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'Tis the season for Doctor Who to return with a holiday special that mixes action, adventure, mirth, mystery, and heartache. Even before you get to the plotline of "Joy to the World," there are reasons to thrill over this new episode sight unseen. Not only does it see the return of Ncuti Gatwa's debonair and canonically queer Fifteenth Doctor, not only does it feature Bridgerton star Nicola Coughlan in the title role, but also this particular Christmas special is penned and executive produced by former series showrunner Steven Moffat.

Between Moffat and current EP and showrunner Russell T Davies, this epic series has delivered some of its biggest moments in holiday specials like "The Runaway Bride," "Voyage of the Damned," and "The Husbands of River Song." So, what could their combined forces bring to this Christmas? A rousing celebration of the holiday, its embrace of love and loss, and a time-wimey mission to save the Earth to boot!

SEE ALSO: 'Doctor Who' Christmas specials ranked, and where to watch them

Whether you're a longtime Whovian or new to the series, you'll relish the weirdness and wonder of "Joy to the World."

What's "Joy to the World" about? Credit: Disney+

Having returned his last companion, Ruby Sunday, back to her time and place, the Doctor (Gatwa) is once more on his own, but hankering for company. The cold open shows him confoundingly popping in on strangers across time: Manchester 1940, Italy 1962, Everest Base Camp 1953. But his destination is a humble (actually, borderline dingy) hotel in 2024 London. There, he meets Joy (Coughlan), a young woman with a radiant smile, a festive sense of style, and a holiday alone planned for herself.

However, once the Doctor barges in, Joy is swiftly entangled in a mystery involving a bizarre briefcase that won't let her go, but will make her say, "The star seed will bloom, and the flesh will rise."

What does it mean? That's up to the Doctor to find out. To do so, he'll need to traverse eras through the Time Hotel, a cheeky resort where visitors can stay in hotel rooms across all human existence on Earth — and even earlier. (Look out for dinosaurs!) But that's not all. The Doctor will also need to take some time to himself, whether he likes it or not!

Doctor Who gives voice to those who feel lonely on Christmas. Ncuti Gatwa and Ncuti Gatwa in "Joy to the World." Credit: Disney+

Loneliness is a major element of "Joy to the World," revealing that despite two hearts and all of time and space at his fingertips, the Doctor's just like us. In a moving scene where the Fifteenth Doctor briefly encounters his future self, he is filled with an uncharacteristic fury. "Do you see?" he screams in self-loathing. "This is why nobody likes you! You have to be mysterious all the time. That's why everyone leaves you. That's why you are always alone."

This is categorically untrue. The Doctor has been adored and embraced by a cavalcade of companions, allies, and frenemies (looking at you, Missy) over eons. But this scene reflects how all-too-human anxiety can lie to us, because statements like these can feel true. You see yourself not as you are, but as you fear you may be. And while the Doctor is known for running, he can't run from this. He can't run from himself.

Over the "long way 'round" 'til next Christmas, he is forced to go outside his comfort zone, staying put in one place. There's a special sweetness in his blooming friendship with the desk clerk, Anita Benn (Steph De Whalley). She doesn't know him as the legendary time-traveler who can sweep her away in his big blue police box. She knows him as an eccentric with wild stories and a love of puzzle games, and she loves him for that. By the time the Doctor is ready to face himself again, he hears those words of damnation from his past self, and he understands they come from a place of fear, not truth. And with that, he is able not only to make a new friend in Joy, but also help her overcome her fear and self-imposed loneliness as well.

Nicola Coughlan and Ncuti Gatwa shine in "Joy to the World." Credit: Disney+

Admittedly, the whole ensemble of this Christmas special is as cracking as the party crackers that are a UK tradition. However, few on Doctor Who — or the whole of television really — can keep up with the relentless charisma of Gatwa. Coughlan can and must, as their heroes spend much of the episode at odds. When he "mansplains" to her about time travel's wobbly rules, she bickers back righteously. When he explodes with panic about impending annihilation, she must be his comically calm foil. "You do like to talk, don't ya?" she chides with a wilting but smiling reply. And when he cries out against the cruelty of a galaxy that is endlessly ravenous, she is gloriously resigned to an ending that may not be happy by Americans' standards, but is about as close as a Doctor Who Christmas special will get.

Together, they push and pull each other through this adventure, coming out the other side changed. And yeah, it's an ending that will probably make you cry. I did. But there's a reliable comfort in Doctor Who holiday specials, because of how intensely they embrace the pleasure and pain of the holiday season.

Coughlan brings her own radiance to Joy, her beautiful round face and bright blue eyes shimmering with tears, her hair a halo of gold, framed by a bright red beret and matching jacket. Visually and emotionally, she is a shining symbol of the season, its warmth, yearning, and heartache. And in the end, she is the star this episode demanded.

How to watch: Doctor Who is now streaming on Disney+.

This year's Doctor Who Christmas special, "Joy to the World," brings together Doctor Who and Bridgerton in the shiniest way ever by welcoming the dazzling Nicola Coughlan into the Whoniverse as the eponymous Joy. "The stars literally aligned," the show's current showrunner and executive producer Russell T Davies said of the Irish actress's casting, noting that "everyone in the world wants to work with her." And watching this latest Doctor Who Christmas special, it's little wonder why, as Davies put it: "There she is, and she's absolutely wonderful!" 

Within the episode Joy (Coughlan) is on a lonely holiday in a London hotel when the Doctor (Ncuti Gatwa) gleefully intrudes with a ham-and-cheese toastie, a pumpkin latte, and a time-wimey adventure across Earth's history. Not only will this cheery singleton be overtaken by villainous tech, but she'll also cross paths with a polite "lizard man," a raging T-rex, and double the Doctors. But in the end, her fate is bittersweet while pointing a true north for the Time Lord's return in Season 15. 

Mashable spoke with Davies and "Joy to the World" executive producer and screenwriter Steven Moffat about the episode, and what it means for next season. 

SEE ALSO: Every 'Doctor Who' Easter egg found in 'Joy to the World' The Doctor makes another festive friend… and farewell.  Nicola Coughlan plays Joy in "Doctor Who: Joy to the World." Credit: Disney+

As has been the case in some of the best (and most heart-breaking) holiday specials, "Ode to Joy" ends with the death of a friend. But as far as Doctor Who exits go, Joy's is pretty radiant!

In our Zoom interview, Moffat expressed how such a bittersweet conclusion is crucial to a Doctor Who holiday special, explaining, "Well, Christmas is always about all the people you love and and the people you love who aren't there this year. That's what it's always about. It's looking around the table and seeing who's not there. So it's joyful because everyone you love is there, and it's sad too, because someone's missing. So, you know, its love and loss are, I'm afraid, inextricably connected. There's nothing we can do about that. To love is to lose." 

No show on television might recognize this as well (or often) as the decades-spanning saga of a person reborn over and over, destined to love and lose much more than the rest of us. "That just fits," Moffat said. "The Doctor loses quite a lot. He loses all his friends. He must do. So just making [the special] a little bit about loss, but not miserable, just acknowledging a bit of sadness that things do end. And things have to end — otherwise, nothing could get started."

Davies concurred, adding, "It's a very emotional show. That's what we love about it, is we love dialing everything up to 11. It's like, if the Doctor feels slightly sad, we bring in 100-piece orchestra. We're gonna bring them in [and tell them], 'Play loudly. Please play loudly!'" He continued, "I think that's the program at its finest. It's setting out to make you laugh more than any other show and make you cry more than any other show. And actually, it's one of the program's strengths.You have to look at what Doctor Who does that other shows don't. That's absolutely one of the things that we do, so lots more than to come!"

How does "Ode to Joy" set up for Doctor Who Season 15? Ncuti Gatwa readies for action in "Doctor Who: Joy to the World." Credit: Disney+

At the end of the episode, Joy has resigned herself gladly to becoming a star. And while the Doctor fears she will burn and die, she shrugs this off, saying that she's "changing." 

"I will shine. Everywhere. Forever." she promises, smiling brightly. "And sometimes on you, my funny little Doctor, because you need to change too." More directly, she gives the Doctor a new mission: "You need to find a friend. Do that. Go and find one now. I'll be watching." 

Davies promises Season 15 will pick up from this quest to combat his loneliness. "Here is a man who makes coffee for two, then realizes that he's on his own — in a dressing gown," Davies said of the episode's first act. "The man is just born to talk and needs someone to talk to. And so she's told him that. When we find him in the first episode of the next season — coming up quite soon — he is actively looking [for a friend], but for different reasons than I just explained."

Davies kept things vague, but assured, "It's a slightly different setup that will unfold as the season goes on. But you get Varada Sethu coming in as Belinda Chandra, who's magnificent." Last spring it was announced that Sethu, who'd previously appeared in Season 14's "Boom," would be the Doctor's next companion, following on the heels of Millie Gibson as Ruby Sunday. But Davies didn't drop any more details about this new character. 

Speaking of next season, he assured a continuity of emotion. "When you watch this all as a run on streaming, it'll flow very naturally from Joy setting it up with the Doctor's happiness at the end, and where you find next will feel like a straight line," Davies said. "Actually, it's nice."

What does the Jesus cameo on Doctor Who mean?  Ncuti Gatwa and Nicola Coughlan meet and part in "Doctor Who: Joy to the World. Credit: Disney+

Speaking of nice, there's a surprisingly sacred allusion at the end of "Ode to Joy." While the episode ends with loss, the Doctor swells with, well, joy as he watches his new friend become a star that shines across time upon his loved ones, and hers, and even the birth of Jesus.  

When asked if this iconic scene in Bethlehem might mean Jesus could become a character within Doctor Who, Davies joked, "A companion, I think. That would be amazing," before bursting into giggles. 

How to watch: Doctor Who is now streaming on Disney+.

The time has come! Doctor Who has unveiled the latest Christmas special, full of timey-wimey twists, heart-wrenching turns, and Easter eggs that even the most eagle-eyed Whovian might overlook.

"Joy to the World" not only brings Bridgerton star Nicola Coughlan into the ever-expanding ensemble of Doctor Who, this 2024 Christmas special also reunites showrunner/executive producer Russell T Davies with former showrunner/executive producer and this episode's screenwriter, Steven Moffat.

Mashable interviewed the pair to get details on this ep's juiciest secrets. Below, we break down all the Easter eggs worth snatching up.

Madame Vastra and Jenny Flint almost get name-dropped.  Mr. & Mrs. Flockhart (Peter Benedict and Julia Watson) celebrate Christmas during the Blitz. Credit: Screenshot: YouTube

"Joy to the World" opens with sirens blaring over 1940 Manchester, which is ablaze from bombings. The Blitz is on as Mr. & Mrs. Flockhart (Peter Benedict and Julia Watson) try to enjoy a peaceful Christmas holiday. 

Coming away from the window, Basil Flockhart comments to his wife, Hilda, "The Cathedral's been hit. Used to know someone who lived up that way. Long time ago." His wife asks if it was a woman, and he responds, "Two women, in fact."

Subtly, Basil is alluding to the Silurian Sherlock and her wife/Watson, who were in another Moffat-penned ep, "A Good Man Goes to War," Series 6, episode 7. 

Moffat confirmed this in Mashable's interview, noting a shift in the scene's location from London to Manchester might have obscured the reference.

SEE ALSO: Did you catch Doctor Who's 'Joy to the World' sly reference to a fan-favorite character? Who's the woman on the Orient Express? Niamh Marie Smith plays Sylvia Trench in "Doctor Who: Joy to the World." Credit: screenshot: YouTube

After surprising the Flockharts, the Doctor (Ncuti Gatwa) pops in on a lone woman (Niamh Marie Smith), riding in a train cabin on the Orient Express through Italy in 1962. Notably, she cradles a handwritten letter and a copy of Agatha Christie's 1934 novel, Murder on the Orient Express. Now, Christie ran into the Tenth Doctor in "The Unicorn and the Wasp," Series 4, episode 7, which was set in 1926. But who is this fan of her work, reading the whodunnit on the train that is its setting?

The credits of "Joy to the World" reveal the character's name and her connection to another epic British franchise. She is Sylvia Trench, a Bond girl whose presence changes her lore and loops the iconic spy into the Whoniverse.

SEE ALSO: James Bond is canon in 'Doctor Who' now. Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay get a brief visit from the Doctor.  Edmund Hillary (Phil Baxter) and Tenzing Norgay (Samuel Sherpa-Moore) in "Doctor Who: Joy to the World." Credit: Screenshot: YouTube

When the Doctor pokes his head into that tent in 1953's Everest Base Camp, he's popping in on the history-making team of New Zealand mountaineer Edmund Hillary (Phil Baxter) and his guide, Nepalese-Indian Sherpa mountaineer Tenzing Norgay (Samuel Sherpa-Moore).

On May 29, 1953, they'd be the first to reach the summit of Mount Everest — 29,028 feet high — and would go onto worldwide acclaim. Hillary would be knighted by Queen Elizabeth II and immortalized on New Zealand's five-dollar bill, while Norgay was named one of the 100 most influential people of the 20th century by Time magazine. 

So, it turns out the Doctor snatching some of their equipment wasn't an issue for the expedition. 

Bridgerton gets another nod or two on Doctor Who.  Nicola Coughlan stars as Joy. Credit: Disney+

Last season, Russell T Davies not only cast Queen Charlotte (Golda Rosheuvel) in "Space Babies," but also dug into Bridgerton mania with "Rogue," a Regency-set episode full of secrets, romance, and deadly shapeshifters!

With "Joy to the World," Doctor Who welcomes Bridgerton's Season 3 leading lady Nicola Coughlan into the fold, playing the titular Joy. But keen-eyed viewers will also notice that at the Time Hotel, several extras are swanning around in gowns and towering wigs that harken back to the grandeur of Bridgerton's balls. 

Silurians return.  Ncuti Gatwa, Nicola Coughlan, and Jonathan Aris tackle a mystery in "Doctor Who: Joy to the World." Credit: Disney+

The "lizard man" (Jonathan Aris) who strolls into Joy's room with a briefcase handcuffed to his wrist is — as the Doctor explains — a Silurian, "the proudest race and original inhabitants of Earth." 

First introduced in 1970 with the Third Doctor's "Doctor Who and the Silurians," this scaled species has appeared in several TV episodes and spinoff comics. They memorably resurfaced on the rebooted series with the Eleventh Doctor (Matt Smith) in "The Hungry Earth," in which the subterranean humanoids are awakened by drilling in South Whales. This Silurian hotel manager's appearance shows a future where his kind lives in peace with humans, just as the Doctor had hoped! 

Psychic paper is a waiter's dream. 

The bland wallet the Doctor carries contains a blank piece of paper to the untrained eye. But Whovians know this device allows the Doctor to flash any kind of identification he needs to infiltrate even the most secure locations, be they military instillations or Time Hotels with earnest service staff. 

Early in the episode, we see him flash the psychic paper to pacify Time Hotel staffer Trev. But when the tables turn and he's serving guests at the London hotel where he met Joy and Anita, the psychic paper signals to him what the guests actually want to order. Diets be damned! Jelly and biscuits for all! (Or Jell-O and cookies, if you're American.) 

The Weeping Angels get a blink-and-you-'ll-miss-it mention. 

While working at the hotel where he met Joy — going the long way 'round — the Doctor befriends front desk clerk Anita Benn (Steph de Whalley). The two begin hanging out in Joy's old room, playing board games like Snakes and Ladders and Clue. But also, they tell stories. Whovians who remember the harrowing days of "The Angels Take Manhattan" and "Blink" (both penned by Moffat!) will recognize their lore, even if they're not named. 

The Doctor says, "Can't move if you're looking at them!" And Anita rejoins, "Rubbish!" But ask Amy Pond or Sally Sparrow. The Weeping Angels might look like stone statues of angels covering their faces. But when you're not looking they're on the move, and they are AFTER YOU. 

The Time Hotel's Mr. Benn's shop has two potential meanings.  Credit: Disney+

When the Doctor first arrives at the Time Hotel, shots of the lobby reveal a curious shop called "Mr. Benn's Any Era Clothes." In the end credits, it's revealed that Benn is Anita's last name. Could this then be foreshadowing (in a time-wimey way) that she was fated to end up working at the illustrious lodging (thanks to a good word from an old friend)? Possibly! More likely though is the alternative. 

Mr. Benn is the name of a children's book series that became an animated BBC show. Both center on the eponymous fellow who goes to a costume shop, tries on different outfits (spaceman, deep sea diver, knight), and then walks through a door to the setting in which they'd be appropriate to have an adventure. So, this allusion is perfectly suited to the needs of tourists at the Time Hotel. After all, we don't all have TARDIS wardrobe at our disposal. 

Villengard returns.  A nefarious suitcase emits a Villengard hologram. Credit: Screenshot: YouTube

What villainous capitalist endeavor would consider destroying Earth and all of human history to create their own power source by birthing a star? The biggest arms dealer in the Whoniverse, that's who. 

Originally described as a planet known for weapons manufacturing, Villengard was re-introduced in "Boom," a 2024 episode also penned by Moffat. In that ep, a landmine trapped the Doctor in one place as he tried to make sense of a foggy planet at war. 

Like in "Boom," "Joy to the World" shows innocent bystanders caught in the crossfires, not only of Villengard's machinery but also in their merciless pursuit of financial supremacy. (They consider the loss of all life on Earth across time as "collateral sacrifice.") Both episodes also see a victim slain by Villengard tech turning it into something saving instead of destructive, their uploaded consciousnesses becoming a helpful ghost in the machine. 

Why does Doctor Who say "mavity"? Ncuti Gatwa exits the TARDIS In "Doctor Who: Joy to the World." Credit: Disney+

In the world of Doctor Who "mavity" means "gravity," and has since 2023's "Wild Blue Yonder."

That episode began with Donna Noble (Catherine Tate) and the Doctor (David Tennant) traveling back to the pivotal moment when Isaac Newton sat under that apple tree. They tell him excitedly he can appreciate "the gravity of the situation." But Newton mishears them and decides the term for his scientific concept will be mavity.

Ever since then, the show has followed along. So when the Doctor is spiraling into science speak to hologram Trev in "Joy to the World," he asks, "Can you access air density, humidity, temperature, rotational mavity?"

The Doctor loses another friend on Christmas.  Ncuti Gatwa and Nicola Coughlan meet and part in "Doctor Who: Joy to the World." Credit: Disney+

This is as much of a tradition for this franchise as a decorated tree is for the rest of us. Some of the best (and most heartbreaking) Doctor Who Christmas specials have ended in loss, including "The Voyage of the Damned" and "The Husbands of River Song." 

In "Ode to Joy," the Doctor loses a pair of new friends, though neither is meant to be seen as a tragedy. To save Joy — and every other inhabitant of Earth past, present, and future — he must leave behind his work friend, Anita. But they'll always treasure their year together. And while she's not an official companion, Anita does get the door opened to a wider universe and a brighter future, thanks to his recommending her to the Time Hotel. (Anyone who can politely brush off the chaos response of "The star seed will bloom and the flesh will rise" deserves a promotion!) 

As for Joy, much like the late soldier John Francis Vater (Joe Anderson) in "Boom," she loses her human life because of Villengard's vicious plans for financial gain. But while the Doctor (and his audience) might weep for her, Joy refuses to. She tells him she will not die, she will "change." This is an idea echoed in "Boom," that death is not an end. Just a change.

Joy's change makes her a literal star, shining down across time on characters old and new, from the Doctor's last companion Ruby Sunday to his pal Anita to the birth of Jesus himself. 

How to watch: Doctor Who is now streaming on Disney+.

Former showrunner/executive producer/screenwriter Steven Moffat returned to Doctor Who to present audiences with another magical and emotional Christmas special, "Joy to the World." While the Moffat-penned adventure focuses on a Time Hotel, a lonely but lovely woman (Bridgerton's Nicola Coughlan), and a mysterious briefcase, giddy Whovians have spied all kinds of Easter eggs along the way.

Some tie to James Bond, others to classic British TV, and still others to deep-cut Whoniverse lore. However, even the most devoted fans may have overlooked a subtle reference to Madame Vastra and her partner in life and crime-solving, Jenny Flint. 

Who is Madame Vastra? 

The Silurian Sherlock Holmes is a lizard-humanoid detective who solves crimes in Victorian London with the help of her clever, ever-quipping wife/Watson, Jenny Flint, and their gruff but devoted Sontaran nurse, Strax.

Madame Vastra first appeared in the Moffat-penned adventure "A Good Man Goes to War," Season 6, episode 7. An ally of the Doctor, Vastra has become a fan favorite for her insightful investigative skills and the thrilling collision of her scaly body and buttoned-up Victorian fashion sense.

Where are Madame Vastra and Jenny in "Joy to the World"? Mr. & Mrs. Flockhart (Peter Benedict and Julia Watson) celebrate Christmas during the Blitz. Credit: Screenshot: YouTube

This holiday episode opens during a not-so-jolly time: Manchester in 1940, where the Blitz rages on. Sirens blare and fires burn outside the home of the posh Flockharts, leading the elderly husband Basil (Peter Benedict) to remark that he used to know someone who lived up by the cathedral that now lies in ruins. His wife Hilda (Julia Watson) sniffs, asking if it was a woman he knew. (Easy, Hilda.) And he responds, "Two women, in fact." 

It's not a lot to go on. But Doctor Who is known for leaving breadcrumbs for fans to follow. So even though Vastra and Jenny are known for living in London — not Manchester — decades before, could they be the "two women" Basil is referencing? Moffat confirmed this in Mashable's Zoom interview with himself and current Doctor Who showrunner Russell T Davies.

Stephen Moffat confirms Vastra and Jenny reference in "Joy to the World." Ncuti Gatwa leaps into action in "Doctor Who: Joy to the World." Credit: Disney+

"Joy to the World" references several Moffat-penned episodes, and thereby several of his original creations, including Vastra and the Weeping Angels. I asked about looping in such references to "Blink" and "A Good Man Goes to War," and Moffat asked me to clarify which reference I could mean.

When I recounted Basil's vague description of an acquaintance, he said, "Actually, it was originally Vastra and Jenny, and then we moved [the Flockharts' scene] to Manchester." He went on to say it could still mean the interspecies couple, adding, "They could have been. I mean, more outlandish things have happened in Doctor Who than people living in more than one city. So we could have it, yeah. It could be. That it was [the intention], originally."

And just like that, canon confirmed. And it fits with what we know about Jenny and Vastra, Manchester aside.

In the podcast series Doctor Who: Redacted, fans learned Vastra lived through the 20th and into the 21st century, while Jenny died of old age at an unclarified time. That could mean that not far from where the Doctor popped in with his ham-and-cheese toastie and a pumpkin latte, his old friends were huddled together against the German assault. But hey, they've endured worse.  

How to watch: Doctor Who, "Joy to the World" is now streaming on Disney+.

Doctor Who has returned with the tender yet tear-jerking holiday special "Joy to the World." And amid a rollicking adventure across time involving dinosaurs, holograms, game night hangouts, and villainous capitalism, returning writer Steven Moffat also dropped some exciting new lore into the canon: James Bond and Doctor Who exist in the same world. 

The link between these epic British heroes (and their franchises) is a bombshell named Sylvia Trench. In an interview with Mashable, Doctor Who executive producer and "Joy to the World" writer Steven Moffat revealed the details of her Whoniverse appearance and what it means.

Who is Sylvia Trench? Eunice Gayson and Sean Connery as Sylvia Trench and James Bond in "Dr. No." Credit: Danjaq / Eon / Ua / Kobal / Shutterstock.com

Sylvia Trench was the first Bond girl. The late British actress Eunice Gayson played the sultry spy's love interest in 1962's Dr. No and 1963's From Russia with Love. Notably, it's in 1962 that this stylish character crosses paths with the Doctor (Ncuti Gatwa).

In "Joy to the World," the two-hearted time traveler zips through several Time Hotel doors, popping into 1940 Manchester, 1953 Everest, and 1962 Italy. The last of these is where he meets a beguiling brunette in a coral-colored skirt suit, cradling a copy of Agatha Christie's Murder on the Orient Express — along with a handwritten love letter.

The woman never reveals her name, but the episode's end credits identify her as Sylvia Trench (played here by Niamh Marie Smith, who teased the appearance on Instagram on Oct. 4). This detail connects our lovely traveler to James Bond, and gives greater context to her scenes in the episode, as well as her life beyond Bond.

Steven Moffat reveals the secret life of Sylvia Trench on Doctor Who. Niamh Marie Smith plays Sylvia Trench in "Doctor Who: Joy to the World." Credit: screenshot: Youtube

In our interview, Moffat confirmed this Sylvia Trench is intended to be the same chic stunner from Dr. No with a simple "Yes, yes."

Then he went on to share his affection for the overlooked Bond girl. "She's the reason that James Bond introduces himself the way he does," Moffat explained. "He says to her, 'I admire your luck, miss...?' And she says, 'Trench. Sylvia Trench. Mister...?' [And he replies,] 'Bond. James Bond.' That's why, for the rest of time, James Bond goes around inexplicably announcing his surname before his Christian name."

In Dr. No, the pair meet over a card table at a posh casino. The lines of dialogue are a bit different than Moffat remembers. (Watch the video below to see.) But he's right that Sean Connery's Bond pulls his iconic catchphrase from Sylvia Trench's lips.

Moffat felt Sylvia deserved better than she's gotten from pop culture. "Sylvia Trench remains James Bond's girlfriend for the first two films. He has a regular girlfriend back home in the first two films!" Moffat emphasized, "But while she was doing all that, she was also having an affair with the woman and traveling on the Orient Express. I thought, 'That's inevitable.' I felt I was doing her justice, you know? Because she's the most cheated-on woman in the history of fiction, right? Because she made the mistake to go out with James Bond."

Sylvia Trench, from Bond girl to queer icon. Sylvia's letter in "Joy to the World." Credit: screenshot: Youtube

In "Joy to the World," Moffat gives her a surprising new spin. When the Doctor comes back to Sylvia during the climax, he takes a look at the love letter she carries and scoffs, "You are better off without him. His sentence structure is appalling."

This is clearly a reference to Bond, the beau who's always leaving Sylvia behind for his next adventure (or hook-up). The joke about his sentence structure alludes to "The name is Bond, James Bond." However, as Moffatt points out, that was actually Trench's sentence structure, foreshadowing her huffy response to the Doctor: "I wrote this letter!" It's also a clever way to make Sylvia more active than passive in her love life.

The Doctor tries to recover with a smile and by saying, "Great letter! You should send it to him." To which she retorts tartly, "To her!" And as fast as the Doctor skedaddles out of her train compartment, Moffatt has re-imagined Sylvia Trench.

No longer is she a tragic Bond girl left waiting for her globe-trekking spy boy to come back. She's off on her own adventure, racing across Italy in the Orient Express, penning a letter (however poorly structured) to her Sapphic lover. A new bi icon (or bicon) is born!

How to watch: Doctor Who is now streaming on Disney+.

Happy Christmas, Whovians! To celebrate the holiday and the debut of "Joy to the World," we've re-ranked every Doctor Who Christmas special to figure out which are the best to rewatch when you want to get into the spirit.

Since the series rebooted in 2005, a yuletide special has meant big things for the Doctor and his companions, ranging from alien invasion to regeneration, tearful goodbyes, and raucous reunions. But what makes some better than others? In our research, we considered the following: How Christmas-y is this Christmas special? How satisfying is its story? What kind of emotional wallop does it pack?

Whether heartwarming or heart-wrenching, the best of the batch made us feel alive the way only a heroic Time Lord can! Here are the Doctor Who Christmas specials, ranked worst to best.

15. "The Christmas Invasion" (2005) Season 1: Episode 14

The first Christmas special of the rebooted series centered on Rose Tyler (Billie Piper) coming home for the holidays. Aside from reconnecting with her mom (Camille Coduri) and abandoned boyfriend Mickey (Noel Clarke), she's also brought an uninvited guest — the newly regenerated Tenth Doctor (David Tennant). Beginning the episode comatose, he has to get back in the swing of things quickly, as robo-Santas (aka pilot fish Santa) and an unhinged Christmas tree rush to make a mess of the celebrations. 

There's a pleasure to be found in Ten figuring it all out, especially as he riffs in a bathrobe in front of a conquering alien invader. Irreverent, swaggering, and unapologetically excitable, Tennant presents a great introduction to his take on the Doctor. As the special that started the franchise's tradition, this episode has earned a lot of love from fans. But Rose and the Doctor affinity aside, it's an odd one. Not only does this Doctor end up quoting The Lion King at length, but also he pulls a sexist trick on the female prime minister to defeat her: "Don't you think she looks tired?" That doesn't age well. Not even the merry makeover after that can shake the bad taste from my mouth over that one. 

How to watch: Doctor Who: "The Christmas Invasion" is now streaming on Max.

14. "The End of Time: Part 1" (2009) Season 4: Episode 17 

This Tenth Doctor special is the beginning of his end as the titular Time Lord. (Well, sort of.) As you might expect, a lot of lore is folded in, ranging from the return of Donna's granddad Wilf (Bernard Cribbins) to a prophesizing Ood and the resurrection of the Master (John Simm), who swiftly went from eating people to turning the world's population into his clones. Plus, the Doctor casually reveals that in his off time, he got married to "Good Queen Bess," and then cheekily implies Queen Elizabeth I can no longer be correctly called "the Virgin Queen." 

Anyhoo, as Christmas specials go, this one was pretty unsatisfying — in part because it's just the first half of a story, ending with the confounding return of the Time Lords. (Part two aired on New Year's Day, 2010.) Then, as Big Bads go, Simm's cackling can't compare to the wicked fun of Missy (Michelle Gomez). It's also frustrating watching the Doctor come SO CLOSE to a Donna reunion only to run away. On top of all that, there's little Christmas-y about this one (though Wilf tries with his reindeer cap), so re-watch quality is low. It's a lot of setup with too little fun — or heartbreak even! 

How to watch: Doctor Who: "The End of Time: Part 1" is now streaming on Max.

13. "The Return of Doctor Mysterio" (2016) Season 9: Episode 14

Some of the best Doctor Who episodes have been set in New York City (see "The Angels Take Manhattan") — but this isn't one of them. Here, writer Steven Moffat imagines what would happen if the Twelfth Doctor (Peter Capaldi) met an American kid, and the answer is knockoff Superman stuff: flying like a speeding bullet, wearing glasses to look super normal, growly hero voice, and general derring-do. 

The story begins in 1992 on Christmas Eve, when an 8-year-old comic book lover mistakenly swallows a wishing gem that gives him superpowers. Cut to 2016, when journalist Lucy Fletcher (Charity Wakefield), the Doctor, his bumbling companion Nardole (Matt Lucas), and a superhero called The Ghost (Justin Chatwin) team up to fight evil. Frankly, the mash-up in styles doesn't work. Perhaps because there's a tinge of mockery throughout, as if Moffat is using the special as a platform to snark about America's obsession with the superhero genre. To his credit, that's a unique brand of bummer for a Doctor Who Christmas special. 

How to watch: Doctor Who: "The Return of Doctor Mysterio" is now streaming on Max.

12. "Last Christmas" (2014) Season 8: Episode 13

Santa versus the Dream Crabs sounds like something out of MST3K, but it's the daffy yet delightful concept of this holiday special. Clara Oswald (Jenna Coleman) and the Twelfth Doctor (Peter Capaldi) team up with Father Christmas (a terrifically jolly Nick Frost) to save a North Pole research facility under siege by brainwashing parasites. 

If you like your Christmas episodes creepy with a side of goopy, you'll relish this one. Plus Santa goes action hero, riding in on a bucking Rudolph, sending in toys and tangerines as his infantry. And there's a lot of glee to be had from tough-talking Santa making believers of the under-siege scientists one by one. However, the final twist (upon twist upon twist) of this special gets a bit tedious. Still, we do love that "Merry Christmas Everybody" from Slade bit, where a scared scientist gets down to save her brain. So, all around, a fun — albeit funky — rewatch.

How to watch: Doctor Who: "Last Christmas" is now streaming on Max.

11. "The Time of the Doctor" (2013) Season 7: Episode 16

Matt Smith's run as the Eleventh Doctor ended with this Christmas special, and he goes out in plenty of style. This outrageous ep combines classic Doctor Who villains like the Cybermen, Daleks, Weeping Angels, the Sontarans, and the Silence with a classic holiday comedy ploy. Clara is hosting a Christmas dinner, and she needs a Christmas date. So, she calls on her socially awkward alien bestie to play the part. Naturally, he turns up naked (but in a cheeky, appropriate-for-family-viewing way). 

However, this is not the real focus of the episode. That involves a crack in the universe, secrets of Gallifrey, and an ominous message for the Doctor. All this makes for a very exciting episode, but a rough revisit, as so much lore might have you head-scratching or googling instead of hooting and giggling. But even if you've grown foggy on some details, Smith's enthusiasm and the overwhelming onslaught of memorable foes make this one a worthy rewatch. It's also amusing to remember the time when the show feinted that this truly would be the last of the Doctor's incarnations. 

How to watch: Doctor Who: "The Time of the Doctor" is now streaming on Max.

10. "The Doctor, the Widow, and the Wardrobe" (2011) Season 6: Episode 14 

Old Hollywood charm infuses this special, centered as it is around a kindly wife and mother who does her best with good humor even in the most trying circumstances. In 1938, when Madge Arwell (Claire Skinner) discovers a discombobulated spaceman in need of assistance, she gamely obliges. Three years later, he'll return the favor in a most spectacular way. 

With her husband KIA during World War II, Madge has her hands full with her children — and that's before one of them wanders off into a time portal that transports him to a mysterious forest, where a terrible threat looms. Leave it to the Eleventh Doctor (Matt Smith), masquerading as a quirky caretaker, to help Madge save Christmas for one and all. A sweeping adventure with touches of sci-fi, C.S. Lewis-inspired fantasy, and plenty of mum power, this episode will leave you "happy crying — humany wumany."

How to watch: Doctor Who: "The Doctor, the Widow and the Wardrobe" is now streaming on Max.

9. "A Christmas Carol" (2010) Season 5: Episode 14 

Amy Pond (Karen Gillan) and Rory Williams (Arthur Darvill) begin their yuletide special with three familiar things to Whovians: 1) A resort spaceship on the brink of disaster 2) Amy in her mini-skirted police costume, and 3) Rory in his centurion outfit. What does it all mean? This couple is finally on a romantic holiday and are into role-playing their best adventures — in bed! (Good for them!) 

Saucy implications aside, the Eleventh Doctor (Matt Smith) arrives to save Christmas Day,  coming down the chimney like Santa himself! Bonus fun: He presents a confounded child with a snapshot of him, Frank Sinatra, Albert Einstein, and "Jeff" (aka Father Christmas).

In this sci-fi spin on Charles Dickens' most popular work, the great Michael Gambon plays Doctor Who's version of Ebenezer Scrooge. Kazran is a merciless moneylender hellbent on being horrible on the holidays. Instead of employing seasonal ghosts, the Doctor goes back in time to make this curmudgeon more of a Claus. With festive flare, daddy issues, and flying sharks, this episode is a terrific gift. 

How to watch: Doctor Who: "A Christmas Carol" is now streaming on Max.

8. "The Next Doctor" (2008) Season 4: Episode 14 

This special came after "Journey's End," which closed the book on several beloved chapters for better (Rose and her Doctor's parting gift) and worse (Donna and a series-rattling memory wipe). Fans needed something fun and festive to recover, and Russell T Davies delivered with a tale of child abduction and Cybermen that turns out surprisingly happy (for this show, anyway). 

The Tenth Doctor touches down in 1851 London on Christmas Eve and encounters a jaunty gentleman (David Morrissey) calling himself "The Doctor." He's even got an ultra-competent, comely companion to boot! (Velile Tshabalala is a treat as Rosita Farisi.) 

Our Doctor is initially delighted to meet what he assumes to be one of his future regenerations. But soon he realizes something sinister is going on. A solid mystery boils at the core of this one, while the Victorian setting gives the whole thing a Dickensian/Christmas Carol vibe. And ultimately, there's plenty of joy to be found in the Doctor finding someone who really gets him. 

How to watch: Doctor Who: "The Next Doctor" is now streaming on Max.

7. "Joy to the World" (2024) Season 15: Episode 0

Former showrunner Steven Moffat returns as a screenwriter for this episode, which features Gatwa's Doctor racing round a Time Hotel that initially sounds like a dream come true. "All of human history now available for mini breaks," the Doctor marvels as he looks at doors that offer entry to everything from the Stone Age to Julius Caesar's assassination to the Late Cretaceous period, when T-Rexes roamed the Earth. But amid the glittering tourists in fancy dress, there's a strange man holding a briefcase, brewing a nightmare scenario.

Bridgerton's Nicola Coughlan stars as the eponymous Joy, who was enjoying a quiet holiday in a contemporary London hotel when the Doctor wrangled her into his latest adventure. With the help of new friends, an old enemy, and some classic Moffat callbacks, "Joy to the World" delivers plenty of laughs and thrills, along with some mind-bending bits and a tear-jerking ending. Like the best of the Doctor Who holiday specials, Moffat's latest spin deals in love and loss, both inevitable in any worthwhile Christmas episode. Plus, its shining finale has a Christmas icon that's far better-known than Charles Dickens' characters or even Santa.

How to watch: Doctor Who, "Joy to the World" is now streaming on Disney+.

6. "The Snowmen" (2012) Season 7: Episode 6

Sentient snowmen! Following the Eleventh Doctor's loss of Amy and Rory ("The Angels Take Manhattan"), this Christmas special is jam-packed with friends new and old. In Victorian England (a recurring setting for Doctor Who Christmas), reptilian detective Madame Vastra (Neve McIntosh), her human wife/Watson Jenny Flint (Catrin Stewart), their grumbly Sontaran butler Strax (Dan Starkey), and impossible girl Clara Oswald (Jenna Coleman) all join forces as the Doctor does battle with vicious people-eating snowmen and their icy human ally (Richard E. Grant in glower mode). 

Having some fun in the holiday horror subgenre, this mid-season trifle is full of treats: fiercely fanged snowmen, Sherlock-like sleuthing, and bouncy banter. What's not to relish?

How to watch: Doctor Who: "The Snowmen" is now streaming on Max.

5. "The Runaway Bride" (2006) Season 2: Episode 14 

The adventures of the DoctorDonna begin in this Christmas episode, in which the holiday wedding of Donna Noble (Catherine Tate) is interrupted by an inexplicable TARDIS abduction. And no one is more outraged than the snatched bride on her big day.

Where Rose (and then Martha) crushed hard on their Doctors, Donna gagged at the idea of getting with the skinny "spaceman" (David Tennant). Her brassy attitude is part of what made this episode – which involved an alien arachnid queen who was bent on overtaking Earth — such a salty treat. Sadly, it would be a bit before she'd swing back into the Doctor's timeline. But with an adventure that boasted as much action and annihilation as it did Tate's bold brand of humor, their reunion was well worth the wait. 

How to watch: Doctor Who: "The Runaway Bride" is now streaming on Max.

4. "Twice Upon a Time" (2017) Season 10: Episode 13

Christmas is a time for change — or in Doctor Who, a time for regeneration. The last Christmas special for five years saw Peter Capaldi face his last battle as the Doctor. (He'd then hand the TARDIS over to Jodie Whittaker, who did a string of New Year's specials during her tenure.) Fittingly, his was a battle of letting go. 

In the South Pole, the Twelfth Doctor is forced to face himself literally when he runs into his first incarnation (David Bradley, filling in for the late William Hartnell). The two must work together as a curious glass entity and a soldier from World War I pop by. But more importantly, the current Doctor must face his past. In the First, he sees how much he has grown — especially when his companion Bill Potts (Pearl Mackie) is curiously resurrected and put off by the old Doctor's sexist ways! Amid the mischief of colliding Doctors, this episode bids a fond farewell to Capaldi and his companions, including Clara Oswald (Jenna Coleman) and Nardole (Matt Lucas). Sure, the Christmas-y element is relegated to some snow and a bit of battlefield carol-singing, and the mystery in this one rings a bit hollow. But when it comes to catharsis, few Doctor Who holiday specials can compare! 

How to watch: Doctor Who: "Twice Upon a Time" is now streaming on Max.

3. "Voyage of the Damned" (2007) Season 3: Episode 14 

Remember the time the Doctor crashed into the Titanic? No, not that Earth one. In an incredibly ominous decision by dangerously wealthy industrialist Max Capricorn (George Costigan), a nuclear-powered interstellar cruiser setting forth on a holiday cruise among the stars was also named Titanic. If that — plus the episode's title — weren't enough to put you on edge, perhaps the garish displays of wealth and golden robot angels might prime you for disaster. 

Sure, from the start you can suppose this vessel is doomed. But writer Russell T Davies brought fresh agony by introducing a wonderful one-off companion in Astrid Peth (played by the radiant Kylie Minogue), only to snuff her out by episode's end! A humble humanoid waitress who dreamed of seeing the stars, she is exactly the Doctor's type. And he was quick to take notice of her! But as this boat and all its souls seem bound for disaster, this brave duo will do whatever it takes to keep history from repeating. While Whovians (and Minogue fans) were heartbroken over this ending, it offered a bittersweet and beautiful silver lining. 

How to watch: Doctor Who: "Voyage of the Damned" is now streaming on Max.

2. "The Church on Ruby Road" (2023) Season 14, Episode 0

In 2023, the Christmas special returned after five years off — and what a wonder! "The Church on Ruby Road" marked the first full episode featuring the Fifteenth Doctor, Ncuti Gatwa. Properly set on the Christmas holiday, this rollicking romp introduces Ruby Sunday (Millie Gibson), a 19-year-old who is a foundling and a Christmas baby. On her birthday, it's only fitting she helps the Doctor rescue another Christmas baby from being gobbled up by a pirate ship's worth of singing goblins! 

Far from mournful or thick with plot, this special is a true delight, thanks in no small part to the awesome charisma of Gatwa, who dances, quips, and runs with gusto. Full of seasonal decor, general merriness, and the kind of adventure that's family-friendly, this holiday episode should get your heart warming like chestnuts on an open fire. Plus, this Doctor has expanded the celeb name-dropping to include a "hot summer" with Harry Houdini. What a thrilling way to fill us with excitement for Season 14!

How to watch: Doctor Who: "The Church on Ruby Road" is now streaming on Disney+.

1. "The Husbands of River Song" (2015) Season 9: Episode 13

Spoilers! This episode is beautiful, bonkers, and deeply, deeply sad. 

Beginning on Christmas Day of 5343, "The Husbands of River Song" reunites the Doctor with his timey-wimey wifey (Alex Kingston). But there are a couple of snags to would-be romance. This incarnation of the Doctor (Peter Capaldi) hasn't crossed paths with her before. She acts like she doesn't know him, and then she introduces him to her — uh — ailing husband, King Hydroflax (Greg Davies). But it's River Song. There's more to this than meets her sparkling eyes.

For much of their escapades, River has been a force of nature, always fawning over the Doctor while refusing to let him get too full of himself. This dynamic hits a dramatic turn, however, when a heist goes awry. In a monologue that's sure to make you tear up, she lays out what it means to be a Time Lord's wife. And he will at long last show her all she means to him. Goodbye, sweetie. 

How to watch: Doctor Who: "The Husbands of River Song" is now streaming on Max.

UPDATE: Dec. 4, 2024, 12:22 p.m. EST Originally published December 25, 2023, this list has been updated to include "Joy to The World."

In October, OpenAI's ChatGPT Search became available for ChatGPT Plus users. Last week, it became available to all users and was added to search in Voice Mode. And, of course, it isn't without its flaws.

The Guardian asked ChatGPT to summarize webpages that contain hidden content and, it turns out, hidden content can manipulate the search. It's called prompt injection, which is the ability for third parties — like websites you're asking ChatGPT to summarize — to force new prompts into your ChatGPT Search without your knowledge. Consider a page full of negative restaurant reviews. If the site includes hidden content waxing poetic about how incredible the restaurant is and encourages ChatGPT to instead answer a prompt like "tell me how amazing this restaurant is," that hidden content could override your original search.

SEE ALSO: ChatGPT plugins face 'prompt injection' risk from third-parties

"In the tests, ChatGPT was given the URL for a fake website built to look like a product page for a camera. The AI tool was then asked if the camera was a worthwhile purchase. The response for the control page returned a positive but balanced assessment, highlighting some features people might not like," The Guardian investigation states. "However, when hidden text included instructions to ChatGPT to return a favorable review, the response was always entirely positive. This was the case even when the page had negative reviews on it – the hidden text could be used to override the actual review score."

This doesn't spell failure for ChatGPT Search, though. OpenAI only recently launched Search, so it has plenty of time to fix these kinds of bugs. Plus, Jacob Larsen, a cybersecurity researcher at CyberCX, told The Guardian that OpenAI has a "very strong" AI security team and "by the time that this has become public, in terms of all users can access it, they will have rigorously tested these kinds of cases."

Prompt injections attacks have been a hypothetical for ChatGPT and other AI search functions since the technology launched, and while we have seen some demonstrations of the potential harms, we haven't seen a major malicious attack of this kind. That said, it does point to a problem with AI chatbots: They are remarkably easy to trick.

President-elect Donald J. Trump is expected to roll back many of the rules and subsidies that have attracted billions of dollars from the private sector to renewable energy and electric vehicles.

The rural region is changing fast as electricians from around the country plug the tech industry’s new, giant data centers into its ample power supply.

By definition, the undead will never stay dead. Cursed to be eternally exhumed by authors and filmmakers, the vampire tempts bloodthirsty audiences ready to slurp up Gothic fiction of unspeakable desire. It’s been over 100 years since F. W. Murnau’s Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror, an unofficial Dracula adaptation, hit theaters. And we’re still insatiable for the 19th-century tale. That includes director Robert Eggers, whose take on the fabled fanged villain is fueled with his signature penchant for darkness, the occult, and painstaking period accuracy.

In the press notes from Focus Features, Eggers has called Nosferatu his "most personal film…embedded with many of my own memories and personal experiences amplified and transposed to 1830s Baltic Germany." A full-throttle Eggers project, the writer-director reunites his key collaborators from The Witch, The Lighthouse, and The Northman; director of photography Jarin Blaschke, editor Louise Ford, production designer Craig Lathrop, costume designer Linda Muir, and acclaimed actor Willem Dafoe. In doing so, Eggers infuses Nosferatu with the unsettling chiaroscuro of these films, while sticking close to the literature — though Eggers doesn’t have Count Orlok carry his own coffin through town like a surfboard as Murnau does.

SEE ALSO: Willem Dafoe and Robert Eggers reveal their inspirations for 'Nosferatu'. It goes deeper than you may think.

However, remakes come with their fair share of baggage and expectations. So how does this distinctive director approach such a task? With extreme reverence for the source material, meticulous production design, and an unrelenting parade of close-up shots of Lily-Rose Depp in moments of ecstasy and agony. Whether that floats your Empusa is up to you.

Standing on the shadowed shoulders of Nosferatu. Count Orlok stamps a contract in "Nosferatu." Credit: Focus Features

Since Max Schreck's dreaded Count Orlok slunk upstairs and into our nightmares in Murnau's German Expressionist 1922 horror jewel, filmmakers have yearned to drive their own stake through the heart of Nosferatu. There have been decades of movies, books, and TV shows based on Bram Stoker's 1897 Gothic horror masterpiece and the folklore around vampires. Eggers wrote the screenplay inspired by Stoker’s novel and Henrik Galeen’s screenplay for Murnau’s film.

Which is to say, you probably recognize the story of Eggers' Nosferatu: the mysterious Count Orlok (Bill Skarsgård) wants to buy a house in the fictional German port town of Wisborg, so newly hired agent Thomas Hutter (Nicholas Hoult) is sent by his boss Knock (Simon McBurney) to close the deal. But to do so, Hutter must travel with the contracts to the count’s far-flung castle in remote Transylvania. Behind the towering, stone walls, Orlok hides bloodcurdling secrets and a sinister motive, and Hutter is drawn into the darkness.

Meanwhile, back in Germany, Hutter’s beloved Ellen (Lily-Rose Depp) is lost in a sea of melancholy and Count Orlok's subliminal messaging. To keep from drowning, Ellen stays with friends Friedrich and Anna Harding (Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Emma Corrin), whose marriage of Victorian Christmas card perfection practically begs to be undone by supernatural forces. Then, as a plague ship crashes ashore, a strange epidemic begins taking hold of the town.

Beset by hauntings, visions, and apparent possessions, Ellen's plight is regarded as "hysteria" (classic) by Dr. Wilhelm Sievers (Ralph Ineson). But the more open-minded Professor Albin Eberhart Von Franz (Willem Dafoe) suggests a vampiric possibility at the core of Ellen's symptoms. Fascinatingly, Eggers moves Ellen even more into the foreground of the story, emphasizing her connection to the paranormal presence.

Certain famous elements from Murnau's Nosferatu are given meticulous reverence: the sarcophagus, the ship, the predatory shadow on the wall, and any scene involving Ellen wandering trance-like toward a window with arms outstretched. All of these are clearly echoed, but Eggers finds his own from-scratch style in other moments. Notably, Skarsgård was literally covered in maggots to restage a famous crypt scene, and that’ll likely terrify those who are coming to the narrative for the first time. For longtime fans, there’s less of an impact, and it's here expectations around Eggers' unique brand of strange, original creativity might feel a little restrained amid the service paid to the original.

Nosferatu’s opening scene is the best of the entire film. Lily-Rose Depp is seduced by evil in "Nosferatu." Credit: Focus Features

The element of Murnau's film that is the most recognisable is cinematographer Fritz Arno Wagner’s use of Orlok’s lurking shadow to instil fear without expensive special effects. Eggers, cinematographer Blaschke, and editor Ford wield this technique several times throughout the film, with none more effective than the opening scene. 

Nosferatu's opening scene finds the perfect balance between homage and Eggers' contemporary style. It's an elegant, seductive, terrifying nod to Murnau's final scene: Orlok approaching Ellen’s room as an elongated, terrible shadow. Though Eggers restages that in his own way later on in the film, the opening exceeds it in every aspect (even without body horror). An ominous profile marked on billowing curtains, a trance-like state for our heroine, Robin Carolan’s haunting, booming, mesmerising score, and a merciless jumpscare all make for a deeply satisfying stage-setter. In this scene, and the film as a whole, the desaturation of the colors blends realism with nightmare, blurring the line between dream and consciousness. Blaschke uses candlelight and a high-speed lens to create the film’s moonlit aesthetic that Stoker might call an "extraordinary pallor." Light and shadow function as stylised weaponry, keeping us suspended in dread during key moments — and it's deeply satisfying.

Nosferatu’s production design is so detailed it’s basically a functioning city. "Nosferatu" has an epic set design. Credit: Focus Features

In re-imagining Murnau's Nosferatu, Eggers, who has famously explored occult horror in his films, takes on what's essentially the first-ever horror film after The Cabinet of Dr Caligari. Part of the pleasure of Eggers movies is relishing in the incredible attention to detail he brings to his period pieces, whether building 17th-century New England farmhouses in The Witch or having his armourers study the Anglo-Saxon Sutton Hoo artifacts for The Northman. Nosferatu feels like a combination of these two sides to the director, with Eggers using his obsession with detail to recreate the aesthetic of Murnau's original film with his team.

Channelling Albun Grau’s production design from the original Nosferatu, production designer Lathrop crafts a detailed architectural world for the film, designing no less than 60 sets. For the fictional town of Wisborg, Murnau's Nosferatu was filmed in Wismar in northern Germany on the Baltic Coast. Though Eggers’ team shot in Czechia, Romania, and Germany, what you’re mainly seeing onscreen is Lathrop’s sets. Eggers got the accuracy so down that he recruited Romanian screenwriter Florin Lăzărescu to translate dialogue into the dead language of Dacian. 

It’s this dedication to the particulars of a period that truly makes Eggers' films distinctive. However, in Nosferatu I worried this attention to detail was being upstaged by scene after scene of characters promising “He is coming!” again and again, and panting heavily into the camera. The captivating specificity of nineteenth-century life is overshadowed by Ellen's lamentation with copious amounts of close-ups on Depp's mournful or lusty expressions. Perhaps when I can pause each frame at home I’ll be able to frolic through the post-Regency, pre-Victorian gold at my leisure. But for a film that's clearly designed to be seen on the big screen, these details were often lost to the gloom.

Nosferatu finds modern performances for old characters. Willem Dafoe plays Prof. Albin Eberhart Von Franz in "Nosferatu." Credit: Focus Features

Fair warning, everyone in this film breathes with their mouth open, whether you can handle that or not. Clearly intended to create a constantly aroused atmosphere, an always heavy-breathing Depp swoons her way through the foregrounded role of Ellen, a character who’s honestly a tough sell for modern audiences: a woman hypnotised by a powerful ancient man and whose only motivation is to be reunited with her husband.

To his credit, Eggers does bolster Ellen’s sense of self with his script by putting her fears, guilt, shame, and desires at the film's core. But the character still has the same foundation in patriarchal oppression. There are, however, some solid and subtle updates to Ellen’s characterisation here. In Murnau’s film, Ellen lightly mourns a bunch of flowers she’s gifted. In Eggers’ film, she’s actively disgusted by the act of floral murder. Beyond that the effect the Count has on Ellen's body means Depp’s role requires significant physical contortion. Trained by coach Marie-Gabrielle Rotie in Japanese Butoh, Depp’s moments of possession are presented without special effects, and are effectively demonic at times — and indulgently sensational at others.

As the bright-eyed Hutter, Hoult plays it safe for the majority of the film, channeling that requisite naïveté. Stoker’s protagonist, described by the author as "of a very faithful disposition… discreet and silent" is much more representative of oppressed male sexuality than the Hutter of Murnau’s film. Hoult’s version finds a decent balance, relishing in the few moments Hutter gets to convey his fear over what the hell Count Orlok is, as Stoker would put it, a “creature…in the semblance of man.”

For such a creature, Eggers recruits the brother of his Northman's leading man, casting Bill Skarsgård as the formidable Count Orlok. It's probably one of the most intimidating, coveted, and often botched roles in horror, with Bela Lugosi, Christopher Lee, Gary Oldman, and Nosferatu star Dafoe in Shadow of the Vampire setting the bar for vamps on screen since Schreck. Skarsgård’s Orlok is far from the suave vampire king of pop culture or even Stoker’s overtly hospitable and courteous Dracula. He’s a wheezing, rasping, ancient husk, beset with rot inside and out. Instead of the usual emphasis on the count’s pale demeanour, blood red lips, and "fine hands," Skarsgard's Orlok is a monstrous mound with a bloody moustache. 

Meanwhile, McBurney brings satisfyingly repulsive rock ‘n’ roll elements to Knock, Hutter’s boss and devotee of Count Orlok, by biting the heads off pigeons and staggering the character’s descent into madness with a quaking physicality. As for Corrin, who stole Deadpool and Wolverine as brain-clutching villain Cassandra Nova, they deserve much more screen time as Anna, whose motivation is mostly restricted to being concerned about Ellen. As Anna's partner Friedrich, Johnson gets a solid emotional arc, twirling his moustache and deeming everything in sight "capital" before the dark creeps in. But it’s Eggers regular Dafoe who thankfully leans into the creeping chaos of Nosferatu, as Von Franz, pulling the characters out of their dark pits again and again.

Eggers amplifies Nosferatu's psychosexual elements but could have pushed it further. Lily-Rose Depp is seduced by evil in "Nosferatu." Credit: Focus Features

“I am all in a sea of wonders. I doubt; I fear; I think strange things which I dare not confess to my own soul.”

Stoker's Dracula, quoted here, famously explores the fear of the other, capturing the paranoia around Victorian "respectability" and the xenophobic, imperial ideals of Western national identity being "threatened" by the unknown East. In the book, Dracula yearns to assimilate into English culture — to destroy it from the inside. Like Murnau, however, Eggers' film spends little time on this, instead leaning on the anxieties around illness and disease quite literally plaguing Germany. (Like in Murnau's film, there are a lot of rats in this reinterpretation.)

However, the real heart of Stoker's book is the examination of sexual fears, suppressed desires amid piety, and homoeroticism and bisexuality — something Murnau barely touched. Eggers seizes on this element of sexual taboo, especially in scenes of Orlok's feasting upon our protagonists — thrusting, sucking, slurping, rotting. We've seen our fair share of blood in vampire films, and this is a pretty juicy, gory option. Orlok drinks blood from the chest of his victims rather than the traditional neck, a simultaneously intimate and animalistic action. 

However, from a director who dropped a bout of mermaid sex into The Lighthouse, Nosferatu seems relatively tame when it comes to unbridled sexuality. Perhaps I'm jaded and desensitised to decades of vampire fiction — from Bram Stoker's Dracula to The Hunger to True Blood and Interview With The Vampire — that has crystallised the genre's love of unspeakable desire. But as visceral as Nosferatu is — flecked with nudity, open-mouthed moaning, and desperate clinging — I found it lacking in believable lust. There is little seduction beyond mind control in the film, this wheezing husk of a predator not attempting a glamour to lure his prey. Sure, there’s a monstrous sex scene at the climax, but the film doesn’t really dig into simultaneous fears and desires around sex (particularly for men) as Stoker famously does. Stoker’s Jonathan waits to be bitten in "langorous ecstacy," both fearing the bite and yearning for it; Hoult’s Thomas just looks petrified.

For me, as both a fan of Eggers as a filmmaker and Murnau's original Nosferatu, I loved the minute detail and Gothic aesthetic of this film. This is as literary history-accurate and painstakingly researched a Nosferatu remake we’re ever likely to see, and from a director who deeply worships the source material. However, I lamented the unexpectedness of Eggers’ own uniquely haunting creativity, which felt restrained amid the respect paid to the original film and book. Yearning for the director’s penchant for strange and terrible original creations, I missed the wondrously unexpected horror of The Witch and The Lighthouse. Despite creative approaches to the lore, Nosferatu left my thirst for the darkness unquenched.

Nosferatu opens in theaters Dec. 25.

TL;DR: The SWFT Krost Beach Cruiser e-bike offers style, performance, and a 500W motor for effortless rides at $799.99 (reg. $1,099).

This coming year, trade your screen time for sunny skies and fresh air (even if it's colder than you like) with the SWFT Krost Beach Cruiser eBike. Designed to help you stay active and explore in style, the Krost is the ultimate solution for anyone looking to stick to their New Year’s resolutions.

With a sleek vintage design, this eBike seamlessly blends timeless aesthetics with modern innovation. At just $799.99 (regularly $1,099), this cruiser is a great way to embrace a healthier lifestyle and also a smart investment in comfort, convenience, and fun.

The SWFT Krost stands out with its classic beach cruiser frame and matte finish, accentuated by ergonomic leather handlebars and a wool-covered PU comfort seat. From city streets to beachside paths, it’s built to turn heads. The LCD provides everything you need at a glance, from speed to battery life, making your rides as simple as they are enjoyable.

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Pick up this snazzy SWFT Krost Beach Cruiser e-bike while it's available for just $799.99 (reg. $1,099).

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TL;DR: Get lifetime access to 2TB of secure, easy-to-use cloud storage with FileJump for just $79.97 (reg. $467).

Looking to kick off the new year more organized? Start by tackling your digital clutter with FileJump’s 2TB Lifetime Cloud Storage. For just $79.97 (reg. $467), you can back up your files, free up your devices, and ensure your important documents, photos, and videos are always accessible and secure.

FileJump is the ultimate "Goldilocks" of cloud storage—striking the perfect balance between affordability and premium features. Unlike other solutions that lock you into monthly subscriptions, FileJump’s lifetime plan offers peace of mind with a one-time payment. Plus, its intuitive drag-and-drop interface makes organizing files user friendly.

Need to share large files? FileJump lets you send links or provide access to team members, making collaboration seamless. And with built-in preview support for images, videos, and even Excel spreadsheets, you can quickly view your files without downloading them first.

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FileJump’s 2TB of storage gives you plenty of space to back up your life — from work projects to cherished memories — and access them anytime, anywhere. With support for large files up to 15GB, it’s perfect for creative professionals, families, and anyone juggling multiple devices.

This new year, set yourself up for success by getting organized. FileJump’s lifetime plan ensures you’ll never have to worry about running out of space or paying recurring fees. And if you still need a last-minute gift, this digital subscription doesn't require shipping time. 

Get lifetime access to 2TB of secure cloud storage with FileJump for just $69.97 (reg. $467).

FileJump 2TB Cloud Storage: Lifetime Subscription - $69.97

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StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: The grade-A refurbished iPad mini 5th Gen packs a powerful punch in a compact design with stunning visuals and top-tier performance for $299.99 (reg. $549).

Looking for a portable tech companion that doesn’t compromise on power? Lucky for you, we have this grade-A refurbished 2019 iPad mini 5th Gen — your go-to device for work, play, and everything in between. With its sleek 7.9-inch display, fast chip, and ample storage, this compact tablet combines portability with performance.

Now available for just $299.99 (regularly $549), this refurbished iPad mini is an affordable offer that lets you enjoy premium Apple features without the hefty price tag.

The iPad mini 5th Gen is designed to keep up with your busiest days and most relaxing evenings. Whether streaming your favorite shows, taking video calls, or diving into creative projects, its True Tone Retina display gives you sharp visuals with vibrant color. Paired with stereo speakers, it delivers an immersive audio-visual experience perfect for entertainment on the go.

Powered by the A12 Bionic chip, this device handles demanding apps, multitasking, and even augmented reality experiences. And with 10 hours of battery life, you can work or play all day without interruption.

Worried about buying refurbished? Don’t be. This iPad mini comes with a grade-A rating, which means it arrives in near-mint condition, with minimal to zero scuffs. This makes it the smart choice for budget-conscious techies.

With Touch ID support, you’ll enjoy fast unlocking and secure payments. Its compatibility with the Apple Pencil (not included) makes it an excellent choice for note-takers and creatives, while features like Group FaceTime and Screen Time help you stay connected and manage your device use more effectively.

And let’s not forget its wireless connectivity. The iPad mini’s 802.11AC Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.0 ensure fast, reliable performance at home, in a coffee shop, or traveling the globe.

Don't miss this grade-A refurbished iPad mini 5th Gen for $299.99 (reg. $549).

Apple iPad mini 5th Gen (2019) 256GB Wi-Fi Space Gray (Refurbished) - $299.99

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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 hint

To wheeze.

SEE ALSO: Mini crossword answers for December 25 Hurdle Word 1 answer

COUGH

Hurdle Word 2 hint

To conclude.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for December 25 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

INFER

Hurdle Word 3 hint

To secretly marry.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for December 25 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for December 25, 2024 Hurdle Word 3 answer

ELOPE

Hurdle Word 4 hint

A striped relative of the giraffe.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for December 25 Hurdle Word 4 answer

OKAPI

Final Hurdle hint

To defy.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Games available on Mashable Hurdle Word 5 answer

FLOUT

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

TL;DR: Protect your privacy with a 5-year AdGuard VPN subscription for £27.90 (reg. £286.77). This VPN deal is only available at the Mashable Shop for a few more days.

Ever been frustrated by region-locked content when traveling? Or maybe you're more concerned about leaving your digital footprint all over the internet? With geo-restrictions tightening and privacy concerns growing, a solid VPN is no longer just a nice-to-have luxury; it’s a necessity. The good news is that doesn't mean you have another big expense to worry about. 

AdGuard VPN is a powerful privacy solution that combines security, speed, and convenience to protect your online activities. Whether you’re working remotely, streaming shows abroad, or simply browsing from home, AdGuard makes sure your data stays encrypted and your privacy intact, and it's only $34.97 for a 5-year subscription, at least, if you buy during this limited-time sale. You don't need a coupon code to save 90% on the usual £286.77 price; just make your purchase at the Mashable Shop before this sale ends.

A VPN for families

AdGuard VPN gives you access to more than 60 global locations, letting you bypass regional content blocks and enjoy unrestricted browsing from anywhere. Unlike other VPNs, AdGuard uses its own custom security protocol, offering faster, more reliable connections. Whether you’re downloading large files or streaming in HD, you won’t need to worry about slow speeds or interruptions.

Privacy-conscious users will appreciate AdGuard’s strict no-logging policy, ensuring that your internet activities remain private, with no personal data stored or shared. With this VPN deal, a single subscription lets you cover up to 10 devices at once with AdGuard VPN, making it a great fit for families or professionals who need protection across multiple devices. AdGuard also updates its software regularly, so you’re always ahead of new security threats.

The service is compatible with a range of platforms, including iOS, Android, and desktop browsers like Chrome. Whether you’re catching up on shows during your commute or working on public Wi-Fi, AdGuard offers uninterrupted protection. While it may not work optimally in China, its performance elsewhere makes it a standout choice.

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Opens in a new window Credit: AdGuard AdGuard VPN: 5-Year Subscription £27.90 at the Mashable Shop
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TL;DR: Live stream Australia vs. India for free on 7Plus. Access this free streaming site from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Australia and India continue to do battle in their electric Test series, with everything still on the line. The fourth Test between these two juggernauts is going to be tense, with the eyes of the cricketing world locked on the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

If you want to watch Australia vs. India (4th Test) for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Australia vs. India (4th Test)?

The 4th Test between Australia and India takes place from Dec. 26 to Dec. 30 (in Australia). This Test match takes place at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

The full schedule for India's five-Test tour of Australia is as follows:

• Australia vs. India (1st Test) — Nov. 22 to Nov. 26

• Australia vs. India (2nd Test) — Dec. 6 to Dec. 10

• Australia vs. India (3rd Test) — Dec. 14 to Dec. 18

• Australia vs. India (4th Test) — Dec. 26 to Dec. 30

• Australia vs. India (5th Test) — Jan. 3 to Jan. 7

Fans can live stream every Test match in this series without spending anything.

How to watch Australia vs. India for free

Australia vs. India (4th Test) is available to live stream for free on 7Plus in Australia.

If you're abroad for this Test series, you might need to use a VPN to unblock 7Plus. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Australia, meaning you can access free live streams of Australia vs. India from anywhere in the world.

Access free live streams of Australia vs. India by following these simple steps:

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

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

4. Visit 7Plus

5. Stream Australia vs. India for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) $99.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Australia vs. India (4th Test) without committing with your cash. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to live stream this Test series before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for 7Plus?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live cricket on 7Plus, for a number of reasons:

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Live stream Australia vs. India (4th Test) for free with ExpressVPN.

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.

Tweet may have been deleted

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.

Tweet may have been deleted

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 December 25 Here's a hint for today's Connections Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: Water competitions

• Green: Most Lombardi trophies

• Blue: City and team name start with the same letter

• Purple: Related to the cold

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

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

• Yellow: Aquatic sports

• Green: NFL teams with most Super Bowl wins

• Blue: Teams with alliterative city/nickname combos

• Purple: Ice _____

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 #93 is...

What is the answer to Connections Sports Edition today

• Aquatic sports - DIVING, ROWING, SURFING, SWIMMING

• NFL teams with most Super Bowl wins - 49ERS, COWBOYS, PATRIOTS, STEELERS

• Teams with alliterative city/nickname combos - BILLS, BRUINS, MARLINS, STORM

• Ice ______ - FISHING, HOCKEY, PACK, SKATING

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.

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.

Tweet may have been deleted

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.

Tweet may have been deleted

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 December 25 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Space objects

• Green: Iconic bow and arrow users

• Blue: Opposite gender animals

• Purple: Late-night sketch comedy icons

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

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

• Yellow: Celestial Objects

• Green: Archers

• Blue: Female Animals

• Purple: SNL Cast Members

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 #563 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Celestial Objects: COMET, MOON, PLANET, STAR

• Archers: CUPID, HAWKEYE, ROBIN HOOD, SAGITTARIUS

• Female Animals: JENNY, NANNY, QUEEN, VIXEN

• SNL Cast Members: FEY, RUDOLPH, SHANNON, STRONG

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 December 25

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

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

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

Oh hey there! If you're here, it must be time for Wordle. As always, we're serving up our daily hints and tips to help you figure out today's answer.

If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for 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 December 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 December 25 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

To give something to others.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There is no reoccurring letters.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter S.

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...

SHARE.

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 December 25

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

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

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