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Several times throughout Hard Truths, an unassuming English suburb becomes the site of a simmering domestic civil war, when the middle-aged Pansy (Marianne Jean-Baptiste) is awoken from her nap and goes on a wordy, hilariously nasty rant about her neighbors. Her demanding husband Curtley (David Webber) is never surprised, and quietly accepts his wife's latest venomous tirade, knowing full well that he could be its next target.

SEE ALSO: TIFF 2024 preview: 15 movies you ought to know about

Kitchen-sink realist Mike Leigh, now in his eighties, may have come to the bitter realization that at a certain point, some things (and people) may never change. However, with his latest social drama, he paints an acerbic and empathetic portrait of what hitting your limit looks like. The film, and Jean-Baptiste's rankled performance as a wife and mother who just can't catch a break, seem to exist just beyond an invisible point of no return — a line that Hard Truths walks with stunning precision.

What is Hard Truths about?

While her husband is away at his plumbing job, and while her unemployed 22-year-old son Moses (Tuwaine Barrett) is locked away in his bedroom, the dispirited fifty-something Pansy likes to clean — perhaps a little too much — if only to create a temporary sanctuary for herself, where she can nap without having to worry about the outside world.

This paradise never lasts. The real world always comes knocking sooner or later, whether in the form of a stray fox in her yard or the men in her life asking for their next meal. The next inconvenience to her, and her next vicious speech about the state of the world and its selfish people, are always just moments away, and she wants it all to stop. 

There's a quote from the TV series Justified that has since become a common truism: "If you run into an asshole in the morning, you ran into an asshole. If you run into assholes all day, you're the asshole." It is, on the surface, applicable to Pansy and how she navigates the world — her sharp barbs at innocent strangers in public, while funny, are a sudden and irreverent release valve — leaving people to walk on eggshells when she's around. But it isn't quite so simple and binary; in reality, everyone is an asshole to some degree. Pansy is ready to snap at a moment's notice, but she wasn't born this way. Something or someone (perhaps multiple somethings and someones) molded her over time, an idea that Leigh slowly unveils and explores over the course of 97 minutes.

SEE ALSO: The 10 best movies of 2024 (so far!)

But before there's ever a hint of Pansy's real psychology, the film also presents an upbeat contrast across several scenes, in the form of her hairdresser sister Chantal (Michele Austin) and the parallel life she lives. Chantal, a single mother, lives with her two adult daughters, young professionals Kayla (Ani Nelson) and Aleisha (Sophia Brown), in a cramped apartment filled with love and cheer. Through scenes that follow both sisters across daily interactions, Hard Truths details how people on the same journey can end up in remarkably different destinations, living lives in which they put out into the world that which they receive — or perceive, or think they deserve.

As Mother's Day approaches, both women's lives as homemakers shift slowly into focus, but they also plan to visit their mother's grave, a scenario that proves surprisingly emotionally charged. Whatever Pansy's problem with the idea, she first and foremost makes excuses. "I'm a sick woman!" she yells at Chantal, before darting off into an unrelated rant about how she doesn't plan things in advance.

As the holiday nears, isolated scenes focused on all the aforementioned characters — Pansy, Curtley, Moses, Chantal, Kayla and Aleisha — paint a multifaceted family portrait that, eventually, helps unearth the deep anguish that lies beneath Pansy's risible demeanor.

Hard Truths is about the ins and outs of Black women's lives.

What makes Leigh's film such a joyful watch is its vignette-like approach to both families, though it eventually sharpens its focus when digging into difficult emotional territory. Several of these scenes are set at Chantal's hair salon, following daily gossip that sketches out the details of her life, and those of her clients, all of them middle-aged Black women dealing with the daily drudgery of life. However, their sense of community keeps them afloat.

Leigh, on numerous occasions, cuts from the noisy hustle and bustle of the salon to the eerie silence of Pansy's home, a contrast that lures the viewer into her orbit before she launches into her next series of condemnations — even against dogs, babies, and so on. She's pissed off with the world at large, doesn't have the tools to deal with it, and ignores any kind of support she's offered.

The characters' communal instincts are also accompanied by specific cultural details, which speak to the movie's granular nature. These are women who all appear to belong to England's Caribbean diaspora; they might speak with English accents, but on occasion, they code-switch to the occasional Patois or West Indian intonation, which tells its own story too. For Chantal, her clients, and her daughters, this switch usually occurs during laughter, or during the lively recounting of stories. But in Pansy's case, code-switching is a means of tapping into more creative insults, and into furious, lock-jawed responses to the mundane, as the film seats its jet-black humor right next to its notions of people's deep and complicated personal history.

There also exists a sense of pride in achievement for these characters, and of pushing one's children to be their best selves. Chantal has ostensibly succeeded at this with her well-adjusted daughters, who enjoy varying levels of success (though they still hide their failures from their mum, and from one another). Moses, on the other hand, represents the flip side to this story. He seems aimless, and spends all his time eating, making a mess, playing video games, and reading books about airplanes. Apart from his occasional strolls, he barely leaves the house, and lacks professional prospects. All Pansy does is yell at him in the hopes of motivating him, but deep down, she thinks he may be a lost cause.

Pansy even describes his behavior to Chantal in dismissive terms — his fixations, his social awkwardness, and his inability to maintain eye contact in particular — that hint towards Moses being on the autism spectrum, or having some kind of cognitive disability that his parents cannot or do not recognize. But even Pansy's love as a mother can (and will) only go so far, given the harshness of her own upbringing by a disciplinarian single mother.

Hard Truths centers on a tremendous lead performance.

Teaming with Leigh for the first time since 1996's Secrets & Lies — a role that won her a Best Supporting Actress nomination at the Oscars, BAFTAs, and Golden Globes — Jean-Baptiste delivers career-best work in what may be one of the most challenging performances this year. The biggest challenge for both actress and director is maintaining a familiar sense of humanity during even verbose, borderline Shakespearean outbursts about how much Pansy loathes the world — and by implication, what it has done to her.

Each and every actor delivers fine-tuned work, as characters swallowed up by Pansy's orbit (and in the case of Curtley and Moses, characters who have contributed to the black hole at her center). But Jean-Baptiste is a magnet for the camera, luring it in with her eyes, and making it watch — unblinking, unbroken — as she puts on a clinic of self-loathing turned outward.

A volatile undercurrent runs just beneath Jean-Baptiste's physical being, leaving Pansy on the verge of either explosion or implosion. Sometimes, she reaches both these difficult places at once, as the camera interrogates her, practically forcing confessions from her about what made her this way. The more Leigh lingers, holding back on any sort of formalist flourish, the more he allows his performances to take charge. The result is mesmerizing to watch, and sure to remind you of the worst flashes you might have seen of friends and loved ones.

In the process, Hard Truths becomes a complex showreel for humanity at its most bitter and pained, with characters forced to turn inward and at least recognize (if not introspect and improve upon) the worst corners of themselves. Through long, unbroken close-ups and scenes of familial interaction in which tensions subtly build, Leigh's stark naturalism is brought slowly and fiercely to the fore by an accomplished actress at the height of her power, and at the height of her vulnerability. Scene by scene, she slowly chips away at Pansy's armor until all that's left is sinew, blood, and bone, leaving her exposed to the world in all its cruelty and kindness and indifference. It’s harrowing to watch, but Jean-Baptiste makes it impossible to look away. 

Hard Truths was reviewed out of its world premiere at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival. 

When a filmmaker begins their curtain speech with how their movie is a rejection of cynicism, as David Gordon Green did before the Toronto Film Festival premiere of his new film Nutcrackers, it sets off certain alarm bells in critics. It seems like a clumsy attempt at critic-proofing a film by implying that if you don't like it, you are the problem. You are insufficient in humanity! (These same sentiments were said by a producer in the curtain speech before the premiere of Chris Pine's Poolman, which turned out to be one of the worst movies to debut at TIFF in 2023.) So, when Green announced he made Nutcrackers in the tradition of such crass yet charming comedies as The Bad News Bears and Uncle Buck, his public denouncement of cynicism and viciousness was already a red flag that he'd fallen short. 

SEE ALSO: TIFF 2024 preview: 15 movies you ought to know about

Nutcrackers has superficial similarities to its inspiration points. This comedy is about a child-free middle-aged man coming to appreciate caring for children. But it fails to get as gruffly funny — or funny at all — as those films. As Green aims to remind critics and audiences that he is capable of more than his deeply grim horror reboots (like the Halloween trilogy and The Exorcism: Believer) or chaotic stoner comedies, he's offered a silly and sentimental muddle of a movie that's neither satisfying nor fun. 

Nutcrackers was inspired by four real brothers. 

Nutcrackers centers on Michael, a self-centered Chicago real estate developer (Ben Stiller) who is pressured to play guardian to his four rowdy nephews after their parents' unexpected deaths. Pulling up to their family farm in a bright yellow sports car, Uncle Mike immediately establishes himself as a fish out of water. He's wearing a fresh-pressed suit where others are in plaid and dungarees. He grumbles at the pigs bumbling about in the house. He yelps as the spirited boys chuck cheese puffs, baseballs, and other improvised missiles at his head. He is utterly mystified by their homeschooling curriculum, and overwhelmed by the abrupt role of parenthood he is expected to play until a proper foster family can be found. But of course, the framework of this story is so familiar you know right away where it will end up. Getting there, however, is a slog. 

While Stiller is the star of the movie, the four boys are the film's inspiration. Atlas, Arlo, Ulysses, and Homer Janson are actual brothers, sons of a longtime friend of Green's. As Time reports, it was a visit to the family farm, where the boys roughhoused and performed ballet with equal enthusiasm, that inspired Green to make this movie. It was written for them, their ages ranging from 8 to 13, aiming to capture the feral perfection of their radiant boyhood and the quirkiness of their creativity. 

SEE ALSO: 42 movies you'll want to see this fall

While Leland Douglas is credited as the screenwriter, Green claims that the boys helped shape the story, including writing an alternate version of The Nutcracker ballet involving samurais and Rambo. I realize all of this sounds charming; the concept certainly is. But both Douglas' script and Green's execution coast on charisma, that of Stiller and the boys. While some moments shine — like the eldest brother's first kiss with his crush — much of it feels exhaustingly aimless. 

Green initially sets up a ticking-clock deadline of when Uncle Mike must be back in the city, so his quest to find the boys a new home should have a sense of suspense. But time in the movie is so unclear, as one silly segment clunks into another, that both the stakes and the could-be tension fall flat. Instead, it's a barrage of scenes of bonding and bickering and hijinks with little momentum. 

Ben Stiller feels like an odd choice for this premise. 

When David Gordon Green cited his inspirations for the film ahead of its premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival's opening night, he subtly drew a direct line from the comedy stylings of Walter Matthau and John Candy to that of Ben Stiller. But Stiller's character is nothing like the grumbling drunken baseball coach or the lovable slob uncle either of those actors portrayed — blue collar screw-ups, essentially. His Mike is more like Emilio Estevez in The Mighty Ducks, the sleek businessman whose priorities are woefully focused on his professional ambitions. Of course, Stiller adds a dash of his signature frantic neuroticism to the mix. 

Stiller is out of place here, as he plays broad comedy against the boys' more naturalistic tone and dialogue. He's game to be playfully pelted by the boys, perform pratfalls, and play the fool. Linda Cardellini, playing a cheery social worker with endless patience and a very clumsily wedged-in tragic backstory, attempts to bridge these approaches in scenes with the uncle and his nephews. But her role is so thin it can't support this disconnect. 

Also thinly realized are the boys themselves. The eldest gets the most screen time and character development, striving to be the grown-up in the room when Uncle Mike is flailing, but also still yearning to be a boy who can cradle the thrill of a first crush. The second oldest is chiefly chatty comic relief, while the twins are barely given names, much less an arc. 

Each boy is given at least a brief moment in the spotlight. What's clear is Green's affection for these boys, their farm, where the movie was shot, and a general way of life that embraces everything from animals in the house to ballet performed on the fields and streets. But the plotting is too clumsy and not balanced by standout bits. 

Ultimately, Nutcrackers is a collection of scenes and ideas and feelings, but not a cohesive movie. Sure, the Janson boys are winsome, but there are only so many times the same poop joke works. Perhaps Green didn't allow himself the distance to find the path in this terrain that fascinated him, leaving his audience lost in the ideas or intentions that go nowhere. 

In the end, Nutcrackers aims for feel-good comedy but lands more in feel-meh. 

Nutcrackers was reviewed out of its world premiere at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival. 

TL;DR: Get permanent access to this CompTIA Certification Prep Courses bundle for $39.99 and prepare for 10 key IT certifications.

If you’re serious about breaking into the IT world or leveling up your tech skills, you know certifications are key. But diving into the vast sea of study materials and resources can be overwhelming, not to mention costly. That’s where this CompTIA certification prep bundle comes in, and it's on sale now for $39.99 (reg. $299.90).

This bundle isn’t just a collection of courses — it’s your comprehensive roadmap to earning those all-important CompTIA certifications that employers are looking for.

This bundle covers 10 critical certifications, including foundational courses like CompTIA IT Fundamentals (ITF+) and CompTIA A+ for those just starting, all the way to more advanced topics like CompTIA Network+, Security+, and PenTest+ for those ready to tackle specialized IT roles. Whether you’re looking to dive into cybersecurity, master network configurations, or get savvy with cloud computing, there’s a course here to guide you through every step.

Each course is designed to get you exam-ready with hours of expert-led content, practical exercises, and quizzes to reinforce your learning. You’ll explore everything from setting up a computer workstation to managing cloud environments, analyzing data, and performing penetration tests — all in one neatly packaged bundle. And with lifetime access to all course materials, you can study at your own pace, making it easier to balance learning with your busy life.

This bundle is a steal for anyone looking to earn multiple CompTIA certifications without breaking the bank. Invest in your future, sharpen your skills, and take the next step in your IT career with confidence.

For a limited time, get lifetime access to this CompTIA Certification Prep Courses bundle for just $39.99 — that's just $3.99 per course.

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Opens in a new window Credit: Andrea Piacquadio via Pexels The 2024 All-in-One CompTIA Certification Prep Courses Bundle $39.99 at the Mashable Shop
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TL;DR: Find a job with LoopCV Premium, a job application automation tool on sale now for $29.99 (reg. $599). 

Navigating the job market can be overwhelming, especially when you're juggling multiple applications, keeping track of responses, and trying to tailor each submission to stand out. It’s a process that can quickly become exhausting, often feeling like a full-time job itself. For job seekers looking to streamline their efforts and increase their chances of landing interviews, having a tool that automates and manages this process can be a game-changer.

That's why tools like LoopCV are so useful. With Loop, you get an easy way to automate your applications and simplify tracking, and you can use it for quite a few job searches because it's only $29.99 for life. 

Will this help me get a job?

Nothing can guarantee you a job. What LoopCV does help with is everything leading up to the interview. This simple app lets you upload your resumés, select your desired job roles and locations, and let the platform automatically apply to job listings across 30+ multiple job boards. You can also manually review and apply to job matches with a single click if you prefer a more hands-on approach.

The software takes care of repetitive tasks like filling out application forms and emailing recruiters, using customizable templates or your own tailored messages. 

LoopCV also offers robust tracking and analytics features that provide insights into your job search performance. You can view detailed statistics on how many companies opened your emails, which resumés received the most attention, and the response rates from recruiters. This allows you to refine your strategy, optimize your resumés with A/B testing, and focus on the opportunities that matter most. With the ability to connect to over 30 job platforms, including LinkedIn, Indeed, and Monster Jobs, LoopCV seriously broadens your reach. 

Modern job hunting tools for modern jobs

The days of pounding the pavement are gone. Now, you can use advanced tools to automate your job hunt. 

Get a Lifetime Subscription to LoopCV for $29.99 for a limited time at the Mashable Shop. 

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TL;DR: Protect your privacy with a 1-Year iProVPN subscription on sale for $9.99 (reg. $28). 

Keeping your family safe online is just as important as locking your front door. From kids streaming shows and playing games to parents working remotely or shopping online, everyone in the family is open to cyber threats like hacking, data breaches, and intrusive ads. That’s why having a strong, reliable VPN isn’t just about privacy—it’s about peace of mind for the whole family, and iProVPN does it for a super low price, just $9.99 for a full year. 

Protect your family's privacy

iProVPN offers a comprehensive set of features to protect your family’s online presence. It uses AES 256-bit encryption, one of the highest standards available, to keep your data protected from hackers and other cyber threats. With the ability to connect up to 10 devices at once, you can cover your entire household, from phones and tablets to gaming consoles and smart TVs. Its global server network spans over 20 countries, allowing you to access content from around the world—whether it's watching Netflix shows that aren’t available in your region or ensuring your kids can safely access their favorite educational content.

Beyond just protecting your data, iProVPN includes features that make online safety effortless. The internet kill switch automatically disconnects your internet if the VPN drops, making sure no data slips through unprotected. Plus, the built-in ad-blocker keeps annoying and potentially harmful ads at bay, while malware detection adds an extra layer of security against malicious sites.

With unlimited bandwidth, your family can stream and download without hitting data caps, and the split tunneling feature lets you decide which apps need the extra security of the VPN and which can connect directly. And with a strict no-logs policy, iProVPN helps make sure that your family’s online activities stay private, giving you complete control over your household’s cybersecurity.

Protect your family's privacy. 

Get an iProVPN 1-Year Subscription for $9.99. 

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TL;DR: Get a reliable computer for the right price when you get an HP EliteBook 840 G6 for $299.99 (reg. $499). 

When you’re juggling a busy schedule, having the right equipment can make all the difference. Whether you’re working on complex projects or managing everyday tasks, a versatile computer is a need, not a want.

An HP EliteBook 840 G6 is a great option if you need a good balance of power and portability. This 14-inch laptop delivers reliable performance for demanding tasks and everyday use, and its slim design and extended battery life mean you can work efficiently on the go or at home, and you can get one for only $299.99 (reg. $499). 

What can an HP EliteBook do?

Under the hood, this EliteBook 840 packs an 8th Gen Intel Core i5-8265U processor paired with 16GB of DDR4 RAM and a speedy 512GB SSD. This combination lends your computer some seriously smooth performance whether you’re running complex applications, multitasking, or storing a large amount of files. The 14-inch Full HD display has a 1920 x 1080 resolution for crisp visuals you can enjoy, whether you're working on your art or powering through a spreadsheet. 

Fully charged, this laptop could last up to 15 hours at a time. That long battery life pairs well with the super thin profile to make an excellent grab-n-go computer for professionals or students. 

The HP EliteBook 840 G6 also includes Windows 11 Pro, which brings tools like Copilot and BitLocker Encryption to the table for enhanced productivity and security. In terms of connectivity, this computer doesn't disappoint with full-size ports including HDMI, Thunderbolt 3, and RJ-45, plus a docking connector for additional peripherals.

If you're concerned about buying refurbished products, this EliteBook 840 G6 is graded “A,” meaning it arrives in near-mint condition with minimal to no signs of wear. It comes with a 1-year parts and labor warranty and a 90-day warranty on the battery. 

Get an HP EliteBook 840 Refurb for $299.99. 

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TL;DR: Live stream New York Jets vs. San Francisco 49ers for free on My5. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

It might seem like a crazy idea with no real substance, but you can actually follow the NFL without spending anything. You might not believe it, but it's the truth. Sure, you need to jump through some hoops, but it's totally worth the wait.

With a simple hack, you can live stream select NFL fixtures for free from anywhere in the world. If you're interested in watching New York Jets vs. San Francisco 49ers for free, we have all the information you need.

When is Jets vs. 49ers?

New York Jets vs. San Francisco 49ers takes place at 8:15 p.m. ET on Sep 9. This fixture will be played at Levi's Stadium.

How to watch Jets vs. 49ers for free

New York Jets vs. San Francisco 49ers is available to live stream for free on My5.

My5 is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone from around the world can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to secure servers in other countries, meaning you can bypass geo-restrictions to access free streaming services.

Access free live streams of the NFL by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

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

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

4. Visit My5

5. Live stream Jets vs. 49ers for free from anywhere in the world

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The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but top VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these deals, you can access free live streams of the NFL without actually spending anything. It's a short-term solution, but this gives you enough time to watch select NFL fixtures before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for the NFL?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream the NFL, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure

• Fast connection speeds

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is currently available for $99.95. Within this limited time deal you'll get an extra three months at no additional cost, a whole year of unlimited cloud backup for free, and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Live stream Jets vs. 49ers for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The iPhone 16 launch event is just hours away, and if you’re anything like us, your tech-loving heart is already aflutter. Apple’s September 9 event, aptly tagged "It's Glowtime," is promising to be more than just a basic phone reveal.

SEE ALSO: What to expect from Apple's September event: iPhone 16, Apple Watch 10, and more

We’re talking massive updates across the company's ecosystem—AirPods, Apple Watch 10, and potentially a better look at Apple Intelligence, the AI that Apple has big plans for. We know, it’s a lot. But don't worry, we’ve got you covered with all the details you need to stay ahead of the curve.

How to watch iPhone 16 event

As usual, the event is being hosted by CEO Tim Cook at Apple Park in Cupertino, California. The "Glowtime" launch event will start at 10 a.m. PT / 1 p.m. ET. You'll be able to catch all the action live-streamed on the tech giant's YouTube page, which we've embedded below.

Or, if that's not working you can also watch from Apple's website or on Apple TV.

On Monday, the company will introduce smartphones with A.I. features that could take the technology mainstream or sow fresh doubts about its viability.

In a second antitrust trial that starts on Monday, the Justice Department has called for a breakup of the tech giant, which it says controls the vast majority of online advertising.

How the tech giant has fared in its major legal battles across the U.S. and Europe so far.

The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.

With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.

So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Monday, September 9, 2024:

AcrossAlternatives to Macs

• The answer is PCs.

Mountains on the Swiss Miss logo

• The answer is Alps.

They hit the books

• The answer is nerds.

They bit the hooks

• The answer is fish.

"Don't be that ___!"

• The answer is guy.

DownPot's flatter counterpart

• The answer is pan.

Symbol on a music staff

• The answer is clef.

Thyme piece

• The answer is sprig.

Sch. two hours south of U.C.L.A.

• The answer is SDSU.

Unlikely to approach a stranger at a party

• The answer is shy.

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

Featured Video For You The Wordle Strategy used by the New York Times' Head of Games

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

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

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

Strands requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns. Every single letter in the grid will be part of an answer. There's always a theme linking every solution, along with the "spangram," a special, word or phrase that sums up that day's theme, and spans the entire grid horizontally or vertically.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable

By providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.

If you're feeling stuck or just don't have 10 or more minutes to figure out today's puzzle, we've got all the NYT Strands hints for today's puzzle you need to progress at your preferred pace.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for September 9 SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Here's the answer hints for September 9 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Go play outside!

These words are a great fun if you have the space.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

The answers all relate to games you can play outside.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is LawnGames.

NYT Strands word list for September 9

• Bocce

• Croquet

• LawnGames

• Horseshoes

• Badminton

• Cornhole

Looking for other daily online games? Mashable's Games page has more hints, and if you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now!

Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

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

TL;DR: Through Sept. 29, you can take the first steps toward a coding career with the 15-course 2024 Premium Learn to Code Certification Bundle while it's on sale for just £30.44 (reg. £1,142.25).

If you want to learn to code, there are easier and more affordable ways to begin than going back to a classroom. Online learning is an unexpected perk of living in a digital world. Learning from home is easier to manage around your busy schedule and can save you money. Case in point, the 2024 Premium Learn to Code Certification Bundle is on sale for £30.44 through Sept. 29.

As AI continues to revolutionise industries and ChatGPT tech becomes more widely used, the demand for skilled developers in these areas is soaring. According to Coursera, the field of AI engineering is projected to see a 23 percent growth through 2032. If that stat excites you, you could get in on the fun and start learning to code immediately with this comprehensive bundle.

Featuring 15 courses and 213 hours of instructional content, it's a low-cost, low-commitment way to determine whether this industry is right for you.  

It covers nearly all the most in-demand coding languages, including the versatile Python, C++, JavaScript, and Vuex. You'll also dive deep into the world of artificial intelligence with specialised courses that cover fundamental AI concepts, advanced techniques, and real-world applications. There's even a course called Game Development and Coding for Kids.

Don't miss the opportunity to acquire the skills and knowledge needed to understand the world of coding, AI, and ChatGPT development at a limited-time price drop.

Save hundreds on this Learn to Code bundle while it's on sale for just £30.44 until Sept. 29 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

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Opens in a new window Credit: Shutterstock The 2024 Premium Learn to Code Certification Bundle £30.44 at the Mashable Shop
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TL;DR: Live stream France vs. Belgium in the UEFA Nations League for free on TF1+. Access this free streaming site from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The UEFA Nations League might not be every fan's favorite tournament, but you can't say it doesn't match up some of the best international sides in the world. The next fixture is France vs. Belgium, a heated rivarly between two neighboring countries.

France and Belgium last played each other in the first knockout round of Euro 2024, with France progressing after a 1-0 win. How will things play out this time around? There's only one way to find out.

If you want to watch France vs. Belgium in the UEFA Nations League for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is France vs. Belgium?

France vs. Belgium in the UEFA Nations League kicks off at 7:45 p.m. BST on Sept. 9. This fixture takes place at the Parc Olympique Lyonnais.

How to watch France vs. Belgium for free

France vs. Belgium in the UEFA Nations League is available to live stream for free on TF1+.

TF1+ is geo-restricted to France, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in France, meaning you can access free live streams on TF1+ from anywhere in the world.

Access a free live stream of France vs. Belgium by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

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

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

4. Visit TF1+

5. Live stream France vs. Belgium 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 France vs. Belgium in the UEFA Nations League without actually spending anything. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream select UEFA Nations League fixtures before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for TF1?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on TF1+, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including France

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Stream France vs. Belgium in the UEFA Nations League for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream Montenegro vs. Wales in the UEFA Nations League for free on BBC iPlayer or S4C Online. Access these free streaming sites from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Wales started their UEFA Nations League campaign at home against Turkey, and now Craig Bellamy's side are visiting Montenegro for an interesting matchup. Montenegro boasts some genuine star names, but Wales will still be confident of returning home with three points.

If you want to watch Montenegro vs. Wales in the UEFA Nations League for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Montenegro vs. Wales?

Montenegro vs. Wales in the UEFA Nations League kicks off at 7:45 p.m. BST on Sept. 9. This fixture takes place at the Gradski Stadion in Nikšić, Montenegro.

How to watch Montenegro vs. Wales for free

Montenegro vs. Wales in the UEFA Nations League is available to live stream for free on BBC iPlayer and S4C Online.

These services are geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone from around the world can stream for free with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can access free live streams on BBC iPlayer and S4C Online from anywhere in the world.

Access free live streams of Montenegro vs. Wales by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

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

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

4. Visit BBC iPlayer or S4C Online

5. Stream Montenegro vs. Wales 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 Montenegro vs. Wales in the UEFA Nations League without committing with your cash. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream select UEFA Nations League fixtures before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for streaming live sport?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including the UK

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Stream Montenegro vs. Wales in the UEFA Nations League for free with ExpressVPN.

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 September 9'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 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 used to be available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it. Unfortunately, it has since been taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times.

Is Wordle getting harder?

It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for September 9 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

The opposite of credit.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no reoccurring letters.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter D.

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...

DEBIT.

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

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

Reporting by 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.

Robert Spearing (Harry Lawtey) goes through the ringer in virtually every episode of Industry. Remember when his lover/abuser/Oedipal mother figure Nicole Craig (Sarah Parish) died beside him in the Season 3 premiere? Or his fistfight with Lumi CEO Sir Henry Muck (Kit Harington) in the very next episode?

SEE ALSO: How 'Industry' put Rishi through hell in its 'most intense' episode yet

While Season 3, episode 4 of Industry offered Robert a brief respite from emotional trauma, instead raining down hell on Rishi Ramdani (Sagar Radia), episode 5, titled "Company Man," throws Robert into a meat grinder of political, professional, and personal anxieties. Pierpoint & Co. sends him as their representative to the select committee investigating the British government's bailout of Lumi.

Nothing more than a pawn in Pierpoint's fight with Henry and his own powerful allies, Robert is forced to evaluate his position at the investment bank — especially after learning that his boss Eric Tao (Ken Leung) called him "expendable." As if that wasn't enough, Robert's also still reckoning with his romantic feelings for coworker and friend Yasmin Kara-Hanani (Marisa Abela), who's in a relationship with Henry. It's all a very tangled web, one whose threads intertwine in a surreal sequence toward the end of the episode, when Robert takes ayahuasca with Henry. In a first for Industry — a show already rife with scenes of substance use — we witness Robert's trip firsthand, which brings us through a nightmarish take on the Pierpoint trading floor and Robert's own rundown house.

"I remember saying to the writers, 'This is a big swing,'" Lawtey told Mashable when discussing his first reactions to reading about Robert's trip in the "Company Man" script. "This is certainly a tonal shift for the show, and I think it may come as a surprise to people who've been with us from the beginning, but I think that's a great thing. It's nice to be part of a project that is creatively evolving rather than just staying in the same place. Of course, we still pay homage to the same themes and ideas, but we're putting them into different shapes."

SEE ALSO: You're watching 'Industry' wrong

Among these themes and ideas are Robert's many insecurities, which get a drug-fueled remix here. Anxieties about his working-class background surface in the appearance of a shoeshiner at Pierpoint, and in Henry's breathless laughter at Robert's expense (which could also double as mockery over Robert's feelings for Yasmin). Meanwhile, his mommy issues pop up in a vision of Nicole, who stands in his kitchen, hoists up her skirt, and lets liquid run down her legs and cascade to the floor, an action which mirrors everything from Henry and Yasmin's earlier urine play to Robert's leaky ceiling to a pregnant woman's water breaking. The accompanying sound of a baby crying lends extra weight to the latter interpretation, especially as the next stage of the trip brings Robert face to face with an image of his mother projected in heavenly white on a massive screen at Pierpoint.

I remember saying to the writers, 'This is a big swing.' - Harry Lawtey

Perhaps the biggest worry on display here is Robert's own relationship with Pierpoint. The whole trip opens with Robert in the Pierpoint bathroom, staring up at the word "wanker" scrawled on the ceiling. It's right where grad Hari Dhar (Nabhaan Rizwan) was before he died in Industry's very first episode. Will Robert reach a similar fate if he stays a company man? Based on Eric's neck-slicing motion later in the trip (paired perfectly with his Henry VIII Halloween costume), Robert's subconscious certainly seems to think so. And since the trip is about "searching for some kind of existential freedom and liberation," as Lawtey put it, could this be Robert's subconscious telling him to free himself from Pierpoint entirely?

Harry Lawtey in "Industry." Credit: Nick Strasburg / HBO

Robert is a silent searcher throughout it all, reacting sometimes with horror, sometimes with awe. And while Lawtey is no stranger to playing a character who's under the influence — think back to all of Robert's wild partying in Season 1 — this trip scene is unlike anything he, or anyone else, has done on Industry.

"W​​hen you're playing a substance-induced experience like that, you don't want it to feel generalized or clichéd," Lawtey said. "By its nature, the way the show covers it is quite abstract and quite lyrical, almost dreamlike. If the tone is doing that for you, you don't want to lean into that too much as the actor, you want it to feel grounded and genuine. So that was a challenge as well."

SEE ALSO: 'Industry' Season 3: Ken Leung talks Eric's 'obsession' with Yasmin

Another challenge? Shooting the trip sequence on the Pierpoint trading floor, where every screen is lit up with a key Robert scene from prior seasons of Industry. Look closely and you'll catch the moment where he finds Hari's dead body, or his RIF day speech from the Season 1 finale. For Lawtey, who doesn't like watching his own performances and therefore hasn't seen any of Industry, filming that moment was "bizarre."

"It was my own personal hellscape to walk into a room that's just flooded with solely me and scenes that I shot five years ago," Lawtey said. "But it very much lent itself to the moment, because I think Robert is supposed to be pretty terrified of that kind of vision."

He added, joking: "[Showrunners] Mickey [Down] and Konrad [Kay] know that I don't watch Industry — much to their frustration sometimes — so I think they took a specific pleasure in just forcing me to see 200 versions of myself."

Marisa Abela and Harry Lawtey in "Industry." Credit: Nick Strasburg / HBO

Amid all the screens and nods to earlier Industry episodes, another image in the trip stands out: The words "eat it" scrolling by on the Pierpoint ticker display, a reference to a Season 1 moment when Yasmin made Robert eat his own ejaculate off of a mirror. The phrase's appearance here is a pointed reminder to how the relationship between the two — now roommates — began.

"That [initial] dynamic between them was entirely fostered on this very status-oriented kink relationship, which Robert was very willing and consenting to," Lawtey said. "But he was purposely moving himself into a position of inferiority in relation to Yasmin, which is subtly related to his ideas of her from the class perspective. So much about his attraction to Yasmin is built around his aspirational desire to transcend his own class. To shake that off and realize how toxic that may have been for his own self-esteem is a big part of Robert's journey, and a big part of [his and Yasmin's] connection as two characters. In the final episodes of this season, we realize there may be more substance to their care for one another once you remove all that baggage."

Robert's baggage in relation to Yasmin may not be the only weight his trip alleviated. For starters, he decides to sell his crumbling old house. And as he returns home at the end of the episode, he seems lighter, more aware of who he is beyond his insecurities. Despite Henry's post-trip warning not to, Robert is able to look at himself in the mirror and even muster a smile. Perhaps, for once in this episode, he likes who he sees.

Industry Season 3 is now streaming on Max, with new episodes premiering Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and Max.

Connections is the latest New York Times word game that's captured the public's attention. The game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for September 9'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 September 9 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Looking embarrassed

• Green: Uninterrupted

• Blue: Trying out foods and drinks

• Purple: Funny shows

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: Get Red in the Face

• Green: Continuous

• Blue: Flavor Assortment

• Purple: Sitcoms

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 #456 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Get Red in the Face: BLUSH, BURN, FLUSH, GLOW

• Continuous: CONSECUTIVE, NONSTOP, SOLID, STRAIGHT

• Flavor Assortment: FLIGHT, PLATTER, SAMPLER, TASTING

• Sitcoms: BLOSSOM, COACH, COMMUNITY, FULL HOUSE

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.

WhatsApp and Messenger in Europe are getting an upgrade.

SEE ALSO: New evidence claims Google, Microsoft, Meta, and Amazon could be listening to you on your devices

In order to comply with Europe's Digital Markets Act, Meta is giving WhatsApp and Messenger users the ability to connect with people using third-party messaging services, called third-party chats.

In a post from September 6, the company said it spent the past few months gathering information and data from users about what it needs to prioritize with regard to third-party chats.

"As a result, we have built new notifications into WhatsApp and Messenger that inform users about third-party chats. We will remind users each time a new third-party messaging app becomes available," the post reads. "We have also designed a simple onboarding flow for users where they can learn more about third-party chats and turn the feature on. Options include choosing which third-party apps they want to receive messages from, and how they would like to manage their inbox."

According to Meta's post, users can choose if they'd like to have their third-party messages delivered to a separate folder, to their current inbox, or any kind of combined way. Meta has also included features like reactions, direct replies, typing indicators, and read receipts. The options to create groups, voice call, and video call will be included in 2027.

"As discussed in more detail in our previous blog, building third-party chats is technically challenging and preserving privacy and security is a shared responsibility," the post reads. "We have already come a long way, but there is a lot more to build."