Feed aggregator

TL;DR: Live stream Australia vs. Argentina in the 2024 Rugby Championship for free on NZR+. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The Rugby Championship continues to deliver some of the best international rugby of the year. It feels like every game can go either way, and the result is often decided by big plays in the final moments. That was the case in the first game between Argentina and Australia, with the Wallabies securing a last-gasp win.

That was heartbreaking for Argentina, but they will believe that they can turn things around in the second meeting between the two sides. If you want to watch Australia vs. Argentina in the 2024 Rugby Championship for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Australia vs. Argentina?

The second game between Australia and Argentina in the 2024 Rugby Championship kicks off at 3 p.m. ET on Sept. 7. This fixture takes place at the Brigadier General Estanislao López Stadium in Santa Fe, Argentina.

How to watch Australia vs. Argentina for free

You can live stream the 2024 Rugby Championship for free on NZR+, including Australia vs. Argentina.

The catch is that this free live stream is only available to fans in Albania, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, China, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, India, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Macedonia, Malta, Moldova, Montenegro, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Turkey, and Ukraine.

If you do not live in one of these countries, you can use a VPN to change your digital location and stream for free. VPNs can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to secure servers in other countries, meaning you can unblock free live streams of the Rugby Championship on NZR+ from anywhere in the world.

Access free live streams of the 2024 Rugby Championship 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 one of the countries listed above

4. Visit NZR+

5. Live stream Australia vs. Argentina 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 leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to a free live stream of Australia vs. Argentina without actually spending anything. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it gives you enough time to watch the 2024 Rugby Championship before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for the Rugby Championship?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live rugby on NZR+ for free, 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 on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Live stream Australia vs. Argentina in the 2024 Rugby Championship for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream New Zealand vs. South Africa in the 2024 Rugby Championship for free on NZR+. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

South Africa came from behind to steal the win over New Zealand in their first Rugby Championship matchup, in what was probably the game of the tournament so far. Can the All Blacks secure the first win over South Africa in this year's competition? It's a tough task, especially on South African soil.

If you want to watch New Zealand vs. South Africa in the 2024 Rugby Championship for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is New Zealand vs. South Africa?

The second game between South Africa and New Zealand in the 2024 Rugby Championship kicks off at 11 a.m. ET on Sept 7. This fixture takes place at the DHL Stadium in Cape Town, South Africa.

How to watch New Zealand vs. South Africa for free

You can live stream the 2024 Rugby Championship for free on NZR+, including New Zealand vs. South Africa.

The catch is that this free live stream is only available to fans in Albania, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, China, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, India, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Macedonia, Malta, Moldova, Montenegro, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Turkey, and Ukraine.

If you do not live in one of these countries, you can use a VPN to change your digital location and stream for free. VPNs can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to secure servers in other countries, meaning you can unblock free live streams of the Rugby Championship on NZR+ from anywhere in the world.

Access free live streams of the 2024 Rugby Championship 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 one of the countries listed above

4. Visit NZR+

5. Live stream New Zealand vs. South Africa 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 leading VPNs do tend to offer deals such as free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to a free live stream of New Zealand vs. South Africa without actually spending anything. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it gives you enough time to watch the 2024 Rugby Championship before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for the Rugby Championship?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live rugby on NZR+ for free, 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 on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Live stream New Zealand vs. South Africa in the 2024 Rugby Championship for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Catfishing is perhaps the only place the work of Tegan and Sara and Erin Lee Carr could collide. After all, the former are a Canadian indie pop duo and the latter is a true crime documentarian. While the titular twin singer/songwriters deliver beautiful and achingly catchy songs about break-ups and sapphic yearning, the latter filmmaker has explored the dark depths of shocking cases like the Bling Ring thieving spree, the despised "cannibal cop," the murder of the notorious DeeDee Blanchard. 

In Fanatical: The Catfishing of Tegan and Sara, the musicians and the moviemaker come together to investigate a case that's less violent, but nonetheless haunting. Seeking to catch the hacker/catfish that has been toying with the hearts and minds of the band's fans for 16 years, what's exposed is where the highs and lows of internet fandom collide with the delicate underbelly of celebrity.

Fanatical: The Catfishing of Tegan and Sara allows us to come a little closer

This intriguing documentary takes audiences back to the late 2000s, when Tegan and Sara Quin were on the rise as artists, as was social media. Where the band — and the outgoing Tegan especially — used to make an appearance at the merch table or walk the line of fans waiting to enter the venue to give autographs and selfies, they could now interact on message boards, Tumblr, LastFM, and Facebook. But over 16 years, many fans have discovered that the Tegan they thought they were talking to was an impostor, masquerading as the pop star for reasons all their own. 

SEE ALSO: It's easy to catfish strangers on dating apps

Lee steps out from behind the camera here, engaging onscreen with Tegan (and to a lesser degree Sara) as well as victims who've come forth to share their stories. Shared among these women is a brilliant emotional intelligence, as they reveal their hurt while recognizing the painful experiences of others. As Lee has for tabloid-favorite killers and victims, she extends a profound empathy to her subjects that offers a supportive space for people admitting they'd fallen for the con. Some of them thought they'd made a cool new friend — who was a pop star! Others believed they were in a secret romance with one. All were tricked by Fake Tegan, or “Fegan” as they are referred to in the doc, while the investigative team tracks them down.

For the first time, Tegan herself speaks out on the catfishing, and how it's impacted her personally. And this is the film's most powerful revelation. 

In Fanatical, Tegan Quin shares the pain of toxic fandom

Tegan is quick to point out that much of her fanbase is wonderful, supporting her music and each other. However, she also makes clear there's a horrid dark side for public figures, perhaps especially when they're queer. Fans take on a sense of ownership over a celebrity that can turn judgemental and even scary. 

For Tegan, the news of the catfishing was a penetrating betrayal, making her doubt her friends and self. As the catfisher(s) had accessed private photos, unreleased demo tracks, and even personal family news, she began to worry if someone she loved had turned on her — or if giving so much attention to her fans had enabled this catfish to abuse the trust of her fans and friends. 

Fans take on a sense of ownership over a celebrity that can turn judgemental and even scary. 

The most jolting moment in Fanatical  is a tense phone conversation between Tegan, Lee, and a maybe victim/maybe suspect, who denies their volatile online behavior toward the artist was harmful. "You weren’t affected in any capacity," they angrily declare to Tegan. It's a comment that feels reflective of a common assumption about celebrities and what they must surrender for fame. Recently, queer pop princess Chappell Roan faced online backlash after going to social media to tell fans to give her space and leave her family out of their efforts to reach her. Some suggested she “signed up for” this intrusive lack of privacy by being famous, as if fame were acquired by signing a sketchy contract with the devil himself. 

Being famous doesn't make you impenetrable, and Tegan shows that by sharing her story — and even her doubts about doing so in the doc for fear it'll just make things worse. While she is composed for much of her interviews, there's no denying the emotional burden she's carried with no end in sight. That, in all this time, Tegan has continued to not only put out music but also a memoir with her sister and a subsequent TV adaptation called High School is a testament to the pair’s resilience. They refuse to let these violations define them or upend their creative drive. 

Fanatical confronts stan culture 

To create context for the digital waters in which this catfish swims, Lee presents a broad summary of how fan culture has evolved over the last 130 years. This sequence begins with the backlash from fans of Sherlock Holmes (Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's original version, not the intense Johnlock fandom of the 2010s). From there, an expert tries to contextualize how fandom overreach has grown from 1893 to Eminem's seminal song "Stan," which detailed an obsessive fan who turns to violence, to the current re-contextualizing of the term to basically mean "superfan." 

SEE ALSO: Remembering Tumblr's strangest, most formative communities

Fanatical suggests this transformation of "stan" risks muddling the distinction between fans who say they'll do "anything" for their idol and fans who actually dox so-called "haters" or stalk the object of their obsession. In a rush to connect these dots, the documentary loses the nuance of online conversation and parasocial relationships, and its love for hyperbole is lost. A series of reconstructed tweets (with blank avatars and no time stamps) are presented as a slippery slope, where online threats of violence might lead to dangerous real-life reactions. Here, Lee cuts to clips of pop stars being grabbed on stage or pelted with objects by the crowd, then to footage of trials of convicted stalkers. 

Perhaps this section is intended as a moment for every fan to self-reflect on how they might be casually toxic. But conflating threats of violence and doxxing with tweets like "In my household we stan Lana Del Rey and whoever disagrees can choke," might cause eyerolls. Such a tame tweet feels out of place amid the details of the Tegan and Sara attacks, which include threats to out the former as a "terrible person," sharing their personal documents with others, and creating disturbing, sexually explicit fanfiction. 

Fanatical: The Catfishing of Tegan and Sara is a must-see 

Perhaps, Lee takes on too much when she tries to apply what's happened to Tegan and Sara to a broader fandom conversation. (It's easy to imagine the film as a limited series because of the sheer massiveness of that topic.) But despite this wobble, Fanatical: The Catfishing of Tegan and Sara is a fascinating film because of the balance in empathy between the stars and their fans. When fandom goes toxic, both sides of that equation suffer. Lee shows that through thoughtful interviews and also interactions between the real Tegan and Fegan's victims, brought together to pick up the pieces of this bizarre betrayal of trust. 

Fandom should be a place of community, not in-fighting and catfishing.

These meetings range from healing to tense. Shrewdly, Lee exposes the "unnatural" setup of such interactions by allowing camera equipment and light reflectors in frame. It's not to expose the artifice of the interview, but to bolster why a particular subject — who was a Fegan suspect — might feel insecure at this moment. There's a literal spotlight on them, and they feel it. But from this place of discomfort, hard truths and hurt feelings finally are aired so solace can follow.

Fandom should be a place of community, not in-fighting and catfishing. Through Fanatical, Tegan and Sara strive to reclaim the joy of community through sharing and shaking off the embarrassment of the whole situation. In that, they not only warn their fans about this curious hacker, but also urge the viewing audience to consider how shady online behavior can have real-world impact. Yes, even to the famous. 

Fanatical: The Catfishing of Tegan and Sara was reviewed out of its World Premiere at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival. The documentary will later debut on Hulu.

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 7'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 7 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Has possession of something.

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 O.

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...

OWNER.

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.

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 7'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 7 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: Photo editing

• Green: Golf equipment

• Blue: Just bought a fish

• Purple: Iconic horse imagery

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: Ways to Transform an Image

• Green: Things Used in Golf

• Blue: Aquarium Purchases

• Purple: Logos with Horses

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 #454 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Ways to Transform an Image: CROP, FLIP, ROTATE, SCALE

• Things Used in Golf: BALL, DRIVER, GLOVE, TEE

• Aquarium Purchases: FILTER, PUMP, ROCKS, TANK

• Logos with Horses: COACH, GODIVA, MUSTANG, POLO

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.

What do rapper Megan Thee Stallion and Kansas City Chiefs' star tight end Travis Kelce have in common?

They both starred in Pepsi's revival of its iconic "We Will Rock You" ad.

WATCH: Megan Thee Stallion and Travis Kelce in new Pepsi commercial

This year's Pepsi commercial, inspired by the upcoming Gladiator II film, is a three-minute long commercial called "Make Your Gameday Epic" — and it's set in a Roman Empire stadium where Megan Thee Stallion is watching a Spartan match of the Super Bowl winners from her throne.

In addition to Kelce, NFL players Josh Allen, Derrick Henry, and Justin Jefferson make an appearance, as well as White Lotus actor Jake Lacy and Fargo star Lamorne Morris.

If the theme of the commercial seems familiar to you, that's because it's a recreation of the iconic 2004 commercial that starred Beyoncé, Britney Spears, and Pink. Both commercials feature the highly recognized Queen song "We Will Rock You."

The connection was made by many fans immediately and met with mixed reactions. While some viewers applauded the commercial and thought it was a touchdown, others disagreed with the company's choice of remaking the video.

Tweet may have been deleted

Tweet may have been deleted

One commenter under the YouTube video stated "I’m switching to Coca-Cola."

There are moments in life that break us to pieces, but not quickly, like a hammer hitting a vase — in a slow but unavoidable way, like a crack in a window. It's only a matter of time before the glass will give way, leaving you wrecked and wide open to a world that keeps on moving regardless. Sharp Corner is about such a moment, where an inexplicable event slowly shatters the psyche of an average family man who previously thought himself content. 

Written by Jason Buxton and Russell Wangersky, Sharp Corner is a lean but gripping psychological thriller than explores fear, anxiety, and how a societal double standard can leave men in a unique disadvantage when it comes to processing trauma. So who better to headline this movie than Ben Foster? This American actor has delved powerfully into these themes in previous roles, such as the wild-card brother of Hell or High Water, the anti-social father of Leave No Trace, and the hardened soldier of The Messenger. 

Ben Foster plays a father in crisis in Sharp Corner. 

Mild-mannered, middle-aged Josh McCall (Foster) is a loving partner to his intellectual wife Rachel Davis-McCall (High School's Cobie Smulders) and a playful parent to his young son Max (William Kosovic). Their first night in their new home in suburban Canada, Josh gently tucks his kid into bed, assuring him that there's nothing to fear in this unfamiliar setting. Next, Josh and his wife christen the living room with some hasty but spirited sex. But then disaster strikes. 

Before the opening title card even hits the screen, a car's tire flies through the big display window, shattering glass and shooting past Rachel's head before landing with a terrifying thud. A car has crashed dramatically in their lawn. While Rachel races to soothe their crying child, Josh stands looking out the window, pantless and powerless, his bare ass facing us while he gazes upon a horrifying new reality. 

Everyone in the family is dealing with this shocking incident in their own ways. Rachel avoids conversation around it and buries herself in caring for her child, who is finding bits of busted reflector as he plays in the yard. But this leaves Josh with no one to talk to about his fears. He had considered himself the family's protector, but it was only dumb luck they too weren't hurt that night. So, Sharp Corner follows his slow-burn quest to reclaim a sense of control, first through understanding the cause of the accident, then by educating himself on life-saving tools like CPR. But more fatal crashes on the titular turn make this increasingly difficult, pushing Josh into disturbing behaviors to reclaim his identity.

Sharp Corner's deep-set empathy makes its horrors hit harder. 

Often, when media discusses toxic masculinity, they're addressing macho men who refuse to acknowledge their own emotions. Ben is not that guy. He's desperate to talk about what happened, but he can't find a place where he feels safe to do so. His wife doesn't want to hear it. His friends aren't prepared to go from wine recommendations to trauma-dumping, and he doesn't trust a stoic psychiatrist, who has a dog named Drake.

So, like a lot of people grappling with anxiety and post-traumatic distress, Josh throws himself into action. He creates projects to prevent further crashes, and when that fails, he is desperate to be prepared to save a life when the need arises. Maybe that can restore his sense of self? Maybe that can save his family from falling apart? Foster's nuanced performance — tension rippling under his skin and need gleaming through his eyes — makes this terror feel at once extraordinary and achingly common. 

Yet as empathetic as Sharp Corner is, binding us to Josh in moments he can't share with anyone, it doesn't paint his wife as an uncaring nag or a cliched villain. She too is grappling with this jolting realization, not only that their dream home is a suburban nightmare but also that death can be random, and stupid, and on your front lawn over and over. Though hers is a much smaller role, Smulders comfortably shoulders the character work of Rachel, her careful words hitting with precision. Her tone shifts from direct and annoyed, when the two adults are alone, to guarded yet cutting when they're with their son. Together, they create a couple that feels real — and really on the brink of splitting up.

Sharp Corner packs a punch without packing in gore.

The script is crisply realized, keenly charting Josh's downward spiral as he surrenders everything to his desperate need to reclaim a sense of power in a world that's made him feel impotent and futile. Buxton, who also directs, wisely trusts in Foster and Smulders to ground the film's drama. It helps he keeps the home's aesthetic clean and cozy in cool blues and grays, so the carnage outside — with its streaks of yellow dome lights and red reflectors and blood — is all the more jarring. Yet the deaths are largely off-screen, or when they're shown, are done so with a mindfulness towards graphic bodily harm.

Buxton isn't seeking to sensationalize these moments. He gives us just enough to understand why Josh can't shake them. So, we too struggle to focus as others talk to him about mundane things like school pick-up and work assignments. But how far would we walk in his shoes? That's the terrifying question Sharp Corner asks in a third act that is ruthlessly plotted. 

Focused so intently on the inner turmoil of its ego-ravaged hero, Sharp Corner is leanly executed. But Buxton and Wangersky seems to lose faith in their audience in the second act, offering a sequence where a psychiatrist basically spells out what Josh is going through (though she's not knowingly talking about him). Despite this detour, the finale regains momentum. Ultimately, a smart premise is poignantly brought to life by Foster and Smulders, making for a psychological thriller that is nerve-rattlingly tense and a family drama that is unapologetically gutting.

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

In American media, a man cheating on his wife is often a source for tears, screaming, vengeance, murder-based TV shows, or one of the greatest concept albums of all time. So, when this American movie critic sat down for the Chinese documentary Mistress Dispeller, I brought my societal expectations with me, thinking I knew what I was in for. I was very, very wrong, but I found real pleasure in what this curious film offers instead. 

Hong Kong-born filmmaker Elizabeth Lo follows "mistress dispeller" Wang Zhenxi as she engages with a client, a middle-aged wife in China who is distraught that her husband has taken a younger mistress. The wife, called Mrs. Li in the film, tearfully unfurls her suspicions and the evidence that has brought her to this moment. But even as she is hurt, she explains ardently how kind her husband is, sharing a story of how he takes special care when cooking for her mother. 

This dizzying mix of feelings — anger and love — in the film's first act establishes the emotional complexity that is knit throughout Mistress Dispeller, which isn't interested in blame or salacious details. Instead, this remarkable documentary engages its audience through an earnest empathy with all three parties, and a daring openness between subject and filmmaker that is absolutely stunning. 

Mistress Dispeller is most shocking in how much its subjects share. 

How Mr. Li's affair has impacted his own life, as well as the lives of his wife and mistress, is revealed through simple scenes of day-to-day life. A woman getting her hair cut at a salon may seem mundane at first glance, but then you see the tear snaking out of her eye and down her cheeks as her expression struggles to stay stoic. More engaging, though, are the numerous dining scenes, where two (or three) of these subjects sit across from each other as an unblinking camera shoots them in profile. 

At first, it seems Lo is capturing only a casual conversation. But when Mr. Li looks from his companion into the camera's lens, we're reminded that he knows he's being watched. And yet, even then, he shares his secrets. Similarly, his mistress, Fei Fei, will open up in front of Lo's lens, defending her love of her married boyfriend, and even welcoming the crew to follow her away from date night and into her working day. Here, the polished, pale make-up and frilly, coquettish dress she wore to impress her man is gone, replaced by a cleaner face and simple streetwear as she zips around on a scooter unglamorously delivering frozen food. 

Lo doesn't lean on talking-head interviews or a narrator to step us through this story. She lets the words and actions of this tangle of people speak for itself. And while we may blanch at the feeling of voyeurism perhaps inherent in a documentary that delves into the nitty-gritty of a marriage in peril, a simple promise makes Mistress Dispeller extraordinary. 

Consent is key in Mistress Dispeller. 

In the opening credits of the film, a title card proclaims: 

"Everyone agreed to participate both at the beginning and end of production, as their understanding of the film and mistress dispeller's role evolved over time." 

What Mr. Li and Fei Fei think they're being filmed for initially isn't clear, as Wang's involvement with them begins undercover. Collaborating with Mrs. Li, she is introduced to the husband as a friend. Steadily, as she grows in his confidence, he opens up about Fei Fei, and introduces the two, calling Wang a "cousin." All the while, Wang is getting to understand each side of this love triangle, not to strategize the fastest way to break it up but the most compassionate way.

Operating without judgment, Wang aims to understand how Fei Fei came to be involved with Mr. Li, why he was drawn to her, and what they and Mrs. Li want now. She works the case like a psychological detective, determining motive through clues and covert interrogations involving badminton matches and mani/pedis. As she comes to see the messy emotions that built this puzzle of love and pain, she invites us to understand them too as the fly on her wall. It's an extraordinary thing, watching these people in moments of heady infatuation, crushing betrayal, and deep confusion, all while they know they're being filmed. The subjects' awareness of the cameras might mean there's a level of performance at play. But as they get to know Wang, it's easier and easier to believe the cameras they once stared at become just another piece of furniture as they chart their way forward. 

Mistress Dispeller is gorgeous to behold. 

Lo also serves as the director of photography and co-editor on the film, and deserves praise for every role. As a director, she smartly hangs back, allowing the subjects to tell their story however they see fit. With editor Charlotte Munch Bengtsen, she takes what might be thought of as B-roll and assembles them into pieces that neatly construct a challenging narrative that has no real villain. As a cinematographer, she captures scenes of domestic simplicity, like a lunch together between husband, wife, and undercover mistress dispeller, with a keen eye for detail.

Along with a meditative pacing that gives big feelings room to breathe, there's often a charming symmetry in the framing, which not only makes for a pleasing image but also bolsters the film's emotional focus on balance. There is never only one side to a story, and the equal weight shared in such staging subtly reminds the audience of this simple, but often overlooked fact. 

This sense of balance is made all the more impactful in a finale where Mrs. Li and Fei Fei finally meet; conflict seems inevitable, but it won't play out like American media would have us expect. And yet, Wang sits at just of the center of the frame, not to take sides but to even out the power dynamic at play. Even without melodramatic moments of gnashed teeth and bellowed accusations, Lo's moving film captures heartache and humanity viscerally. More incredibly, through the story of one real marriage confronting an affair, she urges her audiences to reconsider the biases of shame and blame we've taken in through scads of more salacious media. It's not that Mistress Dispeller is preachy — far from it. Instead, this doc makes showing all sides look so easy that you might well wonder why it's not done more often. 

In the end, Mistress Dispeller is a marvel: elegantly constructed, ethically created, and thought-provokingly humane. 

Mistress Dispeller was reviewed out of its North American Premiere at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival.

After ruling against Google last month, Judge Amit P. Mehta said he would take until next August to determine fixes that the company must make.

We are just days away from Apple's big annual September event, and the rumors surrounding the iPhone 16 — along with other potential announcements — are flying.

If you're in the market for a new pair of AirPods, you'll soon have a few more choices. According to a new report, Apple is planning on releasing two different models in the new AirPods 4 line that will likely be announced at the September 9 Apple event.

These new AirPods models will look more like Apple's premium wireless earbuds, AirPods Pro, and come with new features. One model will reportedly even have a charging case with a built-in speaker. 

SEE ALSO: iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max leak: Video camera rumored to get this upgrade

This new AirPods report is a bit different from some other rumors out there as it comes from a source with a great track record: Bloomberg's Apple insider Mark Gurman.

Two new AirPods 4 models on the way

To be clear, this product launch would release a brand new middle tier of AirPods, as the higher-priced AirPods are not a replacement for the higher tier AirPods Pro.

Apple currently still sells the older second-generation AirPods as an entry-level pair of wireless earbuds. The current generation AirPods 3 acts as a mid-tier device. With the AirPods 4, it appears Apple is looking to make the two levels in the AirPods line official and current with two new releases to replace both the AirPods 2 and AirPods 3.

According to Gurman, both AirPods 4 models have been redesigned to look more like the AirPods Pro. For example, the new AirPods 4 should have much shorter stems than the current generation of AirPods, like the AirPods Pro has. Gurman says that the AirPods 4 also have improved audio quality as well as a new charging case. Both AirPods 4 models will drop the lightning cable and will have USB-C charging as well.

Speaking of charging, Gurman says that Apple recently discovered a software bug that was the culprit for AirPods battery life drain issues. Apple has reportedly fixed the issue in time for the AirPods 4 launch.

So, what's the difference between the two upcoming AirPods 4 models? Gurman reports that the higher end AirPods 4 – the mid-tier AirPods when accounting for AirPods Pro – will receive a premium charging case with a built-in speaker. The purpose of this speaker is to make it easier for users to find their AirPods with Apple's Find My feature but its unclear if the case speaker will have any other utility. 

Gurman says that the mid-tier AirPods 4 will also come with noise cancelation that rivals the AirPods Pro, which the entry-level model will lack.

Future AirPods updates

There's also a brand new AirPods feature in the works, according to Gurman, although it may not be ready in time for launch at the Apple event. Apple has reportedly been working on hearing health features, codenamed Yodel, that will turn AirPods into a hearing aid replacement. Yodel will also have a hearing test feature as well.

As for any new updates for the AirPods Pro or even the AirPods Max headphones, Gurman says not to expect anything at the Apple event this year.

A new AirPods Pro with a new design and better noise cancellation is expected next year. An AirPods Max update with new colors and USB-C charging is also expect to come later.