of shifting comedic and dramatic tones, urging viewers to take even the most ludicrous facets of white supremacy seriously. Distinguishing them is, of course, the fact that Lee's film was about infiltration from within, while Kurzel's is more of a chase — and the fact that Black experiences and perspectives are central to BlacKkKlansman.
The Order doesn't necessarily have to follow the same path — its one Black FBI agent, played by Jurnee Smollett, delivers forceful dialogue but is mostly perfunctory — though it often leaves material on the table. BlacKkKlansman was by no means an exposé on white supremacy within policing (Lee has been criticized for this), but its haunting conclusion suggests that even the heroic actions of its Black police detective have done little to stymie the rise of American neo-Nazism in the long term. The Order avoids the question of race within policing altogether — the concept barely seems to exist outside of the confines of the cult — but these shortcomings also help streamline The Order, making it a worthwhile pulp procedural.
The film's approach to white supremacy is best labeled "utilitarian." Little by way of action or dialogue works to unearth the group's underlying ideology — neo-Nazi characters discuss America no longer being "our country," and hint at the economic downturn that may have driven them into Bob's open arms — but The Order has an intense an unrelenting focus on the white supremacist playbook. Which is to say: The Order prominently features The Turner Diaries, William Luther Pierce's 1978 neo-Nazi novel that lays out a detailed plan to overthrow the U.S. government, culminating in "The Day of the Rope," i.e. the hanging of traitors at the U.S. Capitol.
If this fiction is eerily reminiscent of the January 6, 2021 insurrection, that's no coincidence. The Turner Diaries has long informed white supremacist rhetoric in America, as well as QAnon-like conspiracy theories. The book and its pages appear throughout the film, both as a blueprint for Bob and a not-so-subtle clue for Husk and Bowen, who use its pages to convince the FBI to divert its resources to taking down the Order. In centering the book to this degree, the film becomes a premonition of sorts, a warning that events which have recently come to pass — and might again, in the near future — don't exist in a vacuum.
The Order is Kurzel's most accomplished piece of filmmaking. Credit: Vertical EntertainmentThere's an argument to be made that The Order is a B-movie in the body of a prestigious "issue" drama. There's just as valid an argument that it's Kurzel's best movie, a metamorphosis akin to the last decade of M. Night Shyamalan's career — which include films like The Visit, Glass, Old, and Trap — in that both filmmakers have finally gotten out of their own way and embraced cinematic "trash."
Kurzel's films have, for the most part, been steeped in grief and death. This has led to some intriguing experiments, like his 2015 Macbeth adaptation, in which Lady Macbeth's plot is born out of mourning the loss of a child (the film, while pleasing to the eye, is far too long). On the other hand, it has also led to oddities like 2016's Assassin's Creed, a video game movie that forgets to have fun. With The Order, Kurzel remembers that fun is still possible even within macabre confines, and he shoulders Law with embodying this energetic paradox.
Law's character, Husk, is a sad sack on the verge of madness. His "bad cop" routine is his baseline, and though he doesn't bounce off the walls like, say, Nicolas Cage in Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans, he belongs in the same conversation. His nose bleeds at regular intervals (due to his medication, he claims), though at one point, when he's particularly eager to "lean on" a suspect, he does so quite literally, going freak-mode during an impromptu interrogation and bleeding all over him. It's wildly silly, though thank God for Law's refusal to artificially repair his hairline; the actor's widow's peak not only makes Husk a more realistic presence, but a more menacing one as well.
In contrast, Hoult crafts Bob as a charming, measured, and ostensibly "regular" guy. He would be downright affable, were it not for the Nazi swastikas in his garage. While Husk and Bob have few on-screen meetings, their dichotomy is discomforting. Hoult — who's playing Lex Luthor in James Gunn's just-wrapped Superman: Legacy — plays his neo-Nazi character as though he were a Boy Scout, like Superman. Meanwhile, Law's approach to his altruistic, obsessive lawman can be oddly frightening, as though joining the Order had borne more immediate fruits and payoffs than trying to bring them down; you can see why people join.
However, this upside-down approach to hero and villain also plants the seeds for a typically Kurzel turn. In the film's final act, the unrelenting fatalism of his films like Nitram, True History of the Kelly Gang, and The Snowtown Murders returns with a vengeance, as though he couldn't resist the delayed gratification. Only this time, rather than adding mere texture, the late arrival of this tonal despondency feels earned, as if an extension of these characters' lives. It's reminiscent of Michael Mann's Heat, in that Husk and Bob are men so driven and obsessed with their goals that they push everyone away in the process.
The Order seldom slows down, skillfully building to each new action crescendo with the help of Jed Kurzel's rumbling, unrelentingly energetic score. It may not have anything novel to say about race in America — whether then or now — but its broad reminders of the mechanics of neo-Nazi terror feel mostly justified by the movie's brisk, deftly modulated pace. That it's an action movie in the body of something more "prestigious" or important ought to feel insulting, but really, it's been the key to Kurzel's necessary transformation all along.
The Order was reviewed was reviewed out of its world premiere at the 2024 Venice International Film Festival. It will open in select theaters Dec. 6.
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