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TL;DR: As of Feb. 10, get Surfshark One for $2.29 per month with three months extra for free when you sign up for the 24-month plan.
Opens in a new window Credit: Surfshark Surfshark One: 24-Month Plan $2.29 per month + 3 months free Get DealWhen it comes to keeping all your devices protected, it's worth investing in a complete cybersecurity system. These can help ensure safe browsing, antivirus protection, and much more. If you want to stay secure during your day-to-day internet activities, Surfshark One is an excellent cybersecurity bundle that covers a variety of protective bases for your devices. And better yet, it's on sale for a limited time.
As of Feb. 10, Surfshark One is on sale for $2.29 per month (rather than the usual $2.49 per month) when you sign up for the 24 month plan. And you can get an extra three months of coverage for free as part of this special deal.
Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!With Surfshark One, you'll be set up with a powerful VPN so you can feel safe and secure while browsing. The plan also includes an ad blocker, an antivirus system, an alert system that can notify you if your personal information is leaked, Alternative ID which helps keep your identity protected, and so much more. Surfshark's pricing page offers a full breakdown of what's included with this plan.
On top of all that, Surfshark One can be used on an unlimited number of devices, so it's easy to include your family or roommates on this plan to keep their devices protected as well.
Don't miss out on Surfshark One for $2.29 per month with three months extra for free.
SAVE $110: As of Feb. 10, the DJI Mini 3 drone is on sale for $439 at Amazon. That's a 20% discount on the list price.
Opens in a new window Credit: DJI DJI Mini 3 $439 at AmazonDespite the ban that took effect around Christmas time, it is still possible to buy and operate a DJI drone in the U.S.. The ban doesn't apply to existing stock, so if you've been hoping to buy, you've still got a chance. And as of Feb. 10, the DJI Mini 3 drone is on sale at Amazon for $439 — $100 off the list price.
The DJI Mini 3 is a lightweight drone, weighing under 249 grams — so no FAA registration or Remote ID is required for recreational flying. It records 4K HDR video with Dual Native ISO Fusion and benefits from True Vertical Shooting, which makes it easy to film tall landmarks, skyscrapers, or waterfalls.
Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!The battery life is strong, and with the optional Intelligent Flight Battery Plus, flight time can reach up to 51 minutes. The Fly More combo provides up to 114 minutes total. And it's not just the battery life that's strong. It's a robust unit, capable of handling Level 5 winds.
It also comes with creative tools like QuickShots and Panorama, which help you take images with more advanced cinematic angles, with next to no effort on your part. This makes it beginner friendly, and it even has a GPS Return to Home feature so no worries there.
Get this deal on the DJI Mini 3 drone at Amazon (while you still can).
TL;DR: The Logitech G Pro X Superlight wireless gaming mouse is down to just $89.99 at Amazon, saving you $60 on its usual $149.99 list price
Opens in a new window Credit: Logitech Logitech G PRO X Superlight Wireless Gaming Mouse $89.99 at AmazonGoing to a well-known brand for a lightweight gaming mouse is usually best. You're generally getting higher build quality for intense play over long periods of time — and Logitech has a new deal that offers quality in adundance. As of Feb. 10, the Logitech G Pro X Superlight has dropped to $89.99 on Amazon, marking a steep $60 discount on one of the most popular esports mice on the market.
That price represents 40% off its regular list price and pushes the Superlight into a much more accessible bracket for players who want pro-grade performance without paying full premium pricing.
Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!Designed in collaboration with top esports professionals, the Pro X Superlight focuses on speed, precision, and minimal weight above all else. It weighs under 63 grams, nearly 25% lighter than Logitech’s standard Pro Wireless mouse — while still promising a rock-solid build quality. As for components, it features Logitech’s Hero 25K sensor, offering ultra-precise tracking up to 25,600 DPI with no smoothing, filtering, or acceleration.
Connectivity is handled via Logitech’s Lightspeed wireless technology, which delivers a fast and reliable connection suitable for high-level competitive play. You also get five programmable buttons, large PTFE feet for a smooth glide, and long battery life that can last days of regular gaming on a single charge. With that low latency and light build, paired with your quick reflexes, you’ll have the tools in your arsenal to take on fast-paced shooters like Counter-Strike 2, Fortnite, and Call of Duty with ease.
You can also grab the Razer Basilisk V3 Pro wireless gaming mouse for around the same price at $89. As for more from Logitech, the G305 range of gaming mice are also on sale, with at least $20 off.
TL;DR: The LG UltraGear 27-inch QHD IPS gaming monitor has dropped to just $226.99 at Amazon. That's over $200 off its usual $449.99 list price and the lowest price we’ve seen for this model/
Opens in a new window Credit: LG LG 27-inch Ultragear QHD Gaming Monitor $226.99 at AmazonLG has been continuing its surprising streak of major gaming monitor discounts, and this $200+ price cut is perfect for lovers of top-tier performance. As of Feb. 10, LG’s 27-inch UltraGear QHD IPS gaming monitor is down to $226.99, cutting its original price almost in half. At this price, you’re getting the best-ever price for this particular model (confirmed by price tracker camelcamelcamel) with specs typically reserved for far pricier displays.
First of all, the 27-inch QHD (2560 x 1440) IPS panel, with a standard 16:9 aspect ratio, offers a sweet spot for competitive gaming and everyday use. With the added IPS technology as well, you should ensure wide viewing angles and consistent color reproduction, alongside support for up to 95% DCI-P3 and VESA DisplayHDR 400 adds an extra layer of vibrancy to supported games and media.
Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!As you'd expect from the UltraGear range, performance with the 27G640A-B SKU is another winner. A blistering 300Hz refresh rate paired with a 1ms (GtG) response time delivers ultra-smooth motion in fast-paced titles like Valorant or Call of Duty. NVIDIA G-Sync compatibility and AMD FreeSync Premium help keep gameplay tear-free across a wide range of PC setups.
Depending on what level of gamer you are — whether a casual or a competitive streamer on Twitch — connectivity is equally flexible, with HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 1.4, and USB-C on board making it easy to slot into both modern PC and console setups. With full height, tilt, swivel, and pivot adjustments, it’s also built for long gaming sessions.
If you’re willing to invest a little more into OLED, the 240Hz UHD/OLED version of this monitor is also on sale at Amazon — at $300 off. Meanwhile, the QHD Acer Nitro is even cheaper at $199 on Amazon.
Bad Bunny's Super Bowl LX halftime show may have been brimming with popular music, Easter eggs, and celebrity cameos, but not everyone was a fan.
In The Daily Show clip above, Jon Stewart discusses the right's reaction to the show, from the Kid Rock-fronted alternative event to right-wing pundits complaining that they could have found someone "more uniting".
"Why the f*** is it the Super Bowl halftime entertainer's job to unify the country?" asks Stewart. "In what world is that their job? Oh, isn't there another person whose job description is much more along those lines?"
Stewart goes on to share Donald Trump's Truth Social reaction to the performance, in which he called Bad Bunny "absolutely terrible".
"You know, the right has a lot of balls, complaining that Bad Bunny didn't do enough to unify this country, when you only found out a few days ago that Puerto Rico's a part of it," says Stewart. "And before you get your panties in una torsión, a unifying pro tip might be to tell your guy to stop tweeting out racist slop during, I don't know, Black History Month."
Bluesky has added drafts, allowing you to park your posts and properly think them through before getting messy on main.
Rolling out from Monday, Bluesky's new drafts feature comes as part of its v1.116 update. This update also includes new welcome screen artwork in Bluesky's mobile app, and makes GIFs autoplay rather than function similarly to videos. However, the ability to save your Bluesky post drafts for later is by far the biggest change in the new update.
v1.116 is rolling out now!
For all the overthinkers and perfectionists out there, we're launching Drafts.
[image or embed]
To save a post as a draft on Bluesky, simply compose it as you normally would, then select "Cancel" in the top left corner. A popup will then appear asking whether you'd like to save the post as a draft for later. Alternatively, you can also save a post as a draft by tapping the new "Drafts" button next to the "Post" button in the top right corner, which will prompt a similar popup asking if you want to save your post before viewing your drafts. If you're unable to see the button, check that your app is up to date.
When you want to view your Bluesky drafts, open the composition window as though you are writing a new post, then tap the "Drafts" button. You'll then see a list of your drafts, which you can tap to resume editing or delete as you desire.
Drafts is a feature that Bluesky users have been requesting for a while, with competitors X and Threads already having it available. Bluesky previously acknowledged that it was still missing basic features such as drafts in a January blog post on its future plans, indicating that it's working to address this. The post also listed faster video uploads, longer clips, and allowing more than four photos to a post as other updates it aims to tackle this year.
Even so, Bluesky's comparatively slow implementation of basic features doesn't appear to have been fatal to its growth. Its recent Transparency Report stated that Bluesky's user base increased significantly in 2025, almost doubling from 25 million to 41 million over the past year.
If you like playing daily word games like Wordle, then Hurdle is a great game to add to your routine.
There are five rounds to the game. The first round sees you trying to guess the word, with correct, misplaced, and incorrect letters shown in each guess. If you guess the correct answer, it'll take you to the next hurdle, providing the answer to the last hurdle as your first guess. This can give you several clues or none, depending on the words. For the final hurdle, every correct answer from previous hurdles is shown, with correct and misplaced letters clearly shown.
An important note is that the number of times a letter is highlighted from previous guesses does necessarily indicate the number of times that letter appears in the final hurdle.
If you find yourself stuck at any step of today's Hurdle, don't worry! We have you covered.
SEE ALSO: Hurdle: Everything you need to know to find the answers Hurdle Word 1 hintRock-solid.
SEE ALSO: Apple’s new M3 MacBook Air is $300 off at Amazon. And yes, I’m tempted. Hurdle Word 1 answerSTONY
Hurdle Word 2 hintTo move hair with a razor.
SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for February 10, 2026 Hurdle Word 2 AnswerSHAVE
Hurdle Word 3 hintAn acid.
SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for February 10 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for February 10, 2026 Hurdle Word 3 answerAMINO
Hurdle Word 4 hintStuck.
Hurdle Word 4 answerFROZE
Final Hurdle hintA student helper.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Games available on Mashable Hurdle Word 5 answerTUTOR
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
BEST LEGO DEAL: Lego is running free Blooming Heart make and take events from 5-7 p.m. on Feb. 13. This activity is intended for adults and is for LEGO Insiders only (it's free to sign up).
Lego regularly runs make and take events that cause quite a stir in the brick-building community. What are make and take events, we hear you ask. These free giveaways provde an opportunity for participants to head to their nearest participating store, build a money-can't-buy model, and take it home with them for free. It's that simple.
The latest make and take event is a little different from what we're used to, but that's not a bad thing.
Lego is celebrating Valentine's Day this year by running Blooming Heart make and take events at participating stores (5-7 p.m. on Feb. 13). Unlike the majority of these events, this free giveaway is recommended for adults and is exclusive to Lego Insiders. Not already a member? Don't worry, because it's free to sign up and only one Lego Insiders account per household is required. Check participating stores here.
Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!These beautiful Lego Blooming Heart models are available on a first come first serve basis, at participating locations, while supplies last. You're limited to one Lego Blooming Heart build per guest, so you can't turn up and stock up. This model is not available for purchase, so there's always a lot of demand for these exclusive items.
We can't think of a better way to kickstart this Valentine's Day weekend, whether you are looking for an activity to do as a couple or you want something fun to do solo.
TL;DR: Live stream New Zealand vs. UAE in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 for free on ICC.TV. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
The opening round of games at the 2026 T20 World Cup provided some real drama, and we're expecting more of the same as teams come together this week to battle it out for qualification.
Group D is packed with quality, with New Zealand, South Africa, and Afghanistan competing for two qualification spots. New Zealand started strongly with a vital win over Afghanistan, and will be confident of securing another victory over UAE. Anything less than a comfortable victory here will cause concern for Black Caps fans.
If you want to watch New Zealand vs. UAE in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
When is New Zealand vs. UAE?New Zealand vs. UAE in the 2026 T20 World Cup starts at 4:30 a.m. ET on Feb. 10. This game takes place at the M. A. Chidambaram Stadium.
How to watch New Zealand vs. UAE for freeNew Zealand vs. UAE in the 2026 T20 Cricket World Cup is available to live stream for free on ICC.TV.
This free live stream on ICC.TV is only available in select regions (see full list of territories here), but anyone can live stream the T20 Cricket World Cup for free with a VPN. These helpful tools can hide your IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in a location with free access. This simple process bypasses geo-restrictions so you can live stream on ICC.TV from anywhere in the world.
Live stream New Zealand vs. UAE in the 2026 T20 Cricket World Cup for free by following these simple steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in a location with access
Visit ICC.TV
Watch the 2026 T20 Cricket World Cup for free from anywhere in the world
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 free live streams without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you time to watch every game from the 2026 T20 Cricket World Cup (plus the Winter Olympics) before recovering your investment.
What is the best VPN for ICC.TV?ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on ICC.TV, 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 10 simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99 (with money-back guarantee).
Watch the ICC T20 Cricket World Cup 2026 for free with ExpressVPN.
Welcome to your guide to Pips, the latest game in the New York Times catalogue.
Released in August 2025, the Pips puts a unique spin on dominoes, creating a fun single-player experience that could become your next daily gaming habit.
Currently, if you're stuck, the game only offers to reveal the entire puzzle, forcing you to move onto the next difficulty level and start over. However, we have you covered! Below are piecemeal answers that will serve as hints so that you can find your way through each difficulty level.
How to play PipsIf you've ever played dominoes, you'll have a passing familiarity for how Pips is played. As we've shared in our previous hints stories for Pips, the tiles, like dominoes, are placed vertically or horizontally and connect with each other. The main difference between a traditional game of dominoes and Pips is the color-coded conditions you have to address. The touching tiles don't necessarily have to match.
SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for February 10, 2026The conditions you have to meet are specific to the color-coded spaces. For example, if it provides a single number, every side of a tile in that space must add up to the number provided. It is possible – and common – for only half a tile to be within a color-coded space.
Here are common examples you'll run into across the difficulty levels:
Number: All the pips in this space must add up to the number.
Equal: Every domino half in this space must be the same number of pips.
Not Equal: Every domino half in this space must have a completely different number of pips.
Less than: Every domino half in this space must add up to less than the number.
Greater than: Every domino half in this space must add up to more than the number.
If an area does not have any color coding, it means there are no conditions on the portions of dominoes within those spaces.
SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for February 10, 2026 Easy difficulty hints, answers for Feb. 10 PipsNumber (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 2-5, placed horizontally.
Number (11): Everything in this space must add up to 11. The answer is 2-5, placed horizontally; 6-5, placed horizontally.
Number (9): Everything in this space must add up to 9. The answer is 6-5, placed horizontally; 4-1, placed horizontally.
Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 4-1, placed horizontally; 2-3, placed horizontally.
Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 2-3, placed horizontally; 1-1, placed horizontally.
Medium difficulty hints, answers for Feb. 10 PipsNumber (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 1-2, placed vertically; 3-4, placed horizontally.
Equal (2): Everything in this dark blue space must be equal to 2. The answer is 2-2, placed vertically.
Equal (5): Everything in this green space must be equal to 5. The answer is 0-5, placed vertically; 2-5, placed vertically.
Equal (2): Everything in this orange space must be equal to 2. The answer is 2-5, placed horizontally; 4-2, placed vertically.
Equal (4): Everything in this red space must be equal to 4. The answer is 3-4, placed horizontally; 4-2, placed vertically.
Number (1): Everything in this space must add up to 1. The answer is 1-0, placed horizontally; 0-6, placed vertically; 0-5, placed vertically.
Hard difficulty hints, answers for Feb. 10 PipsGreater Than (2): Everything in this green space must be greater than 2. The answer is 0-3, placed horizontally.
Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 6-6, placed horizontally; 0-3, placed horizontally.
Number (11): Everything in this space must add up to 11. The answer is 6-6, placed horizontally; 3-5, placed horizontally.
Equal (2): Everything in this orange space must be equal to 2. The answer is 2-2, placed horizontally.
Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 3-5, placed horizontally; 2-3, placed horizontally.
Number (0): Everything in this space must add up to 0. The answer is 0-1, placed vertically.
Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 2-3, placed horizontally; 2-1, placed vertically.
Equal (1): Everything in this red space must be equal to 1. The answer is 0-1, placed vertically; 2-1, placed vertically; 1-6, placed horizontally.
Number (12): Everything in this space must add up to 12. The answer is 1-6, placed horizontally; 6-0, placed horizontally.
Less Than (4): Everything in this green space must be less than 4. The answer is 3-6, placed horizontally.
Greater Than (4): Everything in this space must be greater than 4. The answer is 3-6, placed horizontally.
Equal (0): Everything in this red space must be equal to 0. The answer is 6-0, placed horizontally; 0-5, placed horizontally.
Equal (5): Everything in this green space must be equal to 5. The answer is 0-5, placed horizontally; 5-5, placed horizontally.
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Today's Connections: Sports Edition is for the Winter Olympics enthusiasts.
As we've shared in previous hints stories, this is a version of the popular New York Times word game that seeks to test the knowledge of sports fans.
Like the original Connections, the game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier — so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.
If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for the latest Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections: Sports Edition?The NYT's latest daily word game has launched in association with The Athletic, the New York Times property that provides the publication's sports coverage. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.
If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake — players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.
SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. Here's a hint for today's Connections: Sports Edition categoriesWant a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:
Yellow: Competitive ice skating
Green: Olympic features
Blue: Hockey penalty
Purple: Used in a biathlon
Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:
Yellow: Figure Skating Disciplines
Green: Winter Olympic Movies
Blue: Hockey Infractions
Purple: Biathlon Equipment
Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.
Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.
Drumroll, please!
The solution to today's Connections: Sports Edition #505 is...
What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?Figure Skating Disciplines - ICE DANCE, PAIRS, SINGLES, TEAM EVENT
Winter Olympic Movies - COOL RUNNINGS, I, TONYA, MIRACLE, THE CUTTING EDGE
Hockey Infractions - BOARDING, HOOKING, ICING, OFFSIDE
Biathlon Equipment - POLES, RIFLE, SKIS, TARGETS
Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new sports 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.
The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult to solve if you're a movie collector.
Connections is the one of the most popular New York Times word games that's captured the public's attention. The game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.
If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for today's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections?The NYT's latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications' Games section. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.
If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.
SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for February 10, 2026 Here's a hint for today's Connections categoriesWant a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:
Yellow: Conference
Green: Two syllables
Blue: Movie add-ons
Purple: They turn
Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:
Yellow: Exhibition
Green: Words spelling out initialisms
Blue: DVD bonus features
Purple: Starting with parts of a wheel
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 #975 is...
What is the answer to Connections todayExhibition: CONVENTION, EXPOSITION, FAIR, SHOW
Words spelling out initialisms: DEEJAY, EMCEE, KAYO, OKAY
DVD bonus features: COMMENTARY, INTERVIEW, OUTTAKES, TRAILER
Starting with parts of a wheel: HUBBUB, RIMSHOT, SPOKESPERSON, TIRESOME
Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.
SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for February 10, 2026Are you also playing NYT Strands? Get all the Strands hints you need for today's puzzle.
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.
Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you're a great builder.
Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game, requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns. Every single letter in the grid will be part of an answer. There's always a theme linking every solution, along with the "spangram," a special, word or phrase that sums up that day's theme, and spans the entire grid horizontally or vertically.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on MashableBy providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.
If you're feeling stuck or just don't have 10 or more minutes to figure out today's puzzle, we've got all the NYT Strands hints for today's puzzle you need to progress at your preferred pace.
SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for February 10, 2026 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for February 10, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: It's on the houseThe words are related to carpentry.
Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explainedThese words describe building makeups.
NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.
NYT Strands spangram answer todayToday's spangram is Siding Material.
NYT Strands word list for February 10Stucco
Stone
Wood
Composite
Brick
Vinyl
Siding Material
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.
Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you're a film buff.
If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for today's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for February 10, 2026 Where did Wordle come from?Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once.
Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.
What's the best Wordle starting word?The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.
What happened to the Wordle archive?The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.
Is Wordle getting harder?It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.
SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for February 10, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:A setting.
Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?The letter E appears twice.
Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...Today's Wordle starts with the letter S.
SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. The Wordle answer today is...Get your last guesses in now, because it's your final chance to solve today's Wordle before we reveal the solution.
Drumroll please!
The solution to today's Wordle is...
SCENE
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.
OpenAI has begun rolling out ads inside ChatGPT, marking a major shift for a product that has largely operated without traditional advertising since its launch in 2022.
In a blog post published this week, the company confirmed it is testing ads for logged-in users on its Free and Go plans in the U.S., while keeping paid tiers like Pro, Business, Enterprise, and Education ad-free. OpenAI said the move will help fund broader access to advanced AI tools without requiring every user to pay a subscription.
SEE ALSO: ChatGPT GPT-4o users are raging at OpenAI on Reddit right now"Our focus with this test is learning," OpenAI's blog post read. "We’re paying close attention to feedback so we can make sure ads feel useful and fit naturally into the ChatGPT experience before expanding."
The ads appear outside of ChatGPT’s responses and are clearly labeled as sponsored content. OpenAI says ads do not influence how the chatbot answers questions and that user conversations are not shared with advertisers. Instead, ads are selected based on broad conversation topics and how users interact with ads, with restrictions in place to prevent sponsored content from appearing alongside sensitive topics such as health, mental health, or politics.
Those who use ChatGPT's free service can opt out of the ads, with a caveat.
"If you prefer not to see ads, you can upgrade to our Plus or Pro plans, or opt out of ads in the Free tier in exchange for fewer daily free messages," according to the company.
The opt-out options on ChatGPT found in the user settings Credit: Mashable screengrab via OpenAIUsers who do consent to ads will also have the option to opt out of ad personalization, limiting how sponsored content is selected. There are also options to stop ChatGPT from utilizing past AI chats to tailor ads, as well as deleting "all ads history and data" the company has compiled on a user.
At the time of publication, Mashable attempted to surface ads during regular use of ChatGPT but were unable to trigger any sponsored content, which aligns with OpenAI’s description of the rollout as a limited test rather than a full launch.
The rollout follows months of user confusion and frustration after widely circulated screenshots appeared to show promotional content embedded in ChatGPT responses. OpenAI previously dismissed those incidents as poorly timed "suggestions," but the distinction did little to calm concerns. As Mashable reported earlier this year, OpenAI has been quietly experimenting with ad formats internally while signaling that monetization would eventually be necessary to support the platform’s massive infrastructure costs.
With ChatGPT now testing ads and offering opt-out controls, OpenAI appears to be betting that transparency and choice will soften the transition to a more familiar, ad-supported internet model. However, that shift hasn’t gone unnoticed by competitors. Anthropic, one of OpenAI’s biggest rivals, used its Super Bowl LX ad buys to openly mock the idea of advertising inside AI chatbots.
The ads promote Anthropic’s chatbot, Claude, by staging scenarios where seemingly helpful conversations suddenly pivot into awkward sales pitches, ending with the tagline, "Ads are coming to AI. But not to Claude."
Disclosure: Ziff Davis, Mashable’s parent company, in April filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.
Gen Alpha kids raised on iPads and streaming services may not get it, but Super Bowl ads used to mean something in this country.
I'm talking about frogs that say "Bud," "Weis," "Er." I'm talking about handsome, shirtless men on horses. And let's not forget the absolute stranglehold those "Wassup?!" guys had on American culture circa 1999.
So, if you were one of the many people who were largely disappointed with this year's crop of Super Bowl ads, then join me in looking back on the best Super Bowl commercials from yesteryear — a time before generative AI and legal sports gambling.
Though, I do have to give it up to the "Relax Your Tight End" prostate exam ad featuring Rob Gronkowski.
Doritos "Finger Cleaner"I feel like this ad should come with a trigger warning, but you really have to see it for yourself. I still see this commercial go viral on TikTok every once in a while.
Now, technically, this Super Bowl ad didn't actually air during the Super Bowl. Let me explain.
Frito-Lay used to host an annual Crash the Super Bowl contest, which let fans submit their own commercials for a cash prize. The winners would get their ads played during the game. While the unforgettable Finger Cleaner ad was one of the finalists in 2014, it didn't actually air, which is a damn shame.
Still, it lives on in commercial infamy.
Old Spice and "The Man Your Man Could Smell Like"This 2010 classic introduced the world to Isaiah Mustafa, aka "the Man Your Man Could Smell Like," aka that guy on the horse. (Fun fact: Mustafa would go on to star in It: Chapter Two.)
Pringles "Stuck In"According to very serious scientific research conducted by Pringles scientists, 43 percent of American Pringles customers have had their hands stuck in a tube of Pringles. Who among us hasn't wondered if there isn't a better shape for these potato snacks?
This Super Bowl ad dates back to 2022, a time before ChatGPT.
Pepsi and "The Joy of Pepsi"So, you think you love all things Y2K, do you? Well, is the pre-9/11 Britney Spears "The Joy of Pepsi" ad seared into your brain forever?
Sure, it's less funny than it is iconic, but we had to include it.
Snickers, Betty White, and The Brady BunchSnack food brands really bring out the big guns for the Big Game. Or, at least, they used to. You may remember the late Betty White starring in this Snickers commercial, also for the 2010 Super Bowl.
But that's not the only Snickers ad worth remembering. The candy bar returned in 2015 for a Brady Bunch-themed commercial that's also a lot of fun.
Say it with us now: Marcia, Marcia, Marcia.
General Motors hates NorwayThere was a time when you could put Will Ferrell in anything, and he could make you laugh. This 2021 electric vehicle ad sees the Saturday Night Live legend taking aim at those bastards in Norway.
Reebok and Terry Tate, Office LinebackerThis classic Reebok Super Bowl ad sees Terry Tate tearing through an office. And while that certainly looks like Oscar from The Office, this ad was made two years before we were introduced to the Dunder-Mifflin accounting department.
Wendy's "Where's the Beef?"The infamous "Where's the Beef?" ad debuted in 1984 and launched actress Clara Peller to worldwide fame.
E*Trade Dancing MonkeyWho doesn't love a dancing monkey? This E*Trade commercial was instantly famous for its clever tagline, “Well, we just wasted $2,000,000. What are you doing with your money?”
Volkswagen "The Force"German car company Volkswagen is famous for iconic ads, dating back to its "Lemon" magazine ad, which even earned a shoutout in Mad Men. But modern audiences may best remember this adorable and hilarious Star Wars-themed ad instead.
DISNEY+ BUNDLES: Disney+ is offering bundle deals so you can stream the best of its library at a lower price.
The best Disney+ deals and bundles in February 2026: Best Hulu Bundle Deal Disney+ and Hulu Bundle 1st month for $9.99 Get Deal Best HBO Max Bundle Deal Disney+, Hulu, and HBO Max Bundle $19.99/month with ads, $32.99/month ad-free Get Deal Best ESPN Bundle Deal Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN Unlimited Bundle $35.99/month Get DealWhether you're looking to jump into the latest superhero saga or journey to a galaxy far, far away, Disney+ is the streaming service for you.
Home to Marvel, Star Wars, and Pixar, Disney+ offers a library that's stuffed-full of shows and films to keep both adults and kids entertained. With Disney+, you can watch The Muppet Show, Wonder Man, and much more.
If you've had this streaming service on your radar but you've been unsure which plan is the best fit for you, we've got you covered with a selection of Disney+ streaming deals. This includes a great deal at the moment on the Disney+ and Hulu Bundle, which is offering its first month for just $9.99. This offer only runs until Feb. 17, so now is the time to take advantage of this limited-time deal.
SEE ALSO: 'Daredevil: Born Again' Season 2 trailer reunites Matt Murdock and Jessica JonesAlongside that deal, there are a few more bundles to check out with Disney+ right now, including the Disney+, Hulu, and HBO Max package. This is a great investment for those who already own the other two streaming services and are looking to cut down on costs. Considering Disney+ has recently increased its prices, now is as good a time as any to check out this bundle.
We've detailed all of the available bundle deals below, alongside basic information on Disney+ plans if you just want the House of Mouse's service on its own.
Best Hulu bundle deal Opens in a new window Credit: Disney Disney+ and Hulu Bundle Get your first month of the Disney+, Hulu Bundle for $9.99 Get Deal Why we like itFor those interested in the ad-supported Disney+ and Hulu Bundle, it's currently enjoying a limited-time offer. Until Feb. 17, new and returning subscribers can get their first month of this streaming bundle for just $9.99. Usually it costs $12.99, which it will auto-renew at after the first month is up, but it's still a sweet deal to take advantage of while it's still available.
Disney+ and Hulu Bundle — Get your first month for $9.99, then $12.99 per month
Unfortunately, this deal does not apply to the Premium ad-free version of this plan, which is still available for $19.99 per month.
Disney+ and Hulu Bundle Premium — $19.99 per month
The Disney+, Hulu, and HBO Max bundle is one of the best available at the moment. Starting at $19.99 per month, you can have three excellent streaming services right in the palm of your hand. The $19.99 per month option is for the With Ads plan, but if you'd prefer to watch your favorite content without ads, the No Ads plan comes to $32.99 per month. Compared to what you'd pay for each of these on their own, you're saving 42% with the ad-supported plan and 41% with the ad-free plan.
Disney+, Hulu, HBO Max Bundle (with ads) — $19.99 per month (save 42%)
Disney+, Hulu, HBO Max Bundle (no ads) — $32.99 per month (save 41%)
If you're a sports fan looking to add ESPN to your bundles, you're in luck: Disney offers bundles with both ESPN Select and ESPN Unlimited. According to ESPN, "ESPN Select includes ESPN+ content only. Fans who want ESPN+ exclusively may subscribe to the ESPN Select plan. ESPN Unlimited includes all of the ESPN networks and services, including ESPN+."
The Disney+, Hulu, ESPN Unlimited Bundle, which has ads, is available for $35.99 per month. The Disney+, Hulu, ESPN Unlimited premium bundle without ads is available for $44.99 per month.
Disney+, Hulu, ESPN Select Bundle — $19.99 per month
Disney+, Hulu, ESPN Select Bundle Premium — $29.99 per month
Disney+, Hulu, ESPN Unlimited Bundle — $35.99 per month
Disney+, Hulu, ESPN Unlimited Bundle Premium — $44.99 per month
Disney+ offers two standard plans if you just want the service on its own. The Disney+ ad-supported plan comes to $11.99 per month while the ad-free Disney+ Premium plan will set you back $18.99 per month or $189.99 per year if you'd rather pay annually.
Disney+ (With Ads) — $11.99 per month
Disney+ Premium (No Ads) — $18.99 per month, $189.99 per year
Disney+ has also created an "extra member" plan for people using your account that live outside of your household as they crack down on password sharing. If you're looking to add another person onto your account, you're only allowed one extra profile and can choose from the following add-on plans:
Disney+ (With Ads) — $6.99 per month
Disney+ Premium — $9.99 per month
Disney+, Hulu Bundle — $7.99 per month
Disney+, Hulu Bundle Premium — $10.99 per month
Disney+, Hulu, ESPN Select Bundle — $11.99 per month
Disney+, Hulu, ESPN Select Bundle Premium — $14.99 per month
There's a wealth of shows and films to check out on Disney+ after you sign up. If you want some help finding something to watch, check out our roundups of the 12 best TV shows for adults on Disney+ and the 20 best movies on Disney+ to start building out your watchlist.
Why is everyone so mad about the Ring Super Bowl ad? The short TV spot "Search Party" should pull at the heartstrings — it's got a puppy, lost dogs, a father and daughter, and a happy ending. It even promises viewers they can "Be a hero in your neighborhood.”
What more could you want?
Privacy.
Many viewers on both the right and left were disturbed by the privacy implications of the advertised "Search Party" feature. This AI tool is designed to reunite lost dogs with their owners, and the Super Bowl ad claims that one lost pet is found every day thanks to the technology.
Here's how Search Party works: When a dog is lost, pet owners can upload a picture of their pet, at which point their neighbors' Ring video doorbells and security cameras will start looking for the lost pup. Of course, as viewers quickly realized, if Ring can do this for lost dogs, there's no reason it couldn't identify a human face just as easily.
I was at the November 2025 Amazon event where Search Party was first announced, and the AI detection feature seemed problematic from the jump. As I reported at the time, privacy advocates warned that some of Amazon's new AI features could even violate state privacy laws.
Of course, those privacy laws don't apply to dogs, which is why critics are calling Search Party a Trojan horse for mass surveillance technology.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.For progressive Americans on alert because of increased ICE activity, the ad seemed especially poorly timed.
Ring's history is also working against it. In the past, progressives have criticized Ring for sharing footage with law enforcement, which the company has said it only does in rare emergencies, with customers' permission, or when required to do so by a subpoena or warrant. On top of that, back in 2023, the Federal Trade Commission accused Ring employees and contractors of accessing customers' private videos.
Despite these controversies, Ring remains very popular, including among Mashable readers. Remember: for many customers, cooperating with law enforcement is a feature, not a bug, in a home security company.
Regardless, it's clear that the Search Party Super Bowl ad struck a nerve. Strangely, it wasn't the only vaguely dystopian advertisement from Amazon this year.
A Super Bowl LX commercial for Alexa+ showed actor Chris Hemsworth being repeatedly killed by the newly AI-powered smart home assistant.
TL;DR: Headway Premium gives busy people the key ideas from top nonfiction books in just 15 minutes in text or audio — and it’s on sale for a one-time payment of $39.99.
Opens in a new window Credit: Headway Headway Premium: Lifetime Subscription $39.97Personal growth sounds great, exciting, and like something you want, until you look at your calendar. Between work, family, and everything else competing for attention, sitting down with a 300-page book often feels unrealistic. That’s exactly the gap Headway is designed to fill.
Headway Premium distills the core ideas from bestselling nonfiction books into focused 15-minute summaries you can read or listen to. Instead of committing hours, you get the concepts that matter most — whether that’s leadership, productivity, health, mindset, or money — right when you need them.
Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!The experience goes beyond simple summaries. The app builds personalized self-growth plans based on your goals, mixes in quizzes and trivia to reinforce learning, and uses spaced repetition to help ideas stick.
Prefer audio? Professional voice actors turn summaries into podcast-style listens that fit perfectly into commutes, workouts, or daily routines.
There’s also a thoughtful layer of motivation involved. Progress tracking, streaks, highlights turned into flashcards, and even short role-play videos make learning feel more interactive and less like another task on your to-do list.
With over 2,000 summaries and new content added regularly, Headway works especially well for people who want to keep growing but don’t want self-improvement to take over their lives.
Don’t miss this practical way to keep learning, one focused session at a time.
Get lifetime access to Headway Premium while it’s just $39.99 (reg. $299.95) with code SUMMARY20 through Feb. 22.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
There's no question: This is not the Wuthering Heights Emily Brontë wrote. But Emerald Fennell (Promising Young Woman, Saltburn) never intended that.
Ahead of the release of Fennell's "Wuthering Heights," (yes, the quotation marks are part of the title), the English filmmaker has dropped controversial clues that her film adaptation would reject much of what Brontë fans might anticipate. In casting Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi as damned lovers Catherine and Heathcliff, Fennell ignited outrage from fans who decried the Barbie star as too old for her role and Elordi too white for his.
SEE ALSO: 'Wuthering Heights' trailer: Emerald Fennell pairs Emily Brontë with Charli XCX and steamy romanceThe movie's ad campaign leaned into romance-novel tropes, featuring posters of the two locked in an embrace, on the verge of kissing, with the tagline "Come undone." Then came assurances that Fennell's film would be willfully anachronistic from the book's late 18th-century setting, as Charli XCX teased the film's dance-pop soundtrack, and production stills revealed a synthetic latex-like dress, a shimmery negligee, and teeny rose-colored glasses that evoke a far more modern feel.
Finally, in pre-release interviews for "Wuthering Heights," Fennell spoke to her approach in adapting a book "as dense and complicated and difficult" as the Brontë classic. "I can't say I'm making Wuthering Heights. It's not possible," she told Fandango. "What I can say is I'm making a version of it. There's a version that I remembered reading that isn't quite real. And there's a version where I wanted stuff to happen that never happened. And so it is "Wuthering Heights," and it isn't. But really, I'd say that any adaptation of a novel, especially a novel like this, should have quotation marks around it."
After all of this, it should surprise no one that Fennell's "Wuthering Heights" is radically different from Brontë's. The question is not if the film is faithful to the book, or even better than it. The question is, does this film work on its own terms, as a half-remembered fantasy of wild, enviable romance? And the answer is simply: No.
"Wuthering Heights" radically reimagines Catherine and Heathcliff.The bones of our famed protagonists' story remain: Catherine and Heathcliff meet as children in the moors of West Yorkshire, England, where she's the spoiled daughter of a drunken landowner, and he's a poor boy brusquely adopted to be raised alongside her. They share a wild nature in their remote surroundings, but as they grow, Catherine longs for luxury, which her gruff crush with no societal standing can't promise. She breaks both their hearts by accepting the proposal of proper, aristocratic gentleman Edgar Linton (Shazad Latif), from the estate next door, which spurs Heathcliff to run away. Upon his return to Yorkshire five years later, he is rich, dashing, and determined to make a mess of Catherine's life, for better or worse.
However, despite the familiar framework, the dynamic of Catherine and Heathcliff in Fennell's film feels more like The Princess Bride than Wuthering Heights. For one thing, Heathcliff's cruelty is considerably softened. Like Westley, the sweet stable boy, he will suffer any abuse if it means being close to his blonde ladylove. In particular, Heathcliff will endure a violent whipping from Catherine's father, which gives the boy a chance to prove his immovable dedication to her.
Heathcliff's own violence and wrath in adulthood are channeled by Elordi into smoldering and brooding, with a tame frisson of kink, whether he's forcefully gripping Catherine's mouth or later degrading his bride, Edgar's ward Isabella (Alison Oliver) with pet play. Meanwhile, Catherine is a beautiful brat who, in the blink of an eye, goes from a rosy-cheeked child to a picture-perfect doll of a woman. So, of course, Fennell cast Barbie.
Draped in meticulously crafted skirts and dresses in bold reds and whites and corseted into an impossible waist, Robbie looks like a fashion doll, especially as she marries into wealth via Edgar. This metaphor is made blatant as Isabella presents her new sort-of sister-in-law with a doll made in her likeness, complete with a giant dollhouse that resembles their shared home, Thrushcross Grange. Yes, Catherine has achieved all the luxuries she dreamed of, but now she feels trapped, a pretty plaything in a dollhouse. The dream is not what she hoped.
"Wuthering Heights" is juvenile in its provocations.To kick things off, two evocative sounds play over the film's opening credits. One is the rustling of fabric, the other a man groaning, an ambiguous preview of an imminent scene of sex or violence.
The intensity of both sounds grows to reveal not a sexual scenario, but a man being hung at a public execution. However, Fennell still blends sex and violence here. A young Catherine (Charlotte Mellington) thrills at the depravity of it, while Fennell is sure to include a close-up of the dead man's "stiffy," obvious even through his pants. Such twisted melding of themes will thread throughout "Wuthering Heights," but in ways more trashy than transgressive.
Brontë fans might clutch their pearls that Fennell has not just a sex scene between Heathcliff and Catherine, but a montage of them, spanning from beds to carriages to the sweeping plains between their estates. And yet, while these scenes have the iconography of classic romance novels — the rich settings, the posh clothes, the forbidden attraction, the beautiful characters on the cover feigning elation — they fall flat. While Robbie is rigorous in bringing Catherine's ire and yearning to life, and Elordi is strong and seething, the pair have all the chemistry of Barbie and Ken dolls bumping rubber when they collide.
Perhaps to add Saltburn-like spice, BDSM is worked into various love scenes, bringing horse bridles, shackles, and a metal collar into sex games of degradation. This makes the depravity of the novel more playful than dark. Now, Heathcliff, who comes off like a towering Dom, is less threatening, as his violence is channeled through consensual kink. Yet this depiction of BDSM still feels half-hearted next to more successfully sexy and psychologically provocative films like Babygirl and Pillion.
Featured Video For You Is cinema starting to get BDSM right? The race-bending in "Wuthering Heights" is a problem Fennell created.Heathcliff's racial identity has been studied by Brontë scholars due to the author's descriptions of his "dark-skinned" appearance, which is why Elordi's casting incensed some fans of the novel. However, it's not Heathcliff's casting alone that becomes problematic in Fennell's version. Perhaps the director looked to Bridgerton for inspiration, both in the show's colorblind casting and barrage of sex scenes that have fueled debates on historical accuracy for the period. Fennell not only casts both of her romantic leads with white actors, but casts actors of color in the roles of Edgar and Nelly (Hong Chau), characters who are regarded in the film as less desirable than the protagonists, instead assigned roles of boring cuckold and bitter old maid.
In addition, the film's cinematography and set design fetishize white skin. Following the childhood scene of Catherine consoling Heathcliff over his whipping by her father, the scene dissolves from the bloody, clothed back of a boy to the bared back of a man (Elordi), striped with whiplash scars. Cinematographer Linus Sandgren offers a close-up, leering over Heathcliff's scars as if these are proof of his love — sweaty, plump, and terrible. Perhaps Fennell feared such fetishizing would be problematic if Heathcliff were "dark-skinned" as Brontë wrote. But she doubles down with this painting of whiteness as desirable with Catherine's skin room.
After their wedding, Edgar is giddy to show Catherine the bedroom he designed for her, painted in the "most beautiful color," that of her face. It's not just white flesh or flushed cheeks that Edgar has had recreated. The room is lined with vinyl-padded panels, each bearing birthmarks and light blue veins translucent beneath the faux skin. Far from romantic, the gesture is repulsive, and only becomes more so when an intruding Heathcliff licks the wall as if it were his beloved's flesh. And in this, it becomes clear how much of Brontë's novel Fennell ignored or stripped away to make her version. And what is left?
As an admirer of Promising Young Woman and Saltburn, I was cautiously optimistic about Fennell's "Wuthering Heights." Adaptations are never what the book was, because the book is different depending on who reads it. This is why I like seeing movie adaptations of novels I loved and hated, because it's like getting to walk around in someone else's brain, seeing the story as they did. However, Fennell's adaptation goes both too far and not far enough.
By slicing the book in half and cutting loose a clutch of relatives, she's simplified the story to focus on the love between Heathcliff and Catherine. But for all the substance she's cut away, only style has been put in its place. And it's not enough to make this "Wuthering Heights" feel full or affecting. Instead of a cohesive re-imagining or even a titillating romance, "Wuthering Heights" feels like a passionate but incoherent collage of teenage lust and rebellion, the kind better suited to a high school locker than a movie theater.
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