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Linda Yaccarino, the C.E.O. of X, has worked hard to bring back advertisers and fix the platform’s business. But its owner, Elon Musk, is always one whim away from undoing her work.

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Billions of birds are likely killed in the U.S. each year — but contrary to popular claims, wind turbines aren't nearly a primary culprit.

Former President Trump has continually used his prominent platform to claim that wind turbines — an economically sensible part of energy generation in the U.S. — are "killing our birds."

"The wind, it kills our birds. If you want to see a bird cemetery, go under a windmill sometime," Trump most recently said on national TV, a clip that spread to the web. His running mate, JD Vance, snickered along during these repeated claims.

But in a sea of distorted facts, unvetted claims, viral falsehoods, and fake videos swirling through our internet existence, disseminating misinformation isn't too funny. Yes, as detailed below, wind farms do inevitably kill some birds — all energy production carries costs. But wind turbines, which are cleverly designed from airplane wings, are not what's decimating bird populations in the U.S.

SEE ALSO: These animals went extinct in 2023

"In comparison to wind farms, other aspects of human life are far more lethal, kill far more species, and are more problematic to fix," Anne B. Clark, a biologist and bird expert at Binghamton University, told Mashable.

Tweet may have been deleted What is really killing U.S. birds

A host of human-caused factors kill birds. The most damaging, by far, live among us.

"The worst of these are feral or outdoor pet cats, estimated to kill as many as 4 billion birds per year, including many of the backyard songbirds that people value and control our insects," Clark explained. (At minimum, cats probably kill well over 1 billion birds in the U.S. annually.)

This is why biologists urge people to keep their cats inside. "Just one person keeping their cat indoors can save hundreds, maybe thousands, of birds. That’s a no-brainer," bird biologist Nico Arcilla previously told Mashable.

The next-highest bird killer in the U.S. are buildings (and their windows), estimated to kill some 365 to 988 million birds each year. "Those kills range from the tiniest hummingbirds to large owls," Clark said. (Here's how to limit the number of birds that crash into your windows.) And it's not just towering buildings. Any structures or objects in the path of bird flight — power lines, communication towers, and cars — contribute to the millions of avian deaths annually, Clark added. Cars kill an estimated 214 million birds each year.

Wind energy has been generating increasing amounts of electricity in the U.S. for decades. Credit: EIA

And then there are innumerable culprits that are difficult to count because they require collecting and assaying bird bodies for toxins. These include rodenticides, agricultural pesticides, water pollution, and beyond.

Wind turbines, however, are a relatively small player in bird mortality. "Research shows that wind projects rank near the bottom of the list of human-related bird mortalities, resulting in far fewer annual deaths than those caused by house cats, building collisions, or vehicle impacts," the Department of Energy explains. Turbines on land, with huge spinning blades, kill an estimated 234,012 birds annually, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Wind farms limit bird deaths

Abundant wind energy, which supplies 125,000 jobs in the U.S. and cheap energy, is growing.

Fortunately, we can build or operate wind farms to curb avian deaths. "There are all sorts of ways that we can limit risks to birds," Jeff Buler, a wildlife ecologist at the University of Delaware, told Mashable.

This includes locating wind farms away from migratory passages, painting blades black (a visual aid that slashed bird deaths at a Norway wind farm by 70 percent), adding sound, and using fewer but larger turbines. Turbines can also be turned off on the handful of nights many birds are migrating through a specific region. Buler and other researchers found that by observing radar data, the migration of birds through corridors like the Great Lakes region can be well-predicted, allowing turbine operators the ability to temporarily shut down operations. "You can reduce collisions," Buler said.

"It's way easier to make false claims than back up claims with evidence."

While wind farms aren't free of environmental costs, they almost certainly kill far fewer birds than the fossil fuel sector, which requires intensive mining and burning of fuels.

"Coal-, oil-, and natural gas-fired power plants induce avian deaths at various points throughout their fuel cycle: upstream during coal mining, onsite collision and electrocution with operating plant equipment, and downstream poisoning and death caused by acid rain, mercury pollution, and climate change," according to a research article in the Journal of Integrative Environmental Sciences. The study concludes that "fossil-fueled facilities are about 35 times more dangerous to birds on a per GWh basis than wind energy." (A GWh, or Gigawatt hour, is a measurement unit for the production or consumption of energy.)

In the coming months and beyond, you're likely to see more misleading claims about renewable energy and a host of other topics. Beware the soundbites and spurious talking points.

"It's way easier to make false claims than back up claims with evidence," Buler said.

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UPDATE: Jul. 27, 2024, 5:00 a.m. EDT This article was originally published on Aug. 27, 2023. We've updated this story to reflect a recent price drop.

It's funny to look back on the MCU and realize these tales of epic heroism began with a spoiled nepo baby taking down his wicked-hearted business partner. But the Marvel Cinematic Universe has come a long, long way from Obadiah Stane and his iron-monging ways. Over 30 movies and counting, the baddies have gotten badder and badder — in great ways.

To toast the unveiling of Deadpool & Wolverine, who officially bring the X-Men crew into the MCU, let's look back at all the villains who got us here.

How do Mr. Paradox and Cassandra Nova stack up to the likes of Loki, Thanos, and Killmonger? Find out with our thorough ranking of MCU villains, beginning with the least gnarly and ending with the biggest of bads.

45. Malekith (Thor: The Dark World) "Accursed" is right. Credit: screenshot / Marvel

Literally who?* — Angie Han, Deputy Entertainment Editor

44. Dormammu (Doctor Strange)

I still don't entirely understand what Dormammu is, and I don't care. And if you're about to launch into an explanation based on the comics, my point is that the movie doesn't do a good job of explaining what he is or why I should care.* — A.H.

43. Ivan Vanko (Iron Man 2)

With his gold teeth, thick Russian accent, and pet cockatoo, Vanko is basically a latter-day Johnny Depp character — and as with most latter-day Johnny Depp characters, there doesn't seem to be anything like an actual person underneath all those tiresome affectations.* — A.H.

42. The Dweller-in-Darkness (Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings)

The Dweller-in-Darkness is the CGI manifestation of studio executives flipping through the screenplay of Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings and realizing that there’s nothing in there that would make a cool Lego set. It’s not on the very bottom of the list because all it wants to do is eat snacks (relatable), and everyone after this entry is in Marvel’s clown car of really bad villain ideas. — Alexis Nedd, Senior Entertainment Reporter

SEE ALSO: All Marvel Cinematic Universe movies ranked worst to best 41. Aldrich Killian (Iron Man 3)

The reveal that the Mandarin was really a role being played by Ben Kingsley's Trevor Slattery was a jaw-dropper, but the truth about who was really pulling the strings was far more disappointing. Not even Killian's embittered-nerd backstory can make him a compelling foil to Tony Stark.* — A.H.

40. Ronan the Accuser (Guardians of the Galaxy) Marvel really wasted Lee Pace. Credit: Marvel Studios / Kobal / Shutterstock

Ronan gets more laughs than most of the other villains on this list, which could push him up a couple slots. But that's mostly because he's just in a funnier movie than most of the other villains on this list, not because he himself is all that funny. So he moves back down toward the bottom.* — A.H.

39. Justin Hammer (Iron Man 2)

Justin Hammer is essentially another Tony Stark, only inferior in every possible way. Which shouldn't be that interesting, except that Sam Rockwell makes him kind of an odious oddball. It's fun to watch him try to take down Stark, and even more satisfying to watch him fail again and again.* — A.H.

38. Abomination (The Incredible Hulk)

There's the germ of something interesting in Emil Blonsky, an aging soldier who agrees to undergo a painful experimental procedure in order to achieve Hulk-like power. Unfortunately, The Incredible Hulk never gets there, and by the end has reduced him to a mindless CGI monster.* — A.H.

37. Ayesha (Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2)

Ayesha is essentially just a superiority complex dipped in gold, but so much of the fun of her character comes from seeing her haughty grandeur rub up against the goofy, grimy world of the Guardians. Here's hoping she'll get more to do once Adam emerges.* — A.H.

36. Dar-Benn (The Marvels)  Zawe Ashton is Dar-Benn in "The Marvels." Credit: Marvel Studios

She’s got a cool warhammer (the universal weapon), some powerful jewelry (quantum band), and some tooth bling for extra flair. But this revenge-fueled wannabe savior of the Kree just feels like a retread of lesser cosmic villains who’ve come before, like Malekith and Ronan. Angry, conquering, blah. Uncluttered by egregious prosthetic makeup, Zawe Ashton’s performance isn’t swallowed up like those of her predecessors. Still, there’s not much there there. — Kristy Puchko, Entertainment Editor

35. Yon-Rogg (Captain Marvel) Anyone surprised to learn that this dude sucks? Credit: Chuck Zlotnick

Carol Danvers' fragile masculine captor isn't particularly interesting, but not for the first time Marvel gets by on some inspired casting — and in this case, a few well-placed twists. When Carol is about to blast him to Kree-Kingdom-Come during their final showdown, Yon-Rogg encourages her to strike him, to defeat him. It's so hubristic and patronizing (what's the Kree word for "mansplain?") that Carol decides she'd rather just dip. — Proma Khosla, Entertainment Reporter

SEE ALSO: Why I love, love, love 'Captain Marvel' and everything it stands for 34. Obadiah Stane (Iron Man)

Obadiah Stane fits so many of the MCU villain tropes we've become familiar with: He's a greedy businessman and a false father figure, and he's vastly less interesting than the superhero he's out to get. What makes him first among equals is that he was literally the first, setting the mold for years to come.* — A.H.

33. Goliath and Ghost (Ant-Man and the Wasp)

Sharing a spot on the list because they share so many villainous goals, the foes of Ant-Man and the Wasp are pretty textbook. Goliath, aka Bill Foster, has beef with Hank Pym (a man who specializes in beef) and wants revenge, while Ghost, aka Ava, just wants to stop phasing and not die. They team up to harness the energy of the Quantum Realm, which interferes with Hank and Hope's plan to rescue Janet, but by the end of the movie everyone realizes what a viewer probably caught early on: There's a version of this plan where everyone wins. — P.K.

32. Kaecilius (Doctor Strange) The MCU also somehow wastes Mads Mikkelsen! Credit: Film Frame / Marvel

Now we're really getting down to the dregs. Kaecilius is yet another MCU antagonist who lusts after some abstract notion of power. However, he wins a couple points for that flawless eye look and hilarious who's-on-first routine. — A.H.

31. Arishem the Judge (Eternals)

The Eternals' Celestial space-robot daddy is one of the most powerful beings on this list, but fails to make a proportionate impression because he is in fact a CGI space robot with no face. Arishem is the reason the Eternals even exist. He makes villains of them and their Deviant foes by basically using everyone as chess pieces — if a game of chess ended with the Earth being destroyed to create a cosmic superbeing. Arishem isn't evil in the way of someone like Thanos; Celestials operate on ancient universal laws, while Thanos acted out of hubris — but what they all have in common is the view that most mortal life is unremarkable and therefore unessential. Hopefully Sersi, Kingo, and Phastos can convince him otherwise. — P.K.

SEE ALSO: Your 'Eternals' crushes, ranked 30. Thunderbolt Ross (The Incredible Hulk)

General Ross doesn't get the big showdown with Hulk (that dubious honor goes to Abomination), but for the first two-thirds of the movie, he's a rather chilling portrayal of a man so obsessed with revenge that he's blind to the fact that he's become a monster in his own right. — A.H.

29. Adam Warlock (Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3) Adam is here, but he's not what you'd expect. Credit: Jessica Miglio

Don't get me wrong, Adam Warlock (Will Poulter) is a ton of fun. This golden battle mage swoops into Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 early on and basically pounds them into the dirt. After that, though, we see he's more of a childlike himbo than a supervillain. For the rest of the movie, he mostly screams "Mother!" (which, fair, when you're talking about Elizabeth Debicki as Ayesha) and hangs out with furry cutie Blurp. Good news, though: By the end of the film, he's become a new Guardian of the Galaxy, so we're in for more non-villainous Adam down the line. — Belen Edwards, Entertainment Reporter

28. Dreykov (Black Widow)

While far from the most charismatic or memorable villain on this list, Dreykov is pretty damn sinister when you think about what he's done. He kidnapped orphans to turn them into soldiers, and he made a point to pick children with uteruses so he could forcibly sterilize them. He turned his own daughter into a barely-sentient killing machine and seemed pleased as punch — incidentally, Natasha (and the rest of us) really want to punch him. Eff this guy. — P.K.

27. Yellowjacket (Ant-Man)

He's essentially Obadiah Stane Redux, minus the shock of realizing that, holy shit, it's Jeff Bridges under that chrome dome. Yellowjacket was just one too many wounded male egos plotting against the MCU's heroes, which perhaps mercifully led to the new era that followed. Sorry, Corey Stoll. We love you, just not this role for you.* — A.H.

26. M.O.D.O.K. (Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania)

Darren Cross/Yellowjacket gets an upgrade after being banished to the Quantum Realm, where he is remade by Kang the Conqueror (more on him later) to be a Mechanized Organism Designed Only for Killing. M.O.D.O.K. is mostly a gag villain thanks to his teeny little arms and legs and frankly massive head — apologies should be in order for nightmarishly stretching Corey Stoll's face like this. But M.O.D.O.K also has some of the funniest lines in an otherwise meh movie, and Stoll is clearly having a blast. At least he died an Avenger, right? Right? — B.E.

25. Trevor/The Mandarin (Iron Man 3)

To this day, the reveal of the Mandarin's true identity is one of the most shocking twists that the MCU has ever pulled off — and Ben Kingsley plays both sides beautifully. He's chilling as the Mandarin but delightfully daft as Trevor, the party-bro actor who has no idea what's really going on.* — A.H.

24. Taskmaster (Black Widow)

Taskmaster is Black Widow’s main antagonist for most of the movie, and while they don’t do much beyond showing up and kicking ass, that ass-kicking is some of the best in the MCU. Tasky’s fight scenes are a highlight reel of every Avenger’s coolest moves, and half the fun of watching Black Widow is seeing how Natasha would actually fare if she squared up against Captain America, Bucky (again), Black Panther, and herself. Also, points awarded for having a cool third act reveal. Best wishes to you, Taskmaster. — A.N.

23. Alexander Pierce (Captain America: The Winter Soldier)

Like Vulture and Zemo, Alexander Pierce is a relatively understated villain. But he's got gravitas, because he's played by Robert Freakin' Redford, and he raises some genuinely complicated questions about security versus freedom. Well, at least until it's revealed that he's been a Hydra agent all along, and therefore unambiguously evil. Oh, well.* — A.H.

22. Red Skull (Captain America: The First Avenger)

Red Skull is a really good representation of another annoying MCU villain trend: squandered promise. He's played by Hugo Weaving and based on a popular comic book character, so he seems like he should be amazing. But onscreen, he comes across as just another generic nemesis.* — A.H.

21. Ulysses Klaue (Avengers: Age of Ultron, Black Panther)

Ulysses Klaue is a villain who died before he really got to live. Mostly in the sense that it would've been wild to see Andy Serkis' take on the comics, but Klaue served his purpose in the MCU's ongoing story. It's Klaue who smuggled vibranium out of Wakanda, a singular act that directly leads to Killmonger's plot to establish Wakanda as a fearsome ruling superpower. Without that vibranium, where would Ultron's consciousness end up after he escaped Tony's computer system? It's impossible to know what the MCU would look like without Klaue's impact, and that's what makes him one of the saga's essential villains. — Adam Rosenberg, Senior Entertainment Reporter & Weekend Editor

20. Ego (Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2)

Talk about villains grounded in painful reality. Kurt Russell is perfect as Ego, the personification of every dashing deadbeat who's ever refused to let minor details like "a child" stand in the way of his grand ambitions. It's just that his grand ambitions involve remaking the entire galaxy.* — A.H.

19. Kang the Conqueror (Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania) So far, Kang is wasted potential. Credit: Jay Maidment / Marvel

Kang the Conqueror (Jonathan Majors) is one of Marvel Comics' biggest villains, and he's been hyped up as the big bad of Phases 5 and 6 of the MCU. So why was he such a letdown? Maybe it's the fact that his introductory movie simply isn't very good, or maybe it's that his power set isn't defined well beyond "shooting blue beams" and "blathering on and on about how he can see time." Or maybe it's that you need to have watched Loki to have even the slightest understanding of who he is. Whatever the reason, he's just not popping yet — and that's a gargantuan problem. At least Majors seems to be having fun, I guess. — B.E.

18. Winter Soldier (Captain America: The Winter Soldier) Before we saved our poor boy Bucky, he was a hell of a foe for Captain America. Credit: Zade Rosenthal / Marvel Studios

Bucky is only a true villain in Winter Soldier, and then just because he's been brainwashed by Hydra. Maybe that's a shame, because it turns out he's pretty good at being bad. He's all ruthless efficiency and controlled intensity, but his real secret weapon as a supervillain is his tragic backstory.* — A.H.

17. Ultron (Avengers: Age of Ultron)

A sort of sentient robot son to Tony Stark, Ultron sounds cooler in theory than he actually is in execution. But he is voiced by James Spader in mustache-twirling villain mode, and he's the kind of unapologetic drama queen who insists on having his own throne. That's not nothing.* — A.H.

16. Hela (Thor: Ragnarok)

Odin’s firstborn and the goddess of death, Hela is a formidable foe for Thor. She breaks Mjolnir! She kills the Warriors Three with her knife-y powers! She’s played by Cate Blanchett! Even though Hela is sidelined for much of Thor: Ragnarok, Blanchett imbues her with delightfully chilling villainy. Also, her outfit is among the best villain outfits in the MCU — talk about being dressed to kill. — B.E.

15. Gorr the God Butcher (Thor: Love and Thunder)

Say what you will about Thor: Love and Thunder, there's no denying that Christian Bale makes for an amazing villain. Drape that man in a sinister cloak, put the Necrosword in his hand, and give him a tragic backstory, and you're looking at MCU villain gold. Gorr's grief-fueled quest to kill all gods in the universe is Love and Thunder's most compelling storyline. While the film doesn't examine it quite as much as I wish it would, it still gives us Gorr being the world's most terrifying babysitter. Absolutely immaculate villain vibes. — B.E.

14. Mysterio (Spider-Man: Far From Home)

On paper, Mysterio looks like a pedestrian amalgam of Vulture, Justin Hammer, and Aldrich Killian — but the formula doesn't account for Jake Gyllenhaal chewing the absolute heck out of this role. In Mysterio, Gyllenhaal finds layers of sincerity (with Peter), egomania (with his team), and outright unhinged madness that is nothing short of delightful to behold. How did Tony Stark ever overlook this guy? — P.K.

13. The Grandmaster (Thor: Ragnarok) The Grandmaster is charming as hell, but he has SO many slaves. Credit: Marvel Studios

Grandmaster (Jeff Goldblum) may not be Thor: Ragnarok's main villain, but the hedonistic leader of Sakaar more than steals the show. Everything from his sparkly blue makeup to his funky piano jam sessions oozes funky, offbeat charisma — even when he’s forcing unwilling fighters to battle his champion to the death. Arguably the most fun Marvel villain, thanks in no small part to Goldblum doing what he does best, Grandmaster is just a blast to watch. — B.E.

12. Helmut Zemo (Captain America: Civil War)

In contrast to the colorful, power-mad personalities we've come to expect from comic book movies, Zemo is a quiet, unassuming man driven by grief. Best of all, the guy's kind of got a point when he notes that the Avengers are responsible for a lot of collateral damage.* — A.H.

11. The High Evolutionary (Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3) More like the High Evil-utionary, am I right? Credit: Courtesy of Marvel Studios

Hoo boy, this guy is evil. In his quest to develop the perfect utopian species — so, space eugenics? — The High Evolutionary (Chukwudi Iwuji) tortures and mutilates sweet, innocent animals like Rocket Raccoon (voiced by Bradley Cooper). Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 does not pull its punches when depicting the horror of The High Evolutionary's experiments, a choice that brings the MCU to its darkest places yet while solidifying just how horrendous its villain is. The High Evolutionary gets bonus points on this villain ranking for his frightening face mask and Iwuji's capital "D" Dramatic performance, which brings high Shakespearean theatrics to The High Evolutionary. Truly an irredeemable monster of a villain. — B.E.

10. Mr. Paradox (Deadpool & Wolverine) Credit: Jay Maidment / 20th Century Studios / MARVEL

Some Marvel villains have been given mystical armies, unnerving prosthetic makeovers, and/or elaborate backstories sparked from petty grievances. Mr. Paradox doesn't need any of that to be a terrific villain. Sure, at first glance, he just seems like a British suit with a smug attitude. But props to Succession's Matthew Macfadyen, who's made being a power-hungry weasel into an art. Paradox's plan is one of timeline annihilation, coldly killing off millions of beings because he thinks the timelines are tidier that way. That's deeply evil and unhinged. But what makes Paradox marvelous is Macfadyen's delivery. Whether he's providing a dense exposition dump, dressing down Deadpool for relying on the "Worst Wolverine," or squawking for help when his master plan goes kabluey, the theatrical energy and snarling self-satisfaction makes for a foe that's an absolute hoot to hate. — K.P.

9. Vulture (Spider-Man: Homecoming)

Vulture is a basically normal dude grappling with the fact that he lives in a superpowered world — but unlike our heroes, Adrian Toomes isn't inspired by example to become one of the good guys. He channels that rage into a successful black-market enterprise selling alien weaponry, but what's fascinating about Adrian is there's much more to him than supervillainy. He doesn't seem to be playing a role in the way that, say, Obadiah Stane was only pretending to be Tony's friend so he could stab him in the back later. Adrian really is a family man, and he really is an illegal arms dealer. He contains multitudes, and Homecoming doesn't shy away from it.* — A.H.

8. Namor (Black Panther: Wakanda Forever)

With his winged ankles, green hot pants, and strength to rival the Hulk's, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever's Namor (Tenoch Huerta) bursts onto the scene with a tremendous amount of flair. But Namor is so much more than his appearance. A backstory involving his Yucatec-Mayan people fleeing from European colonizers sets the stage for his compelling motivations: wanting to keep his people and their home of Talokan safe. Like Black Panther's Killmonger, his reasoning makes sense and initially positions him more as an antihero. Also like Killmonger, his violent methods quickly plunge him into villainy, making for a layered Marvel antagonist who is also a blast to watch. — B.E.

7. Cassandra Nova (Deadpool & Wolverine) Credit: Jay Maidment / 20th Century Studios / MARVEL.

She's the evil twin of X-Men leader Charles Xavier, which means Cassandra Nova (Emma Corrin) shares his skills for telepathy and telekinesis. But you know, without all those pesky moral codes weighing her down. Content to rule over the temporal wastelands, Cassandra developed a creepy crew of X-men villains while building a fort in the rotted-out suit of a lost Giant Man. But once she meets Deadpool and Logan, her ambition grows from dystopian tyrant to eradicator of all existence. And if that goal alone isn't enough to commend her as a top-tier MCU villain, consider how her superpower involves stretching her fingers deep into her victims' brains. Watching Paradox's eyes wiggle as she treats his skull like a bowling ball is one of the creepiest things the MCU has offered yet. — K.P.

6. Wanda Maximoff (Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness) Wanda certainly went out with a bang. Credit: Jay Maidment

We can discuss at length how Wanda Maximoff deserved better throughout her time in the MCU, but we can also give her major props for being an exceptional villain in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Elizabeth Olsen is clearly having the time of her life as the film's big bad, channeling horror film legends like Samara from The Ring and Carrie White from Carrie. She also annihilates years' worth of fan service in the film's most diabolical sequence. On top of all that, Wanda's villainy comes after several movies and an entire TV show's worth of character development. So, our attachment makes her turn to the dark side both engrossing and painful to watch. Hats off to Olsen for a killer performance, and here's hoping Wanda is having a better time somewhere else in the multiverse. — B.E.

5. Green Goblin (Spider-Man: No Way Home)

No Way Home may have brought back every notable Spider-Man villain since 2002 (sorry, Hobgoblin), but Willem Dafoe’s Green Goblin is a magnificent standout as he urges them all to go rogue. This character once laid the groundwork for the misguided-scientist-who-turns-into-a-bad-experiment that every Spidey villain followed until Vulture, and his performance is as unhinged and spectacular as it was 20 years ago. Sliding back into Goblin’s armor, madness, and signature cackle, Dafoe reminds us that he all but invented the modern comic book movie villain, that everyone else here is in the house that Goblin built. It’s a hell of a legacy to leave behind in the first place, and even mightier to live up to it yourself. — P.K.

4. Loki (Thor, The Avengers)

There's a reason Loki is the rare baddie to stick around for more than one movie (and a whole TV show). He's the only MCU supervillain who's as fully developed as the MCU superheroes — and with his sad tale of familial angst, he's almost as sympathetic. Plus, Tom Hiddleston gives Loki a slippery, smirky charisma that's hard to resist. You listen to one of his faux-Shakespearean monologues and tell me you're not tempted to cross over to the dark side.* — A.H.

3. Wenwu (Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings) Over at thousand years of pure swag. Credit: Courtesy of Marvel Studios

Leave it to Hong Kong cinema icon Tony Leung to show up 25 movies into the MCU and proceed to wipe the floor with almost every other villain the franchise has come up with. Wenwu is a fascinating villain because he’s a bad guy who isn’t always a bad person, and the real tragedy of Shang-Chi is knowing Wenwu is mourning more than the loss of his wife — he’s mourning the lost possibility of his own redemption. Also, he’s a Marvel villain who keeps another Marvel villain as a human pet. That’s god-tier villainy right there. — A.N.

2. Eric Killmonger (Black Panther)

Hot off the heels of Vulture revolutionizing MCU villainy came Michael B. Jordan's legendary turn in Black Panther. Eric is everything T'Challa isn't: vengeful, embittered, and deeply isolated. His methods might be villainous, but his message is compelling. Growing up in Oakland, far from the promise of Wakanda, he mourns generations of injustice that Black people have experienced around the world, seething with envy at T'Challa and his supposedly charmed life. Killmonger's pain stays with us long after the credits roll on Black Panther, as does his chilling final line. — P.K.

1. Thanos (Avengers: Infinity War, Avengers: Endgame) Thinkin' bout what Star Lord said about his chin. Credit: Marvel Studios

Here we go. The big bad. The biggest bad. In one *snap,* Thanos erased half of the known universe from existence — but it's more than that. The build-up to Thanos pretty much defined the entire pace of the MCU's first truly sprawling story arc, from Iron Man to Endgame. Marvel spent 10 entire years teasing and setting up this massive villain before 2018's Avengers: Infinity War gave him an outwardly significant role to play. It was a hell of a trick, and it wouldn't have worked without the decade of buildup making it clear that a larger, more malevolent puppet-master was always pulling the strings just out of view. There are more exciting villains in the MCU, but Thanos is, as ever, inevitable. — A.R.

*This blurb appeared on a previous list.

UPDATE: Jul. 23, 2024, 4:15 p.m. EDT Originally published on Sept. 9, 2021, this list has been updated to include the latest MCU releases.

One of the wildest, most scam-ridden corners of the cryptocurrency industry — memecoins, which are rooted in internet memes — has roared back.

In its first detailed response to a legal challenge, the agency said TikTok’s proposed changes wouldn’t prevent China from using it to collect U.S. users’ data or spread propaganda.

If you're reading this, you're looking for a little help playing Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game.

By 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.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Here's the answer hints for July 27 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for July 27

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.

NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Bedtime story

All the words appear in a specific children's story.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

The words are taken from Goodnight Moon.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is GoodnightMoon.

NYT Strands word list for July 27

• GoodnightMoon

• Mush

• Mittens

• Kittens

• Socks

• Clocks

• NoBody

Looking for other daily online games? Find one you might like – or hints for another game you're already playing – on Mashable's Games page.

TL;DR: Live stream New Zealand vs. USA at Paris 2024 for free on BBC iPlayer. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The Group stages of soccer are well underway at Paris 2024, and it's still anyone's game. Next up, it's group A teams New Zealand and USA.

If you want to watch New Zealand vs. USA at Paris 2024 for free from anywhere in the world, keep scrolling because we have all the information you need.

When is New Zealand vs. USA at Paris 2024?

New Zealand vs. USA at Paris 2024 takes place at 1:00 p.m. ET on July 27. The event will be held at Marseille Stadium, Marseille.

How to watch New Zealand vs. USA at Paris 2024 for free

Olympic soccer matches at the Paris 2024 Olympics will be available to live stream for free on BBC iPlayer.

BBC iPlayer is geo-restricted to the UK, but if you want to catch the game from elsewhere in the world, you can do so with the use of a VPN. VPNs are tools that hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can unblock free streaming sites like BBC iPlayer from anywhere in the world.

Unblock BBC iPlayer for free by following this simple process:

1. Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in the UK

4. Visit BBC iPlayer

5. Live stream New Zealand vs. USA at Paris 2024 from anywhere in the world

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The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can unblock BBC iPlayer without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it gives you time to stream New Zealand vs. USA at Paris 2024 before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for BBC iPlayer?

ExpressVPN is the best service for streaming live sport on BBC iPlayer, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including the UK

• 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 New Zealand vs. USA at Paris 2024 for free with ExpressVPN.

SAVE 85%: Through July 28, you can get a lifetime subscription to Koofr cloud storage with 1TB of space for just £93.20 (reg. £629.93) with coupon code KOOFR.

Leave the “storage full” nightmares behind and save yourself unnecessary frustration by storing your important files, photos, and data in the cloud. In today’s world, nearly everything runs on a subscription-based model, but now you can leave that in the past, too. With Koofr, you only have to pay once, and you’re set with 1TB of storage space for life. Until the end of the day July 28, you can score 1TB of Koofr cloud storage for only £93.20 with coupon code KOOFR.

If you take screenshot after screenshot or like to film at concerts, you don’t have to worry about being selective anymore. A 1TB storage plan can accommodate approximately 250,000 12MP photos, 500 hours of HD videos, or 6.5 million PDF document pages. With this plan, you won’t see any "low storage" warning signs anytime soon.

Koofr allows you to view all of your files within a central hub. It also integrates seamlessly with external cloud accounts like Dropbox, Google Drive, Amazon, and OneDrive, so you can access files across multiple platforms. Your files are also accessible through your smartphone, personal computer, or via WebDav, so you can access your files at your convenience anytime, anywhere.

If your files are all over the place, Koofr also has a built-in duplicate finder tool that helps you find and remove duplicate files within your account. It also features advanced file management features like the ability to rename options and link appearance customisation.

Enjoy privacy as you transfer or add new data into your cloud. Koofr is the only cloud storage provider that gives you peace of mind to do as you please.

Keep your physical life and digital life organised this summer and grab a lifetime subscription to Koofr cloud storage plan (1TB) for only £93.20 (reg. £629.93) with code KOOFR until July 28 at 11:59 p.m. PT. 

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'Twisters' did not culminate in a Glen Powell and Daisy Edgar-Jones kiss, and Belen Edwards needs to rant about it.

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 July 26's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

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.

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Each 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.

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Players 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 July 26 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

Want a hit about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:

• Yellow: Apropos of nothing...

• Green: Foment

• Blue: Sexy one

• Purple: Ideas expressed with a certain single letter  

Featured Video For You Connections: How to play and how to win Here are today's Connections categories

Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:

• Yellow: OFF TOPIC REMARKS

• Green: CREATE, AS RESULTS

• Blue: HOTTIE

• Purple: WORDS REPRESENTED BY THE LETTER "R"

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 #410 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• OFF TOPIC REMARKS - ASIDE, DETOUR, DIGRESSION, TANGENT

• CREATE, AS RESULTS - BEAR, GENERATE, PRODUCE, YIELD

• HOTTIE - BABE, FOX, SNACK, TEN

• WORDS REPRESENTED BY THE LETTER "R" - ARE, RADIUS, REVERSE, RIGHT

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.

Is this not the Connections game you were looking for? Here are the hints and answers to yesterday's Connections.

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Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

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 July 25's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

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.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Wordle.

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 July 26 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Nectar.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no recurring letters.

Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...

Today's Wordle starts with the letter J.

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...

JUICE.

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 Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.

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• Fitbit Charge 6 Fitness Tracker With 6-Months Membership — $159.95

• Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS, 41mm, Midnight, S/M, Sports Band) — $299.00 (List Price $399.00)

The 2024 Paris Olympics is making a historic bid among a long lineage of international games, from its Seine cleaning efforts and integration of AI, to the first time the competition has achieved gender parity among athletes.

Its leaders are also making claims for international camaraderie amid global turmoil, including the continued barrage of Palestine by Israel's armed forces. Athlete delegations from both Israel and Palestine will be competing in Paris, under close watch from activists around the world.

SEE ALSO: Celine Dion triumphs at Olympics opening ceremony and the internet lights up

Following a parade of nations and several performances, International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach ushered in the games saying, "Let us celebrate this Olympic spirit of living life in peace, as the one and only humankind, united in all our diversity."

One thing is certain: Supporters around the globe will be watching athletes representing the war-torn region. The opening ceremony has set a tense tone for Israel's reception.

The Palestinian delegations makes historic arrival

The delegation for Palestine, recognized as part of the IOC in 1995 and debuted in 1996, sends eight competitors to the 2024 Paris games. Athletes will compete in athletics, boxing, swimming, judo, taekwondo, and shooting.

Arriving in Paris on Thursday July 25, the group of athletes were met with a crowd of supporters, many urging the international bodies in attendance to recognize the Palestinian state as well as its athletes. "France doesn’t recognize Palestine as a country, so I am here to raise the flag," Palestinian swimmer Yazan Al-Bawwab told the Associated Press. "We’re not treated like human beings, so when we come play sports, people realize we are equal to them."

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One day later, the group floated down the Seine holding the now symbolic red, green, and black flags as well as traditional keffiyehs, a symbol of Palestinian resistance. Many were adorned in embroidered Palestinian outfits — Flag bearer Waseem Abu Sal, who will compete as the first Palestinian Olympic boxer, donned a white shirt emblazoned with the image of a plane dropping ammunition on a child innocently playing soccer under a sunny sky. The outfit of Valerie Tarazi, Olympic swimmer and Palestine's second flag bearer, represented her Gazan family.

Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted Fans and activists protest Israel's presence

Meanwhile, crowds in Paris' public viewing spaces booed Israel's Olympic delegation as it took its spot in the Olympic parade spotlight.

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Protesters unfurled banners and hung posters around the city, calling for Israel's exclusion from the games. One poster, featuring the image of an Olympic podium covered in blood, bombs, and the Israeli flag, read: "When it comes to killing for sport, there's no competition."

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Many activists have called for a boycott of the 33rd Olympic games following its inclusion of Israel's team. And there's precedent for IOC action that admonishes the actions of countries: Russian athletes, banned from competing as a national team in the 2024 games, were screened for public, pro-military stances following the country's invasion of Ukraine.

Credit: Pool / Getty Images Sport via Getty

The 2024 Olympics began with a star-studded, impressive opening ceremony in Paris.

The event featured a totally new look, opting to feature the Seine River and stunning background of the city itself instead of the typical garish display inside a stadium.

Being in Paris, we expected big-time artists and celebrities and it certainly delivered.

Zinedine Zidane

French soccer legend Zinedine Zidane got thing underway by carrying the Olympic torch in a pre-filmed sketch that got the Olympics underway.

Tweet may have been deleted Lady Gaga

As lots of folks expected Lady Gaga appeared at the opening ceremony. She performed a song in French, complete with dancers, choreography, and an orchestra, as the athletes made their way down the Seine.

Tweet may have been deleted Marie Antoinette

OK, not really. But someone dressed as Marie Antoinette held her own disembodied head. Really.

Tweet may have been deleted Aya Nakamura

The uber-popular French pop star performed, dressed in all gold with dancers following along as she walked and danced through beautiful Parisian backgrounds.

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The NBA and WNBA stars, respectively, were interviewed during the NBC broadcast about their goals and experiences with the Olympics.

Tweet may have been deleted Michael Phelps

The Olympics G.O.A.T, swimmer Michael Phelps, appeared in the procession, though, obviously, he is no longer competing.

Tweet may have been deleted The Minions

Yes, for some reason, we got what amounted to a Minion advertisement in the middle of the ceremony. Apparently they were created by a French artist.

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The French metal band played a very metal performance after a section honoring Les Mis.

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The world's current fastest man was another featured interview on the NBC broadcast. Lyles promised a win in not only the 100-meter, but also the 200-meter.

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French rapper Rim'K performed on a barge on the river.

Tweet may have been deleted Snoop Dogg Tweet may have been deleted

Grammy-nominated rapper Snoop Dog was seen carrying the Olympic torch through the streets of Saint-Denis on Friday. But he also gave us a little jig after Algerian-French rapper Rim’K performed.

LeBron James and Coco Gauff

Team USA flag-bearers Coco Gauff and LeBron James were featured in interviews during the NBC croadcast. The tennis star and NBA icon did a joint interview about how thrilled they were to represent the U.S. in Paris.

Tweet may have been deleted Joel Embiid

Former NBA MVP Joel Embiid was featured in an interview on the NBC broadcast, describing how he chose to play with the U.S. and not France or Cameroon, where he was born.

Tweet may have been deleted Juliette Armanet

The French singer did a lovely rendition of "Imagine" on a floating barge, accompanied by a piano that was on fire. Kind of cool.

Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted Rafael Nadal, Carl Lewis, Serena Williams

Spanish tennis superstar Rafael Nadal took over the torch from Zidane toward the end of the ceremony. Alongside Nadal on a boat in the Seine was Serena Williams and former track star Carl Lewis.

Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted Tony Parker

The French retired NBA star helped carry the torch.

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After a long ceremony, and lots of waiting for Dion, she finally, as rumored, performed. And she did so in grand fashion atop the Eiffel Tower.

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Four hours of Olympic opening ceremony theatrics and viewers are wondering one thing: Where is Celine Dion?!

SEE ALSO: Olympics opening ceremony shows 2024 really is the year of the ménage à trois

Dion was spotted in Paris the day before the opening ceremony, fueling rumors that the superstar was set to make her return on the Olympic stage. However, it remained unclear whether she would be among the athletes and stars sailing down the Seine during the ceremony.

Lady Gaga was whispered to be joining the star as well, following her opening number.

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With the sun setting over Paris, and French President Emmanuel Macron officially opened the 2024 games, Dion was yet to be seen. Still, the ceremony continued with a spectacular laser light show illuminating the Eiffel Tower. Glitter sparkled across the glowing Olympic rings, and a speedboat brought in even more Olympic icons, including Serena Williams.

Users on Elon Musk's X came across an interesting new option tucked deep into the Settings tab on the social media platform this week.

"Allow your posts as well as your interactions, inputs, and results with Grok to be used for training and fine-tuning," reads the settings option on X, formerly known as Twitter. The option refers to X's AI chatbot Grok, which the company continues to integrate throughout the platform.

The fine print under the Settings option text goes on to say that the data is used to "continuously improve your experience" on X, but that the user's data will also be shared with Musk's AI company, xAI, which powers Grok.

It's good that X informs users of how it uses their data. It's also positive that X provides users with a choice on whether they want to share their data with xAI and X for AI training.

It's bad, however, that X opts users in by default. It's also not great that users had to seemingly discover these opt-in and opt-out options on their own.

Here's the X setting that needs to be turned off. It's on by default. Credit: Mashable screenshot / X How to opt out of X's AI training

To stop X from using your data to train its AI, there are a few steps you need to take. (Note: It appears that this setting can only be disabled on X for the web, not via X's iOS or Android apps.)

1. Click the Settings and Privacy option on the left-hand sidebar menu on X.

2. Once in the Settings tab, click on the Privacy and Safety tab.

3. Scroll down to the Data sharing and personalization section and click on the Grok option.

4. You should now see the "Allow your posts as well as your interactions, inputs, and results with Grok to be used for training and fine-tuning" setting with the checkmark box ticked. Click on the checkmark to deselect and opt out.

Under that setting, there's also an option to delete any conversation history that you have with the X's Grok AI chatbot.

Musk has big plans for his AI company. He recently floated his idea to have Tesla invest $5 billion into his xAI, which powers Grok. If X users don't want their data to be used to train Musk's next big project, they should follow the steps above.

While the 2024 Paris Olympics kicked off with a parade of nations floating down the Seine, a torch bearer doing parkour through the Louvre, and the literal decapitation of Marie Antoinette, the internet was captivated by a much smaller part of the performance.

SEE ALSO: Lady Gaga just performed at the Olympics opening ceremony

"Did I just watch the Challengers hotel scene at the Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony," wrote Twitter user @kasiakovacs, referring to a "steamy" (the words of opening ceremony commentators) scene in which three neon-clad dancers stared longingly at each other and then quickly ran into a private room — getting up to something NSFW, certainly.

The tweet captures what has been months of fervor over director Luca Guadagnino's tennis threesome blockbuster, starring Zendaya, Josh O'Connor, and Mike Faist as star-crossed paramours in the world of professional sports. It's kind of a topical nod, as Paris's own tennis competitors float on by. It's also proof that "Challengers Summer" is far from over.

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Viewers didn't get to witness the Parisian apartment goings-on, though, as the dancers embraced, looked knowingly into the camera, and then slammed the door shut. No three-way make out sessions on primetime.

NBC's hosts, exhaling a quiet gasp as the shot took over screens, closed the segment with a succinct wrap up: "Oh — We are uninvited."

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Somewhere between What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? and Carol lies Mothers' Instinct. Set vaguely in the early 1960s, this psychological thriller thrusts two of America's most thrilling actresses at each other in a queer-coded battle of wills and mental illness. 

Anne Hathaway and Jessica Chastain star as a pair of (mostly) happy homemakers who live side by side in charming suburbia. Established cinematographer Benoît Delhomme makes his directorial debut here, draping the film in a dreamy pastel palette that cools as the plot kicks in. An untimely death throws these very, very close friends into a spiral of suspicion that threatens to not only end their bond but maybe even several lives along the way. 

Steeped in tension and twisted possibilities, Mothers' Instinct is a deliciously deranged drama that's destined to find an audience that appreciates its brand of camp.  

Mothers' Instinct delivers a tale of motherhood and jealousy.  

Hathaway stars as Celine, an unflappably chic housewife who is as beloved by her dashing husband Damian (Josh Charles) and chipper son Max as she is by the local PTA. But no one loves her as much as Alice does. Played by Chastain, the next-door neighbor/best friend looks at Celine with a yawning awe, not only for all Celine's capable of but also how easy she makes it look. 

While Celine is utterly content with her picture-perfect domesticity, Alice pines to return to work, hungry to be "more" than a wife and mother. Their differences fester when a tragic accident robs Celine of her only child, leaving her bereft and staring at the greener grass on her neighbor's lawn — where a little boy still frolics. 

Celine's attitude chills so sharply toward Alice that she begins to wonder if her friend resents her. Desperate to reconnect, Alice gives all she can to her grief-stricken bosom buddy. But before long, she begins to wonder if Celine is scheming to take something more from her... maybe even revenge. 

Mothers' Instinct has a Lifetime movie plot with a queer undercurrent. 

Based on Barbara Abel's 2012 novel Behind the Hatred, Mothers' Instinct plunges unapologetically into domestic terror, pitting two young mothers against each other in a war of emotion and manipulation. Because Alice has a history of mental illness, Celine's hesitant to confess her suspicions to her husband, Simon (Anders Danielsen Lie). Which is probably for the best, as Simon is an insensitive oaf, ever ready to ignore his wife's inconvenient feelings. 

However, as bodies begin to pile up around the ballet flats of lovely Celine, Alice won't be ignored. But how can she hit back at the woman she loves, even if that woman is turning homicidal?

A queer undercurrent brings a juicy layer to this plot line. The menfolk bop about the lawns and dining rooms, chortling and considering themselves kings of their castles, intentionally two-dimensional. They are nowhere near as real or alive to their wives as their wives are to each other. A sex scene between Alice and her husband is cut short when he declares he wants to impregnate her, a turn-off to a woman who dreams of passion, not more dirty diapers. Meanwhile, simple scenes where Alice and Celine dance together or console each other throb with intimacy and even (potentially one-sided) desire. Combined with Delhomme's romantic palette, Mothers' Instinct feels more Todd Haynes than Alfred Hitchcock. And it's easy to imagine if circumstances were a little different, Alice might take Celine to lunch and declare her "flung out of space." 

Anne Hathaway and Jessica Chastain are Mothers' Instinct biggest asset and its greatest obstacle. 

Both actresses ably hip-swivel through the dastardly dance that is the movie's most vicious turns. Hathaway offering a chilliness that is enticingly enigmatic, while Chastain is often on the brink of tears, eyes on fire. Together, they play a battle of love and hatred that is so twisted, intense, and entertaining that it recalls Robert Aldrich's iconic psycho-biddy thriller What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? Hathaway and Chastain don't go as theatrical as Bette Davis and Joan Crawford once did, but rightfully so; their at-war heroines are not decades into their festered bond. Still, their performances shimmy knowingly into camp. 

But this might be the problem. Not the performances themselves, which are divinely committed and juicy, but the simple fact that Hathaway and Chastain are so respected and so damn famous. When Davis and Crawford went off the rails in that hagsploitation classic, they were aging leading ladies using their fading status to fuel the subtext of the showbiz horror gem. Watching them go feral was a bold and educated choice. (And it paid off, earning Davis a Best Actress Oscar nomination ten years after her last, plus a slew of other horror roles.)

Hathaway and Chastain are far from fading; they are still undeniable headliners and Oscar winners. So when they join forces for a movie, audiences might not expect something as willfully tawdry as Mothers' Instinct. This is not a sophisticated thriller on par with Vertigo or even Dial M for Murder, but neither does it need to be to satisfy. 

Hathaway is too interesting an actress to be relegated only to prestige pics. Recently, she elated critics in the flirty rom-com The Idea of You and the gnarly thriller Eileen. But personally, I most love her big swings, like when she played a toxic femme fatale in the psycho-sexual thriller Serenity or an alcoholic who accidentally manifests a rampaging kaiju in Colossal. Meanwhile, Chastain has mixed it up, leaping genres from the superhero flick X-Men: Dark Phoenix to the horror movie IT Chapter Two, to the utterly forgettable espionage thriller Ava. But after her Oscar win for her transformative performance in The Eyes of Tammy Faye, it's about time she gets to cut loose with some trashy thrills. And she does just that in Mothers' Instinct. 

All this is to say, Mothers' Instinct doesn't reach the glorious heights of Hitchcock, or Haynes, or even Aldrich. Rather, Delhomme builds his domestic thriller in a valley in between. His heroines don't reach the delicious camp hysteria of Davis or Crawford. They don't pose in the elegant and openly queer yearning of Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara. They might be formed in the mold of Hitchcock's femme fatales, but to their credit, Hathaway and Chastain make these roles their own. 

In the end, Mothers' Instinct might not be great cinema, but it is great fun. Spiked with twisted turns, explosive emotions, and a feud that's frightening and fun to behold, it's a thriller well worth its gnashed teeth and salty tears. 

Mothers' Instinct opens in select theaters July 26 and on digital Aug. 13.