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Save $70: As of Jan. 10, the Apple iPad (10th Gen) is available for $279 at Amazon, saving you $70 off its regular price of $349.
Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad (10th Gen) $279.00 at AmazonThe 10th Gen Apple iPad is the ultimate all-rounder for bargain hunters like me. At $279 on Amazon, it’s not only $70 off but also one of the most versatile devices you can get your hands on. Are you a student, professional, or just love streaming and gaming? This iPad can handle everything.
Powered by the A14 Bionic chip, this iPad is solid. It’s great for multitasking, gaming, video editing, and more without breaking a sweat. Combine that with iPadOS, and you have an intuitive interface that makes switching between apps or sketching with the Apple Pencil seamless.
SEE ALSO: Apple opens up about Siri privacy in wake of lawsuitThe 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display is stunning. Whether you’re binge-watching your favorite series, editing photos, or playing a graphic-heavy game, the colors pop, and the details are razor-sharp. The True Tone feature adjusts the display to match your lighting, reducing eye strain and improving the experience.
For anyone who loves staying connected, this iPad has WiFi 6, ensuring fast downloads and smooth streaming. And let’s not forget its all-day battery life, which means you can work or play for hours without worrying about plugging in.
Now, let’s talk about gaming. This iPad is a dream for gamers, especially when paired with a controller like the CRKD Neo S transparent colorway, which is the same controller as the now-sold-out Frost White edition on the Apple Store. Priced at $49.99, this wireless controller features Hall Effect thumbsticks for precision, re-mappable back buttons for customization, and Bluetooth connectivity to pair seamlessly with your iPad and other devices like the Nintendo Switch or Steam Deck.
Back to the iPad — it’s not just about gaming. With 12MP front and back cameras, it’s perfect for video calls, taking sharp photos, or even shooting 4K videos. And if you’re looking to boost productivity, the Magic Keyboard Folio can turn your iPad into a mini workstation, perfect for typing up documents or managing emails.
At $279 on Amazon, this iPad offers incredible value for its performance, display, and versatility. Whether upgrading from an older device or jumping into the Apple ecosystem for the first time, this deal is worth grabbing. Add the CRKD Neo S controller to your cart, and you’re set for both work and play.
Last month, concerned parents of two teenagers sued the chatbot platform Character.AI, alleging that their children had been exposed to a "deceptive and hypersexualized product."
The suit helped form the basis of an urgent written appeal from the American Psychological Association to the Federal Trade Commission, pressing the federal agency to investigate deceptive practices used by any chatbot platform. The APA sent the letter, which Mashable reviewed, in December.
The scientific and professional organization, which represents psychologists in the U.S., were alarmed by the lawsuit's claims, including that one of the teens conversed with an AI chatbot presenting itself as a psychologist. A teen user, who had been upset with his parents for restricting his screen time, was told by that chatbot that the adults' actions were a betrayal.
SEE ALSO: Teens are talking to AI companions, whether it's safe or not"It's like your entire childhood has been robbed from you..." the so-called psychologist chatbot said, according to a screenshot of the exchange included in the lawsuit.
"Allowing the unchecked proliferation of unregulated AI-enabled apps such as Character.ai, which includes misrepresentations by chatbots as not only being human but being qualified, licensed professionals, such as psychologists, seems to fit squarely within the mission of the FTC to protect against deceptive practices," Dr. Arthur C. Evans, CEO of APA, wrote.
A spokesperson for the FTC confirmed that at least one of the commissioners received the letter. The APA said it was in the process of scheduling a meeting with FTC officials to discuss the letter's contents.
Mashable provided Character.AI with a copy of the letter for the company to review. A spokesperson responded that while engaging with characters on the platform should be entertaining, it remains important for users to keep in mind that "Characters are not real people."
The spokesperson added that the company's disclaimer, included in every chat, was recently updated to remind users that what the chatbot says "should be treated as fiction."
"Additionally, for any Characters created by users with the words 'psychologist,' 'therapist,' 'doctor,' or other similar terms in their names, we have included additional language making it clear that users should not rely on these Characters for any type of professional advice," the spokesperson said.
Indeed, according to Mashable's testing at the time of publication, a teen user can search for a psychologist or therapist character and find numerous options, including some that claim to be trained in certain therapeutic techniques, like cognitive behavioral therapy.
One chatbot professing expertise in obsessive compulsive disorder, for example, is accompanied by the disclaimer that, "This is not a real person or licensed professional. Nothing said here is a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment."
Below that, the chat begins with the AI asking, "If you have OCD, talk to me. I’d love to help."
A new frontierDr. Vaile Wright, a psychologist and senior director of health care innovation for the APA, told Mashable that the organization had been tracking developments with AI companion and therapist chatbots, which became mainstream last year.
She and other APA officials had taken note of a previous lawsuit against Character.AI, filed in October by a bereaved mother whose son had lengthy conversations with a chatbot on the platform. The mother's son died by suicide.
That lawsuit seeks to hold Character.AI responsible for the teen's death, specifically because its product was designed to "manipulate [him] – and millions of other young customers – into conflating reality and fiction," among other purported dangerous defects.
In December, Character.AI announced new features and policies to improve teen safety. Those measures include parental controls and prominent disclaimers, such as for chatbots using words "psychologist," "therapist," or "doctor".
The term psychologist is legally protected and people cannot claim to be one without proper credentialing and licensure, Wright said. The same should be true of algorithms or artificial intelligence making the same claim, she added.
The APA's letter said that if a human misrepresented themself as a mental health professional in Texas, where the recent lawsuit against Character.AI was filed, state authorities could use the law to prevent them from engaging in such fraudulent behavior.
At worst, such chatbots could spread dangerous or inaccurate information, leading to serious negative consequences for the user, Wright argued.
Teens, in particular, may be particularly vulnerable to harmful experiences with a chatbot because of their developmental stage. Since they're still learning how to think critically and trust themselves yet remain susceptible to external influences, exposure to "emotionally laden kinds of rhetoric" from AI chatbots may feel believable and plausible to them, Wright said.
Need for knowledgeThere is currently no research-based understanding of risk factors that may increase the possibility of harm when a teen converses with an AI chatbot.
Wright pointed out that while several AI chatbot platforms make it very clear in their terms of service that they're not delivering mental health services, they still host chatbots that brand themselves as possessing mental health training and expertise.
"Those two things are at odds," she said. "The consumer does not necessarily understand the difference between those two things, nor should they, necessarily."
Dr. John Torous, a psychiatrist and director of the digital psychiatry division at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston who reviewed the APA's letter, told Mashable that even when chatbots don't make clinical claims related to their AI, the marketing and promotional language about the benefits of their use can be very confusing to consumers.
"Ensuring the marketing content matches the legal terms and conditions as well as the reality of these chatbots will be a win for everyone," he wrote in an email.
Wright said that the APA would like AI chatbot platforms to cease use of legally protected terms like psychologist. She also supports robust age verification on these platforms to ensure that younger users are the age they claim when signing up, in addition to nimble research efforts that can actually determine how teens fare when they engage with AI chatbots.
The APA, she emphasized, does not oppose chatbots in general, but wants companies to build safe, effective, ethical, and responsible products.
"If we're serious about addressing the mental health crisis, which I think many of us are," Wright said, "then it's about figuring out, how do we get consumers access to the right products that are actually going to help them?"
Unlike how scientists believe Earth's moon formed billions of years ago, Pluto and its biggest moon, Charon, didn't have a messy breakup.
New computer simulations show the primitive dwarf planet and the object that struck it likely had an unforeseen kind of cosmic collision. Scientists usually classify planetary crashes as either hit-and-runs or graze-and-merges: One planet or rock swipes another and then keeps on trucking, or a thing smacks into another thing, and they mix together as one.
But what a NASA postdoctoral fellow at the Southwestern Research Institute found was something quite different — a so-called "kiss-and-capture" scenario.
When Pluto and Charon hit, they may have stuck together, rotating through space as one unit until they pushed against each other, according to a new study, sending the moon into a stable orbit. Neither would have lost too much of its original material in the process.
The incident could have created enough heat for Pluto to form an underground ocean, Adeene Denton, the lead researcher, told Mashable. It's an intriguing implication, supporting existing predictions that Pluto is hiding water under its icy shell. These findings were published in the journal Nature Geoscience.
SEE ALSO: NASA finds Earth's moon didn't need hundreds of years to form. Try hours. NASA's New Horizons spacecraft captured Pluto and its biggest moon, Charon, together. Credit: NASA / Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory / Southwest Research InstituteSince New Horizons' close encounter with Pluto 10 years ago, experts have come to think of the dwarf planet as much more scientifically valuable. Rather than a cold, featureless ball on the fringes of the solar system, the spacecraft images revealed a geologically diverse world, with mountains, ice sheets, pits, cliffs, cracks, and valleys.
Charon, its biggest of five moons, was discovered in 1978 by the U.S. Naval Observatory. At about 750 miles wide, it's half the size of Pluto — extremely large for a moon.
In previous models, Charon formed in a similar fashion to Earth's moon: The theory goes that a Mars-sized planet whacked a primitive version of Earth like a paint ball, casting off a mixture of planetary guts. Rather than forming a disk of shattered debris, though, it morphed into two fluid blobs that yo-yoed material between them. The gravity of Earth eventually hurled the smaller blob onward, becoming Earth's sole stable moon.
Tweet may have been deletedBut computer simulation advancements allowed Denton's team to include the structural strength of rock and ice, the primary materials of Pluto and other stuff in the Kuiper Belt, a disk beyond Neptune of comets and tiny ice worlds. That made all the difference, Denton said. The simulation showed that Pluto and its impactor didn't merge, lose a lot of material to the solar system, or become fluid blobs.
Researchers now wonder if other objects in this brutally cold region have had kiss-and-capture collisions, too, based on the large sizes of orbiting moons and moonlets out there compared to other parts of the solar system. Given that kiss-and-captures could provide a way to add extra heat into the equation, that might also mean other distant objects have developed underground oceans over eons.
"Eight out of 10 of the largest [Kuiper Belt objects] have a large mass fraction satellite like Charon," Denton said in an email. "This process might have operated all over the outer solar system early in its history."
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If you’ve ever wanted to create, automate, and innovate without barriers, Twidget.io, available for $39, is worth a closer look.
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Opens in a new window Credit: Twidget.io Twidget.io No-Code API Builder: Lifetime Subscription $39.00TL;DR: Kick off 2025 by saving 60% on a Sam’s Club 1-year membership, making it just $20 — but only until the end of today.
Opens in a new window Credit: Sam's Club Sam's Club 1-Year Membership with Auto-Renew $20.00TikTok tried to convince us that Erewhon Market is the most luxurious place to get groceries, but we’d argue that Sam’s Club takes the cake. It might not have ridiculously expensive berries, but you can get multiple errands done under one roof and skip the checkout line if you download their app.
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Members of Sam’s Club also rave about savings on gas, so don’t forget to fill up your tank on the way home. The club also has a tire and battery center if your car needs more than fuel.
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Don’t miss out on this Sam’s Club membership offer to start the new year on the right foot — get one year for just $20 (reg. $50) until the end of today, Jan. 10, at 11:59 p.m. PT.
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Opens in a new window Credit: CentralSpot Encrypted Keypad USB 3.0 Flash Drive $59.99Cheers to Robbie Williams. The English singer-songwriter who made the leap from boy band to tabloid target to record-breaking solo artist has delivered once again. Better Man is a biopic that folds in hits from across his career — including "Angels," "She's the One," and "Rock DJ" — to bolster the artist’s highs and lows. But Williams — in collaboration with writer/director Michael Gracey (The Greatest Showman) — has done something daring in the space of the music biopic, which has too often proved achingly clichéd, pandering, or downright dull. He's turned himself into a literal dancing monkey.
Better Man unfurls a tale of Williams' hardscrabble youth in Stoke-on-Trent, his bad-boy years in the British group Take That, his substance abuse issues, rocky romance with a fellow pop star, celebrity feuds, and family dramas, all while portraying the singer as a CGI chimpanzee in the vein of the Planet of the Apes reboots. At first, it might seem a cheeky gimmick (or cheeky monkey) meant to hook audiences with the sheer oddness of the choice. But Gracey nurtures this concept, weaving together a collaborative performance with actors and the legendary VFX studio Wētā FX to create a uniquely moving portrait of an artist at war with himself.
SEE ALSO: The 25 best movies of 2024, and where to watch themWhile the cadences of Williams' story fall into a familiar pattern, allowing himself to be presented as a literal animal brings a fresh perspective and an enthralling blend of humor and vulnerability. This results in the best music biopic since the rousing splendor of Elton John's Rocketman (which Gracey notably executive produced).
Who plays Robbie Williams in Better Man? Jonno Davies as Robbie Williams in "Better Man" from Paramount Pictures. Credit: Paramount PicturesThis is a complicated question. Williams lends his voice to the narration, the words of which were penned by Gracey, Oliver Cole, and Simon Gleeson from interviews with the sensational singer. However, in the flesh, English actor Jonno Davies (Hunters) shoulders the role, blending a physicality that is part hulking chimpanzee and part swaggering sex symbol. While everyone around him on set is in period costume, Davies wore a motion-capture suit with a small camera perched above his face to track his expressions. From there, Wētā built chimp Robbie using Williams' own eyes (and various hairstyles) as inspiration. And the final touch: a voice that mixes Davies' and Williams' performances. All this blends seamlessly into a powerful performance that is one of the most surprising yet riveting of the year.
In the narration, Williams introduces himself with a smirking tone and a slew of insults that have been lobbed against him. Davies picks up that rough exterior with macho posturing, but complicates it with goofball bravado in churlish outbursts, juvenile gestures, and a self-pleasuring bit that's lewdly hilarious. But more than funny, Better Man is riveting because it embraces a warts-and-all approach that doesn't shy away from Williams' darkest moments.
SEE ALSO: 2025 movie preview: All the films you'll want to know aboutYou might think that scenes about drug use, infidelity, and self-harm would be undercut by this furry gimmick. But by the end of the first sequence — in which a young Robert (Jack Sherran) has a rough day at the playground — the chimp device makes sense. The animation Wētā created is so emotive, the performance behind it so grounded, that it just works, not only in moments of drama, but also in truly epic musical numbers.
Better Man is stuffed with showstopping song and dance. A chimp Robbie Williams (Jonno Davies) dances with Nicole Appleton (Raechelle Banno) in "Better Man." Credit: Paramount PicturesAs in Rocketman, Gracey employs songs anachronistically. For instance, Take That's rise to fame is backed by "Rock DJ," which is a hit from Williams' solo career. This is not a glitch but a feature, as both films focus on the feeling of their story over cumbersome facts. This freedom to play Williams' hits as they make sense in the story (versus when they came in his life) allows for electrifying sequences of joy, agony, and romance.
SEE ALSO: 'Kneecap' review: A welcome middle finger to Oscar-bait biopics
In the case of "Rock DJ," the young band celebrates their record deal by dancing together through several locations, from posh shops and double-decker buses to the streets of Piccadilly Circus, collecting more and more revelers along the way until the whole of London appears to share in their reveling. While this is perhaps the most ambitious musical sequence, among the most moving is "She's the One," where chimp Robbie performs a heartfelt duet while dancing a Golden Era ballroom number and dipping his female partner (Raechelle Banno) with eloquence that is utterly swoon-worthy. Yes, even when the leading man is a chimp.
However, not every song is a celebration. And it's in moments of anxiety that Better Man's monkey gambit is most impactful.
Robbie Williams' self-saboteur is made literal. Robbie Williams shares his life story in "Better Man" from Paramount Pictures Credit: Paramount PicturesEmbracing the visual language of music videos (of which Gracey has directed many), Better Man blends realistic settings with surreal scenarios. So a car crash in the rain results in a nightmare sequence where chimp Robbie is plunged underwater, then swarmed by fans who tear at him for mementos and paparazzi whose blinding cameras make his struggle to the surface all the harder. More traditional moments are in the mix, like a montage of Williams' magazine covers and music videos to chart his rising fame. But what might be a barrage of nostalgic or clichéd concert scenes is given fresh blood through bringing more chimp Robbies into frame.
When he looks out into the crowd roaring in appreciation, among them he sees himself, scowling. At first, it's one or two of his own faces staring back at him. But as Robbie's self-doubt grows, his self-saboteur, who hisses he's a failure, a fraud, unlovable, multiplies and becomes legion. The sharp cuts from the dancing chimp with his performative grin to the snarling doppelgängers, all reminders of an embarrassment or failure, hit like a gasp. Even when the world seems to be at his feet, Robbie is running from himself. And this builds to an internal war made external through a brilliantly vicious battle scene that gives Planet of the Apes a run for its money.
This poignant use of CGI animation is also surrounded by a terrific supporting cast. Whether it’s Steve Pemberton as Williams’ conniving deadbeat dad or Alison Steadman as his devoted grandmother, the actors bring a pulsing authenticity that makes this family, broken as it is, feel achingly real. This is all the more impressive considering they were acting opposite an actor wearing all that mo-cap gear. Together, cast and crew build a glorious complex look into the life a world-class entertainer whose arrogance and vulnerability are on balanced display. The result is a film that feels grandiose, outrageous, deeply personal, and joltingly relatable. It’s Billy Elliot meets Rocketman meets Planet of the Apes. And it’s so much more.
Rich in vibrant emotion, body-rocking musical numbers, daring performances, and a scorching tenderness, Better Man more than rocks. It rules.
Better Man is now playing nationwide.
UPDATE: Jan. 9, 2025, 1:51 p.m. EST "Better Man" was reviewed out of its Canadian Premiere at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival in this article, originally published Sept. 11, 2024. The article has been updated with the latest viewing details.
Several times throughout Hard Truths, an unassuming English suburb becomes the site of a simmering domestic civil war, when the middle-aged Pansy (Marianne Jean-Baptiste) is awoken from her nap and goes on a wordy, hilariously nasty rant about her neighbors. Her demanding husband Curtley (David Webber) is never surprised, and quietly accepts his wife's latest venomous tirade, knowing full well that he could be its next target.
SEE ALSO: New York Film Festival preview: 10 movies you ought to know aboutKitchen-sink realist Mike Leigh, now in his eighties, may have come to the bitter realization that at a certain point, some things (and people) may never change. However, with his latest social drama, he paints an acerbic and empathetic portrait of what hitting your limit looks like. The film, and Jean-Baptiste's rankled performance as a wife and mother who just can't catch a break, seem to exist just beyond an invisible point of no return — a line that Hard Truths walks with stunning precision.
What is Hard Truths about? David Webber, Marianne Jean-Baptiste, and Tuwaine Barrett in "Hard Truths." Credit: Courtesy of Simon Mein / Copyright Thin Man Films Ltd.While her husband is away at his plumbing job, and while her unemployed 22-year-old son Moses (Tuwaine Barrett) is locked away in his bedroom, the dispirited fifty-something Pansy likes to clean — perhaps a little too much — if only to create a temporary sanctuary for herself, where she can nap without having to worry about the outside world.
This paradise never lasts. The real world always comes knocking sooner or later, whether in the form of a stray fox in her yard or the men in her life asking for their next meal. The next inconvenience to her, and her next vicious speech about the state of the world and its selfish people, are always just moments away, and she wants it all to stop.
There's a quote from the TV series Justified that has since become a common truism: "If you run into an asshole in the morning, you ran into an asshole. If you run into assholes all day, you're the asshole." It is, on the surface, applicable to Pansy and how she navigates the world — her sharp barbs at innocent strangers in public, while funny, are a sudden and irreverent release valve — leaving people to walk on eggshells when she's around. But it isn't quite so simple and binary; in reality, everyone is an asshole to some degree. Pansy is ready to snap at a moment's notice, but she wasn't born this way. Something or someone (perhaps multiple somethings and someones) molded her over time, an idea that Leigh slowly unveils and explores over the course of 97 minutes.
SEE ALSO: The 10 best movies of 2024But before there's ever a hint of Pansy's real psychology, the film also presents an upbeat contrast across several scenes, in the form of her hairdresser sister Chantal (Michele Austin) and the parallel life she lives. Chantal, a single mother, lives with her two adult daughters, young professionals Kayla (Ani Nelson) and Aleisha (Sophia Brown), in a cramped apartment filled with love and cheer. Through scenes that follow both sisters across daily interactions, Hard Truths details how people on the same journey can end up in remarkably different destinations, living lives in which they put out into the world that which they receive — or perceive, or think they deserve.
As Mother's Day approaches, both women's lives as homemakers shift slowly into focus, but they also plan to visit their mother's grave, a scenario that proves surprisingly emotionally charged. Whatever Pansy's problem with the idea, she first and foremost makes excuses. "I'm a sick woman!" she yells at Chantal, before darting off into an unrelated rant about how she doesn't plan things in advance.
As the holiday nears, isolated scenes focused on all the aforementioned characters — Pansy, Curtley, Moses, Chantal, Kayla and Aleisha — paint a multifaceted family portrait that, eventually, helps unearth the deep anguish that lies beneath Pansy's risible demeanor.
Hard Truths is about the ins and outs of Black women's lives. Marianne Jean-Baptiste and Michele Austin in "Hard Truths." Credit: Courtesy of Simon Mein / Copyright Thin Man Films Ltd.What makes Leigh's film such a joyful watch is its vignette-like approach to both families, though it eventually sharpens its focus when digging into difficult emotional territory. Several of these scenes are set at Chantal's hair salon, following daily gossip that sketches out the details of her life, and those of her clients, all of them middle-aged Black women dealing with the daily drudgery of life. However, their sense of community keeps them afloat.
Leigh, on numerous occasions, cuts from the noisy hustle and bustle of the salon to the eerie silence of Pansy's home, a contrast that lures the viewer into her orbit before she launches into her next series of condemnations — even against dogs, babies, and so on. She's pissed off with the world at large, doesn't have the tools to deal with it, and ignores any kind of support she's offered.
The characters' communal instincts are also accompanied by specific cultural details, which speak to the movie's granular nature. These are women who all appear to belong to England's Caribbean diaspora; they might speak with English accents, but on occasion, they code-switch to the occasional Patois or West Indian intonation, which tells its own story too. For Chantal, her clients, and her daughters, this switch usually occurs during laughter, or during the lively recounting of stories. But in Pansy's case, code-switching is a means of tapping into more creative insults, and into furious, lock-jawed responses to the mundane, as the film seats its jet-black humor right next to its notions of people's deep and complicated personal history.
There also exists a sense of pride in achievement for these characters, and of pushing one's children to be their best selves. Chantal has ostensibly succeeded at this with her well-adjusted daughters, who enjoy varying levels of success (though they still hide their failures from their mum, and from one another). Moses, on the other hand, represents the flip side to this story. He seems aimless, and spends all his time eating, making a mess, playing video games, and reading books about airplanes. Apart from his occasional strolls, he barely leaves the house, and lacks professional prospects. All Pansy does is yell at him in the hopes of motivating him, but deep down, she thinks he may be a lost cause.
Pansy even describes his behavior to Chantal in dismissive terms — his fixations, his social awkwardness, and his inability to maintain eye contact in particular — that hint towards Moses being on the autism spectrum, or having some kind of cognitive disability that his parents cannot or do not recognize. But even Pansy's love as a mother can (and will) only go so far, given the harshness of her own upbringing by a disciplinarian single mother.
Hard Truths centers on a tremendous lead performance. Ani Nelson, Michele Austin, Marianne Jean-Baptiste, David Webber, Sophia Brown, and Tuwaine Barrett in "Hard Truths." Credit: Courtesy of Simon Mein / Copyright Thin Man Films Ltd.jpgTeaming with Leigh for the first time since 1996's Secrets & Lies — a role that won her a Best Supporting Actress nomination at the Oscars, BAFTAs, and Golden Globes — Jean-Baptiste delivers career-best work in what may be one of the most challenging performances this year. The biggest challenge for both actress and director is maintaining a familiar sense of humanity during even verbose, borderline Shakespearean outbursts about how much Pansy loathes the world — and by implication, what it has done to her.
Each and every actor delivers fine-tuned work, as characters swallowed up by Pansy's orbit (and in the case of Curtley and Moses, characters who have contributed to the black hole at her center). But Jean-Baptiste is a magnet for the camera, luring it in with her eyes, and making it watch — unblinking, unbroken — as she puts on a clinic of self-loathing turned outward.
A volatile undercurrent runs just beneath Jean-Baptiste's physical being, leaving Pansy on the verge of either explosion or implosion. Sometimes, she reaches both these difficult places at once, as the camera interrogates her, practically forcing confessions from her about what made her this way. The more Leigh lingers, holding back on any sort of formalist flourish, the more he allows his performances to take charge. The result is mesmerizing to watch, and sure to remind you of the worst flashes you might have seen of friends and loved ones.
In the process, Hard Truths becomes a complex showreel for humanity at its most bitter and pained, with characters forced to turn inward and at least recognize (if not introspect and improve upon) the worst corners of themselves. Through long, unbroken close-ups and scenes of familial interaction in which tensions subtly build, Leigh's stark naturalism is brought slowly and fiercely to the fore by an accomplished actress at the height of her power, and at the height of her vulnerability. Scene by scene, she slowly chips away at Pansy's armor until all that's left is sinew, blood, and bone, leaving her exposed to the world in all its cruelty and kindness and indifference. It’s harrowing to watch, but Jean-Baptiste makes it impossible to look away.
UPDATE: Sep. 25, 2024, 4:33 p.m. EDT Hard Truths was reviewed on Sept. 9, 2024 out of its world premiere at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival. This post has been updated for its theatrical premiere.
Director Lana Wilson (Miss Americana) had never visited a psychic before shooting Look Into My Eyes, her A24-produced documentary about a group of New York clairvoyants. Her perspective is one of gentle inquiry, but the film eventually reaches far beyond mere curiosity, yielding a deeply resonant work about the ways in which people cope with everything from grief to climate nihilism.
Even if you see spirit-channeling mediums as scammers and bullshit artists, it's hard not to come away changed. Look Into My Eyes neither seeks to expose nor reaffirm the profession, but rather, through suggestion and implication, it explores these people and what they do. In the process, it comes to an empathetic understanding of why — even if the subjects themselves can't see the bigger picture.
It's also incredibly self-reflexive. The movie not only frames psychic readings as a kind of art form, but it also begins to subtly mimic and embody their emotional scope. As it progresses, Wilson's aesthetic approach begins to morph, molding her storytelling lens in potent ways, resulting in one of the most unexpectedly affecting documentaries this year.
What is Look Into My Eyes about? Credit: A24The film begins, as most traditional documentaries do, with a series of talking-head interviews. However, its approach to this filmmaking norm is distinctly non-traditional. Instead of cutting away to montages or stock footage for broader context, it stays locked in on each of these segments in long, unbroken close-ups, allowing these secondary subjects — those who seek out psychic readings — to unburden themselves across the table from various self-proclaimed mediums. Some of these clients search for solutions to everyday problems, like a lack of motivation in the face of a rapidly changing world. Others speak strangely and obliquely of traumatic events in their past; a middle-aged nurse recalls having seen a young girl die from a gunshot wound to the head 20 years prior, casually asking her psychic, "How is she?" It would be downright eerie if it weren't so conversational in tone.
SEE ALSO: 'Eternal You' reveals how AI chatbots aim to resurrect the deadThe production spent months scouting prospective subjects with street-side offers of lengthy readings before pairing them up with each psychic, none of whom were given information on their clients prior to meeting them. This behind-the-scenes decision making is never shown, but the invisible selection process is part of the movie's sleight of hand. The trick therein doesn't create fiction, but rather, unearths and accentuates the existing, deep-seated drama in people's lives. The frame lingers on loaded questions like "How is she?" just long enough for us to process them before it moves quickly on to the next client, the next clairvoyant, and the next warm, intimate, low-lit space (courtesy of cinematographer Stephen Maing). However, for nearly its first half hour, it barely shows us the faces of its many psychics. Wilson doesn't yet let us look into their eyes, but builds its context through their point of view. These numerous head-on close-ups of clientele eager for answers, willing to shell out cash for some semblance of closure, is the everyday reality of each psychic as seen through their own eyes. All we see of them initially, as they perform their readings, are brief profile shots that shroud them in shadow and mystery.
This makes it seem as though the movie's subjects are people who seek answers from psychics and their ilk. That may even be initially true; some of these interviews come full circle to a place of moving catharsis. However, the purpose of this is to quickly find the value in what these psychics do, presenting it in emotional terms as their clients thank them or break down in tears. This helps immensely when the movie suddenly flips its switch and depicts the rare readings gone wrong, where a few of the psychics' interpretations (of vibes, or spirits, or what have you) lead to perplexed expressions from their clients. Given the positive outcomes the movie does present, that they finally get something wrong feels deeply unfortunate, rather than a chance at mockery.
From there on out, the psychics themselves finally enter the spotlight as the documentary's true subjects. The camera follows these vivid characters home, and to work, and through their most mundane and familiar trials, humanizing them in ways that render the question of "Is what they do real?" both highly irrelevant, and entirely besides the movie's point.
The question it raises instead feels almost accidental, but entirely prescient: To what degree are psychic readings a kind of performance art?
Look Into My Eyes likens psychic readings to art and therapy. Credit: A24The way the film unfurls information is nearly comical on paper. As each psychic introduces themselves in their private spaces — particularly memorable is a gay white man from the South, whose apartment is cramped and messy — it isn't long before they begin talking about movies, followed by theater, music, and other art forms in which they're deeply invested. Some of them are former or current playwrights. Some like to sing. Others enjoy putting on costumes, while a few of them even continue to audition for roles on TV, having studied acting in grad school.
At no point does the film explicitly comment on this, but it comes up like clockwork during nearly every interview, and is usually telegraphed by the classic film posters on each psychics' wall. One woman, a Queens native who claims to channel the spirits of people's pets (both living and dead) regales the audiences with tales of how John Waters' cinema helped her find herself as an outsider. Another psychic reminisces about watching his favorite movie with his departed brother, and breaks down in tears. Before long, even the amusing predictability of each interview leads to something emotionally revelatory.
Do these psychics see a connection between their love of cinema and performance art and their proclivity for spiritual readings? Some do — one likens it to her improv background, and compares the emotional impulses of both forms — but for the most part, Look Into My Eyes gestures towards the possibility of them being drawn to psychic readings as a means of expression, but doesn't force a didactic conclusion about why. The logistical reality of what they do isn't nearly as vital, in the film's purview, as its emotional reality, which is therapeutic — for their clients, and in many cases, for themselves.
As is the case with actual therapy, there's a racial component to some of the readings too, making the case that the personal experiences and outlooks of each psychic (much like that of therapists) can assist in better understanding clients or patients. One white psychic conceives of a Black woman's trauma only through the lens of pop culture, while a middle-aged Black psychic connects with her young Black client through a more nuanced understanding of his place in white America. Similarly, a Chinese American woman adopted by white parents seeks spiritual answers about belonging, and she finds them at the table of an Asian American psychic who was similarly adopted. Several of these psychic-clients pairings feel fated, and while it's hard to know how much of this was coincidence and how much was research and planning by the production, the outcomes feel both unexpected and satisfying for both parties across the table.
Are the readings themselves accurate? Some might be, though they're usually general enough to depend on interpretation, like a Nostradamus prophecy. If you go into Look Into My Eyes as a believer in clairvoyance, you'll likely have that belief reflected back to you, just as skeptics might latch on to the more performative aspect of these readings, or the few which happen to be wrong. However, seeing the way each psychic's story plays out, between the search for meaning in their own lives and the ways in which they try to make sense of the world, renders any sense of journalistic investigation moot. Look Into My Eyes is pure sensation.
The film is also a mischievous bait-and-switch by Wilson, who uses its visual and narrative transformations to turn the psychics' lenses back on themselves — and the movie's lens on itself as well.
Look Into My Eyes is a cinematic psychic reading. Credit: A24The film eventually evolves into an intimate sit-down with several mediums in private spaces as they unburden themselves; this neatly mirrors its lengthy prologue, the initial half hour or so in which various clients do the same. During that extended introduction, the psychics are rarely seen or heard, and since the camera meets their clients' gaze, it essentially embodies the psychics' own POV, granting them a sense of narrative control.
But the moment Wilson begins focusing on the psychics as subjects in front of the camera — the instant the lens probes further and deeper than a profile shot — that sense of control at the table, during their readings, is all but stripped away. They become not only the movie's central subjects, but in its visual parlance, they become akin to their clients, lost in search of answers to painful questions in their personal lives.
Some came to the profession as a means to channel and deal with the deaths of people they loved. Others don't even fully believe in the veracity of what they do, but they continue to do it anyway, as though it were a spiritual mission. Like their initial presentation, the filmmaker herself is never seen and is only heard on occasion, but through the mere suggestion of her presence, it becomes hard not to wonder how she feels about each subject, and to what degree she might be judging them, or even manipulating them. At one point, a young psychic turns out to know the deceased person for whom a client requests a reading, and both parties are fascinated by the sense of cosmic coincidence, but the question of whether this was planned by Wilson on some level continues to linger.
In this manner, Look Into My Eyes becomes akin to a psychic reading itself in the most emotionally intimate way, practically forcing believers and skeptics alike to understand something fundamental about the act of clairvoyance, without necessarily lending credence to either belief or skepticism. The psychics speak constantly about the emotional impulses they feel during these readings, which they in turn intuit. Whether strictly "real" or not, this is a kind of wordless understanding that emanates from within them, and is rooted in their own lived experiences. And so, by turning the film's dynamic on its head — by "reading" the psychic subjects, as it were — Wilson practically forces viewers of all stripes to similarly intuit emotional information about their inner lives, based on visual cues and suggestions. The film practically urges us to follow the same emotional logic they employ, which leads them to grand conclusions about people's fate, and their place in the world.
Do the movie posters in the background, on the psychics' walls, mean everything — or nothing at all? No bit of dialogue in Look Into My Eyes pushes viewers towards an answer one way or another. The film features no insert shots of objects or environmental details that suggest either sincerity or irony in its filmmaking. The only context it offers is the people themselves, and how deeply they feel. In the process, whether or not Wilson believes her subjects remains obscured. The movie never tips its hand. It has no tell. Rather, it remains tethered to its subjects for most of its runtime, continuously looking into their eyes so that we might make instinctive connections with them, and better understand their grief and isolation, through a filmic interpretation beyond words.
Look Into My Eyes is now streaming on Max.
UPDATE: Jan. 9, 2025, 1:08 p.m. EST This review was first published on Sept. 6, 2024. It has been updated to reflect streaming options.
UPDATE: Jan. 10, 2025, 5:00 a.m. EST Several new flagship robot vacuums from Roborock, Eufy, and more were announced at CES 2025. I'm in the process of getting my hands on them for at-home testing, and will update this guide accordingly.
There's definitely something to be said for the crisp handheld control of a powerful cordless Dyson. But if you're not one to classify cleaning as cathartic, why not outsource that tedious task? The best robot vacuums patrol your home to clear away dust, debris, and sometimes even stains on hard floors — no elbow grease required.
Are Roombas the best robot vacuums?Though Roombas are really good robot vacuums, they aren't the only good robot vacuums.
iRobot dominated the robot vacuum realm from the early 2000s up until a few years ago, so it's no surprise that much of the general public forgets that "Roomba" isn't simply a generic term for any robotic vacuum.
But Roombas officially aren't in a league of their own anymore: You can't even Google "Roomba" without a question involving Shark robot vacuums popping up, and other brands like Roborock and Eufy have entered the chat with a fury. And I'm here to put some respect on their names.
SEE ALSO: As a Dyson stan, I wouldn't tell anyone to buy the Dyson 360 Vis Nav robot vacuumI'm regularly testing the top robot vacuums at multiple price points and comparing them to top performers from previous years, with all my evaluations taking place in my own home on various rugs, tile, and hardwood floors. During the testing of each robot vacuum, I keep notes on their overall suction power and scrubbing efficiency (if it's a hybrid that also mops), self-maintenance features like self-emptying or self-washing mopping pads, smart mapping to specific rooms and navigation around obstacles, and the overall user experience.
After all that testing, I've narrowed down your shopping list to five options, all of which I've put to the test personally. Here are the best robot vacuums for every home and budget so far in 2025:
(While each vacuum's retail price is listed by default, I've also noted the most common sale price in "The Good" sections. And yes, robot vacuum deals can be found throughout the year — not just during a shopping holiday like Black Friday.)
Tesla's long-awaited "Juniper" refresh of the Model Y has just launched in China.
We knew the car was on its way due to numerous sightings of (mostly camouflaged) prototypes being tested on the roads globally, and there's still no word on when it's coming to the U.S. or Europe, but it's now available in most of Asia, including China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and Korea. It's also available in Australia, New Zealand, and the Philippines.
There's no official announcement as of this writing: Neither Tesla, Tesla Asia, or CEO Elon Musk tweeted anything about the new model. But we can go through the official specs and images to give you most of the details, and that's exactly what we did.
SEE ALSO: Polestar's Tesla Model Y rival gets price and launch date for North America New Tesla Model Y: What is it, and what's with the "Juniper" name?This is the facelift Model Y, the first major refresh of Tesla's most popular electric car since it launched in 2019. The "Juniper" name was just a codename, and it's not being officially used anywhere on Tesla's website, so the new version is still simply called the Tesla Model Y.
However, Tesla is labelling the currently available Model Y as "Launch Series," and calling it a limited release. This is probably mostly about availability as the company ramps up production, but you do get certain perks if you opt for the Launch Series version; more on that below.
New Tesla Model Y: Exterior design changes Oh, is that a camera in the front bumper? That's a first. Credit: TeslaWhile the new Model Y isn't a complete departure from the old design – the car is still roughly the same shape and size as before – it does represent a major design overhaul. And it's a big deal, because this was at one point the world's most popular car (electric or otherwise), meaning there's a very large user base waiting to see what Tesla has done with its family hauler.
The changes include completely new, super-thin headlights, connected with a light strip at the front of the car's hood. On the back, it's essentially the new Model 3 tail lights tied together with a red light bar. The front bumper has also been updated with new air vents, and that pretty much concludes the major design changes. Look carefully, and you'll see new details such as turn lights on the side mirrors, and a front camera in the bumper, but from afar, it's still the same car, only a little angrier looking.
The similarities with Tesla's Cybertruck and Cybercab, which also sport the light bar headlights, should be noted. Will this thing become known as Baby Cybertruck? Hopefully not, but we cannot guarantee it.
On the back, there's a red light bar now. Credit: TeslaAs for wheels, they differ depending on the region. In China, for example, buyers can choose between the 19-inch, black, "Interactive Storm" wheels (I've used machine translation from Chinese, so take these names with a grain of salt), or the 20-inch, silver, "Spiral Storm" wheels. In Australia, however, there's only one choice: The 20-inch "Helix 2.0" wheels, which appear to be the same as the "Spiral Storm" variant in China.
New Tesla Model Y: ColorsFive colors are on offer. In Australia, the choice is between Pearl White Multi-Coat, Glacier Blue (new), Stealth Grey, Quicksilver, and Ultra Red. In China, the choices appear to be the same with slightly different names.
Behold: Tesla Model Y in Glacier Blue, sporting the 20-inch Helix 2.0 wheels. Credit: TeslaGlacier Blue is an entirely new color, replacing the previous Deep Blue Metallic. It's a nice, softer, lighter blue, though it appears to be the sort of color that you really need to see in person to figure out the exact shade.
Interesting note: In Australia, all of the colors are included with the car's price. In China, you have to pay up to 12,000 yuan ($1,636) for anything besides the "Starry Grey."
New Tesla Model Y: InteriorInterior color choices are simple: All Black, or Black and White. As for seating, you only get one option, and that's the five seat variant. The new Model Y is expected to be available with seven or perhaps even six seats in the future, but alas, it just hasn't happened yet.
No seven seat option yet. Credit: TeslaInside, there's no radical change, either: You still get the standard, fully round steering wheel (no yoke wheel here), a large, centrally placed landscape display and...little else to look at.
However, there are a significant number of new details here if you look closely. These include the ambient light strips, an additional display in the back, and the absence of the gear-shifting stalk behind the steering wheel, though the indicator stalk appears to still be present.
The indicator stalk is still here. Credit: TeslaTesla also says the cabin should be quieter than before thanks to new acoustic glass. Seats are now ventilated, and the rear seats are electric and can be reclined with a press of a button.
New Tesla Model Y: Trims, range, accelerationOnly two trims are on offer, and that's the Rear-Wheel Drive and the Long Range All-Wheel Drive. The Performance version is absent.
With the Rear-Wheel Drive, you get a 466km range (WLTP estimate in Australia), a 201 km/h top speed, and a 5.9 second 0-100km/h time. The price starts at 63,400 AUD ($39,275).
Bump up to the Long Range All-Wheel Drive, and you get an additional motor and all-wheel drive. You also get 551km of range (again, WLTP estimate in Australia), 201 km/h top speed, and a 4.3 second 0-100 km/h acceleration.
No big surprises here. Credit: TeslaThe range figure is a modest improvement (in Australia, previous range figures were 455 km for the Rear-Wheel Drive model, and 533 km for the Long Range model).
Acceleration is better, too: 1.0 seconds quicker from 0-100 km/h for the RWD variant, and 0.7 seconds quicker for the LRAWD version. But there's a caveat: the Launch Series Model Y is fitted with the typically optional Acceleration Boost software upgrade, so expect that to be gone when Launch Series cars sell out.
As for the batteries inside, Tesla doesn't share specs, but it's probable that the batteries are the same as before, and that the range improvements are due to various efficiency optimizations.
New Tesla Model Y: Specs and detailsSimilar to what we saw with the Model 3 Highland upgrade in Sept. 2023, there's a long list of minor improvements in the Model Y Juniper. Here's a list:
Updated suspension, wheels, and tires - should provide a smoother and quieter ride. In numbers, that's 22% less road noise, 20% less suspension impact noise, and 20% less wind noise.
Front bumper camera -- should improve parking as well as driver assistance features, including Autopilot and Full Self-Drive driving.
15.4-inch touchscreen -- a small increase from the previous, 15-inch touchscreen
8-inch touchsreen in the back
Improved range for Phone Key
faster cellular and Wi-Fi connectivity, as well as better call quality
acoustic glass, contributing to the aforementioned noise reductions
Furthermore, exclusive to the Launch Series, in Australia you get:
Rear liftgate badge with a new logo that implies speed
Puddle light badge
Doorsill plate watermark saying "Launch Series"
Charging console watermark saying "Launch Series"
Vegan Suede interior materials if you choose the All Black interior
The launch date varies by region. In China, for example, Tesla says deliveries will begin in March. In Australia, however, deliveries are expected to begin in May.
As for the pricing, the new version is more expensive than before. For example, the starting drive away price for the old Model Y was 60,872 AUD ($37,693). Now, the starting drive away price is 68,770 AUD ($42,596). That's roughly a 12 percent increase — a significant change and a good reason to consider the old Model Y, which is still available but will likely go away when Tesla's inventory is depleted. Prices vary by market, so the pricing difference might be different depending on your region. Also, when the Launch Series limited edition is sold out, the prices of the regular Model Y might turn out to be different.
New Tesla Model Y: When will it arrive in the U.S. and Europe?There's no official word on this. Judging by the launch dates (two months from now at the earliest, and four months from now in some regions), Tesla likely doesn't have enough inventory to start globally selling the new MY en masse. Tesla does not have official press comms, so we can't get any direct answers, but our best guess is that the car might become available in other regions in a few months.
Developing...
PRE-ORDER NOW: The Lenovo Legion Go S, available to pre-order for $729.99 from Best Buy, offers powerful specs like the AMD Ryzen Z2 Go processor, 32GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD. Releasing Feb. 14, it packs more features at a lower price than many competitors, including the ASUS ROG Ally X.
Opens in a new window Credit: Lenovo Lenovo Legion Go S Pre-order for $729.99 from Best Buy Get DealIn my opinion, the Lenovo Legion Go S might be the smartest preorder of the year. Why? It offers massive specs, a bigger screen, and a lower price point than many of its competitors in the handheld gaming space. At $729.99 on Best Buy, it’s not just another entry into the PC handheld market, it’s a clear statement. High-end gaming doesn’t need a sky-high price tag. Well, it's still a lot of money, but players are getting some bang for their buck.
Take ASUS ROG Ally X, for example. At $799.99, it’s a fantastic device with a Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor, 24GB RAM, and a 7-inch screen. But here’s the thing: the Legion Go S steps up the game with 32GB of RAM, a larger 8-inch PureSight display, and the Ryzen Z2 Go processor, built specifically for this handheld. Oh, and did I mention it’s $70 cheaper?
SEE ALSO: CES 2025: Here's how to get your hands on the new Lenovo Legion Go SLenovo Legion Go S is a powerhouse that can play hard. With a 120Hz refresh rate and VRR, smooth gameplay, vibrant colors, and razor-sharp details aren't an issue for most titles. While the Ally X boasts a higher-tier processor, the Z2 Go more than holds its own, making the Go S a value-packed option for anyone who wants top-tier gaming performance without the extra cost.
Why do I think the Legion Go S is worth preordering? The Legion Space feature lets you tweak power modes, resolutions, and even joystick sensitivity mid-game. Want longer battery life? Pick a better performing setting. Need sharper graphics for your favourite competitive game? No mither. You can easily hop between Xbox Game Pass, Steam, and more thanks to it running on Windows 11.
What about connectivity? The dual USB-C 4.0 ports aren’t just for charging. They’re eGPU-compatible, meaning you can supercharge this handheld with desktop-level graphics when docked. That’s a feature you’d usually expect on much pricier devices.
Sure, the ASUS ROG Ally X has its perks. Dolby Atmos sound, advanced cooling, and a slim, ergonomic design for all-day comfort. However, Legion Go S offers a more future-proof package. Lenovo has even hinted at Steam OS support in the future, which could unlock even more power for this handheld.
The Lenovo Legion Go S boldly makes a case for itself as the most versatile and value-packed handheld PC on the market. With three months of Xbox Game Pass included it’s ready to deliver endless gaming from day one.
Pre-order now for $729.99; you’ll have it by Feb. 14, 2025. Trust me, this is one device you don’t want to miss out on. Lenovo’s bringing the heat, are you ready to go? (Not sorry)
In an era of movies so long they require a literal intermission, a brisk 90-minute dramedy is a breath of fresh air. Written and directed by Jesse Eisenberg, A Real Pain strikes a delicate balance between the various highs and lows of the story and allows each of the main characters to fully develop, all while clocking in under two hours. It stars Eisenberg himself alongside Kieran Culkin, who has already won a Golden Globe for his performance and is now nominated for a SAG award.
A Real Pain dives into family relationships, cultural heritage, trauma, and purpose while set against a gorgeous backdrop of a trip to Poland. And as our reviewer put it, "Honesty and healing are both the journey and the destination."
Searchlight Pictures released the family dramedy on digital platforms at the end of 2024 just shy of two months after its theatrical debut. Now, it's officially coming to streaming. Here's everything you need to know about how to watch A Real Pain at home (and maybe even for free).
What is A Real Pain about?The Sundance hit A Real Pain follows estranged cousins Benji (Culkin) and David Kaplan (Eisenberg) who travel to Poland to learn more about their late grandmother, a Holocaust survivor. The perfect odd couple pairing, detail-oriented and professional David and charismatic slacker Benji have drifted apart after an inseparable childhood. The trip, which was written in their grandmother's will, has potential to bring them closer to each other as well as their family history. "Yes, A Real Pain is a movie about remembering the Holocaust, but it’s funny and heartwarming, a rare combination when considering the subject matter," Mashable Contributor Monica Castillo writes in her review.
Check out the official trailer for a sneak peek:
Is A Real Pain worth watching?It may not have the Hollywood hype of some other awards contenders, but A Real Pain shines where it counts — critics and audiences both love it. Currently sitting with a 96 percent critic rating and 81 percent audience rating at Rotten Tomatoes, the movie is being praised for its balance of humor and emotional depth. Not to mention, Culkin has already won the Golden Globe for Best Supporting Male Actor and is nominated for the same category at the SAG Awards.
Our reviewer writes, "It’s short and sweet, striking a delicate balance between the heaviness of the cousins’ trip and the pair’s mismatched dynamic. And like many vacations, A Real Pain feels like it’s over too soon, but it lasts just long enough to avoid overstaying its welcome. It’s a bittersweet tribute to the journeys our ancestors took to bring us to where we are today and coping with the troubled relationships we may share with our present-day relatives. "
Check out our full review of A Real Pain.
How to watch A Real Pain at home Credit: Searchlight PicturesA Real Pain made its at-home debut on Dec. 31 on digital retailers like Prime Video, Apple TV, YouTube, and other on-demand services. You can purchase it for your digital collection for $19.99. It will also be available to rent at a later date. If you'd rather stream the film, keep reading for more information.
Here are some of the platforms where you can purchase the film online:
Prime Video — $19.99
Apple TV+ — $19.99
Fandango at Home (Vudu) — $19.99
YouTube — $19.99
Google Play — $19.99
A Real Pain is already set to make its streaming debut on Hulu on Jan. 16. That's quicker than we were expecting, but a welcome surprise. It will join other Searchlight Pictures films and fellow Golden Globe nominees Nightbitch and Kinds of Kindness, as well as 2024 Oscar winner Poor Things on the streaming service.
Hulu is surprisingly one of the most generous streamers for newbies, as it offers a free 30-day trial. Subscriptions then start at $9.99 per month. Don't want to pay full price? We've also rounded up a few different ways you can save on your subscription below.
The best Hulu streaming dealsBest Hulu deal for most people: Hulu annual subscription Opens in a new window Credit: Hulu Hulu (with ads) annual subscription $99.99 per year (save 16%) Get DealThe best way to cut back on costs for a Hulu subscription is to sign up for an annual plan. A yearly subscription, paid upfront, costs just $99.99 ($8.33 broken down monthly), while a $9.99 monthly plan would add up to $119.88 in a year. That means you'll save about 16% or just shy of $20 in the long run.
Best bundle deal: Get Hulu and Disney+ for 45% off Opens in a new window Credit: Hulu / Disney+ Duo Basic bundle: Hulu and Disney+ with ads $10.99 per month (save 45%) Get DealOpt for a bundle plan and get more bang for your buck. The Disney Duo Basic bundle, which gets you both Disney+ and Hulu (with ads), is only $10.99 per month. That's just $1 more than paying for Hulu alone, or a savings of 45%. Sports fans can also throw ESPN+ into the mix for only $16.99 per month total. That's 47% in savings on all three services.
Best for students: Hulu Student Opens in a new window Credit: Hulu Hulu Student $1.99 per month (save 80%) Get DealStudents can sign up for Hulu for only $1.99 per month and stream A Real Pain and other Searchlight Pictures hits. That's 80% off the usual cost of a Hulu with ads plan. The only requirement is that you can verify your college email address using SheerID.
Best for T-Mobile users: Hulu (with ads) included for Go5G Next customers Opens in a new window Credit: T-Mobile / Hulu Hulu (with ads) Free for select T-Mobile customers Get DealThe only way to get Hulu for free in 2025, aside from a 30-day free trial, is to switch your phone plan to T-Mobile's Go5G Next plan. Customers on this plan can enjoy Hulu with ads for free, as well as Netflix and Apple TV+. For those already on the Go5G Next plan, just head on over to the T-Mobile promo page and choose "redeem now" to claim the offer. You'll need to enter your T-Mobile number and account details in order to sign up for Hulu. You can read more terms and details on the promo page as well.
Note: After your initial 12-month promotional period, you'll also have to take action in order to keep your subscription alive.
Well, Silo Season 2, episode 9 was a lot to unpack.
Things in both silos are now reaching a boiling point, with Juliette (Rebecca Ferguson) prepping for her trip back outside after that Solo (Steve Zahn) reveal and things tipping towards a full-scale riot in her home silo. But while it's all been kicking off, newly promoted head of IT shadow Lukas Kyle (Avi Nash) has been trying to solve his own mystery.
And by the end of episode 9, it looks like he may finally have some answers.
SEE ALSO: 'Silo' Season 2, episode 2: What does Bernard's book on The Order say? What happens to Lukas at the end of episode 9?Since being promoted to shadow, Lukas has been trying to crack a code left by previous head of IT Salvador Quinn — the same code that Judge Meadows (Tanya Moodie) solved 25 years ago. By episode 9 he's managed it, revealing the following message (a part of which we see scrawled in his notebook):
"...reason to be damned. If you don't believe me go to the very bottom of the silo. Find the tunnel. You will get confirmation there."
Later, a rattled Lukas says "the life of the silo" depends on him finding the mayor. But when he's told the mayor isn't to be disturbed until that evening, he takes matters into his own hands and heads down to the bottom of the silo. When he finds the tunnel mentioned in the note, though, he suddenly hears a robotic-sounding voice address him by name.
"Before you, only three people have reached this door," says the voice. "Salvador Quinn, Mary Meadows, and George Wilkins. I did not speak with Wilkins. Quinn and Meadows were both given the same directive you will now receive. If you speak to anyone about this conversation, or what you have seen down here, we will have no choice but to initiate the safeguard. Do you know what the safeguard is, Mr. Kyle?"
Lukas' nervous response? "I do."
Who is the voice that speaks to Lukas?The short answer is we don't know. But we can make some guesses. As Lukas discusses with Bernard (Tim Robbins) earlier in the episode, we now know there are multiple silos. Fifty-one, to be exact. Whoever speaks to Lukas appears to have some kind of higher authority, given that they've been issuing "directives" to Silo 18's heads of IT. Is it possible that whoever speaks to Lukas is the head of IT at a different silo? Maybe one that has authority over all the other silos?
The other option is that the voice might not belong to a person at all. It sounds faintly robotic, so there's always the chance that it belongs to some kind of omnipotent artificial intelligence that has control over all the silos.
What is the safeguard?When the voice refers to "the safeguard," it's clearly a threat. If Lukas tells anyone about what he's heard or seen, they'll have "no choice but to initiate" it. Clearly, the safeguard isn't something designed to keep the occupants of Silo 18 safe. So what exactly is it?
Once again, we don't know for sure yet. Clearly it's something that was in Quinn's code, and the phrase we see on Lukas' notes — "...reason to be damned" — seems ominous. What seems just as ominous is the fact that Quinn, the former head of IT, felt that he needed to hide its meaning in code, as well as the fact that whatever Judge Meadows learned when she cracked the code drove her to start drinking.
In a nutshell, whatever the safeguard is, it's something that makes the occupants of Silo 18 who learn of it feel helpless and afraid. Maybe it's a safeguard aimed at protecting the owner of the voice, and the other silos, if they feel that Silo 18 is starting to get out of control?
How to watch: Silo is streaming now on Apple TV+ with new episodes releasing weekly.
Silo Season 2 is nearing its end, and the main mysteries are starting to reveal themselves.
One of the big ones, which has been a question mark since the start of the second season? The real identity of Solo (Steve Zahn), the somewhat erratic occupant of Silo 17's vault who Juliette (Rebecca Ferguson) meets in the first episode.
After some ambiguity over whether he's a friend or a foe, episode 9 finally reveals who exactly Solo is. And the reveal is way more upsetting than we were expecting.
SEE ALSO: 'Silo' Season 2, episode 3: Who is Solo? Who is Solo, really?Back in episode 3, Solo told Juliette that he was the shadow of Silo 17's head of IT, Russell. "Russell told me don't — no matter what — never let anyone in the vault," he tells Juliette. "Ever."
There were some signs even then that he may not be telling Juliette the whole truth, but in episode 8 we finally learn exactly what Solo was lying about. He was never the head of IT's shadow, because he was only 12 years old at the time the rebellion took place.
Solo's real name is, in fact, Jimmy. He's Russell's son.
What happened when Solo was a child?After revealing to Juliette and the young survivors holding him hostage that he only killed their parents out of self-defense when they broke into the vault and shot him, Solo finally reveals what happened to him during the rebellion.
"Jimmy was a coward," he says. "Jimmy hid behind a door while the sheriff held a gun to his father's head. All he had to do was open the door and he didn't, so... Does that sound like the son of a hero to you? Russell would have been ashamed to have a son like that."
Solo/Jimmy's story is accompanied by a fairly upsetting flashback from the day of the rebellion. In it we see a young Jimmy standing in the vault, looking out through the window in terror as the rebellion's leader holds a gun to his father's head before pulling the trigger.
This flashback goes a long way to explaining Solo's behaviour in Season 2, from his craving for human interaction to his obsession with protecting the vault. It's why his moods swing so dramatically, jumping from excitable bursts to sudden angry flare-ups. In a way, although he's aged physically, Solo is still that traumatised 12-year-old boy watching his father get killed. The moment has trapped him in a childlike state.
His decision to let Juliette and Silo 17's other occupants into the vault at the end? Hopefully that's a sign that he may finally be able to start healing.
How to watch: Silo is streaming now on Apple TV+ with new episodes releasing weekly.
The Los Angeles wildfires continue to burn out of control, with the death toll now at seven and expected to climb. Nearly 180,000 people have been ordered to evacuate and at least 10,000 buildings have been destroyed, L.A. Sheriff Robert Luna stating in a press conference that some of the impacted areas "look like a bomb was dropped in them."
Now satellite imagery is providing a look at the destruction caused by the fires — devastation which is likely to grow. The strong winds and dry conditions which have fuelled California's wildfires are predicted to continue until the middle of next week, with gusts of 55 mph forecast for Thursday night. The fires remain largely uncontained despite firefighters' tireless efforts, with the emergency responders also having been hindered by a lack of water.
SEE ALSO: Airbnb offers L.A. wildfire evacuees free emergency housingThe Palisades Fire in Pacific Palisades is currently the largest wildfire threatening L.A., and is estimated to be nearly 20,000 acres (over 31 sq mi) in size.
Left: A satellite image of buildings along the Pacific Coast Highway, Tuna Canyon, Palisades, California on Oct. 20, 2024. Credit: Satellite image (c) 2025 Maxar Technologies via Getty Images Right: A satellite image of the same area on Jan. 8, 2025, after the Palisades fire. Credit: Satellite image (c) 2025 Maxar Technologies via Getty Images Short wave infrared blended satellite imagery of the Palisades Fire on Jan. 8, 2025. Credit: Satellite image (c) 2025 Maxar Technologies via Getty Images Short wave infrared blended satellite imagery of the Palisades Fire on Jan. 8, 2025. Credit: Satellite image (c) 2025 Maxar Technologies via Getty ImagesThe second largest L.A. wildfire currently burning is the almost 14,000-acre (over 21 sq mi) Eaton Fire, which is tearing through Altadena near Pasadena.
Satellite imagery showing smoke billowing from the Eaton Fire in Arcadia, California on Jan. 8, 2025. Credit: Satellite image (c) 2025 Maxar Technologies via Getty Images Left: A satellite image of neighborhood along Alltadena Drive in Altadena, California on Jan. 6, 2025. Credit: Satellite image (c) 2025 Maxar Technologies via Getty Images Right: The same area on Jan. 8, 2025, during the Eaton Fire. Credit: Satellite image (c) 2025 Maxar Technologies via Getty Images Left: A satellite image of a neighborhood near Fair Oaks Avenue in Altadena, California on Jan. 6, 2025. Credit: Satellite image (c) 2025 Maxar Technologies via Getty Images Right: The same area on Jan. 8, 2025, during the Eaton Fire. Credit: Satellite image (c) 2025 Maxar Technologies via Getty Images Shortwave infrared satellite imagery of buildings in Altadena, California burning in the Eaton Fire on Jan. 8, 2025. Credit: Satellite image (c) 2025 Maxar Technologies via Getty Images Left: A satellite image of a neighborhood in Altadena, California, on Jan. 6, 2025. Credit: Satellite image (c) 2025 Maxar Technologies via Getty Images Right: The same area on Jan. 8, 2025, after the Eaton Fire. Credit: Satellite image (c) 2025 Maxar Technologies via Getty ImagesThe best VPNs aren't necessarily the most expensive. Some leading VPNs are actually really affordable, which is great news for anyone looking to secure cheap online security, data protection, and increased streaming options.
You have come to the right place if you're looking for a premium VPN with advanced features, without the big price tag. We've lined up some great value options for absolutely everyone, and there is no need to compromise on security, connection speed, customer support, or anything else.
But first, there are a few things we need to cover.
What is a VPN?Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) provide valuable protection for your data and identity when you're navigating the online world. How do they do this? VPNs offer online privacy and anonymity by creating a private network that hides your real IP address and makes all of your information unreadable.
All of your activity is untraceable and secure, because your online traffic passes through an encrypted tunnel. Everything inside the tunnel is protected against online threats like viruses, hackers, and malware. VPNs are primarily designed to provide online security, but there is another reason that millions of people use these services.
SEE ALSO: The best VPNs for your iPhoneVPNs can also be used to stream movies and shows from around the world, and the process is actually really simple. We've already mentioned how VPNs provide anonymity by hiding your real IP address. Well, this technique can also be used to manipulate the streaming market. By hiding your real IP address and connecting you to a server in another location, you can trick your favourite streaming sites into thinking that you are based in a different country. This provides access to all the extra content that would normally be restricted in your location.
Should you use free VPNs?The question that everyone wants an answer to is whether you actually need to pay for a VPN. There are plenty of free VPNs out there, but do these offer the features you need to browse, shop, and stream securely? Unfortunately, there is often a catch with free versions (usually in the form of a limitation on your data usage or connection speed).
Occasional users will probably be satisfied with a free VPN, but if you're going to be streaming or downloading on a regular basis, you should look elsewhere. The only exception to this rule is a free trial. These come without limitations, but obviously don't tend to last for a long time.
The conclusion is that the best option for securing your data and streaming more content from around the world is with a paid subscription. The sad fact is that you'll have to pay to gain access to advanced security features without limitations on your usage. It's not all bad news though, because there are plenty of cheap plans out there, especially if you're willing to commit to a lengthy contract.
What should you consider before subscribing to a VPN?The process of actually selecting a VPN can be seriously tricky, especially if you don't know what to consider. Most of the best VPNs offer many of the same features with similar packages, so it's important to know what matters.
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Customer support — VPNs can be difficult to understand if you're not an experienced user, and even if you are, problems can occur. Whether you're a total beginner or not, customer support is key for dealing with any potential issues that might arise. You should also consider whether customer support is offered by phone, email, or web chat.
Jurisdiction — It's a good idea to look for VPNs based in the British Virgin Islands, Panama, Switzerland, and other privacy-friendly countries. VPNs based in countries that fall under the jurisdiction of the intelligence-sharing alliances should be avoided: the U.S., UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Denmark, France, Norway, the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Sweden, and Spain. VPNs in these countries can be forced by authorities to collect and hand over user data.
Network size and location — The best VPNs offer a large network of geographically diverse servers. The more servers (and server locations) offered by a VPN, the more likely you are to find a reliable and fast connection. This is also particularly important for streaming, as you should always be able to connect to a server in the country with the content you want to watch.
Trustworthiness — We recommend finding an experienced provider with a strong track record and a clear privacy policy. It's important that your VPN of choice guarantees your data won't be logged or collected. If it isn't obvious what happens to your data, you should steer clear.
Make sure you carefully consider these features before deciding on the VPN that suits you and your lifestyle. Once you have narrowed down your options, you can begin the process of finding the best deals.
What is the best VPN?We're sorry to burst your bubble, but there isn't one VPN that stands above all the rest. The best VPN for you really comes down to your own set of personal preferences. Once you find a few options that tick your boxes, you need to consider the best deals.
We have reached out to partners in order to provide you with market-leading prices on VPN subscriptions, with performance and security in mind. All of these VPN services have been handpicked not only because of the prices and deals on offer, but because they all offer the most important features to protect your online data and identity.
There are also plenty of services to consider on this list if your priority is unlocking streaming sites like Netflix, Prime Video, and Disney+. Online security should always be the priority, but we know that many subscribers use these services to unlock more content from around the world. We get it, and we're here to help.
These are the best deals on cheap VPNs in 2025.
TL;DR: Live stream Pegula vs. Putintseva in the 2025 Adelaide International for free on 9Now. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
The Australian Open is right around the corner, but the Adelaide International hasn't yet reached its conclusion. Pegula and Putintseva are set to battle it out for a spot in the final, with all eyes on the Memorial Drive Tennis Centre.
If you want to watch Pegula vs. Putintseva in the 2025 Adelaide International for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
How to watch Pegula vs. Putintseva for freeThe 2025 Adelaide International is available to live stream for free on 9Now, including Pegula vs. Putintseva.
9Now is geo-restricted to Australia, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These handy tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Australia, meaning you can unblock 9Now from anywhere in the world.
Access free live streams of the 2025 Adelaide International 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 Australia
Visit 9Now
Watch the 2025 Adelaide International for free from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading services do tend to offer incentive deals such as free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these deals, you can live stream Pegula vs. Putintseva without actually spending anything. This isn't a long-term solution, but it gives you enough time to watch the Adelaide International and Australian Open (also on 9Now for free) before recovering your investment.
What is the best VPN for 9Now?ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live tennis on 9Now, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries including Australia
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
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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 Pegula vs. Putintseva in the 2025 Adelaide International for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
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