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This content originally appeared on Mashable for a US audience and has been adapted for the UK audience.
We all have the best intentions when it comes to entertaining the kids — outdoor activities, board games, sports classes, wood whittling — but it doesn't always turn out that way. Screens are just too handy and easy. Not to mention parents are generally exhausted from the reality of the working week and, well, parenting.
Indeed, it's only a matter of time before you'll turn to technology to save the day. Nothing captures the attention of a child like a desktop, tablet, laptop, or mobile, and there's nothing you can do about it. It's time to just accept it. And let's be honest: Modern kids have never known a world without the Internet and screens.
The problem, of course, is that the internet is full of danger for kids, including explicit materials, bullying, and cyber criminals. Fortunately, there is a solution in the form of parental control software. If that sound a bit new and scary, here's a quick explainer and a selection of the best options to keep your kids safe.
What is parental control software?In the most basic terms, it's a software that helps you to manage all the devices your kids use — as well as the way they use them. It's all about making sure the online world is a safe space for your kids to explore. Though you should chat with your littles ones about the importance of safety before you let them loose online or implement any software.
How does parental control software work?Parental control software lets you keep tabs your child's phone, tablet, or computer via an app. You can monitor internet searches and browsing history, as well as block inappropriate apps (or block distracting apps during homework hours) or even limit device usage all together. It's less invasive than physically going through their phone or computer. And when kids know that their activity is being watched or managed, they're more likely to practice better cyber safety habits.
What's a safe amount of screen time for kids?It's easy to get sucked into scaremongering over kids' screen time. It's not the end of the world if kids have more screens than parents would like, and parents should give themselves a break when it comes to relieving the stress of parenting with a little screen time. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) suggests very limited screen time for children under two years old, an hour a day between the ages of two and five, and two hours between the ages of five and eight. Beyond that it's important to talk to your child about responsible screen use. Problems associated with too much screen time include weight gain, sleep problems, and general inactivity.
What is geofencing?Parental control software can also help keep tabs on your kid when they're not at home. Though most have GPS and some sort of basic "Where's my child?" function, only a select few software options offer geofencing, which is a big help for parents juggling the schedules of multiple children.
This location-based service lets you set up virtual boundaries around where a child should or shouldn't be, as well as a specific time that the child should be there. Let's say that your child goes straight from school to a sports practice three times a week. The geofencing feature will monitor their phone's location and will alert you if your child doesn't show up to the scheduled area on time. Teenagers may even enjoy not being bombarded with "Where are you?" texts. Geofencing can also be used to monitor web time when your child is in a designated location. For instance, some parents may disable games or social media during school.
What is the best parental control software?There are plenty of parental control software options out there for you to consider, with something for every family. We have researched everything on offer and lined up a selection of the very best services, including software from big names like Kaspersky, Qustodio, and Norton. Basically, we've done all the hard work for you.
These are the best parental control software options for 2024.
This content originally appeared on Mashable for a US audience and has been adapted for the UK audience.
File sharing has come a long way since LimeWire — but users of torrenting sites may still have security and privacy fears.
This is where a VPN can help.
What is a VPN?VPNs encrypt data leaving your computer and make it impossible for others to see what you’re downloading. To the uninitiated, these virtual private networks assign a virtual IP address to obscure your real location from others, which is important when sharing snippets of files with other users of a torrenting client, especially if what you’re sharing is copyrighted material. (This is of course illegal and we do not condone it!)
Do you need a VPN for torrenting?Torrenting is a great way to share big files (freeware apps, movies, books, etc.) that are in the public domain. This is because you download parts of them from a number of users instead of from a single place, so the demands are less on any one server and downloads are faster. But in return for accessing files from other people’s computers, you are expected to reciprocate. Without a VPN, this could leave you vulnerable to security scams, viruses, malware attacks, and even legal action if you’ve shared a copyrighted work (even a single song).
Therefore, VPNs with extra security measures are in demand. Other important criteria for choosing a VPN include a clear privacy policy, un-throttled bandwidth, fast download speeds, and value for money.
What is the best VPN for torrenting?Whether you’re looking for a VPN that’s extra secure with shared IP addresses, or simply the one that’s easiest to use, we’ve rounded up the best VPNs for torrenting so the only searching you have to do will be for content to share.
These are the best VPNs for torrenting in 2024.
We wouldn't go as far as to say that football can solve all of life's problems, but it can help with pretty much everything life throws at you. Feeling down? Watch a live game. Nervous? Catch up on last night's action. Bored? Watch highlights from your favourite match.
Whatever your problem, football is the solution.
Fortunately for all football fans out there, the Premier League is back, which means there is something to watch almost every weekend. But what if you didn't have access to all of these games? We know this is an absolutely terrifying thought, but it's important to face your fears.
There are two scenarios that would cause you to lose access to the Premier League. The first is that you're travelling in a location without broadcasting rights. The second is that you're based in the UK, and you aren't subscribed to a service with access to the Premier League. Even if you are subscribed to these channels, there is no guarantee that they will be showing the fixture you absolutely need to watch. This is all very scary stuff, but please remain calm.
There really isn't any need to panic, because there is one effective solution to both of these issues. You can use a VPN to watch the Premier League this season.
What is a VPN?VPNs are security tools that provide protection for your information by creating a private network that hides your real IP address. Your online activity is untraceable and secure, because all of your online traffic passes through an encrypted tunnel. Nobody can see into the tunnel, and everything inside the tunnel is protected against online threats like hackers, viruses, and malware.
This act of hiding your real IP address is what tricks streaming sites into thinking you are based in another country.
Do you need a VPN to watch the Premier League?All broadcasting services have digital borders, meaning not all countries can show Premier League fixtures. However, with the help of a VPN, you can hide your real IP address and location, which means you can trick leading streaming services into thinking you’re based somewhere with those precious broadcasting rights. It's all about bypassing online restrictions to watch more content from all over the world.
If you're abroad with a VPN, you can make your subscription think you're back home by connecting to a server based in the UK. If you're in the UK without access to these services, you can watch the best sport streaming sites from all over the world by securely connecting to a server in that location and bypassing geo-restrictions.
What is the best VPN for watching the Premier League?Once you have established that you're going to need a VPN to watch the Premier League, the tricky process of picking a service begins. Deciding that you need a VPN is actually the easy part. There are absolutely loads of VPNs out there, so it can be a difficult task to pick the right option for you. This is where we can save you a lot of time and hassle.
We have checked out everything out there and assessed how well these services unblock streaming sites. We've also taken into consideration things like connection speed, server network, and number of simultaneous connections. Basically, we've done all of the hard work and lined up a selection of the best VPNs for watching the Premier League.
It's worth taking some time to properly consider everything in this list, because we have tried to track down something to suit everyone and every budget. Take your pick from the likes of ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and Surfshark. You just need to pick a favourite and start streaming.
These are the best VPNs for watching the Premier League in 2024.
SAVE $69.27: As of Oct. 24, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 is on sale at Amazon for $260.72 on Amazon. That's a 21% saving on list price, and the lowest it's ever been on Amazon.
Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 $260.72 at AmazonIf a smartwatch upgrade is on your wishlist, you'll be browsing the internet for deals on the classics: Garmin, Apple, and Samsung. Price and release dates can have a big impact when shopping, so we think you'll love this deal on the latest Galaxy watch, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7. Take a look at what we thought when we compared it to the Apple Watch Series 9.
Only released this summer, the watch has already seen several discounts but is currently reduced to its lowest-ever price at Amazon. As of Oct. 24, you can snag this smartwatch for $260.72. This is for the 44mm option with Bluetooth connectivity and in Silver. However, there are discounted options across all variations.
So what's so special about this model? Design-wise it is still very similar to its predecessor, but this version benefits more from Galaxy-AI. This includes starting your day with a personalized Energy Score, a stat based on what you did yesterday, how you slept, and how much activity you've done.
SEE ALSO: Score Samsung Galaxy Watches up to 43% off at AmazonIt includes all the usual data such as sleep monitoring, fitness levels, and heart rate tracking, but at a much more advanced level. With sleep tracking, the watch can signal whether you may be suffering from sleep apnea. While you sleep, the watch tracks your breathing patterns and oxygen levels, using AI to identify issues that may indicate episodes of sleep apnea.
Galaxy AI improves fitness tracking too, using your previous workout data to give you an idea of how you are progressing. Whether you're running, cycling, swimming, or doing other activities, the Galaxy Watch 7 will give you great stats and insights.
This is a limited-time deal on Amazon, so if you're interested, don't waste any time.
The Daily Mini Crossword is one of the many popular daily word games available on Mashable. Powered by Arkadium, the mini crossword offers a speed round of puzzle fun with clues that are sure to challenge experienced crossword enthusiasts.
But there's no need to let the challenge get in the way of your enjoyment! If moments are turning to minutes after getting stuck on a clue, find the answers you need to progress right here.
And when you're done, check out the many other word games you can play on Mashable, including a full-size crossword.
Also, if you get stuck on any other daily word games, such as Wordle, Connections, or Strands — we have you covered.
SEE ALSO: Hurdle hints and answers for October 24 SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on MashableHere are the clues and answers to Daily Mini Crossword for Thursday, October 24, 2024:
AcrossKind of lampThe answer is Lava.
The answer is Hoped.
The answer is Award.
The answer is herbs.
The answer is Arts.
The answer is Lower.
The answer is Apart.
The answer is Die Hard.
The answer is Adds.
The answer is Haha.
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Featured Video For You The Wordle Strategy used by the New York Times' Head of GamesAre you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Mini Crossword.
SAVE $89.99: As of Oct. 24, the Ultenic U10 Ultra Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner is on sale for $99 with the on-site coupon —down from its typical price of $189.99. That's a saving of $90 on list price.
Opens in a new window Credit: Ultenic / Mashable Composite Ultenic U10 Ultra Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner $99.99 at AmazonIf you've been looking to upgrade your cleaning game, this deal on the Ultenic U10 Ultra Cordless Stick Vacuum is worth a look. Usually priced at $189.99, the Ultenic U10 Ultra is down to just $99 thanks to the on-site $40 coupon. That's over 47% off the list price, the best price we've seen on this model. This sleek, lightweight vacuum packs a punch with a 450W motor and 30,000Pa of suction power. It is perfect for tackling everything from pet hair to deep-cleaning hardwood floors and carpets.
Plus, it easily converts from a stick vacuum to a handheld, so no corner or crevice is out of reach. It's got everything you'd expect from a premium vacuum: up to 40 minutes of run time on low mode, a 1-liter dustbin capacity, and an anti-tangle brush that's a lifesaver for pet owners. No more stopping to pull hair out of the brush roll.
SEE ALSO: I've tested over 20 robot vacuums and these are the best for every budget in 2024With features like the HEPA filtration system, which traps 99.99% of dust and allergens, this vacuum not only cleans your floors but also helps improve air quality in your home. The GreenEyE technology — a green light that highlights dust on floors — ensures you won't miss a speck of dirt, even in those dark corners. And with its self-standing design, you can park it anywhere without needing to mount it on the wall.
This deal is a great chance to add a powerful, versatile vacuum to your cleaning arsenal without breaking the bank. At $99, the Ultenic U10 Ultra Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner is a solid pick for anyone tired of dragging around heavy, corded models. Snag this deal while it lasts, and get ready to say goodbye to dirt, dust, and pet hair for good.
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 hintVery clear, distinct.
SEE ALSO: Mini crossword answers for October 24 Hurdle Word 1 answerVIVID
Hurdle Word 2 hintA service for online transactions.
SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for October 24 Hurdle Word 2 AnswerPAYPAL
Hurdle Word 3 hintA mistake, often used for political errors.
SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: Hints and answers for October 24 Hurdle Word 3 answerGAFFE
Hurdle Word 4 hintA diplomatic representative
SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for October 24 Hurdle Word 4 answerENVOY
Final Hurdle hintIf you miss par by one stroke in golf.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Games available on Mashable Hurdle Word 5 answerBOGEY
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Apple's iOS 18.1, which will become widely available in a few days, brings a timid list of Apple Intelligence features, with arguably some of the coolest ones missing.
But Apple's iOS 18.2 is the real deal, and it just became available as a developer beta.
How do you install the iOS 18.2 developer beta?First, the bad news: Even for a dev beta, which requires users to register as developers, this release is incredibly limited. It will not show up as an option for users who don't have an AI-capable device (I, for example, am not seeing it on my iPhone 12 Pro, but I did get the iPadOS equivalent on the iPad mini 7). Furthermore, none of the new AI features are available in Europe and China.
SEE ALSO: Apple iPad mini 7 review: Beefed up and ready for AIIf you are registered as developer, and you tick all the boxes (device language and Siri language must be set to English, and you must be in the U.S., the UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, or South Africa), and you have an iPhone 15 Pro, or an iPhone 16 or iPhone 16 Pro, you'll be able to download and test the update.
What do you get in iOS 18.2 developer beta?Apple's release notes for the iOS 18.2 and iPadOS 18.2 developer betas are available on Apple's website, but they don't list all the new features. And there's quite a few in this release, so here's an overview (focusing on Apple Intelligence).
Genmoji are here — the AI-powered custom emoji are now craftable. Users running iOS 18.1 will see them, but they won't be able to create them. To create a Genmoji, just type in a query such as "cat scientist" and the AI will concoct a cute image for you. Then, you can adjust the character further by refining your query. Or you can just pick up a photo of someone from your Photos library and create a Genmoji that looks like them.
Image Playground — similar to Genmoji, but a little more elaborate. Again, you can create an image based on a text description or a person from your Photos library, and refine it until you get exactly the result you want.
Image Wand — this is essentially Image Playground integrated into the Notes app. Draw a sketch, or select a phrase, and the Image Wand will create an image right there in your note.
Siri plays nice with ChatGPT — if you opt-in, Siri can now hand over your queries to ChatGPT. This works without an OpenAI account, and Apple says your data is not stored anywhere.
Writing Tools — this is already available in 18.1, but 18.2 expands it further, with the ability to refine certain aspects of the text further.
Visual Intelligence — this feature only works on iPhone 16. Fire up your camera and point it to something, and the AI will fetch some relevant data (such as opening hours for a coffee shop).
All in all, this is a pretty big deal. The Apple Intelligence features you get in iOS 18.1 are nice but are just the tip of the iceberg, and a small part of what Apple promised for the release. With iOS 18.2, we get a glimpse into the more advanced AI features which will be rolling out to all users later this year. If you want to give the iOS 18.2 dev beta a try, know that this is an early release and as such prone to bugs; always back up your device before you install beta software.
SAVE $69: As of Oct. 24, new and eligible returning subscribers can snag Hulu (With Ads) + Live TV for $59.99 per month for the first three months. After that, the subscription auto-renews at $82.99 per month. This deal ends on Nov. 19.
Opens in a new window Credit: Hulu Hulu + Live TV (3-Month Subscription) $179.97 at HuluWho says you need to break the bank to get the best TV package?
Hulu is making it easy to ditch those cable bills with a limited-time deal that drops the price of Hulu (With Ads) + Live TV down to just $59.99 per month for the first three months. That's a $23 saving per month compared to the usual $82.99 per month price. And they're throwing in Disney+ and ESPN+ for good measure — because who doesn't want a side of Marvel or live sports with their reality TV fix?
Sure, there are plenty of streaming services, but Hulu + Live TV gives you access to over 95 live channels, from ABC to ESPN, without the hassle of hardware or hidden fees. Plus, with unlimited DVR, you can record all the live TV you want — perfect for those nights when you're torn between catching the game live or binging another episode of Only Murders in the Building. No sneaky contracts here either — just a month-to-month subscription that you can cancel anytime if you feel like testing the waters elsewhere. But let's be real, with this lineup, why would you want to?
You've got until Nov. 19 to jump on this offer, so don't sleep on it. After three months, the plan auto-renews at $82.99 per month, which is still less than many traditional cable bills. But heads up — if you decide to switch plans after cashing in on this deal, you'll lose that sweet discount.
Ready to see what all the hype is about? Sign up for this Hulu + Live TV deal and start streaming without the headaches. And if you decide it's not for you, cancel online — no awkward phone calls needed.
Connections: Sports Edition is a new version of the popular New York Times word game that seeks to test the knowledge of sports fans.
Like the original Connections, the game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.
If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for October 21'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 SEE ALSO: Hurdle hints and answers for October 24 What is Connections Sports Edition?The NYT's latest daily word game has launched in association with The Athletic, the New York Times property that provides the publication's sports coverage. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.
Tweet may have been deletedEach 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 deletedPlayers 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 October 24 Here's a hint for today's Connections Sports Edition categoriesWant a hit about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:
Yellow: Mile-high athletics
Green: Not for fair-weather fans
Blue: Elite racing
Purple: Gridiron locations
Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:
Yellow - Denver sports teams
Green - Weather-themed teams
Blue - F1 teams
Purple - NFL Stadiums
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 #25 is...
What is the answer to Connections Sports Edition todayDenver sports teams: AVALANCHE, NUGGETS, RAPIDS, ROCKIES
Weather-themed teams: HURRICANES, LIGHTNING STORM, THUNDER
F1 Teams: ASTON MARTIN, FERRARI, MCLAREN, MERCEDES
NFL Stadiums: FORD, LAMBEAU, LUMEN, SOLDIER
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.
SEE ALSO: Mini crossword answers for October 24If 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 Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.
With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.
So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on MashableHere are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Thursday, October 24, 2024:
AcrossHorse's footThe answer is Hoof.
The answer is Ample.
The answer is Rated.
The answer is Shied.
The answer is Hanky.
The answer is Harsh.
The answer is Omaha.
The answer is OptIn.
The answer is Fleek.
The answer is Eddy.
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Featured Video For You The Wordle Strategy used by the New York Times' Head of GamesAre you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Mini Crossword.
A couple of months ago, a camera company emailed me about testing their new action camera. I was halfway through my reply when a simple fact occurred to me: In a world with GoPro, why would I use literally any other action camera? A few weeks later, I was testing the new GoPro Hero 13 Black action camera while jet skiing on the Hudson River here in New York City.
For my GoPro Hero 13 Black review, I tested the camera by sea and land, though unfortunately not by air. My skydiving dreams will have to wait for the Hero 14, I guess. After spending a month with GoPro's new flagship action camera, I'm ready to render a verdict: This camera seems too good to be true.
And while I did discover both pros and cons in my testing, there's a reason GoPro is the king of the action camera mountain. And that's a pretty cool mountain.
Is the new GoPro Hero 13 Black worth it? Getting up close with the Hero 13. Credit: Thom Wyatt / MashableI love spoilers, so let's get right to it: The new GoPro absolutely justifies its $399.99 price tag. It shoots professional-quality video footage underwater, on the trail, and in the snow. For creators and pro videographers, the new lens mods, accessories, and ND filters give you even more powerful tools for capturing "I can't believe I just shot that" footage. GoPro has also answered users' GPS prayers and brought back geotagging.
That doesn't mean it's the right camera for everyone. If you're a casual user and already have the Hero 12 Black, I probably wouldn't upgrade. (However, you should definitely check out the just-released $199.99 Hero 4K, the company's smallest-ever 4K camera.) Lastly, if you shoot most of your footage indoors rather than outdoors — or if you primarily shoot for TikTok and social media — you have to consider the DJI Osmo Pocket 3 gimbal camera. I reviewed the Pocket 3 last year, and since then it's become ubiquitous at gatherings of influencers and tech events.
Tripod not included. Credit: Thom Wyatt / Mashable The newest camera from GoPro. Credit: Thom Wyatt / Mashable Just the facts: The new GoPro by the numbersBefore we get into my first-hand experience and videos, let's cover the basics.
The Hero 13 features a 1/1.9-inch CMOS sensor
Shoots in 5.3K (up to 30 frames per second), 4K (up to 120 fps), and 1080p (up to 240 fps)
HyperSmooth 6.0 video stabilization
2.27-inch rear touchscreen display and 1.4-inch front display
Weighs 154 grams and measures 71.8 x 50.8 x 33.6 millimeters
Waterproof up to 33 feet
Shoots HLG HDR video in 10-bit color
Shoots slow-motion video in 5.3K at 120 fps
Takes 27.13MP photographs (5568 x 4872 pixels)
The Hero 13 features the same sensor and processor as the 12. The new camera has a range of improved accessories, including new lens mods, ND filters, creator accessories, and a magnetic latch mount (don't worry — it's more secure than it sounds). By itself, the camera is priced at a very reasonable $399.99, but the price goes up if you want all the goodies.
How good is the video quality? See for yourself...With last year's Hero 12, GoPro unveiled big improvements to its HyperSmooth motion stabilization, which gets incremental improvements this year. When I showed my raw footage to a professional video editor, he assumed I was using a gimbal. Even while bouncing up and down on a very choppy river, the footage is insanely smooth, and Horizon Lock adds even more magic to your videography.
In fact, the motion stabilization might be too good. According to a GoPro representative I spoke with, mountain bikers who tested the camera complained that their footage looked too smooth.
The color clarity on the new camera is also better compared to the Hero 12. The 12 offered HDR video, but the 13 introduces HLG HDR (that's "hybrid log gamma" and "high dynamic range," respectively.) A GoPro representative showed me side-by-side video on an HDR screen, and the Hero 13's footage clearly had brighter colors, clearer whites, and more detail in shadows. Shading in individual clouds was noticeably improved, for instance. Add in the ND filters (which help with overexposure), and you can capture even more lifelike video in any conditions.
Of course, you'll need an HDR monitor to fully appreciate the difference. Pro users will certainly appreciate improved color clarity, lens mods, and ND filters. However, these improvements may be wasted on others.
In this first test video, you can watch me struggling to control a jet ski during a GoPro event. (You might expect the jet ski company would give us a lesson before turning us loose on one of the busiest waterways in the country, but alas...) I used the standard lens and the ultra-wide lens for this video, and I chose to edit it down to a 16:9 video, though I could easily have edited a vertical video from the same raw footage.
In terms of audio, GoPro isolates whoops and yells over the sound of engines and wind. Indeed, you can hear all my dorky "Whoa!" noises.
I took these next videos using an ND filter on a particularly sunny day in Red Hook, Brooklyn. Notice the color clarity and depth, even in extremely bright sunlight.
What are the biggest downsides?I do have some issues to report, including one big one.
Overheating has been a continual problem for GoPro, a necessary evil when cramming so much hardware into a 2.8-inch camera. When uploading my first clips to the GoPro Quik app over WiFi, the camera warned me that it was overheating, which didn't bode well. Early users also report overheating and battery problems when shooting in 4K. Pro users will definitely want to invest in extra batteries, which aren't backward compatible with older models.
When shooting HLG HDR 4K video at 30 frames per second in direct sunlight (with motion stabilization and GPS enabled), the camera overheated and powered off after only 20 minutes (20 minutes and four seconds, to be exact). I recorded the GoPro's temperature at 146.5 degrees Fahrenheit. To be fair, I was purposefully trying to max out the camera.
A GoPro representative provided this statement to Mashable about overheating: "If using the camera to record in a static use-case, it’s not unexpected to hit thermal limits if you’ve left HyperSmooth and GPS on. We recommend turning those off as they provide no value for static use-case captures. Additionally, the biggest factors that can trigger thermal limits for Hero 13 are shooting in HDR at specific framerates (60+ FPS when stationary), along with using 10-bit color and changing the bitrate to high. For a static recording at 4K30 with HyperSmooth and GPS off, we’d expect longer than 20 minutes of runtime."
If you're shooting in the water or at high speeds, lower temperatures and airflow will also help solve this problem. I had no problems when filming on a bike or jet ski. If you don't care about GPS at all, the Mashable-approved Hero 12 is only $299, although it can struggle with overheating, too.
That GoPro is so hot right now. Literally, it's burning me. Credit: Timothy Beck Werth / MashableThe touch controls have a slight learning curve. Because the screen is so small, it's easy to accidentally swipe into the wrong setting. Honestly, the controls aren't that complicated, but if you're trying to master them while simultaneously driving a jet ski for the first time, they're a small pain point. (Learn from my mistake; practice the touch controls.)
The competition is also catching up to GoPro in some respects. The new DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro is $50 cheaper but features a four-hour battery and a 40MP camera (GoPro maxes out at 27MP). The Insta360 Ace Pro has a Lecia lens (Lecia!), a flip-up screen, a 48MP camera, and an impressive HDR mode, though GoPro wins out on battery life with a superior 1900mAh Enduro battery.
A photo I grabbed with the Burst photo mode. Credit: Timothy Beck Werth / MashableStill, GoPro offers users benefits beyond the specs. Because it's the standard action camera, you can join a passionate community of GoPro users, and GoPro Reddit is very active. If GoPro itself can't troubleshoot problems for you, there's a good chance your fellow customers can and will.
The return of GPS and new telemetry 'stickers'Last year, GoPro dropped GPS geotagging because it was a drain on battery life, but this feature is back in the Hero 13, and without sacrificing any battery life. (However, I can't say the same about overheating.) GoPro has also introduced video overlays called "stickers" that can visualize stats like altitude, speed, and G-forces on your footage. So, if you've enabled GPS, you can show off your GPS and telemetry data in creative ways using the Quik app.
These video overlays are pretty frickin' cool. If you want your viewers to truly appreciate your daredevil stunts, then you can easily add a gravity meter or speedometer to your video. (Stickers include a speedometer, terrain, path, speed chart, altitude, G-force, and a GoPro logo.)
New video overlay 'stickers' use GPS and telemetry data. Credit: Screenshot: GoPro Choose video overlays of speedometers, altimeters, terrain maps, and G-forces. Credit: Screenshot: GoPro How are the new lens mods and ND filters?The good news is that if you don't know what the "ND" in ND filters stands for, then you can probably just skip this entire section. Neutral-density filters reduce the light passing through the lens. In bright conditions, this can be a godsend, and the only thing between you and overexposed images. The add-on pack comes with four ND filters of different strengths. When you attach them, the camera will automatically recommend whether you need a higher or lower filter, which is pretty nifty.
The lens mod and ND filters are sold separately. Credit: Thom Wyatt / Mashable Some add-on accessories and mounts. Credit: Thom Wyatt / MashableThe ultra-wide lens mod is also very cool, giving you a 177-degree field of view that captures more of the horizon and action. If you like to attach your GoPro to your helmet or chest, it's perfect for POV shots (and I mean true POV shots, not TikTok POV shots). Then there's the macro lens mod, which lets you pull off tilt-shift effects and focus on details just inches away from the camera. Finally, the yet-to-be-released anamorphic lens makes it possible to capture lens flares and cinematic-style video.
Once again, these are really cool accessories, but not something the average user absolutely needs to have.
Don't be intimidated, the Hero 13 isn't just for professionalsThe Hero 13 has two control settings: easy and pro. I spent most of my time in the easy settings. When I handed the camera to a director friend, he wasted no time in toggling over to pro so he could play with frames per second, ISO settings, and white balance. But you can do all the essentials in easy mode.
The Hero 12 introduced a new vertical video mode for apps like TikTok and Instagram Reels. While you can still shoot in a widescreen mode (and attach the ultra-eide for epic POV shots), I did most of my filming in the 1:1 full-frame setting. Then, you can easily edit this footage into your desired aspect ratio. So, if you want to make one version of your video for YouTube and another for TikTok, it's very easy to do so.
Once you've had a chance to practice, the small touchscreen gets easier to operate. You can switch from video, to timelapse, to photo mode with the flick of a finger (or use voice controls). There's also a quick-record mode if you need to start filming ASAP.
The rear touchscreen display. Credit: Thom Wyatt / Mashable The bottom line: GoPro's still king of the action camerasSo, once more, if you need a new action cam, I think the Hero 13 is definitely worth it. Just be warned that overheating can be a problem in direct sunlight and low-airflow environments.
Earlier, I said what's the point of buying any other action camera. Perhaps I was being hasty, as the competition is catching up. However, on balance, there's a reason GoPro is synonymous with action cameras. You don't need to be a pro user to use and love the Hero 13, although I can't recommend instantly upgrading unless you need the latest features. If you can live without GPS, the Hero 12 is often on sale.
The GoPro Hero 13 Black action camera is priced at $399.99 at Amazon and GoPro. If you buy the camera at GoPro, you can sometimes score discounts or bonus offers, such as a free SD card and an extra Enduro battery.
GoPro Hero 13 Black $349.99 at AmazonTL;DR: Live stream Los Angeles Rams vs. Minnesota Vikings for free with a 30-day trial of Prime Video. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
Thursday Night Football is back with a massive matchup between the Los Angeles Rams and Minnesota Vikings. The Rams have struggled this season, and will need to be at their absolute best to take anything from the impressive Vikings.
If you want to watch the Los Angeles Rams vs. Minnesota Vikings for free from anywhere in the world, here's all the information you need.
When is Rams vs. Vikings?Los Angeles Rams vs. Minnesota Vikings takes place at 8:15 p.m. ET on Oct. 24. This fixture will be played at the SoFi Stadium.
How to watch Rams vs. Vikings for freeLos Angeles Rams vs. Minnesota Vikings is available to live stream on Prime Video in the U.S., but anyone can watch this game for free with a 30-day trial of Amazon Prime (not to mention other Thursday Night Football fixtures).
Fans from outside the U.S. will need to use a VPN to watch the NFL for free on Prime Video. This process is straightforward:
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The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but top VPN providers do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these deals, you can gain access to free live streams of the NFL without actually spending anything. It's a short-term fix, but it will give you enough time to watch select NFL fixtures before claiming back your investment.
What is the best VPN for the NFL?ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream the NFL, for a number of reasons:
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The rise of the MCU turned post-credits scenes from a rare occurrence to an expectation, not just for superhero movies but for major action tentpoles as well. However, while Venom is a Marvel character, Venom: The Last Dance is not part of the MCU. So, will it play by MCU expectations?
Tom Hardy reprises the roles of journalist/human host Eddie Brock and troublemaker/alien symbiote Venom in the third entry into this slippery and often silly franchise. Written and directed by Venom: Let There Be Carnage scribe Kelly Marcel, Venom: The Last Dance follows this calamitous odd couple as they evade the authorities — including surly soldier Rex Strickland (Chiwetel Ejiofor) and traumatized scientist Dr. Teddy Payne (Juno Temple), not to mention an ancient evil known as Knull (played by Let There Be Carnage director Andy Serkis).
SEE ALSO: 'Venom: The Last Dance' review: Half a great, stupid movieOver the course of this road trip comedy meets sci-fi drama, Marcel weaves plenty of threads (perhaps too many?), and leaves several dangling at movie's end. So, should you stay through the credits to see if there's answers to be found there?
SEE ALSO: The epic 'Venom: Let There Be Carnage's mid-credit scene, explainedYes. Without spoilers, you'll want to stay seated as the credits roll. Not only will you get to witness a gleefully absurd montage of Venom variants exploding alongside the names of cast and crew, but also you'll get a mid-credits scene that teases where these movies could go next. Plus, after that whole shebang, there's a post-credits scene that has its own secrets. So hang in there, and while you're at it, marvel at the army of talented artists and technicians required to make a movie as utterly bonkers as Venom: The Last Dance.
Venom: The Last Dance opens exclusively in theaters Oct. 25.
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StackSocial prices subject to change.
TL;DR: Through Oct. 27, automate job applications for life with a LazyApply Basic subscription on sale for $59.97.
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TL;DR: Get a high-definition monocular telescope for just $29.97 through October 27, and turn your nosebleed seats into a front-row experience.
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Opens in a new window Credit: Shenzhen Centralspot Innovation 2-in-1 Keychain Wireless Charger for Apple Watch w/ Additional USB-C Charging Port $16.97Australians know bloody good horror. The country's been an unsung hero of the genre for an age, most notably rising on the Ozploitation crest of the Australian New Wave in the '70s and '80s — after the R rating was introduced in Australia. (If you haven't seen the documentary Not Quite Hollywood, do yourself a favour.) But even in the last few decades, it seems Australian filmmakers are intent on reminding horror fans of the country's screen legacy, with the likes of Talk to Me, The Babadook, Lake Mungo, and more terrifying audiences with a uniquely Aussie flair.
Beer-drenched psychological nightmares in Broken Hill, hauntings and possessions in suburban Adelaide, creature features that eat up stunning Top End cinematography, and found footage terrors under Sydney's CBD — there's a massive array of horror movies coming out of Australia, each more strange, disturbing, and innovative than the last. There are horror-comedies that blend zombies with Taylor Swift, monster movies that unpack generational trauma, and the beginning of one of the most successful (and most squirm-inducing) horror franchises of all time.
SEE ALSO: Pick the perfect horror movie for tonight with Mashable's 'What to Watch' pickerSome of the best Australian horror films, including those of the Australian New Wave like The Devil's Playground and Lady Stay Dead, aren't currently streaming online; instead they're only available at film libraries or when shown at film festivals in one-offs. So we haven't included those here, even though they're absolute gems, and we'll keep updating this list. In the meantime, here, in no particular order, are 34 excellent Australian horror films that'll mess you up — and where you can watch them online (you might have to use a VPN for some of them).
Before we start, I would like to acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which these films were made. I would also like to pay my respects to Elders past and present. Sovereignty was never ceded.
1. Wake in Fright Donald Pleasence is unsettling as the menacing Clarence "Doc" Tydon. Credit: Moviestore / ShutterstockSmall outback towns could have done without Wake In Fright. Based on Kenneth Cook's novel, this defining 1971 Australian New Wave film is probably one of the first people think of when you say "Australian horror" (even if director Ted Kotcheff is Canadian). A deeply sinister tale of a teacher (Gary Bond) who finds himself in debt and spiraling in a booze-soaked town in rural New South Wales, Wake In Fright would define the Australian landscape of horror in the '70s. Donald Pleasence is deeply unsettling as the menacing Clarence "Doc" Tydon, and the film's infamous kangaroo hunting scene is still controversial (real kangaroos were hunted and killed in this awful, frantically filmed sequence).
Filmed on-location in Broken Hill, the small town and its surrounds become the stuff of nightmares thanks to Brian West's brazen cinematography, John Scott's maddening score, and Anthony Buckley's intentionally chaotic editing. And if you've ever wanted to ditch booze, this film might do it for you.
How to watch: Wake In Fright is now streaming on Plex in the U.S.; not currently streaming in the UK or Australia.
2. The Babadook BA-BA-DOOOOOOOK... Credit: Matt Nettheim / Causeway / Smoking Gun Prods / Kobal / ShutterstockIf you're having a conversation about Australian horror movies and The Babadook doesn't come up, I'll eat my very tall, very creepy hat. Jennifer Kent's now-iconic feature debut, based on her 2005 short Monster, this exceptional, terrifying film has become synonymous with modern Australian horror. An elegant, poignant, and frankly terrifying analysis of loss, not to mention one of the most impactful monster movies of the 2010s, The Babadook follows a grieving woman (Essie Davis) haunted by the titular top-hatted creature, who became an unofficial mascot of Pride outside the film.
Of course, Kent's next film The Nightingale is another type of horror in itself.
How to watch: The Babadook is now streaming on Shudder in the U.S. and Australia, and on Netflix in the UK.
3. Next of KinTony Williams' moody, haunting, 1982 psychological horror is an Australian cult classic for a reason. Jackie Kerin is marvellous as the pragmatic Linda Stevens, who inherits her late mother's stately retirement estate, Montclare, and the cast of lively senior characters within it. But there's something strange going on within the halls, and more than a few family secrets. It's got the essence of The Shining with its prolonged hallway meandering, disturbing surrealism, and bathroom-based horrors, and there's significant Hitchcock about it with all those dolly zooms. But the film will get under your skin with its own brand of horror; Gary Hansen's impeccable cinematography makes for a terrible feast (there's a slow motion hallway run with Kerin that is the stuff of legend) and Max Lemon's editing is unrelenting. Plus, a young John Jarratt (Wolf Creek) plays Linda's flame Barney, and he's a face that'll come up a lot in this list.
How to watch: Next of Kin is now streaming on Screambox via Prime Video in the U.S. and on Shudder in the UK and Australia.
4. Talk to Me YouTubers RackaRacka hit a six with their feature debut. Credit: Courtesy of A24Teenagers carrying out rituals to contact the dead may have been done before, but YouTubers Danny and Michael Philippou (aka RackaRacka) put their own horrifying spin on the genre in Talk To Me. This Aussie shocker is a waking nightmare wherein a group of teens use an eerily lifelike hand statue to open a door to "the other side" — with serious consequences if they don't break their hold before 90 seconds has passed.
"In the end, Talk to Me is a terrifically scary horror movie, thanks to powerful performances, creepy creature designs, a splash of blood and gore, and practical effects that'll blow your mind and chill your spine. Like its sister in Sundance 2023's Midnight slate, Birth/Rebirth, Talk to Me is the rare horror trip that knows just when to end — with a wallop," writes Kristy Puchko in her Mashable review. "If you're looking for some freaky frightening fun, be sure to reach out and touch this one."* — Sam Haysom, Deputy UK Editor
How to watch: Talk to Me is now streaming on Paramount+ via Prime Video in the U.S., and on Netflix in the UK and Australia.
5. Razorback BEHOLD! Credit: Russell Mulcahy UAa Films / Western Film Prod.It's the legendary monster boar movie of the '80s with some of the best opening and ending sequences in creature feature horror. Based on Peter Brennan's 1981 novel, Razorback is a surreal, tusked nightmare brought to life by Highlander director Russell Mulcahy and written by Everett De Roche (Patrick/Roadgames).
Set in the small New South Wales town of Gamulla, the film follows several people tormented by a massive razorback hog, primarily wisened boar hunter Jake Cullen (a sublime performance by Bill Kerr). When animal rights campaigner Beth Winters (Judy Morris) visits the town on assignment, she's not exactly welcomed by all the locals, some of whom make the titular beast seem like a fluffy toy. When Beth goes missing, the race is on for her husband Carl (Gregory Harrison) to find her in this dangerous landscape.
Director of photography Dean Semler's post-Mad Max 2 cinematography (including a POV boar cam) is perfection, Icehouse co-founder Iva Davies is behind the film's menacing score, and pre-The Matrix special effects designer Bob McCarron created one hell of a four-hoofed villain. You have to see that ending.
How to watch: Razorback is now available to rent/buy on Prime Video in the U.S. and the UK, and is streaming on Shudder in Australia.
6. Little Monsters Won't somebody think of the children? Oh Lupita Nyong'o does. Credit: UniversalThis indie horror comedy directed by Abe Forsythe is one of the strangest on this list, and one of the most surprising. Here's the pitch: a school excursion to a small family fun park is disrupted by zombie mayhem, as the park i's conveniently located beside an inexplicable U.S. Army base doing dodgy tests on humans. Lupita Nyong'o is in the lead as a ukulele-playing kindergarten teacher, tasked with keeping her adorable class of pint-sized children uneaten and unaware of the danger they're in. But she's not alone, being accompanied by one of the kids' uncles, Dave (Alexander England), and a touring kids entertainer (Josh Gad). There's a lot of cute musical numbers, Taylor Swift appreciation, and gruesome zombie moments — a zombie whose attempt to eat an echidna unscathed is a visual I will not forget soon.
"Going into Little Monsters, you might be expecting a fairly standard zom-com with an irreverent Antipodean twist and cute kids, like Shaun of the Dead meets Black Sheep tinged with Kindergarten Cop," wrote Mashable's former Australia Editor Caitlin Welsh in her review. "What you actually get is an emotional trojan horse, drawing you in with goofy gore and familiar genre beats before hitting you with a surprisingly affecting story about how being responsible for small humans is actually scarier than any monster."
How to watch: Little Monsters is now streaming on Prime Video in the U.S. and on Now TV in the UK, and is available to rent/buy on Prime Video in Australia.
7. Thirst Chantal Contouri leads this twist on the vampire movie. Credit: Fg Film / Kobal / ShutterstockA cult of vampires who believe drinking blood is "the ultimate aristocratic act" lies at the heart of Thirst, a 1979 gem. Directed by Rod Hardy and written by John Pinkney,, the film centres on Kate Davis (Chantal Contouri), whose family legacy sees her kidnapped into a rich commune, where they drive golf carts, ride in helicopters, and casually drink the blood of the living people trapped on their "farm". Kate tries to resist fate and shun the bloodthirsty call of the vampire, and Contouri gives an excellent performance, as Kate slips slowly into macabre madness through cold, scientific "conditioning". Thirst essentially uses the vampire genre to unpack unprocessed childhood trauma, and there's some excellent set pieces, including a cursed blood shower. Yes, there are some deeply unsexy sex scenes, but we'll forgive them.
How to watch: Thirst is now streaming on Tubi in the U.S., on Shudder via Prime Video in the UK, and on Prime Video in Australia.
8. Wolf Creek "Nothing like rain water from the Top End." Credit: True Crime / Best Fx / Kobal / ShutterstockOne of the nastiest horror films of the 2000s, Wolf Creek has become synonymous with modern Australian horror. When I first saw this film at the cinema at 17 in 2005, I wasn't really the same after it. Written and directed by Greg McLean, it smashed the box office, making $30 million globally with a $1 million budget. But it wasn't without controversy when it first released, as McLean based the screenplay and his villain on real murders by killers Ivan Milat and Bradley John Murdoch.
Essentially, the film might make you never want to take a road trip again — though it strangely boosted tourism. Backpackers Liz, Kristy, and Ben (Cassandra Magrath, Kestie Morassi, and Nathan Phillips) make an unknowingly perilous stop at Wolf Creek National Park en route to Cairns, where they're captured by cackling killer Mick Taylor (a now iconic performance by longtime horror actor John Jarratt — yes, he's in this one!). There's a sequel, a TV series, and plans for a third film, but this is the nightmare that started it all.
How to watch: Wolf Creek is now streaming on Tubi in the U.S. and on Stan in Australia, and is available to rent/buy on AppleTV+ in the UK.
9. Lake MungoA terrifying 2008 gem of a film, Lake Mungo is superb documentary-style psychological horror. Written and directed by Joel Anderson and told in docufiction style, the film centres around the mysterious drowning of Alice Palmer (Talia Zucker) in the small town of Ararat. Police videos, home movies, surveillance footage, news reports, and interviews with Alice's family and friends make up this deeply compelling film, which moves into potentially supernatural territory pretty damn quickly. The performances are so good you'll forget it's fiction and there's some pretty spooky footage on hand here.
For Mashable, writer and editor Jenni Miller described Lake Mungo as a film that "perfectly captures the everyday horrors of grief and the bone-deep sadness that lingers among the living. It's not fun per se, but it feels necessary — especially in a society in which we bury our grief along with the dead rather than grapple with the realities of loss."
How to watch: Lake Mungo is now streaming on Prime Video in the U.S. and on streaming on Shudder in the UK and Australia.
10. Relic Emily Mortimer leads this exceptional horror by Natalie Erika James. Credit: AGBO / Signature / Kobal / ShutterstockDirector Natalie Erika James explores the darkness of dementia and unprocessed trauma in Relic, a deeply unsettling and moving horror that uses the supernatural to examine Alzheimer's. Set in rural Victoria, the film sees protagonist Kay (Emily Mortimer) and her daughter Sam (Bella Heathcote) called to the remote home of Kay's mother, Edna (the legendary Robyn Nevin), who is in need of care. Darkness literally and metaphorically invades Edna's house as her mind deteriorates, becoming a haunting, sinister shell of memory and paranoia. With a moving and terrifying screenplay by James and Christian White, and tense cinematography from Charlie Sarroff, Relic manages to visualise the fears of a changing mind.
How to watch: Relic is now streaming on Shudder in the U.S., on BBC iPlayer in the UK, and on Stan in Australia.
11. The TunnelA nail-biter of a found footage horror that functions as a fictional documentary, The Tunnel is a deeply clever film that plays the long game — and it's somehow only 70 minutes. What begins as a team of investigative journalists led by Natasha Warner (Bel Deliá) digging into missing persons in disused tunnels under Sydney ends as a nightmare, with the production team building cold hard dread through reflective interviews, CCTV footage, and the crew's own terrifying, torch-lit filming. Directed by Carlo Ledesma, and written, edited, and produced by Enzo Tedeschi and Julian Harvey, The Tunnel features tremendously convincing performances from Deliá, Steve Davis, Andy Rodoreda, and Luke Arnold. You'll dread every single turn of the camera, and Sasha Zastavnikovic's sound design is simply terrifying.
The film was released in 2011 in cinemas, on DVD, on cable TV, and for free on BitTorrent simultaneously, with the filmmakers selling each frame of the film for $1 on a crowdfunding site. "Yep, it was given away to watch and share for free online, making it probably one of the only films in history to be able to legitimately claim a piracy rate of zero," reads the film's still-live website. "The end result was an explosion of viewership around the globe for the humble Australian film, amassing over 25M views and downloads across the internet."
Plus this one gets points for being an Australian horror movie set in a city — it’s a rarity!
How to watch: The Tunnel is now streaming on Shudder.
12. Black Water The majority of "Black Water" looks like this. And it works. Credit: David Nerlich / Andrew Traucki Territorial Film DevelopmentsThere are a lot of croc movies out there (including Rogue up next), but don't discount Black Water on account of that. It's a brutal survival film written and directed by Andrew Traucki (who also did The Reef) and David Nerlich. Relatively low budget with a tiny cast and deeply convincing visual effects, Black Water is sadly based on a real tragedy. In the film, Grace (Diana Glenn), her sister Lee (Maeve Dermody), and her husband Adam (Andy Rodoreda) take a sporadic boat tour through a mangrove swamp in northern Australia's crocodile country, and end up stuck in a tree being hunted by a colossal, calculating saltwater croc. The young cast do an impressive job with this situational nightmare, spending most of the film clinging to the mangrove branches, keeping their feet aloft, and coming to terms with dwindling hope.
How to watch: Black Water is streaming on Hoopla in the U.S., is available to rent/buy on Amazon Prime in the UK, and is streaming on Brollie in Australia.
13. Rogue "Rogue" and "Black Water" are very different. Credit: Moviestore / ShutterstockFilmed before Black Water with a much bigger budget, Rogue was reportedly based on the same real events (and in this film, it feels like a very loose basis). Written, directed, and produced by Wolf Creek's Greg McLean, Rogue is another type of beautifully-shot tourist nightmare, making it more of a Jaws of the Top End — complete with a need for a bigger boat. A river tour finds themselves at the peril of a massive crocodile when they investigate a distress signal — it wasn't ideal for the Nostromo crew, and it's not ideal here. The cast does some serious work between escape attempts: Sam Worthington shines as the obnoxious but extremely useful Neil, Stephen Curry is a delight as a major camera show-off, John Jarratt (yep, he's here!) plays a grieving widower, a tiny Mia Wasikowska plays a teen with her parents, and Radha Mitchell plays their noble captain with her dog Kevin. But the lead, surprisingly, is Michael Vartan as an American travel writer looking for a big, sharp-toothed scoop. He finds it.
How to watch: Rogue is now streaming on Starz in the U.S., on Freevee in the UK, and on Stan in Australia.
14. Late Night with the Devil "But first, some messages..." Credit: IFC Films and ShudderIf you like your horror lean and mean, you must see this '70s-set indie from Australian writers/directors Cameron Cairnes and Colin Cairnes (aka the Cairnes Brothers).
David Dastmalchian, a character actor who's unnerved us in The Boogeyman and Prisoners, headlines here as Jack Delroy, a talk show host who is so determined to best Johnny Carson's ratings that he invites an allegedly possessed girl to be a guest on his Halloween special. Part showbiz satire, part found-footage horror, Late Night with the Devil uses a low-fi look and keenly creepy effects to create a throwback tale of terror that is rank with fresh blood. While the film's been criticized for its use of AI, its scares are so satisfying that it earned praise from none other than the master of horror himself, Stephen King. So, take a cue from our review: "Tune in and hang on. Dastmalchian and his demon are coming for you."* —Kristy Puchko, Entertainment Editor
How to watch: Late Night with the Devil is now streaming on AMC+ in the U.S., and on Shudder in the UK and Australia.
15. Saw A defining moment for 2000s horror. Credit: Evolution / Saw Prods Inc / Kobal / ShutterstockWhile the Saw series has become synonymous with the torture porn variety of horror (not really my cup of tea), the original film is a superb, deeply cruel puzzle wrapped in a serial killer mystery inside the most horrible bathroom of cinema. It's another film I was rattled by as a teenager, in 2006, and would never really see horror the same way afterwards. The concept is simple: two men (played by Saw filmmaker Leigh Whannell and Cary Elwes) wake up shackled in said decrepit room with nothing but their wits and a rusty hacksaw. Unimaginable decisions must be made to survive this "game" created by sadistic serial killer John "Jigsaw" Kramer (Tobin Bell).
Filmmakers James Wan and Whannell infamously tried to get funding for the original Saw in Australia, then took it to the U.S. after no Aussie studios would take a bite. But Lionsgate did after Saw debuted at Sundance and now it's one of the most successful horror franchises of all time — we're up to Saw X at this point. Just a little cautionary tale for any Australian studios not taking locally made horror seriously.
How to watch: Saw is now streaming on Max in the U.S., on Netflix in the UK, and and on Stan in Australia.
16. Upgrade Logan Marshall-Green plays an unstoppable revenge machine. Credit: BlumhouseOne of the only tech-based horror films on this list, Upgrade is a deeply Mashable movie. Saw co-creator Leigh Whannell wrote and directed this underrated cyberpunk revenge gem. Logan Marshall-Green is a compelling lead as Grey Trace, a tech-hating man who loses his wife in a vicious assault — and becomes paralysed. Convinced by mysterious inventor Eron Keen (a deeply creepy Harrison Gilbertson) to have a unique chip implanted in his body, Grey regains use of his limbs. But he doesn't just regain his regular human abilities, he's now an unstoppable revenge machine. And (of course) there's more than a few catches.
How to watch: Upgrade is now streaming on Netflix in the U.S., on Now TV in the UK, and is available to rent/buy on Prime Video in Australia.
17. Sissy Credit: ArcadiaA glorious newer horror gem from director-writers Hannah Barlow and Kane Senes, Sissy brings Black Mirror energy to a slasher drenched in blood, bubbly, and social media influencer juice. Anchored in violent childhood playground trauma, Sissy is led by eponymous protagonist Cecilia (a spectacularly nuanced performance from The Bold Type's Aisha Dee), a self-help influencer, who'd rather keep her past — and embarrassing schoolyard nickname — buried. Running into her childhood best friend Emma (Barlow), she finds herself invited to a hen's weekend away at the property of an unwelcome blast from the past (Emily De Margheriti). Cecilia struggles to maintain the facade, and frankly, isn't feeling these negative vibes intruding in her "safe space," you know? The perfect movie marathon partner to Bodies Bodies Bodies, Sissy quite literally bludgeons influencer culture with some shockingly gory sequences, the body count climbing as quickly as Cecilia's likes.* — S.C.
How to watch: Sissy is now streaming on Shudder.
18. You'll Never Find Me A lot with a little. Credit: ShudderThe directorial debut of Indianna Bell and Josiah Allen, You'll Never Find Me does a lot with a little: two actors, one trailer, and the darkest, stormiest night. A tale of power, vulnerability, and mind games plays out when a woman (Jordan Cowan) shows up at a man called Patrick's (Brendan Rock) isolated trailer seeking shelter from the deluge. But who is she? Who is he? Do they know each other? Who has the upper hand here? You'll be kept guessing at every turn in this clever horror thriller.
Mashable's Sam Haysom described the film in his review as a "a masterclass in tension, trapping us in a dingy room with its troubled leads and ratcheting up the suspense with lingering close-ups, oppressive sound design, and a script that keeps you guessing until the final moments."
How to watch: You'll Never Find Me is now streaming on Shudder.
19. The Cars That Ate Paris Look at that thing. Credit: Saltpaan / Afdc / Royce Smeal / Kobal / ShutterstockOne of the strangest films you'll see in an age, Peter Weir's Australian New Wave classic The Cars That Ate Paris eludes description (but we'll try). You'll be enticed by the film's poster images of a silver car bedecked in giant spikes, but Mad Max this is not. Instead it's a creepy tale of the town of Paris (it was really filmed in Sofala), where the locals don't take too kindly to visitors. Traveller Arthur Waldo (Terry Camilleri) sees it all first-hand, and it's deeply weird stuff. It's almost a comedy, almost a thriller, almost a horror, almost an action, and absolutely worth your time.
How to watch: The Cars That Ate Paris is now available to rent/buy on Apple TV+.
20. Daybreakers Dream team: Willem Dafoe, Ethan Hawke, Claudia Karvan. Credit: Lionsgate / Kobal / ShutterstockWriter-directors Michael and Peter Spierig's Daybreakers may have a predominantly Hollywood cast, but this Australian-American production fits the bill for this list. Vampires rule the world in this 2009 gem, with the creatures of the night rolling around town in blacked out cars. Problem is, they rule a little too hard, so there's a blood shortage, one that sees Ethan Hawke's vampire hematologist Edward (yes, Edward) working on a synthetic alternative, with ruthless overlord Charles Bromley (Sam Neill) breathing down everyone's necks. But Edward's literally derailed, finding his way into a group of humans including Australian icon Claudia Karvan and meeting former vamp Elvis, played to perfection by Willem Dafoe.
How to watch: Daybreakers is now streaming on AMC+ in the U.S., on Plex in the UK, and on Stan in Australia.
21. The Wyrmwood movies "Bonkers" doesn't cut it. Credit: Guerilla Film / Kobal / ShutterstockIf you’re after midnight screening-worthy grindhouse horror, Wyrmwood is for you. The Wyrmwood films, Road of the Dead and Apocalypse, are absolute chaos, drenched in blood, brutal sound effects, and deadpan humour. Made by the filmmaking Roache-Turner brothers, Kiah and Tristan, the two films are characterised by frantic close-ups and sickening zooms that bring you way too close to the action for comfort, overwhelming fish-eye lens use, a sharp script, and a lot of gore.
The first film, Wyrmwood: Road of the Dead, is a low budget zombie movie that delivers 90 minutes of screeching madness. It centres on siblings Brooke (Bianca Bradey) and Barry (Jay Gallagher), who separately come face to face with the outbreak in horrific circumstances. On the road to locate Brooke, Barry teams up with the hilarious Benny (Leon Burchill) and straight-talking Frank (Keith Agius). Brooke spends the film in a nightmare situation, imprisoned by a sadistic doctor, while her brother gets to ride around Mad Max vigilante style fighting zombies. But she gets her revenge. And as for the sequel, Wyrmwood: Apocalypse, which picks up immediately after the first film, we're talking bigger budget, old and new characters (with welcome additions in Shantae Barnes-Cowan, Tasia Zalar, and Luke McKenzie), and more high octane horror madness. There isn't one scene in these movies that's not covered in blood.
How to watch: Wyrmwood: Road of the Dead is now streaming on AMC+ in the U.S., on ITVx in the UK, and on Stan in Australia.
Wyrmwood: Apocalypse is now streaming on Tubi in the U.S., on Plex in the UK, and is available to rent/buy on Apple TV+ in Australia.
22. BeDevilTracey Moffatt's surreal 1993 ghost story trilogy BeDevil is the artist's debut feature that premiered at Cannes. Weaving three ghost stories into one strange and undefinable nightmare, BeDevil embodies Moffatt's signature style, also seen in her revered short Night Cries: A Rural Tragedy, with hyper-real sequences, extremely saturated colour, and an unsettling score to send you off kilter. Australian legend Jack Charles stars in "Mr. Chuck", the story of a swamp presence that haunts a young boy on Bribie Island, who reflects on it decades later in staged documentary interviews. In "Choo Choo Choo Choo" Moffatt herself plays Ruby Morphet, whose family are haunted on their property in Queensland. And in "Lovin' the Spin I'm in", a Torres Strait Islander couple meet a tragic fate.
Geoff Burton’s striking cinematography, Wayne Le Clos’ erratic editing, Stephen Curtis’ dramatic production design, and Carl Vine’s bonkers score, all combine with Moffatt's vision to create a truly one of a kind creation — and it was the first feature film directed by an Australian Aboriginal woman. Plus, the choreography comes from future Bangarra Dance Theatre artistic director Stephen Page with his late brother, acclaimed dancer Russell Page, performing.
How to watch: BeDevil is now streaming on Ovid in the U.S., and streaming on SBS On Demand in Australia.
23. Monolith "One on-screen actor, one location, and a budget of less than half a million." Credit: Well Go USAMicro-budget Monolith follows a disgraced journalist trying to revive her career with a podcast delving into the unexplained. But when a story about mysterious black bricks lands in her inbox, she finds herself getting sucked into something she genuinely can't make sense of.
"It almost sounds like a challenge: Can you make a feature length movie with only one on-screen actor, one location, and a budget of less than half a million?" I wrote in my review for Mashable. "Written by Lucy Campbell and shot by Matt Vesely, eerie sci-fi mystery Monolith exists within these potentially tricky parameters. Almost the entire movie takes place in a modern, isolated house in the rolling Adelaide Hills, South Australia, following a disgraced journalist (Lily Sullivan) as she yarn-balls a weird global enigma for her new podcast series. The film could easily have been a dismally failed experiment, but Monolith's logistical restrictions actually help it shine, adding a claustrophobia and sense of realism that only heightens the core mystery."
Once you've watched the movie, see if you agree with our interpretation of the ending. — S.H.
How to watch: Monolith is now streaming on Prime Video in the U.S., on Now TV in the UK, and on Binge in Australia.
24. Roadgames A true, weird gem. Credit: Moviestore / ShutterstockIt's more of a thriller than a horror, but Richard Franklin's Roadgames deserves a spot on this list because it's creepy and legendary. Stacy Keach gives one hell of a performance as Patrick Quid, who drives a truck (but don’t call him a truck driver) across Australia. He spends his drives talking to his dingo companion Boswell and amusing himself with his harmonica. Driving across the Nullabor with a truck full of meat to deliver to Perth, Patrick realises he's on the trail of a sadistic serial killer. Along the road he picks up hitchhiker Pamela Rushworth (Jamie Lee Curtis) and his hunt intensifies — and the lines between reality and hallucination begin to blur.
How to watch: Roadgames is now streaming on Prime Video in the U.S. and on Brollie in Australia.
25. The Loved Ones Xavier Samuel goes through it in this 2000s film. Credit: Screen Australia / Kobal / ShutterstockA messed up tale of Misery-like violent obsession, body horror, teen angst, and incest, The Loved Ones is a nasty little bastard. Grieving teen Brent (Xavier Samuel) is held captive and tortured by teen psychopath Lola and her extremely creepy father after he turns down her invitation to the school dance. A glittering, disco ball-topped, blood-drenched party from hell, Lola's home dance is pure evil that gets worse and worse. The Loved Ones came out a few years after the storm of torture porn films like Saw and Hostel were dominating box offices, and director Sean Byrne inflicts a lot of nasty body horror in his feature debut. McLeavy is truly unhinged as our Carrie-meets-Annie Wilkes-inspired villain Lola, and Samuel has a tough job as Brent, spending most of the film unable to scream or move. You'll never listen to Kasey Chambers' "Am I Not Pretty Enough?" the same way.
How to watch: The Loved Ones is now streaming on Paramount+ in the U.S., on ITVx in the UK, and on Stan in Australia.
26. Snowtown A punishing watch. Credit: Screen Australia / Warp X Australia / Kobal / ShutterstockAs bleak as it gets. Alongside Hounds of Love, these are two punishing, brutal movies I can't really recommend watching, but they've become so ingrained in the Australian horror narrative I thought I'd include a nod.
Based on the real, horrifying murders committed in the '90s in Adelaide, Snowtown (also stylised as The Snowtown Murders) is a deeply chilling, slow burning horror that comes here with a major content warning. These are extreme roles for the actors playing serial killers John Bunting (Daniel Henshall), Robert Wagner (Aaron Viergever), and James Vlassakis (Lucas Pittaway); Henshall's portrayal in particular is the stuff modern day nightmares are made of.
How to watch: Snowtown is now streaming on AMC+ in the U.S., on BFI Player in the UK, and is available to rent/buy on Apple TV+ in Australia.
27. The Royal Hotel Kitty Green spans the genres with "The Royal Hotel." Credit: NEONA psychological horror-thriller, The Royal Hotel is another nightmare in the outback that fuses genres to deeply stressful effect. Directed by The Assistant's Kitty Green, the film sees American backpackers Liv (Jessica Henwick) and Hanna (Julia Garner) hitting the road and finding work in the local pub of a mining town — the film was shot in the town of Yatina, South Australia, north of Adelaide. They just want to make some money to keep their trip going, but they're plunged into a tense pit of threat by the locals. Writing for Mashable, critic Siddhant Adlakha describes the film as "a concise, nail-biting movie about the world as experienced by women, and the aggressive (and often unspoken) impositions that define the male spaces around them."
How to watch: The Royal Hotel is now streaming on Hulu in the U.S., on Now TV in the UK, and on Binge in Australia.
28. The Moogai Beware "The Moogai". Credit: Elise LockwoodJon Bell's impactful, heartbreaking psychological horror film The Moogai is one of the newer films on this list, out in 2024. An expansion of Bell's short of the same name, the film uses the supernatural creature feature format to examine generational trauma, specifically the lasting impact of the Australian government's forced removal of Aboriginal children from their communities known as the Stolen Generations. The Moogai itself is a Bundjalung term for a spirit or entity who steals children — and as the film describes, "A spirit whose primary aim is to do exactly what the white Australians have done for decades." Shari Sebbens delivers an impeccable performance as Sarah, a woman tormented by the Moogai and terrified of losing her children to it — and it's understandable, the character design here is the stuff of nightmares.
How to watch: The Moogai had a cinematic release in 2024, with streaming details TBC.
29. Picnic at Hanging Rock A haunting Australian classic. Credit: David Kynoch / Picnic / Bef / Aust Film Commission / Kobal / ShutterstockThough it's not a true story, author Joan Lindsay's eerie tale, Picnic at Hanging Rock, has become a bit of an Australian myth, made further iconic through Peter Weir's moody, hypnotic film. The story goes that on Valentine's Day, 1900, a group of private school girls went for a picnic excursion at Hanging Rock near Mount Macdeon, Victoria — and not everyone returned. Disappeared without a trace. And that wouldn't be the end of the disturbing events. Weir's classic Australian New Wave film isn't shock horror, more a slow burning exercise in trance-like dread and unsolved mystery. You'll go to sleep with that eerie Romanian panpipe score rattling through your head, dreaming of straw hats and parasols. Plus, John Jarratt's in this one!
How to watch: Picnic at Hanging Rock is now streaming on Max in the U.S. and on Shudder in the UK, and is available to rent/buy on Apple TV+ in Australia.
30. Ghost Ship Tiny Emily Browning! Credit: Warner Bros / Kobal / ShutterstockHands down, Ghost Ship boasts one of the best opening scenes in a horror film. Directed by Steve Beck and written Mark Hanlon and John Pogue, this 2002 film should not be dismissed among its more schlocky 2000s peers. In the middle of the Bering Sea, passengers on Italian cruise ship MS Antonia Graza meet a grisly demise in the '60s. Decades later, a salvage crew investigates, and finds some passengers never really left — and have no intention of letting their new shipmates leave. The cast is a banger: Gabriel Byrne, Karl Urban, Julianna Margulies, Isaiah Washington, Alex Dimitriades, and a young Emily Browning.
How to watch: Ghost Ship is now available to rent/buy on Prime Video in the U.S., and is streaming on Netflix in the UK and on Stan in Australia.
31. Cargo A twist on the zombie apocalypse genre. Credit: Matt Nettheim / NetflixIf you love the devastating human stories of zombie tales like The Last of Us, you might like Cargo. Set in a post-apocalyptic South Australia amid a violent pandemic (but released before the COVID pandemic), Martin Freeman leads this horrible journey through the stunning Flinders Ranges. Directors Yolanda Ramke and Ben Howling developed Cargo from their viral short film, which was a 2018 Tropfest finalist (Australia's major short film festival). It's a moving story of survival and what we'll do for our loved ones, even in the most hopeless reality.
When an inexorable tragedy strikes married couple Andy (Freeman) and Kay (Susie Porter), Andy is racing the clock to get his baby daughter Rosie somewhere safe. On the way Andy finds help in unexpected places, but not everyone's so accommodating. Freeman is exceptional, playing a man at the mercy of inevitability, and is well supported by a strong, small cast including David Gulpilil, Simone Landers, Susie Porter, Natasha Wanganeen, Kris McQuade, Anthony Hayes, and Bruce R. Carter. Cargo notably makes impactful points about colonial poisoning of and disrespect for the land itself, with the majority of the zombie-handling done by the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the land.
How to watch: Cargo is now streaming on Netflix.
32. BoarTaking villain cues from Australian classic Razorback (also in this list, of course), Boar is a gloriously grisly horror set in a small town called Kandanga. John Jarratt (yep!) successfully sheds the Wolf Creek creep for a beer-swilling, shit-talking widower channelling Razorback's Jake Cullen, on the hunt for a massive wild hog on the rampage. Two bickering old blokes (Jarratt and Roger Ward as Blue) four sheets to the wind are the best hope the town has.
Writer-director Chris Sun's script is genuinely funny with uncomfortable characterisation at points (there’s a fair bit of casual sexism and homophobia in the script). The film also sheds the ‘70s love for pitting Australian towns as realms of Wake In Fright-level villains; the people of Kandanga are just regular folks who genuinely care about each other — and former WWE star Nathan Jones and soap star/singer Melissa Tkautz deliver standout performances. As Mashable's Sam Haysom put it, "Any film that features a hippo-sized monster pig going up against a former WWE wrestler has to be a little bit tongue-in-cheek."
How to watch: Boar is now streaming on Shudder.
33. Birdeater The bucks weekend from hell. Credit: Umbrella EntertainmentThe elevator pitch for Birdeater is pure horror in itself: a woman joins her fiancé at his all-male bucks weekend (for everyone outside Australia, that's a stag do or bachelor party). From the minute sinister Nice Guy Louis (Mackenzie Fearnley) suggests his girlfriend Irene (Shabana Azeez) join his mates for the weekend, things are off. Directors Jack Clark and Jim Weir pay more than homage to Wake In Fright here, expertly suspending you in unease for two hours, drenched in beer, toxic masculinity, and deep dread. Clark's sparse, impactful script slowly reveals horrible truths about the characters' relationships and past actions. It's a cruel game of manipulation and gaslighting and it'll be more than awkward for everyone in the morning.
How to watch: Birdeater had a run in cinemas in early 2024, with international streaming details TBC. It's available to rent/buy on Apple TV+ in Australia.
34. Run Rabbit Run Spooky stuff with Sarah Snook. Credit: NetflixPsychological horror requires a strong lead, and thankfully they don't get much stronger than Succession star Sarah Snook. In Daina Reid's tense nightmare, fertility doctor Sarah (Snook) struggles to cope with the increasingly odd behaviour of her seven-year-old daughter Mia (Lily LaTorre). I know what you're thinking: Unnerving kids are almost as well-worn a horror trope as mask-wearing serial killers. The good news, though, is Reid does an excellent job with the subgenre, taking a well-written script from Hannah Kent and layering in an uncanny atmosphere with a deeper journey into repressed childhood trauma. The clues are all there for us to unpack, but the reveal at the end still provides a solid gut-punch, and the journey to get there is filled with excellent acting and ratcheting tension.* — S.H.
How to watch: Run Rabbit Run is streaming now on Netflix.
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