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SAVE $50: As of April 25, Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro are available for $199.99 at Amazon. That’s 20% off their regular $249.99 price.
Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro $199.99 at AmazonI want earbuds that do more than just play music, and Galaxy Buds 3 Pro check that box with a Sharpie. They’re down to $199.99 at Amazon, a full 20% off the usual $249.99. For a product that only came out recently, that’s a price cut worth a second look.
In my opinion, this update finally makes Samsung’s earbuds feel premium. They’re redesigned for a more secure fit, which means I’m not constantly poking them back into place like some sad ear-Tamagotchi. The silver finish is understated and clean, and they come with a two-year warranty exclusive to Amazon. I don’t usually get excited about warranties, but I’ll make an exception when the product is this small and this easy to lose in a coat pocket.
SEE ALSO: Samsung's 4TB T5 EVO SSD is over $100 off and includes a free Sonic microSDXCSound-wise, the Buds 3 Pro lean heavily into AI. They use adaptive noise cancellation to filter out distractions when you want focus, then let in voices or ambient sounds when the context calls for it. There’s also an adaptive equalizer that tweaks your audio in real time based on fit. I didn’t expect to care about this feature, but it makes a noticeable difference. Everything sounds sharper and more balanced, like your music went through a finishing school.
The real party trick is translation. With Galaxy AI, you can hear live translations during phone calls or face-to-face conversations. It’s the kind of feature that sounds like a gimmick until it’s not. I wouldn’t rely on it to negotiate an international treaty, but for travel or quick exchanges, it’s surprisingly competent.
Specifications:
Price: $199.99 $249.99
Retailer: Amazon
Form factor: True wireless in-ear
Noise cancelling: Adaptive active noise cancellation with Galaxy AI
Sound optimization: Adaptive equalizer with Galaxy AI
Unique features: Real-time interpreter, intuitive touch controls
Durability: Two-year limited Amazon-exclusive warranty
Color: Silver (also available in white)
Compatibility: Optimized for Samsung devices
I think if you already use a Samsung phone, this deal is almost too logical to ignore. The integration is seamless, the features are actually useful, and the price is finally in a range that feels fair. If your current earbuds are more “wireless-ish” than wireless, it’s probably time for an upgrade.
The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.
With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.
So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on MashableHere are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Friday, April 25, 2025:
Across"Beware the ___ of March"The answer is Ides.
The answer is Texts.
The answer is Algae.
The answer is Iota.
The answer is Vet.
The answer is ItA.
The answer is Deli.
The answer is ExGov.
The answer is State.
The answer is Seat.
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Featured Video For You The Wordle Strategy used by the New York Times' Head of GamesAre you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Mini Crossword.
Netflix is introducing a new type of original language subtitles.
On Thursday, the company announced a new subtitle option: original language subtitles that only show the spoken dialogue.
The only option for subtitles in the original language before was Subtitles for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (SDH/CC). These subtitles include dialogue but also audio cues such as [dramatic music swells], as well as names of the people speaking on screen.
However, Netflix has realized that a lot of folks watch content with subtitles (fifty percent of Americans do it most of the time), and decided to offer a subtitle option that only covers spoken dialogue. If you're wondering why that is, you've probably never seen Brad Pitt's legendary performance in Guy Ritchie's "Snatch."
Now you get both the CC and the non-CC version. Credit: NetflixUnfortunately, this will not be available for older titles, at least not right away. Netflix says the new subtitle option will first appear on new titles coming to the platform, with the first show to get it being the fifth season of You.
SEE ALSO: How to unblock and watch U.S. NetflixNetflix also said that, going forward, the non-CC subtitles will be available on all new Netflix originals in every language that the platform offers.
Connections: Sports Edition is a new version of the popular New York Times word game that seeks to test the knowledge of sports fans.
Like the original Connections, 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 the latest Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections Sports Edition?The NYT's latest daily word game has launched in association with The Athletic, the New York Times property that provides the publication's sports coverage. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.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.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.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.
Here's a hint for today's Connections Sports Edition categoriesWant a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:
Yellow: Happens at a track competition
Green: Descriptions given for athletes
Blue: Heard their name called first
Purple: Share a second word
Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:
Yellow: Track and field events
Green: Bio info for an NFL draft pick
Blue: Previous No. 1 NFL draft picks
Purple: _______ball sports
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 Sports Edition #214 is...
What is the answer to Connections Sports Edition todayTrack and field events - C100 METERS, DECATHLON, POLE VAULT, STEEPLECHASE
Bio info for an NFL draft pick - HEIGHT, POSITION, SCHOOL, WEIGHT
Previous No. 1 NFL draft picks - BURROW, FISHER, LONG, LUCK
________ball sports - FOOT, PICKLE, SOFT, VOLLEY
Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.
Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Connections.
TL;DR: Live stream the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
You can feel the excitement building. The biggest international song competition in the world is fast approaching, so clear your calendar, prepare food from across the continent, and dress to impress.
The Eurovision Song Contest is back once again, promising incredible performances, dazzling choreography, and moments that you really can't explain. There isn't anything else like the Eurovision Song Contest. You just know it's going to be beautifully mad. We can't wait to watch, and you can do the same without spending anything.
Want to watch the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest for free from anywhere in the world? We have all the information you need.
What is Eurovision?The Eurovision Song Contest is an international song competition organised annually by the European Broadcasting Union. This popular competition primarily features entries from European countries, with each participating nation submitting an original song to be performed on live TV. Competing countries cast votes to pick a winner.
Eurovision has a reputation for delivering truly memorable performances, and not always in a good way. Rules and convention go out the window with Eurovision, resulting in some absolutely unmissable moments.
Where is the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest?The 2025 Eurovision Song Contest is the 69th edition of the event. This year's competition will take place in St. Jakobshalle, Basel.
When is the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest?The full schedule for the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest can be found right here:
First Semi-Final — 9 p.m. CEST on May 13
Second Semi-Final — 9 p.m. CEST on May 15
Grand Final — 9 p.m. CEST on May 17
Keep these times and dates in mind. No excuses.
How to watch the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest for freeAudiences from all participating countries should be able to watch the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest on local broadcasting services:
Albania — RTSH
Armenia — AMPTV
Australia — SBS
Austria — ORF
Azerbaijan — İctimai
Belgium — VRT
Croatia — HRT
Cyprus — CyBC
Czechia — ČT
Denmark — DR
Estonia — ERR
Finland — YLE
France — FT
Georgia — GPB
Germany — ARD/NDR
Greece — ERT
Iceland — RÚV
Ireland — RTÉ
Israel — Kan
Italy — RAI
Latvia — LTV
Lithuania — LRT
Luxembourg — RTL
Malta — PBS
Montenegro — RTCG
Netherlands — AVROTROS
Norway — NRK
Poland — TVP
Portugal — RTP
San Marino — SMRTV
Serbia — RTS
Slovenia — RTVSLO
Spain — RTVE
Sweden — SVT
Switzerland — SRG SSR
Ukraine — Suspilne
United Kingdom — BBC
If you are based in a country not on this list, you will need to use a VPN to live stream the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest for free. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in another country. This simple process makes it look like you're connecting from a country with free access to Eurovision, so you can live stream the event for free from anywhere in the world.
Live stream the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest for free 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 a location with free access to Eurovision
Visit your favorite free streaming platform listed above
Live stream the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest for free from anywhere in the world
Something to note is that the best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer free trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can live stream Eurovision without actually spending anything. This is not a long-term solution, but it gives you plenty of time to stream the event before recovering your investment.
What is the best VPN for streaming?ExpressVPN is the best service for accessing free streaming services, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure
Fast connection speeds free from throttling
Up to eight simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $139 and includes an extra four months for free — 61% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.
Stream the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest for free with ExpressVPN.
A TV is the centrepiece of most living areas — not only a source of constant entertainment, but the thing that all your furniture is pointed towards — so it's vital that you get it right. Even when you're shopping on a budget.
The great thing about modern tech is that when you are shopping on a budget, there's a surprising number of features that you can get for your money. 21st Century TVs can do much more than just tune into a couple of channels.
If you need some help choosing a TV, we've trawled the internet to find a selection of the best models. We have information on the best 4K TVs, TVs for gaming, and TVs for under £500. We wouldn't want budget shoppers to feel left out though, so here’s a quick guide to buying a cheap TV, along with some of the very best models.
How much do budget TVs cost?As you can see, we’ve kept it to £300 or below. Indeed, there’s lots of talk about huge, mega-resolution smart TVs — eye-popping 4K sets and eye-watering prices — but it’s perfectly possible to get a good television set for a few hundred pounds. In some cases around the £150 mark. It’s worth remembering that if you’re not fussy about having the very latest model, you’ll find that more expensive models from the last few years are now marked down to a more agreeable price.
Do budget TVs offer smart features?Cheap doesn’t necessarily mean lacking in quality. Because some of these models even offer impressive features like Ultra HD image resolution and HDR support. Enormous QLED TVs are obviously not going to make this list but you can still find real quality, if you know where to look. All the TVs featured in this roundup have smart platforms that offer a selection of streaming apps as well access to free-to-view channels. You’ll also find features such as Alexa compatibility, gaming modes, and audio technology.
What is HDR?This is a common selling point in modern TVs, so it’s worth knowing about — especially if you’re particular about having the best quality image. HDR stands for High Dynamic Range. This essentially means a wider gamut of colours and shades of light and dark. It produces more vivid, nuanced colours — deeper, richer, and more detailed. There are different HDR formats — notably Dolby Vision and HDR10 — and you’ll find that certain TVs support certain formats (or both).
Can you get 4K for under £300?In years gone by, most TVs at this price range were either HD Ready (720p) or Full HD (1080p), but that seems to be changing. It's relatively easy to find 4K in the budget price range now, as you can see from the selection below.
Can you watch streaming apps on a cheap TV?Streaming apps are a feature of smart platforms, which you'll find on all of the TVs we've selected. You'll be able to watch the likes of Netflix, Disney, and iPlayer — though you need a subscription in some cases and an internet connection, of course. You can watch live digital channels through platforms such as Freeview Play and Freely, which may also be included on budget TVs.
What is the best TV for under £300?We have painstakingly checked out everything on offer at this price range to bring you a selection of your best options. Whether you want something for your spare room, university halls, or home office, there will be something for you in this list. We’ve done the hard work so you can focus on the more important details, like where the TV is going to live in your room and what you're going to sit on. You know, all the fun stuff.
These are the best TVs for under £300 in 2025.
This content originally appeared on Mashable for a US audience and has been adapted for the UK audience.
Wired headphones are making a comeback with Gen Z — and wired headphones have always been the choice for true audiophiles — but wireless headphones are still the direction of technological travel. In fact, lots of up-to-date devices don't even have headphone jacks, so going wireless is now the universal option.
And we are talking headphones here, not earbuds. Sure, earbuds might be more convenient for on-the-move lifestyles and fitness, but headphones tend to deliver superior sound. And they do a great job of shutting out the outside world. That's because headphones create a seal over your ears to block out exterior noise, so even if they aren't technically "noise cancelling", they will still do a decent job preventing unwanted sound from interfering with your music or podcast.
But buying headphones can be hard. The sheer number of available headphones, combined with ever-advancing tech — which is all designed to cater to different listening habits and lifestyles — makes it tricky to pick the best pair of headphones for you and your ears. Let us help by offering some handy headphone information.
How do wireless headphones work?Most wireless headphones are Bluetooth-enabled, the standard technology these days for hooking your headphones to a smart device. Other options include old radio frequency technology. Bluetooth is the standard and work perfectly well for music and podcasts, but if you’re using wireless headphones to hook up to your TV, radio frequency might be a better choice because there’s less chance of lag between picture and audio — sometimes an issue with Bluetooth unless your device and headphones support the latest and best performing Bluetooth codecs.
What are the most important headphones features?Some of the jargon around headphones can be confusing, so we've broken down some of the most important headphone features to help you pick the perfect pair:
Bluetooth codecs — As referenced above, these are clever bits of software that encode and decode digital audio signals. The codecs decode at a specific bitrate, which determines whether the headphones have a high or low latency (AKA lag), measured in milliseconds. Look out for headphones with low latency that support Qaulcomm’s aptX codecs, which are usually rated as the best codecs for streaming video content or hooking up to a TV.
Closed-back/open-back — Closed back headphones have completely sealed ear cups, which directs sound to your ears and keeps out ambient noise. Closed-back are often the go-to choice for commuting and noisy environments. Open-back headphones let air into the ear cup but can cause sound leakage that goes both ways — in and out. This is sometimes found on very expensive headphones for clearer, natural sound.
Drivers — These are little cone-shaped gadgets in the ear cups that are responsible for your tunes. They convert electrical signals into sounds. For over-ear headphones, they usually measure between 20mm and 50mm in headphones.
On-ear and over ear — These are self explanatory but it's always good to be clear. On-ear headphones sit on your ear, while over-ear have bigger cups that go over the entire ear. On-ear are usually more portable, with better battery life, while over-ear create a more immersive experience and often support noise cancellation. Over-ear is becoming the more common style.
Keep these features in mind when shopping around for your next pair of headphones.
What is noise cancellation?Noise cancellation is exactly as it sounds — a method of cancelling out external noise to help you shut off the outside world and get deep into the listening zone.
There are two kinds of noise cancellation: Passive and active noise cancellation. Passive noise cancellation happens by design as the physical build of the ear cups creates a seal to block incoming sounds. Active noise cancellation (ANC) is a bit more complicated. It uses tiny microphones within the ear cups, which detect incoming noise and emit sound waves to cancel out that noise.
Some headphones feature different ANC modes, such as “transparency mode”, which allows certain noises to get through, such as voices. That means you can immerse yourself in the music but always know when a friend or colleague starts a conversation.
What are the best wireless headphones?To help you decide, we've rounded up the best wireless headphones based on researching the reviews, listening experience, and customer comments. They range in quality, features, and price, so there's something for everyone.
These are the best wireless headphones for 2025.
Working from home — or WFH to use the modern parlance — is now well established. That means you can no longer get away with an uncomfortable or amateurish setup in your home office. It's time for a serious upgrade. It's time to get profresional.
If you regularly WFH, consider a good quality computer monitor. Your desk chairs, keyboards, and mouse would seem pretty useless without one. A good monitor can also be essential for boosting productivity, helping you to organise, prioritise, and focus. It could be just what you need to overcome productivity issues. Because it is easy to get distracted when you're at home, even if you are technically on the clock.
But how to choose a monitor? As with all tech purchases, it’s easy to get blindsided with spec and jargon. But we can help with choosing a monitor to upgrade your office. Here’s some handy information to get you started.
What size are computer monitors?Computer monitors are somewhere between a laptop and a TV. They tend to average out at around 24 or 27 inches, though there are definitely bigger options available. If you like to mix up work and play — as in, use the monitor for gaming as well as WFH — a larger monitor might be best. We’ve included a range of sizes below.
What is the best resolution for a computer monitor?If you’re using the monitor just for work — spreadsheets, documents, and video calls — regular HD (720p) or Full HD (1080p) will do the trick. But if you are also using it for gaming or streaming in your downtime, consider a monitor that goes all the way up to 4K. You’ll find a selection of resolutions in this roundup. And it's not just about resolution. Monitors may also be equipped with HDR (high dynamic range), which means the monitor can produce richer colours and sharper details.
What features do monitors offer?You might come across some jargon and tech speak while shopping for monitors, so here's a simple breakdown of key features:
Eye Protection — Some monitors are built with technology to protect you from blue light or reduce eye fatigue — always a problem when you’re staring at a screen for the whole working day. There are also features that make it easier to read on the screen, and display technology that ensures you see the monitor clearly from any angle.
Ergonomic Features — Ergonomic is a term that comes up with lots of office equipment. It basically means that it’s built for the most efficient and safest use. In the case of monitors that means they can be adjusted to tilt, pivot, and angle at a position that’s comfortable and reduces the chance of neck and posture problems. Sitting at a desk poorly can have bigger health impact than you might realise.
Built-In Speakers — Basic monitors tend to not have speakers, which means you’ll need to add external speakers if you want audio. More advanced monitors like gaming monitors are more like little TVs, so may come with speakers already built-in.
Ports and Connections — Depending on the price, different monitors will come with a different selection of ports. This will of course depend on your home set-up and what devices you need to connect. But look for monitors that have a range of HDMI and USB connections. And take note whether they offer USB A or C.
AMD FreeSync — You'll find this technology on monitors that are designed for video playback and gaming. It helps minimise issues such as screen tearing, stuttering, and input lag, and improves the overall fluidity of the monitor's visuals.
Keep these features in mind when shopping for a monitor.
What is the best monitor for working from home?To help you find a monitor that works for you and your budget, we have tracked down a selection of devices from a bunch of top brands. We're confident that there's something for everyone — not to mention every budget — on this list.
These are the best monitors in 2025.
If you're reading this, you're looking for a little help playing Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game.
Strands requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns. Every single letter in the grid will be part of an answer. There's always a theme linking every solution, along with the "spangram," a special, word or phrase that sums up that day's theme, and spans the entire grid horizontally or vertically.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on MashableBy providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.
If you're feeling stuck or just don't have 10 or more minutes to figure out today's puzzle, we've got all the NYT Strands hints for today's puzzle you need to progress at your preferrined pace.
SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for April 25 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for April 25 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: It's in the starsThe words are visible in the dark.
Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explainedThese words are things that can be found among the stars.
NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.
NYT Strands spangram answer todayToday's spangram is Constellations.
Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for April 25Constellations
Hunter
Swan
Maiden
Cross
Centaur
Dipper
Looking for other daily online games? Mashable's Games page has more hints, and if you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now!
Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Strands.
Connections is the one of the most popular New York Times word games 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 today's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections?The NYT's latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications' Games section. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.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.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.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 April 25 Here's a hint for today's Connections categoriesWant a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:
Yellow: Found in a chewy substance
Green: The beginning
Blue: Patriotic hymns
Purple: They share a second word
Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:
Yellow: Gum flavors
Green: Starting point
Blue: Great American songbook songs
Purple: __ Tube
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 #684 is...
What is the answer to Connections todayGum flavors: BUBBLEGUM, CINNAMON, MENTHOL, WINTERGREEN
Starting point: CATALYST, LAUNCHPAD, SPARK, SPRINGBOARD
Great American songbook songs: AUTUMN LEAVES, SUMMERTIME, UNFORGETTABLE, WITCHCRAFT
__ Tube: FALLOPIAN, INNER, TEST, VACUUM
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.
SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for April 25Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Connections.
Oh hey there! If you're here, it must be time for Wordle. As always, we're serving up our daily hints and tips to help you figure out today's answer.
If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for today's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: Hints and answers for April 25 Where did Wordle come from?Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once.
Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.
What's the best Wordle starting word?The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.
What happened to the Wordle archive?The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.
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 April 25, 2025 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:Familiar.
Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?The letter N appears twice.
Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...Today's Wordle starts with the letter K.
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...
KNOWN.
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.
SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for April 25Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Wordle.
If you like playing daily word games like Wordle, then Hurdle is a great game to add to your routine.
There are five rounds to the game. The first round sees you trying to guess the word, with correct, misplaced, and incorrect letters shown in each guess. If you guess the correct answer, it'll take you to the next hurdle, providing the answer to the last hurdle as your first guess. This can give you several clues or none, depending on the words. For the final hurdle, every correct answer from previous hurdles is shown, with correct and misplaced letters clearly shown.
An important note is that the number of times a letter is highlighted from previous guesses does necessarily indicate the number of times that letter appears in the final hurdle.
If you find yourself stuck at any step of today's Hurdle, don't worry! We have you covered.
SEE ALSO: Hurdle: Everything you need to know to find the answers Hurdle Word 1 hintA crest.
SEE ALSO: Apple’s new M3 MacBook Air is $300 off at Amazon. And yes, I’m tempted. Hurdle Word 1 answerRIDGE
Hurdle Word 2 hintMushrooms.
SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for April 25, 2025 Hurdle Word 2 AnswerFUNGI
Hurdle Word 3 hintLopsided.
SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for April 25 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for April 25, 2025 Hurdle Word 3 answerWONKY
Hurdle Word 4 hintAn imposter.
SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for April 25 Hurdle Word 4 answerFRAUD
Final Hurdle hintA popular seed.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Games available on Mashable Hurdle Word 5 answerPOPPY
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Threads, Meta's alternative to X, formerly Twitter, had almost everything it needed to succeed. It's backed by one of the biggest of the Big Tech companies. It's directly integrated with Instagram, the mega popular photo sharing app. With all its powers combined, Threads was able to grow to 100 million users in just 5 days.
However, there was one crucial element that the platform was missing: A 'dot com' domain name.
But, as of April 24, Meta has solved Threads' URL problem. Threads.com now officially points users to the web version of the Threads platform.
"Today, we’re moving from Threads.net to Threads.com," Meta said in an announcement posted on the company blog alongside feature updates to the platform.
As Elon Musk continues to put his unique stamp on X, many liberal users are seeking out new social media homes. X competitors like Bluesky and Threads appear to have won out as the official Twitter replacements, although neither have come close to achieving critical mass.
Threads finally using Threads.com as its official URL won't beat out X alone, but studies have shown that internet users still use and trust .com domain names more than any other domain extension. This move from Threads.net to Threads.com will only help the platform.
Threads originally launched in July 2023 strictly as a mobile app. One month later, Threads rolled out the web version of the social media platform. However, Threads on the web was previously located at Threads.net.
Why? At the time, Meta simply did not own the dot-com domain. Plenty of users went to Threads.com when Meta launched the platform. However, users who visited the URL were then directed to a website for a startup company that was building a Slack alternative called Threads — not exactly an ideal user experience.
Unsurprisingly, the Slack alternative unfortunately named Threads later noted that it received acquisition interest from Meta. The following year, the startup announced that Shopify had acquired the company. Then, in September 2024, tech outlets noticed that the ownership information listed in the Whois domain records for Threads.com pointed to a new owner — Meta.
It's unclear how much Meta paid for the domain name, but on Thursday, the company made Threads.com official.
Motorola finally shut off all the leaks surrounding its new Razr phones on Thursday by just announcing them officially.
The American tech firm announced its latest batch of foldable phones, which consists of three new Razr devices: The Razr (2025), Razr Plus (2025), and Razr Ultra. You can see a full rundown of specs and features in Motorola's company blog post, but suffice it to say, the Ultra with the wood finish is probably the star of the show here.
Motorola claims that thanks to its Snapdragon processor, the new Motorola Razr Ultra will be the world's most powerful flip phone, as well as the fastest-charging flip phone.
The new Motorola Razr comes in a sick wood finish. Credit: Motorola SEE ALSO: Everything we know about the new Motorola Razr: Leaks, launch date, price The Motorola Razr Ultra: Flagship specs and a Snapdragon processorIt's the most expensive phone of the bunch at $1,300, but you get what you pay for, specs-wise. The Razr Ultra has a 4-inch cover display on the exterior and a 7-inch display on the interior, with a beefy 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. You'll also get a big 4,700mAh battery on top of a new Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, plus a trio of 50MP camera lenses to play with. It also comes in a swaggy new faux-wood finish as an option, which is definitely one of the coolest-looking phones I've seen in a minute.
Here are the key specs:
Displays: 4-inch external screen, 7-inch internal screen
Processor: Snapdragon 8 Elite processor
RAM: 16GB
Storage options: 512GB, 1TB
Battery: 4,700mAh
Cameras: 50MP wide, 50MP ultrawide, 50MP selfie
Colorways: Pantone Cabaret, Pantone Scarab, Pantone Rio Red, Pantone Mountain Trail (wood finish)
The Motorola Razr Ultra also has a dedicated AI button, though the features you can access with it as a shortcut are also available on the other new Razr devices.
The Motorola Razr 2025 lineup comes with Moto AI"Moto AI," as it's called, can do interesting things like keep a pin in items you specifically ask it to remember for you to bring up later. There's also a "Group Shot" photo feature similar to what's been on recent Google Pixel phones, which lets you put multiple group photos together into one, giving you a "perfect" shot where no one is making a funny face.
AI features like this are becoming standard now in the smartphone market, with each successive launch bringing new AI features to the market. Moto AI gets a boost from Google Gemini, including Google Gemini Live mode.
Credit: Motorola SEE ALSO: The Google Pixel 9a is available now: How to buy The new Motorola Razr and Razr PlusThe other two new Razr phones aren't quite as fancy as the Ultra, but as a consolation, they're also considerably cheaper. The base model starts at $699 and comes with a smaller 3.6-inch cover screen and a slightly smaller 6.9-inch interior display. You only get an older MediaTek Dimensity 7400X processor to go along with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, and the camera array isn't as impressive, but if you want an affordable foldable, this is an affordable foldable.
Here are the base model's specs:
Displays: 3.6-inch external screen, 6.9-inch internal screen
Processor: MediaTek Dimensity 7400X
RAM: 8GB
Storage: 256GB of storage
Battery: 4,500mAh battery
Cameras: 50MP wide, 13MP ultrawide, 32MP selfie
The $999 Razr Plus is an interesting middle-ground. It retains the 4-inch cover screen from the Ultra and the 6.9-inch display from the base model. It uses a slightly newer Snapdragon 8S Gen 3 processor than what's in the base model, but it still probably won't be as performant as the Ultra. You get 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage here, as well as a 50MP wide lens and 50MP telephoto lens to play with on the back.
And here are the key specs for the Razr Plus, with our colleagues at CNET filling in some details on the processor and battery:
Displays: 4-inch external screen, 6.9-inch internal screen
Processor: Snapdragon 8S Gen 3
RAM: 12GB
Storage: 256GB of storage
Battery: 4,500mAh battery
Cameras: 50MP wide, 13MP ultrawide, 32MP selfie
One thing is clear: Motorola has come a long way since the first, very disappointing attempt at bringing back the Razr as a foldable five years ago.
The 2025 editions of the Motorola Razr, Razr+, and Razr Ultra will be available for pre-order for U.S. customers starting May 7 at Motorola, Best Buy, and Amazon. For now, you can register for updates at the Motorola website.
We'll update this post with additional purchase details when we have them, and we're hoping to have a full hands-on review of the new phones soon.
The first round of the 2025 NFL Draft kicks off Thursday in Green Bay, Wisconsin, as teams look to land their next big star from a deep pool of collegiate talent.
If the draft feels overwhelming, you're not alone. With hundreds of college prospects, complex draft mechanics, and constant speculation about which teams are eyeing whom, it can be a lot to take in. Thankfully, draft coverage is practically its own industry. The NFL reigns supreme in American sports, and that means there’s no shortage of expert analysis, tools, and resources widely available online.
SEE ALSO: How much would it really cost to watch every NFL game on TV?We’ve rounded up a few to help you navigate it all.
NFL mock draftsEveryone and their second cousin has a mock draft these days, so knowing where to start can be overwhelming. But my personal favorite resource is The Ringer's NFL Draft Guide, for a few reasons. First, I listen to their NFL podcasts and trust their coverage. Second, the guide is comprehensive. They have four different mock drafts from four of their experts (Danny Kelly, Diante Lee, Danny Heifetz, and Todd McShay), a big board, and a team need guide. And, finally, the Ringer's NFL Draft page is wildly easy to use. It's simple to navigate and allows you to dive deeper into every pick or player.
You can also find mock drafts at ESPN, CBS, Yahoo, or pretty much anywhere else online.
top 100!
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If you want to try your hand at a mock draft or a draft simulator, you can do that, too. ESPN has a simulator tool that'll let you play out the dream of being your favorite team's GM — so you watch the other teams pick and then make your selections for one franchise.
If you want to control every team — aka make your own mock draft — you can do so at NFL Mock Draft Database, which also has a comprehensive list of expert mock drafts.
What's one more mock draft for the road, eh?
Our expert's final iteration of the first round features just one trade, two quarterbacks... and no Shedeur Sanders.
:link: http://dlvr.it/TKLYm1
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Let me be clear: There are so, so, so many draft experts, and there is no way I know them all. But I do consider myself a bit of an NFL draft sicko and, thus, have my favorites. So here is a quick list, with their social media account linked, of some of my favorite follows for NFL Draft content:
Ben Solak, ESPN
Robert Mays, The Athletic
Danny Kelly, The Ringer
Mina Kimes, ESPN
Danny Heifetz, The Ringer
Diante Lee, The Ringer
Dianna Russini, The Athletic
Dane Brugler, The Athletic
Charles McDonald, Yahoo
Nate Tice, Yahoo
Daniel Jeremiah, NFL Network
Colleen Wolfe, NFL Network
Peter Schrager, ESPN
The draft's first round is scheduled to begin on Thursday at 8 p.m. ET, broadcast on ABC, ESPN, and the NFL Network. It seems certain that Miami QB Cam Ward will go first overall to the Tennessee Titans. After that, who knows? But at least now you'll be informed and prepared.
Google is currently in the midst of a major antitrust trial (make that two antitrust trials, actually), which may result in the company being forced to sell off its popular web browser, Google Chrome. However, the search giant made a major, unrelated Chrome announcement earlier this week:
Google is abandoning its plans to drop third-party cookies from Chrome.
Back in January 2020, Google made a big announcement that was welcomed by privacy advocates. The company said it planned to completely eliminate third-party cookies within its Chrome web browser over the next two years. Now, more than five years later, those plans have been scrapped entirely. Last year, Google hinted it might keep the cookies but make it easier for users to opt out, but now the company has even backtracked from this middle ground option.
"We’ve made the decision to maintain our current approach to offering users third-party cookie choice in Chrome, and will not be rolling out a new standalone prompt for third-party cookies," wrote Google Privacy Sandbox VP Anthony Chavez in a blog post on Tuesday. "Users can continue to choose the best option for themselves in Chrome’s Privacy and Security Settings."
The verdict is clear: third-party cookies are here to stay for most Chrome users.
What is an internet cookie?An internet cookie is basically a small file that is saved to your computer when you visit a website. Cookies store relevant user information in order to enhance a users' experience. When a website remembers your login details or an e-commerce store already has your last shopping cart saved, that's thanks to the cookie stored in your web browser.
Third-party cookies, however, are internet cookies that share this user data with a party separate from the website the user is actually visiting. Third-party cookies are commonly used by advertisers. For example, when a user searches for a product online and then finds ads for that product on Instagram, that's due to a third-party cookie.
"Third-party cookies allow companies to build detailed profiles of your online activities, which can be used for targeted advertising or sold to the highest bidder," digital rights group Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) explained in a post last year. "The consequences are far-reaching and deeply concerning. Your browsing history can reveal sensitive information, including your financial status, sexual orientation, and medical conditions. Data brokers collect and sell this information without your knowledge or consent."
Google already signaled it was heading in this direction in 2024. The company said that it would find a middle ground in its internet cookie strategy so as to avoid disrupting third-party advertising. And don't forget that Google itself is a massive advertising technology company. Too big, in fact, a judge recently ruled.
Back in 2024, Google said it would provide new features that would provide users with more transparency and the ability to make informed opt-out choices about third-party cookies.
Now, Google has scrapped those plans and will keep third-party cookies without any changes.
How does this affect the rest of the web?Web browsers like Mozilla's Firefox and Apple's Safari already block third-party cookies by default, so Google Chrome would have just been playing catch-up. However, Chrome makes up a whopping 66 percent of the global web browser market share, so most internet users are still exposed to third-party cookies thanks to Google.
Previously, Google set up its Privacy Sandbox initiative specifically to offer alternative solutions to third-party cookies for developers and online advertisers. However, even this was met with criticism, as Google would continue to track users in Chrome for its own advertising purposes. (Just this week, Google was found to be "engaged in a series of anticompetitive acts" with its ad products.)
Google's decision to reverse course on third-party cookies will likely be welcomed by online advertising companies, though some have already been looking for alternatives.
"While we expect to see marketers continue to rely on third-party cookies indefinitely for reach, we also expect an increased emphasis on tools that can incorporate the third-party cookie alongside newer destinations and experiences," said Travis Clinger of data platform LiveRamp in a statement to Mashable. “Consumer preferences for privacy and personalization, and marketers’ demand for better performance, have already lessened the popularity of third-party cookies."
But Google clearly heard enough support for third-party cookies from the digital ad industry to change its mind.
"As we’ve engaged with the ecosystem, including publishers, developers, regulators, and the ads industry, it remains clear that there are divergent perspectives on making changes that could impact the availability of third-party cookies," Chavez said in the post announcing the decision.
So, it seems third-party cookies are here to stay in Google Chrome. That is, unless the judge in Google's antitrust trial decides Google must sell off Chrome. Then, a new potential owner (like, say, ChatGPT-maker OpenAI) could follow Firefox and Safari's lead and rid Chrome of third-party cookies once and for all.
You've heard of AI models taking the bar exam, but this time, AI also helped write the questions.
The State Bar of California revealed on Monday that it used AI to develop a portion of its exam questions, according to the LA Times. The AI-generated exam questions were created by an independent psychometrician called ACS Ventures hired by the State Bar. The questions were "developed with the assistance of AI and subsequently reviewed by content validation panels and a subject matter expert in advance of the exam," announced the State Bar in a statement addressing technical glitches and question errors that test takers had previously complained about.
The LA Times reported that 23 out of the 171 multiple choice questions were made by ACS Ventures. The majority of the multiple choice questions were developed by Kaplan, and a "small subset" were taken from the First-Year Law Students' Exam. This past year, the bar was offered remotely to California-based test takers. Students and educators alike were already outraged about the remote test platform crashing and being riddled with bugs. But now, the discovery that some of the exam questions were created with AI has further fueled that outrage.
"I'm almost speechless. Having the questions drafted by non-lawyers using artificial intelligence is just unbelievable," Mary Basick, assistant dean of academic skills at UC Irvine School of Law told the Times. "It's a staggering admission," Katie Moran, an associate professor at the University of San Francisco School of Law told the outlet.
Moran also pointed out the fact that ACS Ventures, the firm used to craft the AI questions, was the same firm to approve the questions.
Alex Chan, who chairs the State Bar's Committee of Bar Examiners, told the outlet that the California Supreme Court had pressured the State Bar to look into "new technologies, such as artificial intelligence" as a means of improving reliability or cost-efficiency.
Automating tasks with AI has surged since the rise of generative AI — and not just simple tasks or low-stakes work, but critical work that has very real consequences. Some suspect that the formula used to calculate the Trump Administration's tariff rates was created by ChatGPT or something similar. In 2023, two New York lawyers were sanctioned for using ChatGPT in a legal brief, which cited fake cases. And academic journals are flooded with papers that include AI-generated text.
And those are just a few examples of the ones that got caught. Generative AI's ability to rapidly write, summarize, and source information has been an irresistible way for workers to save time and effort. But it has innate hallucination problems and poses ethical issues by outsourcing work to a bot — especially when it comes to law students whose entire career rests on passing the bar.
A generic cops-and-drug-dealers saga infused with occasional chaos, Gareth Evans' Havoc is a decent time, despite its plateauing excess. The long-delayed Tom Hardy vehicle — it completed production in 2021 — has just enough by way of visual panache to set it apart from the usual crop of forgettable, straight-to-streaming action.
With a story that's nothing to write home about, Evans relies on the action chops he brought to modern Indonesian martial arts classics The Raid and its sequel, The Raid 2: Berandal. However, he does so without even the semblance of soul that made those movies tick. At the center of Havoc is Tom Hardy's Walker, a gruff, grunting, down-on-his-luck American lunk — a delightful stock type in which the English actor specializes — an outcast cop in the pocket of a crooked politician.
The film gestures towards an inner life we never really see, rendering Walker a physical presence first and foremost. Then again, given how Hardy zigzags between a sad-sack lowlife and a Terminator-esque destroyer at the drop of a hat, the resultant performance is often delightful, despite containing little depth. It's also just functional enough to support the movie's sudden bursts of energy during its action set pieces — the thing Evans is best known for, and the element of Havoc that makes it watchable.
What is Havoc about? Credit: NetflixUsing introductory voiceover from Hardy's Walker, Havoc attempts to frame itself as a film about choices and their consequences, albeit without elaborating on what the hell he's talking about. Walker is a homicide detective who once worked a drug beat, and he's now on the outs with his former squadmates, led by Timothy Olyphant's no-nonsense Vincent. Flashes of Walker's past clue us in on the fact that… something happened, and the brief image of a bloodied hoodlum hints that this “something” was violent in nature. However, the details and ripple effects of this incident don't come to light until well into the movie's 105-minute runtime.
Thankfully, this vague character introduction is swiftly interrupted by a high-octane truck chase in the dead of night, during which Vincent and his crew try to hunt down a troupe of drug dealers. The who's-who is, once again, only clarified in retrospect — a running theme throughout Havoc, making it hard to get invested — but it features a surprising amount of blood and violence for a straightforward car chase. If you've ever wondered what a washing machine could do to a human torso, well, wonder no more.
This high-speed pursuit dovetails into a larger inciting incident, when the absconding hoodlums — young couple Charlie (Justin Cornwell) and Mia (Quelin Sepulveda) — escape just in time to rendezvous with their Chinese Triad boss. However, a shootout ensues, leaving Charlie and Mia's employer dead, and sending the duo on the run as prime suspects.
It just so happens that Charlie is connected to a powerful mayoral candidate, Lawrence Beaumont (Forest Whitaker), who has some mysterious leverage over Walker and puts him to work to solve the case — extra-legally, if necessary — causing Walker to seek the help of his straight-laced, rookie partner Ellie (Jessie Mei Li). Meanwhile, the aforementioned Triad Boss is laid to rest by his fearsome mother (Yeo Yann Yann) who flies in from China to cause chaos of her own. Her presence is commanding, though it's also meant to introduce subtext about difficult parenthood that never really goes anywhere. Walker is a careless father who leaves his Christmas shopping too late, but beyond a fleeting mention of his daughter, we're never really made privy to his family life. Similarly, Beaumont's status as a father is brought up numerous times as well, though none of these nominal connections yields anything resembling a thematic undercurrent.
If it sounds like these numerous spinning plates add up to a Hollywood crime drama pastiche, that may not be an accident. For better or worse, Havoc doesn't feel overly concerned with replicating reality as it truly exists. Rather, it unfolds within a specific and often stylized cinematic reality that features familiar genre hallmarks, forming a solid enough foundation for the action to ensue.
Where exactly does Havoc take place? Credit: NetflixFrom a distance, you'd be forgiven if you confused Havoc with a parody of a Hollywood procedural. The film was largely shot in Evans' native Wales, and features a number of British actors (starting with co-leads Li and Hardy) playing American cops with flimsy American accents. Then again, there's a lack of specificity as to where the movie is actually set.
It unfolds in what appears to be an archetypal American city — not unlike Batman's fictitious Gotham — where crime and law enforcement roam the streets in equal measure, and everyone talks like they've watched one too many gangster pictures from the 1940s. Hardy's usually unplaceable American accent is an oddly perfect fit for a story seemingly set in Generica. However, a major downside is that no one really has a sense of identity, or a relationship to the spaces around them. They enter scenes as if walking onto a set. They speak their lines, and exeunt.
However, this fictional metropolis is rendered in eye-popping style, despite its rote and familiar façade. It may be a stereotype of an American city, just real enough to be convincing, but Evans and cinematographer Matt Flannery render its shapes and shades akin to a toned-down Sin City. Much of the film unfolds in the dead of night, with dark surfaces interrupted by bright light sources that are visible, but which barely seem to illuminate anything but the characters themselves.
The constant downpour of rain enhances the movie's grainy texture, making it a treat to look at, even though it's a movie you can seldom connect with. This visual tapestry also helps enhance the action choreography, not only by disguising its contours but by giving it the feel of a moving comic book.
The action in Havoc works, even if little else does. Credit: NetflixHavoc is not The Raid, nor is trying to be, so viewers shouldn't go in expecting lengthy hand-to-hand fight scenes. Instead, it's a film of comical gunfire (even pistols have the infinite rat-tat-tat of submachine guns), copious blood squibs, and broken bones.
Rather than the dance-like choreography of The Raid, when Havoc does switch into action mode — albeit far too rarely — the fights often involve people wailing on each other, throwing things at each other, and turning enemies into Swiss cheese using endless streams of bullets. Evans knows exactly when to (and when not to) cut away, so each lengthy action scene is meticulously carved and has a rhythmic flow. The camera charges in and out to capture lumbering bodies in motion and vehicles about to crash into one another. It's incredibly fun when it decides to be.
Unfortunately, it's also a film with little sense of escalation. Once you've seen a handful of its action beats unfold, you may as well have seen them all. Not every genre movie needs to be inventive, but Havoc rarely feels born of the same cinematic mischief that gave us the jaw-dropping adrenaline spikes of The Raid and The Raid 2, films that started at an 11 and skyrocketed from there. In Havoc, the explosive initial truck chase has the same energy as each subsequent, long-take fistfight. There’s a lack of stylistic evolution, of rising physical and emotional stakes, and of increasingly testing endurance thresholds — both the characters' and the audiences' — leading to a repetitive feeling, despite no two scenes being alike.
If some of the movie is purposefully generic, other parts are less intentionally so. This ensures that Havoc ends up in an experiential no-man's-land, where Hardy is the biggest reason to watch the movie, but even he feels short-changed by the material.
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