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Congress has passed a bill that forces tech companies to take action against certain deepfakes and revenge porn posted on their platforms.

In a 409-2 vote on Monday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the "Take It Down" Act, which has received bipartisan support. The bill also received vocal support from celebrities and First Lady Melania Trump. The bill already passed the Senate in a vote last month.

The Take It Down Act will now be sent to President Donald Trump, who is expected to sign it into law.

First introduced by Republican Senator Ted Cruz and Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar in 2024, the Take It Down Act would require that tech companies take quick action against nonconsensual intimate imagery. Platforms would be required to remove such content within 48 hours of a takedown request. The Federal Trade Commission could then sue platforms that do not comply with such requests.

In addition to targeting tech platforms, the Take It Down Act also carves out punishments, which include fines and potential jail time, for those who create and share such imagery. The new law would make it a federal crime to publish — or even threaten to publish — explicit nonconsensual images, which would include revenge porn and deepfake imagery generated with AI.

Digital rights groups have shared their concerns regarding the Take It Down Act. Activists have said that the bill could be weaponized to censor legally protected speech, and that legal content could be inaccurately flagged for removal.

Despite these concerns, the Take It Down Act even received support from the tech platforms it seeks to police, such as Snapchat and Roblox.

Congress isn't finished addressing AI and deepfakes this year either. Both the NO FAKES Act of 2025 and Content Origin Protection and Integrity from Edited and Deepfaked Media Act of 2025 have also been introduced this session. The former seeks to protect individuals from having their voice replicated by AI without their consent, whereas the latter looks to protect original works and require transparency around AI-generated content.

You might've heard of those scam texts about tolls. Heck, at this point, you've likely gotten a text pretending to be from E-ZPass or some such entity.

We covered these scams at Mashable back in January, and they're back, if they ever left at all. The main points remain the same: Do not click any links and do not engage with potential scammers. If you get a text claiming to be from E-ZPass, FasTrak, or some other toll service, be very skeptical, as this has only become a more pervasive scam.

We've got the latest details to keep you up to date.

What are the E-ZPass and FasTrak scam texts, and how do you spot them?

The E-ZPass toll scam has evolved and shifted over time, but the broad strokes remain the same: a text from a random number claiming you have unpaid tolls or fees, and that you have to remedy that fact or face some sort of consequence. That should immediately ring alarm bells — scammers often want you to feel a sense of urgency in order to keep you from thinking through your actions. Usually, this text leads you to a link, which could be used to gather your personal information.

Here's an example of a recent version posted to Reddit that received a spirited response in the comments.

Reddit

Look around online and you'll see lots of folks still posting about the scam texts, some four months after they began surfacing.

Oh no, some guy who calls himself a player is telling me I need to pay my toll

[image or embed]

— yuukasugai.itch.io (@yuukasugai.itch.io) April 23, 2025 at 2:39 PM

This is already coming in handy

[image or embed]

— Craig Calcaterra (@craigcalcaterra.bsky.social) March 26, 2025 at 9:36 AM

Once you're aware of the same, it should be pretty easy to spot. First: Check the sender. At first, these messages often came from a +63 country code, which is for the Philippines. Many of the posts online now indicate the scammers have moved on to random email addresses. Regardless, E-ZPass or other toll services are not sending emails from these sorts of phone numbers or addresses.

Second: Look at the link. DO. NOT. CLICK. THE. LINK. But often the link redirects to an obviously sketchy site.

Third: Know that this is not how E-ZPass, FasTrak, or other toll services operate. They will mail you any bills they owe, and they certainly will not threaten to suspend your driver's license.

What to do if you get an E-ZPass or FasTrak scam text?

Again, let us repeat, if you get a scam text: DO. NOT. CLICK. THE. LINK.

From there, most phones have a delete and report junk option for messages, which is what you should do. If you're concerned that there was a modicum of truth to the text, the Federal Trade Commission recommends contacting your local tolling agency to check if it's legit.

But for the most part, tread carefully with any text from an unknown number. If you have to question if you're being scammed, it's likely a scam.

Have a story to share about a scam or security breach that impacted you? Tell us about it. Email submissions@mashable.com with the subject line "Safety Net" or use this form. Someone from Mashable will get in touch.

OpenAI is working to fix a bug that allowed — and, in some cases, reportedly encouraged — minors to generate erotica on ChatGPT, as TechCrunch reported on Monday, April 28. OpenAI told TechCrunch that the company is "actively deploying a fix," since its policies don't allow its AI chatbot to send responses like this to users under 18 years old.

Young people have been finding ways to access pornography and erotica since the dawn of the internet, so it's not surprising that youngsters would also test the limits of the popular AI chatbot.

An OpenAI spokesperson told Mashable over email that its "model policies don’t allow the kind of responses that happened here, and they shouldn’t have been shown to users."

“Protecting younger users is a top priority, and our Model Spec, which guides model behavior, clearly restricts sensitive content like erotica to narrow contexts such as scientific, historical, or news reporting. In this case, a bug allowed responses outside those guidelines, and we are actively deploying a fix to limit these generations,” the OpenAI statement read.

You must be 13 years old to use ChatGPT — and even then, you need parental consent if you're under 18. But those rules can be skirted pretty easily as long as you have an email account. Anyone can lie about their age online, after all.

In February, OpenAI updated its policies on how ChatGPT approaches sensitive subjects, including erotica. This may have made it easier for underage users pretending to be adults to generate more sexual responses.

Meta's AI chatbot has also been accused of serving up explicit content to minors. According to a report earlier this week from The Wall Street Journal, Meta loosened the guardrails around its chatbots on Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp to make them as engaging as possible. As the WSJ reported, this allowed Meta's AI chatbots to engage in sexual fantasies with young users, although not intentionally. Not only that, but users could even get those fantasies read aloud in the voices of Dame Judi Dench, John Cena, and Kristen Bell. Meta told the outlet that the testing was manipulative and not representative of real-world use.

Disclosure: Ziff Davis, Mashable’s parent company, in April filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.

UPDATE: Apr. 29, 2025, 1:47 p.m. EDT This article has been updated with a response from OpenAI.

TL;DR: This Microsoft Visual Studio Professional 2022 and The Premium Learn to Code Certification Bundle teaches you how to code and gives you the software to do it for just A$87 (reg. A$3,129).

Still don't know how to code? It's time, and you can consider this well-rounded bundle to be your sign.

This Microsoft Visual Studio Professional 2022 and The Premium Learn to Code Certification Bundle not only gives you the tools you need right from tech giant Microsoft but also offers an education in coding geared toward total beginners — all for A$87. 

Teach yourself how to code for A$87

Who doesn't love a one-stop shop? If you're finally ready to conquer coding, this bundle gives you the tools you'll need to make a career change. You can take the first step toward being a front-end or back-end developer, a data scientist, a DevOps engineer, or an app developer; the possibilities are nearly endless. 

First things first, you're going to need to learn how to code. The Premium Learn to Code Certification bundle of classes offers 15 online courses geared toward doing just that.

These courses are great for beginners and cover building websites with Python, JavaScript, HTML, CSS, C++, and more. If you're hoping to build an app, there are courses for that, too, and you have access to all of them for life so that you can go at your own pace. 

Once you've built a foundation in coding, it's time to boot up Microsoft Visual Studio Pro. This trusted platform helps you write, edit, and debug code with ease. Plus, you can work across multiple languages to put your new skills to the test.

With data storytelling on the rise, be at the forefront with your coding background and help from Microsoft Visual Studio Pro, which lets you build data-driven apps or dashboards to bring stories to life so you can thrive in this field. 

Start your coding journey today with the Microsoft Visual Studio Professional 2022 and The Premium Learn to Code Certification Bundle, now only A$87 (a A$3,129 value). 

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: InterPlein Microsoft Visual Studio Professional 2022 + The Premium Learn to Code Certification Bundle AU$87
AU$3,129 Save AU$3,042 Get Deal

No one wants to go through the inconvenience of traveling without a functional smartphone. Give us the maps, the quick connection to friends and family at home, and, yes, even the ability to check in with work when we need to. 

Unfortunately, roaming on your usual plan can quickly get expensive, adding unnecessary travel costs that could be better spent on memorable experiences. If you’re looking for a better solution, Global eSIMs from Nomad are about to become your favorite travel companion. 

Opens in a new window Credit: Nomad Nomad Global-EX eSIM, 10GB 180-day validity $22.50
$30 Save $7.50 Use discount code NOMMASHABLE25 Get Deal

eSIM stands for embedded SIM, and it allows you to connect anywhere, at any time. They work just like a traditional SIM card, but there’s no need to purchase a physical SIM card. Just jump online, choose your plan, and follow the setup instructions. 

Nomad offers affordable, reliable eSIMs with a range of durations and coverage options available. Check out all the perks and plan details below, and use the code NOMMASHABLE25 to get 25% off your Nomad eSIM plan until the end of the month.

Long-term plans for frequent travelers

Digital nomads, travelers on sabbatical, and frequent business trip-takers can tap into Nomad’s unique Global-EX eSIM for long-term value. These 180-day and 365-day plans offer coverage for 54 or 82 countries, with most high-traffic destinations covered. 

By zeroing in on the most relevant locations, Nomad manages to keep their plans impressively cost-effective compared to competitors — a 20GB eSIM, valid over 365 days, comes in at just $50. Plus, you can top up your plan or expand your data limits in real time if your travel plans and data needs change.

New users get a free trial

If you like to try before you buy, take advantage of Nomad's free 24-hour 500MB eSIM data plan, available in 47 popular destinations around the world. There’s no credit card required to sign up, and you can have it installed in five minutes.  

Whether you’re working, vacationing, or a little bit of both, you can rely on fast, stable 4G/5G mobile data and hotspot tethering with this 24-hour free plan.

Give the gift of connection 

Bon voyage gifts can be tricky. You don’t want to give something physical, because you’ll just add to their luggage, and an experience at the destination can be lovely but difficult to organize without giving the secret away. 

An eSIM is the perfect alternative. It can be sent via email and gives your loved ones an easy way to connect with friends and family back home. You can choose any Nomad eSIM to gift; just enter your giftee’s email address when checking out in the Nomad iOS or Android app. Here's how you can gift a Nomad Travel eSIM.

Hotspot your heart out

If you’re on vacation, data on your phone might be enough to get you by, but digital nomads, business travelers, and Millennials who know some emails are simply laptop-only emails might be looking for more.

Thankfully, Nomad’s eSIM plans allow tethering, so you can share the data allowance via a hotspot. 

You can learn more about sharing data through a hotspot on this page.

Specific country plans for popular destinations

If you’re heading abroad for a vacation and looking for a single-country plan, Nomad eSIM has you covered with highly-rated country plans. 

There are flexible, affordable options for specific destinations, and many 30-day plans come in at under $10. You can also choose to build your own plan, selecting a specific number of days at 1GB per day.

These plans are available for top-rated destinations including Greece, Paris, Thailand, Canada, France, Spain, and many more. Check out and learn more about Nomad’s country plans, and find where your next destination is.

Top-rated and highly trusted eSIMs for every type of traveler Opens in a new window Credit: Nomad Nomad Global-EX eSIM, 20GB 365-day validity $37.50
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Most travelers would rather spend their planning time finding the best food to eat, things to see, and places to stay than on logistics like data plans. With Nomad eSIM, you don’t have to go far to see that you’re getting a top-rated and highly trusted data provider for tons of popular travel destinations.

Use the code NOMMASHABLE25 to get 25% off any Nomad eSIM plan. Offer ends May 30, 2025. Plans must be activated within 60 days upon purchase. This code cannot be used for add-on data, sale plans, Day Plans, or plans under $5.

SAVE $120: As of April 29, get the 27-inch Samsung Odyssey Curved Gaming Monitor for $179.99 at Samsung. That's a 43% discount.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Odyssey Curved Gaming Monitor $179.99 at Samsung
$299.99 Save $120 Get Deal

If you're looking to add a new display to your PC setup and you enjoy gaming, a curved gaming monitor is always a good idea. Samsung has several models in its repertoire that make for excellent additions, and one of them is on sale right now, straight from the source. You can get one for nearly half off if you head to the Samsung digital storefront, in fact.

As of April 29, get the 27-inch Samsung Odyssey Curved Gaming Monitor for $179.99 at Samsung. That's $120 off and a 43% discount.

This display offers 1.7 times the pixel density of a full HD display, with QHD resolution, a 165Hz refresh rate, and a 1ms response time. That means you can expect much smoother gameplay, without screen tearing, and you won't have to miss a frame when dealing with those twitch-based, fast-paced games.

The 1000R of curvature also makes you feel more like you're actually in the game itself, so you see parts of the environment on both sides of your face. Combned with HDR10 that gives you darker contrast with brighter colors, you get a much more exciting experience than run-of-the-mill monitors. And if you spend a lot of time at your PC, you can use Eye Saver Mode to help cut down on eye strain.

Serious about getting your game on? Or just need a new screen to improve your setup? Grab this monitor and you'll see a difference when it comes to your favorite game worlds.

SAVE $41.99: As of April 29, the Sony ULT Field 1 is down to just $88 at Amazon. That's 32% in savings and matches the Bluetooth speaker's best price ever.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony ULT Field 1 $88 at Amazon
$129.99 Save $41.99 Get Deal

Not every Bluetooth speaker is created equal. That's why we test a ton and round up the ones we deem worthy of a place on our list of the best. The Sony ULT Field 1 has earned one of those spots — and it happens to be on sale for its best price ever.

As of April 29, the Sony ULT Field 1 Bluetooth speaker is on sale for just $88 at Amazon, down from $129.99. That's 32% in savings and matches its lowest price on record, which is hit just once before around the holiday season.

SEE ALSO: Grab the JBL Go 3 Eco speaker for 25% off

Mashable's Shopping and Reviews Editor Miller Kern took the Sony ULT Field 1 for a test drive when it launched last year and was pretty impressed, giving it a glowing 4.5 out of 5 stars. The battery life is just so-so at around 12 hours, but everything else about the speaker is top-notch. Kern specifically praised its sound quality, customizable EQ levels, low-profile design, and bass-thumping ULT setting. While the speaker already offers impressive bass by default, you can press the "ULT" button on the speaker and amplify it even more. And don't worry, it won't sound blown out or fuzzy.

The ULT Field 1 is also waterproof, dustproof, rustproof, and shockproof to make it just as outdoor-friendly as it is indoor. Not to mention, this baby gets loud. "I can’t imagine ever playing music at full volume in my apartment. This speaker would be amazing for beach days or barbecues, though," Kern writes in her review, adding that she could see it becoming her new go-to outdoor speaker.

At only $88, it's an excellent value. Plus, you can choose from four different shades, including a vibrant orange — all of which are on sale.

After 45 grieving families, youth advocates, and child safety experts brought 600 roses and a petition with over 10,000 signatures demanding stronger protections for kids on Meta platforms, security swept the flowers away — a reminder of how Meta continues to sweep away our stories.

I was a teenager when naked images of me were shared on Facebook without my consent. The sexual harassment that followed was relentless — threats, slurs, and dehumanizing language filled my inbox. I reported the abuse to the platforms, but the responses, if any, reinforced that these tech giants do not prioritize their users, especially children.  

Online abuse doesn't stay online. It follows users into every classroom, therapy session, and nightmare. I graduated high school with anxiety, suicidal ideation, and a profound sense of isolation. I survived. But what about the kids who did not survive? Mason Edens, Selena Rodriguez, Riley Rodee are just a few of many children who died by suicide after experiencing abuse and promotion of self-harm online.  

That's why the recent decision by Meta’s Oversight Board to not remove two anti-trans videos cuts deep. The videos show a transgender woman confronted for using a women’s bathroom and a transgender athlete winning a track race, and include the misgendering, demeaning, and endangering of trans people. By allowing two anti-trans videos to stay online, the Board hasn’t just failed its responsibility to users but sanctioned similar violence I once begged Meta to stop. And this time, the target is the trans community. 

This isn't about algorithms or content policy. This is about life. And Meta just made a choice: platform hate over people. They chose wrong. 

Videos like these strip trans people of dignity, spread dangerous misinformation, and fuel the kind of hate that has real, violent consequences. And yet the Board calls it "free expression."

Even more disturbing is the contradiction buried in their decision — the same videos were taken down when posted by Meta itself, but allowed to remain when posted by "others." In other words, Meta admits this content violates its own values, just not when someone else uploads it. That's not moderation. That’s cowardice. 

This isn't a debate. Trans existence is not up for discussion. Whether or not you discuss trans and nonbinary people, we will continue to exist, and we deserve safety. Treating this rhetoric as just another side of a political argument legitimizes hate, and Meta knows it. They’ve chosen to look away — again. 

SEE ALSO: Meta's fact-checking program officially ends on Monday

What happened to me wasn't an isolated incident. It's happening every day to young people everywhere, especially queer, trans, and nonbinary youth. LGBTQ+ youth are three times more likely to experience unwanted or unsafe interactions online, and still, the platforms that promise connection keep delivering cruelty.

When I was violated online, I thought I was the exception. But I've since met survivors whose stories echo mine like a scream through a tunnel. Some had their images stolen and circulated. Some lost their children to sextortion-induced suicide. Some were AI-manipulated into oblivion. Some received death threats after coming out. 

That's what makes the Oversight Board's ruling so dangerous. It isn't just that Meta is allowing anti-trans hate — it's that they are doing so after years failing to moderate transphobia. The patterns are there. The reports are there. The trauma is there. They've just chosen not to act on it.

Hate doesn’t exist in a vacuum, it spreads when given a platform. And when it's legitimized by one of the most powerful tech companies in the world, it grows teeth. I've felt them. 

In January 2025, Meta made a quiet but devastating shift. They gutted their human content moderation teams, leaned harder on flawed AI systems, and shut down partnerships with fact-checkers and safety experts. It wasn’t a glitch. It was a strategy: reduce liability, cut costs, and call it innovation. But what Meta calls "efficiency" comes at the expense of safety. Of truth. Of lives.

The Oversight Board's ruling isn’t a one-off failure — it's the natural result of Meta’s retreat from responsibility. They’re not just enabling harm; they're designing systems that scale it.

I've seen what happens when platforms walk away from protecting people. I've lived inside the wreckage. I can tell you this: Meta's current trajectory isn't just unethical. It's lethal. That's why we're not asking. We're demanding.

We demand that Meta reinstate robust human content moderation — especially for hate speech, CSAM, and targeted harassment. We demand immediate removal of anti-trans hate and clear consequences for those who spread it. We demand transparency, accountability, and a CEO willing to face the damage his platforms have caused. 

I survived what Meta allowed to happen to me. But I carry the scars in my nervous system, in my relationships, in the way I move through the world. And I know there are others — kids just like I was — logging in today, not knowing what’s coming for them.

That's why I'm writing this. Not just as a survivor, but as a witness. To say: this is not abstract. This is not academic. This is blood, bone, and breath. If Meta won't protect us, we'll protect each other. If they won’t listen, we'll make them hear us. I made it out. But no one else should have to survive what I did just to grow up online. 

Leah Juliett (they/them/theirs) is a poet, community organizer, and activist for queer futures and against Big Tech. They live in Connecticut. This column reflects the opinion of the writer.

SAVE 25%: The Kodak Mini 2 Retro portable photo printer with 68 sheets is on sale at Amazon for $74.99, down from the normal price of $99.99. That's a savings of $25 and the lowest price we've seen at Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: Kodak Kodak Mini 2 Retro portable photo printer with 68 sheets $74.99 at Amazon
$99.99 Save $25 Get Deal

This year, Mother's Day falls on Sunday, May 11, which means we all have less than two weeks to get our gifts sorted. If your mom is one who likes to preserve memories, there's a perfect gift on sale at Amazon.

As of April 29, the Kodak Mini 2 Retro portable photo printer is on sale at Amazon for $74.99, marked down from the standard price of $99.99. That works out to a 25% discount that shaves $25 off the cost. It also happens to be the best price we've ever spotted at Amazon.

Focusing on ease of use, the Kodak Mini 2 Retro shines as a portable photo printer. For starters, it weights under half a pound, and it's small enough to slide into your pocket. With a Bluetooth connection, the photo printer can deliver your most recent memory in no time. In the Kodak app, you can edit images and customize frames for even more printing options.

SEE ALSO: 15+ eco-friendly gifts that someone would actually use

The Kodak photo printer uses a four-pass system to pop out high-quality prints, with the last layer being lamination, which makes the photos resistant to fingerprints and water. Each print measures 2.1 by 3.4 inches, and you can choose between a borderless design or go with a classic Kodak look with a border.

Today's deal includes 68 photo sheets, so your Mother's Day gift will come with plenty to get mom started. The Kodak Mini 2 Retro will need to recharge via a USB-C cable, which is not included, so be sure to grab one if your mom doesn't already own a collection.

Give mom the gift of unforgettable memories with the Kodak Mini 2 Retro portable photo printer. She'll be able to print out photos in minutes, and you'll earn the honor of being a great gift-giver.

LG used to make Android smartphones. Emphasis on "used to." If you still have one lying around (or in active use), you're running out of opportunities to download any software or security updates for it.

That's because LG is shutting down the update servers for its old smartphones on June 30, per Android Authority. This won't just affect updates you download directly to the phone; LG is also shutting down the LG Bridge PC app that users could previously use to manage software updates and backups from a computer. After the end of June, you won't be able to update your LG phone in any way whatsoever, so you better do it now.

SEE ALSO: Google Pixel 9a review: This is the budget smartphone to beat in 2025

LG officially exited the smartphone business back in 2021, despite the fact that it was working on a genuinely kinda cool-looking rollable phone concept at the time. When the shutdown was announced, LG promised three years of security updates for anyone still hanging onto an LG phone. Those three years have since come and gone, and now any LG phone owners are strictly in the wilderness.

Just saying, if you need an affordable new Android phone, the Pixel 9a is right there.

GET $40 OFF: As of Apr. 29th, the Samsung 990 EVO Plus SSD 1TB is on sale for $69.99 saving you 36%, or $40.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung 990 EVO Plus SSD 1TB $69.99 at Amazon
$109.99 Save $40 Get Deal

Whether you're building a new computer or upgrading the one you've got, a new SSD can open up new possibilities for more media storage and quicker access to the assets you need.

Right now, the Samsung 990 EVO Plus SSD 1TB is on sale for $69.99, saving you $40, or 36%.

SEE ALSO: This Gaming Week AMD Ryzen 7 5800XT deal is ready for your new machine build

The Samsung 990 EVO Plus SSD 1TB is available in sizes up to 4TB. Store huge troves of music, video, and more.

Snappy and quick at uploads, the SSD hits speeds of up to 7,250 MB/s. If you work with giant datasets or 3D modeling, you'll appreciate its quick interactions. Gamers will feel its speed in real time.

As of now, Apr. 29th, the Samsung 990 EVO Plus SSD 1TB is on sale for $69.99, for a savings of $40 — that's 36% off.

Thermal control is built right into the 990 EVO Plus. A nickel-coated controller reduces power consumption to keep your computing stable.

Funerary rites make way for creepy cult resurrection rituals in the trailer for The Surrender, a new horror coming to Shudder.

Directed and written by Julia Max, the film sees The Boys' Colby Minifie and Grey's Anatomy's Kate Burton as Megan and Barbara, a daughter/mother duo faced with a rather unconventional grieving process. Following the death of Megan's father, Barbara begins anxiously gathering his precious things and awaiting the arrival of a mysterious group. What's going on?

The trailer, filled with unnerving glimpses at director of photography Cailin Yatsko's intense cinematography, indicates a horrific ritual is about to take place.

The Surrender is streaming on Shudder on May 23.

Superhero fatigue has gotten so intense that even the protagonists are bored now.

Thunderbolts*, the 36th Marvel Cinematic Universe movie, kicks off with charismatic assassin Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh) bemoaning how tedious her life has become. Through a beleaguered voiceover, she laments that she's stuck in an unfulfilling rut of work, work, work. Sure, she's a highly skilled mercenary whose work involves life-or-death confrontations. But amid all the espionage and murder, she's lost her joie de vivre.

Looking bored, the fan favorite from Black Widow and Hawkeye flawlessly base jumps off a dizzyingly high skyscraper into a top-secret laboratory, where she slays a slew of minions with ease (in a clichéd hallway fight scene). We can assume director Jake Schreier intends this contradiction of hard-hitting action (with no blood, because PG-13) and Yelena's blasé attitude to be funny. However, she might as well be speaking for those audience members who are exhausted by the same superhero movie beats being hit over and over again, with lessening impact through repetition. Like Yelena, some of us are numb to the violence and conspiracies because they've become routine.

Sadly, Yelena and her eponymous team of antiheroes won't save us from this downward spiral. Instead, we get a mess of a movie that balances hijinks, heroics, and a half-hearted message about depression with all the grace of a black widow with eight broken legs.

Thunderbolts* is The Avengers, but worse in every respect. Alexei Shostakov / Red Guardian (David Harbour), Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan), Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus), Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen), Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh), and John Walker (Wyatt Russell) in Marvel Studios' "Thunderbolts*". Credit: Chuck Zlotnick / Marvel 2025

The premise of Thunderbolts* is basically the MCU's answer to Suicide Squad (or its standalone sequel, The Suicide Squad). A shady government muckety-muck brings together a batch of notorious villains, who — despite their differences — will fight as a team to save the day from a world-threatening big bad. The only real difference between these spinoffs from different comic brands are the names — and that CIA director Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (portrayed by Julia Louis-Dreyfus) didn't mean for her crew to join forces.

She'd brought Yelena, John Walker (Wyatt Russell), Taskmaster (Olga Kurylenko), and Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen) together expecting them to kill each other, giving her a clean slate for her latest political maneuvering. But after they survive her trap, these wild cards loop in Red Guardian (David Harbour), The Winter Soldier (Sebastian Stan), and some befuddled dude named Bob (Lewis Pullman) to fight back.

From this very Suicide-Squad framework, however, Thunderbolts* becomes an aching retread of The Avengers (2012). Dialogue will proclaim that there's no way they can come together as a team! They have different powers and different priorities; personalities will clash with harsh words and harsher physical blows. However, through some bonding/action sequences and heart-to-heart-moments, they'll unite just in time to battle a high-flying evil in midtown Manhattan, at the base of Tony Stark's tower, where the Avengers iconically assembled. Except this time, it's not a fleet of alien invaders led by a super beguiling supervillain. The heroes aren't bursting with personality (or even wielding boomerangs). And worst of all, it's not all that thrilling or entertaining.

Florence Pugh is constrained by Yelena's mopey plot line. Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh) in Marvel Studios' "Thunderbolts*". Credit: Chuck Zlotnick / Marvel 2025

After the death of her adopted sister Natasha "Black Widow" Romanoff, the dynamic assassin who has launched a million crushes and bevy of memes is no longer quipping and charismatic. Sure, even as she sought revenge in Hawkeye, she was chaotically flirty as she delivered threats alongside an offer for mac-and-cheese. But in Thunderbolts*, she — like too many MCU heroes from post-Snap MCU — is deep in grief, offering sulking over spirit or snark.

For some confounding reason, rather than tailor a superhero team-up movie to Yelena's typically spirited energy, screenwriters Eric Pearson and Joanna Calo took the funniest character in this collection of misfits and put her in Brooding Batfleck mode. Thus, Pugh must shoulder the movie with her character's greatest powers — her wit, humor, and winsome vulnerability — all tied behind a serious face (not even her signature hard frown!).

This leaves Harbour as Red Guardian to be comic relief, which he does with ease. But his part is one note — a series of dad jokes spiced up with his broken English/Russian accent. To his credit, Stan is wryly funny as the ever-vaguely annoyed Winter Soldier. But his part is so small that his biggest moments involve trailer-worthy stunts and pulling his metal arm out of the dishwasher. (Truly, though, that is a great comedic beat that is character-driven!)

What do you need to remember about the MCU before seeing Thunderbolts? John Walker (Wyatt Russell), Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh), Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan), Alexei Shostakov / Red Guardian (David Harbour), and Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen) in Marvel Studios' "Thunderbolts*". Credit: Chuck Zlotnick / Marvel 2025

Pearson and Calo give enough context to this collection of supporting characters that you'll be able to follow Thunderbolts* just fine without revisiting Black Widow, the Captain America and Avengers movies, the miniseries The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, and Ant-Man and the Wasp. And yet, it just doesn't matter, because every one of these antiheroes is being reduced to the same cliché.

Trauma in their past has led to them to make bad choices, which makes them feel bad about themselves, pushing them to seek a higher purpose in life. Much like the Rick & Morty episode "The Vindicators," which parodied such superhero team-ups, they are all the same, separated only by their trauma accessories, be it a shield, a phase-shifting ability, or Bob's mysterious abilities. And to that end, it's hard to escape the feeling that Disney and Marvel Entertainment are scraping the bottom of the barrel with Thunderbolts*.

Sure, Yelena and Bucky are fan favorites. But who was aching to see most of these other characters? And even if these antiheroes have fans, will they be satisfied by the slapdash approach this Avengers retread offers, even staging climactic confrontations in the same spaces as the 2012 movie? This time, there are no epic gods, no cocky billionaire with a mech suit, no raging Hulk or America's ass. It's just a bunch of bickering mercenaries wearing black body armor and sullen expressions as they combat suicidal depression made manifest as the comic book villain The Void.

The feel-good message of Thunderbolts* is offensively undercooked. John Walker (Wyatt Russell), Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen), Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh), and Alexei Shostakov/Red Guardian (David Harbour) in Marvel Studios' "Thunderbolts*". Credit: Chuck Zlotnick / Marvel 2025

Calo has a stellar resume, having worked on such daring and critically heralded comedy series as Hacks, BoJack Horseman, and The Bear. So perhaps it was her pitch to make the real villain of Thunderbolts* mental illness so severe it can literally suck in anyone near its sufferer. And it is an intriguing concept. As teased in trailers, The Void can raise his hand and — poof! — whoever falls under his shadowy grasp vanishes from the streets of New York City into a flat shadow, as if incinerated onsite. But what that means within the movie cuts deeper, pitching the captive into a Being John Malkovich (or Harley Quinn or Gravity Falls) mind labyrinth of trauma.

SEE ALSO: Why suicide loss stories on TV matter: What 'The Bear' and 'Reservation Dogs' got right

Yelena's experience with depression proves crucial in this climactic battle. It's not so much her lightning-fast reflexes or marksmanship that save the people of Manhattan, but her empathy. To the filmmakers' credit, Thunderbolts* has a unique approach to discussing depression, showing that even heroes (or antiheroes) can struggle with it. However, it also literally weaponizes depression in a super villain, then resolves the issue with a climax that has all the depth of a Folger's coffee commercial. (The Babadook did it better!)

Thunderbolts* is a dizzying disappointment on several levels. John Walker (Wyatt Russell), Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan), Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen), and Alexei Shostakov/Red Guardian (David Harbour) in Marvel Studios' "Thunderbolts*". Credit: Chuck Zlotnick / Marvel 2025

If you've come to see a summer movie with wall-to-wall action, witty banter, and big personalities coming to blows, you'll be confounded by the maudlin tone that hangs over most of this MCU offering. If you loved The Avengers and crave that feeling of seeing it for the first time, this clumsy pretender won't deliver. Leaning into clichés, Thunderbolts* lacks imagination and feels like Kevin Feige and company have shaken out their toy box and tossed in whatever action figures were left into their shrinking sandbox.

There's not a compelling chemistry in this group or an enthralling thrust to the story as much as the feeling of a list of fan expectations being checked off. Sure, there's action, callbacks, deep-dive comic book lore, and the occasional character-driven comedy beat. But overall, Thunderbolts* feels like two to six ideas for a movie haphazardly cobbled together. There's little flow, less fun, and a final act that feels more like a cheat than an achievement.

Thunderbolts* opens in theaters May 2.

If you're feeling suicidal or experiencing a mental health crisis, please talk to somebody. You can reach the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988; the Trans Lifeline at 877-565-8860; or the Trevor Project at 866-488-7386. Text "START" to Crisis Text Line at 741-741. Contact the NAMI HelpLine at 1-800-950-NAMI, Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. ET, or email info@nami.org. If you don't like the phone, consider using the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Chat at crisischat.org. Here is a list of international resources.

If you've ever wanted The White Lotus to do a season set at a ski resort, Nine Perfect Strangers Season 2 is here to grant your wish.

SEE ALSO: Summer Movie Preview: What's coming to theaters and streaming?

The next instalment of Nine Perfect Strangers comes four years after the release of Season 1, with Nicole Kidman's bizarre wellness guru Masha Dmitrichenko returning to wreak more psychedelic havoc on her clients. This time around, Masha has chopped her hair into a long bob and ventured to the Austrian Alps, where she's invited nine new strangers to partake in her wellness retreat.

Like in Season 1 (which was based on author Liane Moriarty's book), Nine Perfect Strangers features a stacked ensemble cast, with this season bringing on Henry Golding (Crazy Rich Asians), Murray Bartlett (The White Lotus), Christine Baranski (The Gilded Age), Annie Murphy (Schitt's Creek), Dolly De Leon (Triangle of Sadness), Maisie Richardson-Sellers, singer King Princess, Aras Aydin, Lucas Englander, Mark Strong (Dune: Prophecy), and Lena Olin.

The trailer for Nine Perfect Strangers Season 2 teases the interplay between these new cast members and Masha, who's ready to push their limits — and her own.

"It is a cleansing of the mind," she says of her retreat in the trailer. Cue the mushroom teas and the trippy sequences!

But something larger is afoot in the Alps. The trailer hints that these so-called strangers may actually have a lot more in common than they originally think. What web links all these characters, and what is Masha's true game here?

Nine Perfect Strangers Season 2 premieres May 21 on Hulu.

SAVE $94.99: The FlexiSpot Adjustable Standing Desk with keyboard tray is just $95 at Amazon, down from the normal price of $189.99. That's a 50% discount.

Opens in a new window Credit: FlexiSpot FlexiSpot Adjustable Standing Desk with keyboard tray $95 at Amazon
$189.99 Save $94.99 Get Deal

If you haven't yet jumped on the standing desk trend, congratulations. You've now waited long enough to find super functional models on a deep discount. Even if you're no longer working from home, adding a standing desk to your home's furniture collection is a smart move. That's especially true today since there's a great discount at Amazon.

As of April 29, the FlexiSpot Adjustable Standing Desk with keyboard tray is just $95, down from the normal price of $189.99. That's a massive 50% discount that takes $94.99 off the normal price.

When it comes to functionality, it doesn't get much better than the FlexiSpot Adjustable Standing Desk. Pair that with today's 50% discount and we're having a hard time coming up with reasons to not jump on this offer. For starters, you have adjustable heigh options that range between 28 and 46 inches, making it suitable for sitting in your ergonomic desk chair, too. When you get tired of sitting, raise it up with ease thanks to the electric lift system.

SEE ALSO: How low can you go? MacBook Airs with unexpected price drops, starting at $799

This model also includes a keyboard tray that sits in front of the desk so you won't have to take up valuable space on the desktop with a keyboard. Plus, the lift system buttons include a child lock and a memory mode, so you can set your desired heights just once.

Since it's 50% off at Amazon, upgrade to the FlexiSpot Adjustable Standing desk with keyboard tray. You'll get a super functional desk for just $95 that allows you to either sit or stand and adjusting between the two takes a single press of a button.

SAVE UP TO 30%: Through May 1, use code SUMMER30 to take up to 30% off base fares for select Southwest flights taking place between May and October 2025.

Opens in a new window Credit: Southwest Southwest Summer Sale Up to 30% off select flights booked by May 1 with code SUMMER30 Get Deal

Did you miss the "up to 30% off flights" sale that Southwest had in early April? No worries — you have another chance to find cheap vacation flights for this summer, because Southwest is basically holding the same sale all over again.

During the Southwest Summer Sale, use code SUMMER30 will unlock discounts of up to 30% on many Southwest flights booked by May 1 for travel coming up in late spring, summer, and early fall. Discounts on base fares apply to continental US travel between May 20 and Oct. 2 and travel to Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and select international destinations between August 17 and Oct. 3. Some specific blackout dates apply, and flights to certain destinations are only eligible on certain days of the week.

SEE ALSO: Frontier's Go Wild! unlimited flight pass is back for the summer for $399

If you've been putting off booking a flight in hopes of strategically saving money, the timing of this sale is particularly advantageous: This is one of the last sales Southwest will have before its free bag policy as we know it goes away. The airline announced in March that it was axing one of its biggest draws — two free checked bags for everyone — for a more exclusive version of the policy, which mostly caters to Rapid Rewards A-List Preferred Members and Business Select passengers. Everyone else will have to start paying for their bags on any Southwest flight booked on or after May 28. This summer sale requires booking by May 1, so you're in the clear there.

For now, Southwest still offers free iMessage and WhatsApp on every flight, so that's something.

SAVE $500: As of April 29, shop Alienware's Area 51 gaming desktop for $4,999.99, saving you $500, or 9% off.

Opens in a new window Credit: Alienware Alienware Area 51 gaming desktop $4,999.99 at Dell
$5,499.99 Save $500 Get Deal

At CES 2025, Dell's Alienware debuted its revamped Area 51 collection, a line-up of the brand's most advanced gaming desktops and laptops. It came at a good time, launched in conjunction with Nvidia's 50-series, which are included in the Area 51 models. Alienware makes our favorite gaming laptop, so we're thrilled to see its new collection finally on the market. And we're even more ecstatic to see the Area 51 gaming desktop already on sale.

As of April 29, get the Area 51 gaming desktop for $4,999.99, down from $5,499.99, at Dell. That saves you $500 for 9% off. While that may not seem like a ton of savings, it's actually a pretty good deal considering it comes with Nvidia graphics, which have seen tariff-related price hikes.

SEE ALSO: Get your game on with $35 off the Logitech G Pro 2 gaming mouse

The Area 51 gaming desktop has the best of both worlds when it comes to tech. It's outfitted with the most advanced systems like the Nvidia 5090 graphics card and Intel Core Ultra 9 285K processor, but all of the components are easily replaceable, too.

It has a tempered glass door, so you can see all of the internal components and get a sleek look, but the real showstopper of the unit is its positive pressure cooling, promising a 13 percent cooler and 45 percent quieter operation. With three different-sized fans inside to cool systems, internal gaskets within the chassis create a seal to build positive pressure, which then expels exhaust through the back of the tower. And it does all of this without an exhaust fan, as the positive pressure pushes out 25 percent more air.

You can shop the Area 51 gaming desktop for $500 off at Dell now.

Check out the best Amazon deals of the day on April 29: OUR TOP PICK Sony ULT Field 1 $88 (save $41.99) Get Deal BEST APPLE DEAL Apple AirPods Pro 2 $169 (save $80) Get Deal BEST BEAUTY TECH DEAL T3 Aire IQ hair dryer $299.99 (save $100) Get Deal BEST GOOGLE DEAL Google Pixel Buds A-Series $59 (save $40) Get Deal BEST SMART HOME DEAL Amazon Echo Show 5 + free WiZ smart bulb $64.99 (save $25) Get Deal

With economic uncertainty afloat and skyrocketing costs, we're pleasantly surprised to see some of our favorite tech brands actually lowering prices. We'd never encourage spending money just because, but if you're in the market for an upgrade and want to save a few bucks in the process, we've rounded up some impressive deals on gadgets at Amazon that we think are worth grabbing on April 29.

Here are our top picks for the best Amazon deals of the day. If none of these are your cup of tea, be sure to check out our picks from yesterday. Many of those deals are still live, including the best price ever on the M4 MacBook Air.

Our top pick: Sony ULT Field 1 Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony ULT Field 1 $88 at Amazon
$129.99 Save $41.99 Get Deal

After taking the Sony ULT Field 1 speaker for a spin, Mashable's Shopping and Reviews Editor Miller Kern gave it a glowing 4.5 out of 5 stars. While the battery life could be a bit longer (though 12 hours is definitely acceptable), she praised its sound quality, customizable EQs, low-profile design, and bass-thumping ULT setting. It comes in basic black, forest gray, off-white, and a vibrant orange shade (pictured) and each option is currently on sale for only $88. That's 32% in savings and matches the speaker's best price ever from Black Friday.

Read our full review of the Sony ULT Field 1.

Apple AirPods Pro 2 Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods Pro 2 $169 at Amazon
$249 Save $80 Get Deal

We're still big fans of the AirPods Pro 2 due to their rich and well-balanced sound profile, best-in-class noise cancellation for earbuds, decent battery life, and of course, seamless Apple ecosystem integration. They're our favorite noise-cancelling earbuds for Apple users, especially when they're on sale for 32% off. While this isn't their lowest price on record, $169 is a pretty solid deal for impressive ANC without the bulk.

Read our full review of the AirPods Pro 2.

T3 Aire IQ Opens in a new window Credit: T3 T3 Aire IQ hair dryer $299.99 at Amazon
$399.99 Save $100 Get Deal

One of our favorite Dyson Supersonic dupes, the T3 Aire IQ, just got 25% more affordable. At $299.99, it's over $100 cheaper than the Supersonic, making us even more likely to recommend it over Dyson. It's also down to its lowest price on record. The T3 Air IQ uses intelligent drying with a whole host of controls directly on the dryer itself. It senses which attachments are connected and adjusts the heat and speed based on the hair type you set. There's five heat settings (compared to Dyson's four), three air speeds, and three attachments. Plus, it comes with a magnetic stand that looks good and can hold two of the three attachments.

Google Pixel Buds A-Series Opens in a new window Credit: Google Google Pixel Buds A-Series $59 at Amazon
$99 Save $40 Get Deal

"If price and sound quality are all that matter to you, you'll have a tough time finding a better value," Mashable's Alex Perry wrote in his review of the Pixel Buds A-Series. While they're no longer the new kids on the block, they'll still get the job done. The A-Series buds offer solid audio, a comfortable fit, average battery life (five hours or up to 24 with charging case), and Google Assistant support. And as of April 29, they're only $59 instead of $99. That's 40% in savings and just 2 cents away from their best price ever.

Read our full review of the Google Pixel Buds A-Series.

Amazon Echo Show 5 + free WiZ smart bulb Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Echo Show 5 + free WiZ smart bulb $64.99 at Amazon
$89.99 Save $25 Get Deal

The latest Echo Show 5 (from 2023) offers some welcome upgrades, including a speaker system with double the bass and better clarity for calls, music, and more, a speedier processor, and a reengineered microphone array from better Alexa responsiveness. Its display is small at only 5.5 inches, but that's why it makes a good fit for a nightstand or desktop. While typically an affordable $89.99, you can snag it on sale as of April 29 for just $64.99 and get a free WiZ smart bulb to get your smart home up and running. That's 28% in savings.

None of these deals catching your eye? Check out Amazon's daily deals for even more savings.

GET 25% OFF: As of April 29, the JBL Go 3 Eco is on sale at Amazon for $29.95, down from $39.95, saving you $10 for 25% off.

Opens in a new window Credit: JBL JBL Go 3 Eco $29.95 at Amazon
$39.95 Save $10.00 Get Deal

The JBL Go speaker series is designed for total portability. The Eco version retains the same design and weather resistance, but weaves in recycled materials.

Right now, the JBL Go 3 Eco speaker is on sale for 25% off. Get it for $29.95, down from $39.95, at Amazon and save $10.

SEE ALSO: The Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K is back under $30 today

Hook it onto your pack or bike handlebars with a carabiner; this speaker is meant to come along for the ride. With an IP67 ingress protection rating, it's certified both waterproof and dustproof, so it can wait out a spring rainstorm with no trouble.

The Eco is made of up to 90% recycled plastic and 100% recycled fabric on the grill. While "up to" doesn't mean that it actually uses that much recycled material in every model, it's still more renewable materials used than most speakers on the market.

JBL speakers bring punchy bass and bright sparkly sound that's perfect for park parties, beaches, and bike rides through busy traffic. Grab one for 25% off and get going.

Leigh Janiak's excellent, reference-laden slasher trilogy Fear Street was one of the real streaming treats of 2021. And this summer, we're heading back to the town of Shadyside, this time in 1988, for another adaptation of R.L. Stine's horror novels.

Netflix has released the official trailer for Fear Street: Prom Queen, following the teaser dropped in February. From director and co-writer Matt Palmer, the film begins days ahead of the Shadyside senior prom, where the competition for the crown is fierce — then the frontrunners start turning up dead.

India Fowler, Suzanna Son, Fina Strazza, David Iacono, Ella Rubin, Chris Klein, Ariana Greenblatt, Lili Taylor, and Katherine Waterston all star.

Fear Street: Prom Queen debuts on Netflix on May 23.