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Explore how AI can elevate your 9-to-5 — and energize your 5-to-9.
AI has taken the world by storm, but perhaps its best use case right now is in productivity. Where do you get most of your productivity done? Well, it depends on what your job is, but for most of us, our work happens best on our computers — especially if our computers are NPU-equipped, and AI ready. Over the past year or so, companies from Microsoft to Apple have been building AI-powered tools to supercharge productivity, baking these features into their latest and greatest laptops in an effort to help users get more out of their devices.
Not only is AI super useful for productivity, but it can play a role in how you use your laptop to relax too. Here's a look at the best AI laptop features, for both work and play, out there right now.
AI assistants at the push of a buttonMany laptops now feature AI assistants that can be prompted from the keyboard.
Microsoft, for instance, was relatively quick to the AI revolution with Copilot, which is available in full force on Copilot+ PCs, like the Microsoft Surface Laptop. Copilot works kind of like ChatGPT and allows you to chat about basically anything you can imagine, including researching or coming up with outlines for that presentation you haven't put together yet. Copilot+ PCs even have a dedicated Copilot button that you can press to easily bring up the AI assistant whenever you need it.
Improve your writing with the help of built-in AILaptops are the best tools around for writers, and having AI writing assistants built in seems like a no-brainer.
Apple, which may not have been quite as quick as Microsoft to bring AI features to its laptops, is making up for lost time now that macOS 15.1 Sequoia is available. All of Apple's top-of-the-line laptops, like the new M4 MacBook Pro, have access to some Apple intelligence features. Many of these features are slightly more subtle than Microsoft's, being easily accessible when you need them but not quite as in your face. A perfect example of this is Apple Intelligence's new Writing Tools feature. All you have to do is highlight some text, right-click on it, and head to the Writing Tools menu item. From there, you'll be able to have Apple Intelligence proofread text, rewrite it, or completely change the tone of it to be more friendly or more concise. It's pretty handy for day-to-day use, and it's great that it's easily accessible wherever you might type text.
Create AI images quickly and easilyAI-generated images are becoming a familiar part of the online world, but tools built into the latest laptops are making it easier than ever to create them.
Looking for that perfect image to accompany the PowerPoint presentation you're putting together? Or simply want to create something for fun to send to a friend? The Microsoft Photos app can generate AI images for that exact purpose. Using Microsoft Photos, all you have to do is come up with a prompt that describes the image you're looking for, after which Photos will generate it and you can then refine it with additional instructions. It works quite well, and while you may have to spend a bit of time asking Photos to refine its creation, you'll spend a whole lot less time than you would if you were designing the image yourself. Microsoft Photos is available on all Windows computers, however the image creation feature works on Copilot+ PCs like the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i.
Access and analyze your documents and filesIf AI software is going to act as your "assistant" it's going to need access to the documents you use to do business. This is part of the full service AI-powered laptop of the future.
Perhaps the most powerful thing about Google's Gemini, for instance, is its ability to integrate with the rest of your Google services. So, you can ask it for information about documents you've written and to summarize those documents directly in the Gemini interface. Gemini even integrates with Gmail, so you can have the assistant summarize emails in a pinch without having to go through them all individually. Gemini features work best on so-called "Chromebook Plus" laptops, like the Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714. These laptops come with a free year of Google’s Gemini Advanced subscription.
Avoid digging through settingsWho wants to dig through the settings menu on their computer to find every little setting? Both Copilot and Siri, powered by Apple Intelligence, can change settings for you – all you have to do is ask. Some advanced settings may not quite work just yet, but you can easily ask these assistants to do things like toggle Wi-Fi on and off, manage Bluetooth connections, and more. It works pretty well, and is available on both Apple Intelligence-powered computers, like the MacBook Pro, and even cheaper Copilot+ PCs, like the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus.
TL;DR: Perfect for your bedside, desk, or travel, the Speedy Mag Wireless Charger is on sale for just $34.97 (reg. $119) for a limited time.
Opens in a new window Credit: VistaShops Speedy Mag Wireless Charger for iPhone $34.97If you're tired of dealing with tangled cords and slow charging, the Speedy Mag Wireless Charger might just be your new favorite charging solution.
For just $34.97 (reg. $119), this sleek wireless charger is designed to make your life easier, whether it’s on your nightstand, desk, or in your travel bag.
The Speedy Mag is ideal for bedside use, thanks to its magnetic design that holds your phone securely in place all night. Plus, with built-in safeguards against overcharging and overheating, you can rest easy, knowing your device is in good hands.
And if you need a desk upgrade, this wireless charger eliminates messy cables, giving you a cleaner-looking workspace. It’s designed with fast-charging capabilities, so you can get back to using your phone quickly (within about 30 minutes) and keep the productivity flowing.
And for those on-the-go moments, this compact charger fits easily into any bag, allowing you to charge wirelessly at cafes, hotels, or offices. It also makes a terrific travel companion to charge your phone while flying to your destination.
With MagSafe compatibility and Qi-enabled support for other devices, the Speedy Mag offers rapid, versatile power for iPhone 12 and newer models. It can power up your iPhone 1.5 times on a single charge.
Get yours today or gift it to someone on your list to experience the convenience of wireless charging.
The Speedy Mag Wireless Charger is on sale for just $34.97 (reg. $119) for a limited time.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
TL;DR: This refurbished 2017 MacBook Air is just $249.97 (reg. $299.97) with free shipping through November 21.
Looking for a dependable Mac at a fraction of the price? This grade-A refurbished 2017 MacBook Air offers just that. Priced at $249.97 (reg. $299.97) with free shipping through November 21, this model brings you the quality and design of an Apple MacBook without the high cost, making it ideal for everyday users.
The 2017 MacBook Air is powerful enough to handle your daily tasks, from web browsing and video streaming to document editing and light photo work. With a 1.8GHz Intel Core i5 processor, you can expect smooth, responsive performance for the essentials, while its 128GB SSD offers the right balance of speed and storage space to keep important files, photos, and more at your fingertips.
And with a battery life of up to 12 hours, you can go all day without worrying about recharging. Apple’s thoughtful design is apparent in the lightweight, ultra-slim build, which makes this MacBook Air easy to slip into a bag and take anywhere.
Its 13.3" widescreen display, equipped with a 1440x900 native resolution, offers bright, clear visuals for watching videos, browsing photos, or getting through work with minimal eye strain. The compact form factor doesn’t compromise connectivity either, with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth built-in, allowing you to stay connected.
Purchasing this refurbished MacBook Air also contributes to environmental sustainability. By choosing refurbished tech, you’re helping to reduce e-waste, which is better for the planet. With its grade-A condition rating, this MacBook is in near-mint shape, giving you the feel and experience of a new laptop at a lower price.
Get the trusted performance of an Apple laptop without the hefty price tag.
This refurbished 2017 MacBook Air is just $249.97 (reg. $299.97) with free shipping through November 21.
Apple MacBook Air 13.3" (2017) 1.8GHz i5 8GB RAM 128GB SSD Silver (Refurbished) - $249.97
Get It Here
StackSocial prices subject to change.
Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Air 13.3" (2017) 1.8GHz i5 8GB RAM 128GB SSD Silver (Refurbished) $249.97TL;DR: You can get a refurbished MacBook Air bundled with Microsoft Office 2019 on sale for $269.97 (a $1,288 value) while supplies last.
Refurbished MacBook AirIt’s a great laptop for everyday tasks with an Intel Core i5 and 8GB of RAM, though it won’t hold up well for intense multitasking or gaming
A grade “A” refurbished rating means the device is in near-mint condition and it comes with a 90-day parts and labor warranty
Enjoy a 13.3-inch display with Intel HD Graphics 6000
Equipped with 128GB of onboard storage
Being a 2017 model year, it cannot upgrade past macOS Monterey 12
Download Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, and Teams Classic
This Office lifetime license allows you to install the complete app suite to one Mac with no recurring fees
We only have 50 of these MacBook Air and Microsoft Office for Mac bundles in stock. Order yours for $269.97 (a $1,228 value) before they’re sold out.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
Opens in a new window Credit: LIMITLESS USA INC. Apple MacBook Air 13.3" MQDR2LL/A 128GB Silver (Refurbished) + Microsoft Office Home & Business 2019 for Mac Bundle $269.97What would happen if any of Hugh Grant's famed rom-com characters — think William from Notting Hill or the prime minister from Love Actually — trapped you in a house of horrors? That's not too far off from what you'll get in Heretic, the latest horror offering from writer-director duo Scott Beck and Bryan Woods (A Quiet Place, 65).
Yes, Grant has leaned further into villain archetypes in the past few years, from Paddington 2's egotistical Phoenix Buchanan to Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves' roguish Forge. But no film has weaponized his talents to as frightening an extent as Heretic. Here, you'll witness Grant both as you've never seen him before (downright terrifying!) and exactly as you've seen him before (charming with a side of self-deprecation). The combination is downright bone-chilling, with Grant's performance providing nonstop terror even as Heretic's theological frights remain fairly surface level.
SEE ALSO: Hugh Grant will scare your socks off in exclusive 'Heretic' clip What's Heretic about? Hugh Grant in "Heretic." Credit: A24Grant plays Mr. Reed, a seemingly friendly man who opens his door to Mormon missionaries Sister Paxton (The Fabelmans' Chloe East) and Sister Barnes (Yellowjackets' Sophie Thatcher). The pair have already had a rough day of lugging their bikes up and down steep stairs, getting made fun of by local teenage girls, and weathering the beginnings of a gnarly rainstorm. After all that, Mr. Reed's genuine interest in the Mormon Church is just the pick-me-up they need. And while mission rules forbid them from being alone with him without a woman present, he insists that his shy wife is just in the kitchen whipping up a marvelous blueberry pie. That's all the confirmation Paxton and Barnes need to enter his home and start teaching him about their faith.
Once inside, though, the red flags start piling up. Turns out Mr. Reed knows quite a bit about Mormonism. Look no further than his heavily marked-up copy of the Book of Mormon. ("More like Mr. Read," Paxton jokes, desperate to land her first baptism.) Then there are his pointed probes about Mormon founder Joseph Smith and polygamy. At first glance, these could just be mistaken for run-of-the-mill religious skepticism. But when coupled with personal questions about the death of Barnes' father, it's clear something more sinister is afoot. From here, all Heretic needs is one push — in this case, the reveal that "Mrs. Reed" is nothing more than a blueberry-scented lie — to send Paxton and Barnes hurtling into hell.
SEE ALSO: 25 of the best Christmas horror movies to haunt your holiday"Hell" of course being the back section of Mr. Reed's house, which includes a chapel he built himself, as well as two staircases — one marked "belief," the other "disbelief" — leading down into the darkness. These staircases become the focal point for a religious battle of wits, as Mr. Reed tests the Sisters' faith to its limit.
Heretic's religious horror is not the scariest thing about it. Chloe East and Sophie Thatcher in "Heretic." Credit: A24Most of this battle of wits plays out in conversation, with Heretic quickly cementing itself as the chattiest horror movie of the year. (While introducing Heretic at this year's Fantastic Fest, Beck and Woods said they created it as the inverse to A Quiet Place, which created scares without any dialogue.) As Mr. Reed lures Paxton and Barnes deeper into his web, each conversational turn and cutting question become cause for more and more dread. Yet that's less due to the actual content of the conversations, and more about Beck and Woods' claustrophobic direction of this three-hander. Tight close-ups on Mr. Reed, Paxton, and Barnes' faces keep us locked into their discussion, while the single-location setting reminds us that there is no escape.
Ostensibly, the theological debate that this trio engages in is meant to be the meat of Heretic's horror, as Paxton and Barnes reckon with their relationship to God in a time of crisis. But the film's religious discourse is mostly skin-deep — albeit fun.
SEE ALSO: 10 terrifying religious horror movies you can stream right nowTake, for example, a show-stopping monologue from Grant, delivered like a sermon from his own pulpit, about the iterative connections between everything from religion to Monopoly to Lana Del Rey. (A Jar Jar Binks impression makes its way in there too, and Grant makes a delightful meal of it, as he does with everything else in the film.) The actual messaging about religion being nothing more than an elaborate marketing farce isn't particularly groundbreaking — you could just as easily find these ideas on any atheist message board. It's the way Grant delivers it, with all the panache of a smarmy debate bro, that really sets your teeth on edge.
That's because Heretic mines its greatest scares not from its questions about religion, but from the age-old truth that it's just really terrifying to be a woman alone with a strange man. Especially when that strange man combines the mannerisms of rom-com Hugh Grant with the trap-loving sensibilities of Saw's John Kramer.
Hugh Grant in Heretic is some of the best horror casting in recent memory. Hugh Grant in "Heretic." Credit: A24The root of Heretic's true horror begins with Grant's performance. Here, the actor is fully in what'd we consider to be his rom-com mode, employing the tricks he uses in his romantic roles. Mr. Reed is all affable grins and shrugs, politely tripping over his words, then mugging apologetically when he mixes up names or asks an uncomfortable question. He seems almost sorry to be asking Barnes and Paxton to head into his creepy basement, when in reality he's in total control.
That knowing lack of acknowledgment of his control carries over into Beck and Woods' script. While some of Heretic's religious musings can feel overwritten, Mr. Reed's social manipulation of the Sisters is spot-on. He claims, time and time again, that he isn't pressuring them — never mind the fact that he's locked them in his house. He accuses Barnes and Paxton of getting too worked-up, discounting their very valid fears about him. Who can stay calm when a man is, once again, coercing them into his basement?
East and Thatcher play Paxton and Barnes' reactions perfectly, with the pair attempting to defuse the situation without upsetting Mr. Reed. Their discomfort comes through at first in small ways. Thatcher's firmer Barnes refuses a drink from Mr. Reed, while East's sweet, more unsure Paxton responds to most of his questions through awkward giggles. But as the cracks in Mr. Reed's façade begin to show, the panic becomes ever clearer on the Sisters' faces, even as they try to remain polite. Repeated questions to meet Mrs. Reed become shorthand for terror. Paxton and Barnes invent excuses to try to extricate themselves. Later, they dull down their intelligence and beliefs in an attempt to appeal to what they think Mr. Reed wants from them — Paxton even thanks him as she begins her descent downstairs. It's a stomach-churning, yet all-too relatable moment of panicked nicety in a film full of them. How do you push away a man who won't allow you to remove yourself from his vicinity? A man who wants to use his religious beliefs to control and mold you to his will — again, sound familiar?
These scenes of Paxton and Barnes diminishing themselves make the moments when they fight back all the sweeter. They choose to meet Mr. Reed on his own intellectual turf, challenging him on his clearly well-rehearsed points. And whether or not you agree with Mr. Reed's religious beliefs or the Sisters', each rebuttal of theirs hits hard by virtue of them facing down their captor.
Heretic's dialogue — no matter how high school debate-y it threatens to get — is delivered with such malevolent fun by Grant and such ferocity by East and Thatcher that by the time the film falls into more traditional slasher mode, it's a shame to part with these conversations. Frightening reveals and boatloads of religious and occult iconography (much of it delivered in impressively crafted statues and images throughout Mr. Reed's house) certainly get the blood pumping. But they're something you could see in any religious horror movie. What really sets Heretic apart is Grant, the absolute monster of a man he plays, and just how awfully familiar that man is.
Explore how AI can elevate your 9-to-5 — and energize your 5-to-9.
TL;DR: A wide range of AI courses are available to take for free on Udemy.
There has been a lot of conversation about AI in recent times, but we're still not clear on whether or not this technology is going to take over the world. Artificial intelligence may eventually decide to destroy everything we love, but in the meantime, we could all benefit from gaining a better understanding of this new tech.
Fortunately, you can learn how to harness the power of this technology without spending anything. A wide range of AI courses can be found on Udemy. And better yet, some of the best examples can be taken for free.
We've checked out everything on offer and lined up a selection of standout courses to get you started. These are the best online AI courses you can take for free this month:
How To Make YouTube Automation Videos in 20 Minutes Using AI
Midjourney and ChatGPT: Unleash AI for Unique Image Generation
The catch with these free online courses is that you don't get certificates of completion or direct instructor messaging. But you still get unrestricted access to all the video content, so you can learn at a pace that suits you.
Find the best free AI and ChatGPT courses on Udemy.
Opens in a new window Credit: Udemy AI and ChatGPT Courses Free at Udemy Get DealDo you need a little Christmas? Right this very minute? Well, then we recommend you head to Netflix, where an array of holiday movies are present and ready to be unwrapped.
This winter, the streaming service has a festive lineup perfect for whiling away the chilly days and nights at home or picking up your mood if it needs a lift! Whether you're cuing up a special episode of your favorite TV show or just letting that Fireplace for Your Home crackle away in the background, every Netflix holiday title has its time and place in the Christmas streaming-scape.
But, of course, if you're looking for specific recommendations of excellence, we've made a list and checked it twice. Here are some of the best Christmas movies streaming on Netflix this winter season.
20. A Bad Moms Christmas Credit: STXfilmsThis oft-maligned Christmas rager from co-writers/co-directors Scott Moore and Jon Lucas doesn't entirely work as a movie, but it is a delightful companion for multitasking. The 2017 sequel to 2016's Bad Moms features spectacular performances from stars Mila Kunis, Kristen Bell, and Kathryn Hahn, as well as Christine Baranski, Cheryl Hines, and Susan Sarandon as those bad moms' bad moms. Come for the promise of Baranski and a gospel choir; stay for Hahn's killer tank tops. — Alison Foreman, Entertainment Reporter
How to watch: A Bad Moms Christmas is now streaming on Netflix.
19. Dolly Parton's Christmas on the Square Credit: NetflixTrue Dolly Parton fans understand the country star to be more than the celebrity, hero, legend, and icon popular cultural has whittled her down to be. Dolly, you see, is a lifestyle — a way of being, an all-encompassing perspective on personhood. In Dolly Parton's Christmas on the Square, that high-level plane of existence gets the sparkly holiday treatment in a musical romp as shining as Dolly herself. Sure, the whole thing is ridiculously old-fashioned and not surprising in any way. But it's also got exquisite pageantry with Christmas spirit to spare. And of course, the songs are fantastic. — A.F.
How to watch: Dolly Parton's Christmas on the Square is now streaming on Netflix.
18. The Christmas Chronicles Credit: NetflixIf you want to see Kurt Russell slap his butt as Santa, then you've come to the right place. Writer Matt Lieberman (Free Guy) and director Clay Kaytis reimagine the traditional "Someone's gotta save Christmas!" narrative in this familiar but still fun holiday outing with Russell as Old Saint Nick. Judah Lewis and Darby Camp star as a brother and sister who, in trying to catch proof of Santa, get more than they bargained for. Should you fall in love with this over-the-top universe, definitely check out The Christmas Chronicles: Part Two, which features Russell's life partner Goldie Hawn as Mrs. Claus. — A.F.
How to watch: The Christmas Chronicles is now streaming on Netflix.
17. Alien Xmas Credit: NetflixImpress and entertain anyone you're with this holiday season by cuing up Netflix's hidden gem Alien Xmas. This sci-fi adventure from the team behind Elf's iconic stop-motion scenes delivers a charming tale of intergalactic thieves descending upon Earth to steal everything — including Christmas. Part How the Grinch Stole Christmas, part WALL-E, Alien Xmas is an adorable animated adventure that's great for kids and adults alike, with a timeless message. — A.F.
How to watch: Alien Xmas is now streaming on Netflix.
16. A Christmas Prince Credit: NetflixIs A Christmas Prince a movie? Nay, it is a journey. Join our heroine, American journalist Amber Moore (Rose McIver) as she takes on an undercover assignment in the far-off country of Aldovia in this schmaltzy rom-com opposite Ben Lamb as the titular Christmas Prince. This movie is exactly what you think it is, and if that's what you're the mood for? Excellent news: Its even more outrageous sequels, A Christmas Prince: The Royal Wedding and A Christmas Prince: The Royal Baby, are streaming now too. God save King Richard Bevan Charlton. Long may he reign. — A.F.
How to watch: A Christmas Prince is now streaming on Netflix.
15. A Very Murray Christmas Credit: NetflixRemember simpler times with Netflix's 2015 Christmas spectacular A Very Murray Christmas. Directed by Sofia Coppola, this magical presentation featuring Bill Murray has a very loose plot that primarily serves as a revolving door for guest appearances and musical numbers. With a runtime of just 56 minutes, the infectious levity of the project and its supporting cast (including Miley Cyrus, Amy Poehler, George Clooney, Chris Rock, and more) is sure to have you smiling fast. — A.F.
How to watch: A Very Murray Christmas is now streaming on Netflix.
14. Let It Snow Credit: NetflixDirector Luke Snellin's feature-length debut is without question the right pick for anyone on a YA kick come the holidays. With a stellar cast including Shameik Moore, Kiernan Shipka, Isabela Merced, Joan Cusack, and more, Let It Snow adapts the popular novel of the same name — telling three stories of love, friendship, and magic on Christmas Eve in a single small town. Sure, this movie is another offshoot of Love Actually's tremendous influence over the holiday genre catalog. But it's a good one. — A.F.
How to watch: Let It Snow is now streaming on Netflix.
13. Klaus Credit: NetflixWant a different spin on Santa Klaus? Then check out director Sergio Pablos' utterly enchanting — and sharply funny — Klaus, which was nominated for Best Animated Film at the 2020 Academy Awards. Playing like a festive spin on The Emperor's New Groove, this inventive animated adventure centers on a self-centered rich boy named Jesper Johansson (voiced by a pitch-perfect Jason Schwartzman), who is pitched out of his life of privilege into a remote village that's divided by an intense feud. He's there to deliver the mail, and — in a convoluted but charming way — concocts a plan that involves a reclusive woodworker (J.K. Simmons) with a treasure trove of carved toys and a giddy group of kiddies eager to write letters for gift-getting wishes. How will all of that turn to holiday cheer? Discovering that is just a part of the whimsical magic of Klaus. — Kristy Puchko, Entertainment Editor
SEE ALSO: 'Klaus' director Sergio Pablos discusses the challenges of traditional 2D animationHow to watch: Klaus is now streaming on Netflix.
12. Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey Credit: Gareth Gatrell / NetflixJingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey is absurd in all the ways you actually want. As Mashable's Angie Han wrote in her official review of the steampunk musical extravaganza, "It's all entirely too much, in a way that feels just right — like a Christmas stocking bursting at the seams with too many goodies." Surprisingly sweet and an important step for Black representation in Christmas films, Jingle Jangle will make you happy this holiday. Pinky promise. — A.F.
SEE ALSO: 'Jingle Jangle' stars discuss representation in holiday filmsHow to watch: Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey is now streaming on Netflix.
11. A Boy Called Christmas Credit: NetflixSure, Christmas technically already has an origin story, but some of us are looking for a more epic, secular, fantastical tale to sink our teeth into. Enter: A Boy Called Christmas, adapted from the 2015 Matt Haig novel of the same name.
Featuring Henry Lawfull, Sally Hawkins, Kristen Wiig, Stephen Merchant, Jim Broadbent, Toby Jones, and Dame Maggie Smith, A Boy Called Christmas follows a young boy who embarks on an incredible adventure through the ice and snow to find the land of the elves and bring hope to his people. He's got a trusty mouse sidekick at his side and a can-do attitude. Hold on to your cocoa, folks; this movie is positively radiating with holiday spirit! — Kristina Grosspietsch, Freelance Contributing Writer
How to watch: A Boy Called Christmas is now streaming on Netflix.
10. Single All the Way Credit: Philippe Bosse / NetflixAfter a bad breakup, Peter (Michael Urie) heads home to New Hampshire for the holidays with his best friend Nick (Philemon Chambers) in tow, hatching a foolproof plan to pretend to date Nick so his family won't harp on his recent heartbreak. As soon as he arrives, however, Peter's family sets him up with a hunky local spin instructor. And when things go well, Peter begins to wonder if maybe it’s time to move back to New Hampshire for good. Will Nick agree?
Written by Chad Hodge and directed by Michael Mayer — Broadway veterans, both! — 2021's Single All the Way is an excellent romantic comedy for the holidays. It's funny, it's charming, and it's got the right amount of true human emotion to make this a new feel-good Christmas classic. Oh, and the absolutely stacked cast (which includes Jennifer Coolidge, Kathy Najimy, and Luke Macfarlane) doesn’t hurt! — K.G.
How to watch: Single All the Way is now streaming on Netflix.
9. Falling for Christmas Credit: Scott Everett White / NetflixWhat is a "good movie," really? Does it need a coherent plot, believable stakes, and characters that act like human beings? Sure. So, by that metric, Falling for Christmas is not a good movie. And yet, it is the movie that ushered in the Lindsay Lohan renaissance of the 2020s, and for that, we are extremely grateful! Yes, it's silly — but it's the best kind of silly, mindless fluff.
Lohan is wooden but charming as Sierra Belmont, a wealthy, disconnected heiress about to get engaged to her flighty, absurd influencer BF Tad (George Young). But then she falls off a mountain (seriously) and wakes up in the care of down-to-earth widowed dad Jake (Chord Overstreet), with no memory of what happened! You heard that correctly; this is not a drill! It's a Christmas-amnesia-rom-com, people!!!! — K.G.
How to watch: Falling for Christmas is now streaming on Netflix.
8. The Princess Switch Credit: NetflixIn the same fictional Christmas-verse as Netflix's A Christmas Prince, Stacy (Vanessa Hudgens) is an American chef on her way to the made-up European country of Belgravia for a baking competition. There she runs into Lady Margaret Delacourt (also Hudgens), future wife of Belgravia's crown prince, who is looking for a break from the country's rabid media. Her solution? That she and Stacy switch places, of course! What could go wrong? Surely, no one will notice an American nobody pretending to be a duchess! Surely, these two women won't definitely fall in love with the men in each other's lives... right? Right?!
Zany, bubbly, and the opposite of subtle, The Princess Switch — along with sequels The Princess Switch: Switched Again and The Princess Switch 3: Romancing the Star — is a perfect watch for when you're in the mood for some sugary-sweet nonsense. — K.G.
How to watch: The Princess Switch is now streaming on Netflix.
7. A Castle for Christmas Credit: NetflixBrooke Shields is Sophie, an American novelist looking to escape the PR frenzy around her newest book. She absconds to a small town in Scotland where her grandfather once lived, and after feeling a connection to the place, promptly tries to buy the rundown castle. (Sure!) The catch? Current owner Myles (Cary Elwes) refuses to sell unless Sophie can survive both of them living there together for 90 days. It's like an only-one-bed situation, but with an entire castle. Myles hopes he can scare Sophie off… but as time goes on, does he still want her to go?
So many Christmas romantic comedies feature stiff acting, but Shields and Elwes both abound with energy and charisma. A Castle for Christmas is a no-brainer holiday watch: It's cheerful, it's charming, and you're genuinely rooting for these two to get together! — K.G.
How to watch: A Castle for Christmas is now streaming on Netflix.
6. The Knight Before Christmas Credit: Brooke Palmer / NetflixThe Knight Before Christmas has all your favorite holiday movie tropes: a precocious little girl, a woman who no longer believes in love, and the man who is going to change her mind. Except the man in question here is Sir Cole (Josh Whitehouse), a medieval knight who has been transported to the present and doesn't understand a thing about this new world. Good thing the woman, Brooke (Vanessa Hudgens, Netflix Christmas queen!), is there to help him figure it all out. The Knight Before Christmas is just as cheesy as you think it is, but that doesn't mean it's not a fun watch! It’s like a Christmas-y Kate & Leopold, but with less gravitas and more hijinks. — K.G.
How to watch: The Knight Before Christmas is now streaming on Netflix.
5. Our Little Secret Credit: Bob Mahoney / NetflixLindsay Lohan is back! The Mean Girls star brings her winsome energy to Our Little Secret, a cute comedy about past loves, big secrets, and the absolute awkwardness of meeting your partner's family for the first time. Once childhood sweethearts, Avery (Lohan) and Logan (Ian Harding) were everything to each other. After a surprise holiday wedding proposal goes off badly, they lose touch for 10 years, only to turn up at the same family gathering — because they're dating siblings! With shades of Anyone but You, Our Little Secret has the pair hiding their past relationship to keep things chill and avoid the ire of an intense mother hen (Kristin Chenoweth). Amid holiday hijinks and incredible social pressure, will these old flames re-ignite like a Yule log? — K.P.
How to watch: Our Little Secret begins streaming on Netflix on Nov. 27.
4. The Merry Gentlemen Credit: Katrina Marcinowski / NetflixThe Full Monty meets holiday rom-com in The Merry Gentleman. When her big-city dreams take a big hit, professional dancer Ashley (Britt Robertson) finds fresh purpose in her small hometown. There, her parents' performance venue, The Rhythm Room, is at risk of closing. But perhaps one hit show could save the theater? More specifically, an all-male dance review combining Christmas music and strapping hunks ready to strip down from their gay apparel for a whooping audience. While counting down to a Christmas that'll make or break her family, Ashley gets her groove back, not only by throwing herself into this creative Christmas production but also by falling for a buff — and a bit gruff — handyman (Chad Michael Murray). Heads up: The Merry Gentleman is nowhere near as flashy or smoking hot as Magic Mike. But if you're seeking to get a bit heated in these chilly months, it'll go down like a cup of cocoa. — K.P.
How to watch: The Merry Gentlemen begins streaming on Netflix on Nov. 20.
3. That Christmas Credit: NetflixThere are plenty of Santa stories to choose from each winter. (Heck, there are several on this list!) But only one has a script co-written by Love, Actually's Richard Curtis — and a Father Christmas voiced by Succession's Brian Cox! Based on Curtis' adorable children's book trilogy, That Christmas is an animated adventure that features a debonair Santa Claus and a wise-cracking reindeer sidekick, as well as a mighty blizzard that pitches parents into peril, leaving their kids to band together to save the holiday. And hey, maybe they'll get a little help from a certain icon of gift-giving and goodwill. — K.P.
How to watch: That Christmas begins streaming on Netflix on Dec. 4.
2. Hot Frosty Credit: Petr Maur / NetflixWhat if Frosty was a hunk? That's the premise of this cheeky holiday rom-com that's a mix of festive, funny, and mildly horny. Mean Girls Lacey Chabert and Schitt's Creek's Dustin Milligan star in this tale of Girl Meets Snowman. She's a small-town diner owner whose heartbreak doesn't stop her from giving plenty of warmth and joy to others. He is a buff snowman, carved — complete with nipples and rippling abs! — for a winter festival display. But a holiday wish brings him to life, turning him into a flesh-and-blood himbo/Golden Retriever boyfriend... who melts if he gets too hot. (Hm. Well, that's less than ideal.) Will love find a way? And did screenwriter Russell Hainline mean to reference Terminator with a nude intro that leads into a festive crime spree?
If you're intrigued, you'll treasure Hot Frosty. — K.P.
How to watch: Hot Frosty begins streaming on Netflix on Nov. 13.
1. Meet Me Next Christmas Credit: Marni Grossman / NetflixA festive tale of fate, love, and music frolics forth in Meet Me Next Christmas. Christina Milian stars as Layla, a gorgeous and generous "miracle worker" whose not-for-profit work secures scholarships for students to attend HBCUs. She deserves a holiday that's out of the movies... And it will be.
Screenwriters Molly Haldeman and Camilla Rubis cleverly pluck elements from The Holiday, Serendipity, and Sleepless in Seattle to create an NYC-set fairy tale about taking a chance on a new romance. After a meet-cute with a dashing man (Kofi Siriboe) in an airport lounge, lovelorn Layla becomes convinced that tickets to see Pentatonix at a sold-out Christmas Eve show will be all she needs to make a love connection that will last. To get this hot ticket, she'll need the help of a committed (and cute) broker (Devale Ellis), who will be her guide through the decadent halls, quirky characters, and oddball antics that is Christmas in New York City. — K.P.
How to watch: Meet Me Next Christmas is now streaming on Netflix.
Honorable Mention: Home for ChristmasNot a movie but a two-season series out of Norway, Home for Christmas is a must-watch for the holiday season. The wildly charming Ida Elise Broch stars as Johanne, a 30-year-old single nurse who is tired of being chucked to the kids' table for the holidays. So, she tells a little lie, claiming she'll be bringing a beau to her parents' Christmas Eve dinner. Now, she just needs to find someone before the holiday is upon her!
With episodes under thirty minutes, Home for Christmas is a short-and-sweet treat that explores love and sex while also confronting the frustrating social standards put on women to mate up. While there are doses of sobering drama as Johanne confronts loneliness, family discord, and loss, the series is overwhelmingly warm and funny. And if you're not into subtitles, the overdub is perfect for watching while gift-wrapping! — K.P.
How to watch: Home for Christmas Seasons 1 and 2 are now streaming on Netflix.
UPDATE: Nov. 6, 2024, 1:39 p.m. EST This list was originally published on Dec. 21, 2020. It has been updated by Kristy Puchko and Kristina Grosspietsch to reflect current Netflix offerings.
SAVE $700: As part of Best Buy’s early Black Friday doorbuster deals, the LG UltraGear 45-inch OLED Gaming Monitor is now $999.99, down from $1,699.99.
Opens in a new window Credit: LG LG UltraGear 45-Inch OLED Gaming Monitor $999.99 at Best BuyReady to level up your gaming setup with a screen that’ll make you feel like you are in the game? Best Buy’s early Black Friday doorbuster deals have you covered with the LG UltraGear 45-inch OLED gaming monitor, now priced at $999.99. That’s a $700 discount on one of the most drool-worthy monitors out there — this deal is practically begging you to ditch your old screen and dive into the OLED world.
Let’s talk specs. This 45-inch curved OLED screen doesn’t just look impressive; it’s packed with features to maximize your gaming experience. Its 21:9 aspect ratio offers more screen area than many standard 49-inch monitors, creating a fully immersive experience thanks to its steep 800R curve. Combine that with a blazing 240Hz refresh rate and a nearly instant 0.03ms response time, and you’ve got yourself a monitor that’s all about speed and precision — perfect for those high-stakes, blink-and-you-miss-it moments in your favorite FPS or racing game.
SEE ALSO: Best Buy is treating most of November like Black FridayBut it’s not just about size and speed — the UltraGear’s OLED panel is VESA DisplayHDR True Black 400 certified, giving you deep, inky blacks and brilliant contrast for an immersive viewing experience, even in the darkest scenes. Gamers who crave silky-smooth visuals will appreciate the built-in NVIDIA G-SYNC compatibility and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, ensuring buttery-smooth gameplay with minimal screen tearing or stutter.
And LG didn’t skimp on connectivity options either. The UltraGear comes loaded with HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 1.4, and USB Type-C ports, so you’re set for 4K consoles, high-powered gaming PCs, and more. You’ll also find built-in speakers and DTS Headphone support for that crisp 3D audio, whether gaming out loud or immersing yourself with headphones.
If you’re looking for a screen to match your setup’s ambition, this LG UltraGear deal is a no-brainer. This early Black Friday Doorbuster won’t last forever, so if you’ve been dreaming of an OLED upgrade, now’s the time to act.
Best Buy is dropping new doorbusters on select tech every Friday — starting Nov. 8 through Dec. 20. We'll keep an eye out for the best deals in the run up to Black Friday.
SAVE $370: As of Nov. 8, the HP Victus 15.6-inch Gaming Laptop is on sale for $429.99 at Best Buy, down from its regular price of $799.99.
Opens in a new window Credit: HP HP Victus 15.6” Gaming Laptop $429.99 at Best BuyGaming laptops don’t usually come cheap, but Best Buy’s early Black Friday doorbuster deals are shaking things up. Now, you can score the HP Victus 15.6-inch Gaming Laptop for $429.99 (originally $799.99), meaning you’ll save a whopping $370 while still getting a rig that’s more than capable of keeping up with the latest games. This is the kind of deal that’ll have you flexing on your friends — because who doesn’t love a good budget-friendly flex?
The HP Victus packs a punch, featuring an AMD Ryzen 5 7535HS processor paired with an AMD Radeon RX 6550M graphics card. Translation? Smooth 1080p gameplay without any juddering frames to ruin your flow. With its 144Hz Full HD screen, say goodbye to image ghosting and lag; this display has your back, especially if you’re into high-paced, blink-and-you’ll-miss-it action. And thanks to AMD FreeSync Premium technology, you get that sweet, stutter-free gameplay every time.
SEE ALSO: 5 reasons to switch to a refurbished HP EliteDesk desktop computer for less than $300Storage won’t be an issue here either. The 512GB PCIe NVMe SSD not only gives you room for your games but loads them faster than you can say “spawn point.” Plus, with 8GB of DDR5 memory, this machine is as ready for multitasking as it is for marathon gaming sessions. And if you’re running low on juice mid-battle, HP Fast Charge will get you back to 50% in around 30 minutes — enough time for a quick snack and back to the grind.
Oh, and you’re also getting three months of PC Game Pass for free, so you can dive right into hundreds of games and put your new rig through its paces. With features like a backlit keyboard for late-night gaming, Wi-Fi 6 for smoother connections, and a sleek, portable design, this HP Victus isn’t just a gaming laptop — it’s a steal.
If you’re ready to level up your setup without feeling the squeeze, this early Black Friday doorbuster deal at Best Buy is an opportunity to snag some power on a budget.
Best Buy is dropping new doorbusters on select tech every Friday — starting Nov. 8 through Dec. 20. We'll keep an eye out for the best deals in the run up to Black Friday.
SAVE $200: As part of Best Buy’s early Black Friday doorbuster deals, the Samsung 75-inch DU6950 Series 4K Smart TV is on sale for $549.99, down from $749.99.
Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung 75-inch DU6950 Series 4K Smart TV $549.99 at Best BuyBlack Friday isn’t here yet, but Best Buy’s early doorbuster deals have already arrived — and the Samsung 75-inch DU6950 4K Smart TV is a standout offer. Currently discounted to $549.99 (27% off its regular $749.99 price), this mega-screen delivers Samsung’s high-quality picture technology, smart features, and all-around entertainment value. If you want to upgrade your home theater ahead of Black Friday, now’s a prime time to snag a big screen at a fraction of the usual price.
With PurColor technology, the DU6950 provides an extended color range that enhances the detail and vibrancy of each scene, whether it’s a Hollywood blockbuster or a nature documentary. Samsung’s 4K upscaling also sharpens older content, giving everything from classic films to last season’s binge-watching hits a fresh look in Ultra HD resolution. For sports fans, the Motion Xcelerator feature reduces lag and blur, ensuring that fast-moving scenes stay smooth and clear — no frustrating pixelation during those critical plays.
SEE ALSO: Samsung Galaxy Ring vs. Oura Ring: What are the differences?In addition to visual upgrades, Samsung has equipped this model with Object Tracking Sound Lite, which delivers 3D surround sound that moves with on-screen action. Pairing it with a Samsung Q or S series soundbar unlocks Q Symphony mode, which combines sound from both the TV and soundbar for a richer audio experience.
The Samsung DU6950 also comes with Samsung’s Tizen OS for easy access to streaming services, apps, and workouts, plus Samsung TV Plus, which offers live TV channels over WiFi for free. As one of Best Buy’s early Black Friday Doorbuster deals, this $200 discount brings a high-end, smart 4K experience to your living room without the packed Black Friday crowds.
Best Buy is dropping new doorbusters on select tech every Friday — starting Nov. 8 through Dec. 20. We'll keep an eye out for the best deals in the run up to Black Friday.
SAVE $270: As of Nov. 8, the Dyson Digital Slim Cordless Vacuum is on sale for $229.99 at Best Buy, down from its original $499.99.
Opens in a new window Credit: Dyson Dyson Digital Slim Cordless Vacuum $229.99 at Best BuyDyson’s Digital Slim Cordless Vacuum may be a game-changer for anyone tired of dragging heavy vacuums through tight spaces. It’s 33% lighter than the Dyson V11 yet packs serious suction power, making it a lightweight hero for your floors. And with Best Buy’s deal dropping the price to $229.99 (54% off its regular $499.99), now’s a solid time to snag one if you’re looking to save without skimping on quality.
The Dyson Digital Slim’s standout feature is its versatility: not only does it tackle all types of flooring with its Motorbar cleaner head, but it also de-tangles hair as you go. This is especially handy if you have pets or long hair that tend to get wrapped up in vacuums. And, unlike some models that spit air back out, Dyson’s whole-machine filtration captures 99.99% of particles as small as 0.3 microns, expelling cleaner air — a big plus if allergies are a concern.
SEE ALSO: Stay cozy (or cool) with the heavily discounted Dyson Hot+CoolIf you’ve got different cleaning needs throughout the house, you’ll appreciate its three cleaning modes: Eco for longer runtime, Auto for everyday cleaning, and Boost for those tougher messes. In Eco mode, you get up to 40 minutes of fade-free cleaning, perfect for getting through the whole house on a single charge. Plus, the vacuum quickly converts to a handheld for tackling upholstery, car interiors, or tricky spots you usually ignore.
The icing on the cake? An LCD screen displays battery life, cleaning mode, and maintenance alerts in real-time, giving you all the details at a glance. And with a two-year warranty and Dyson’s lifetime support, you’re covered for the long haul. This $270 discount at Best Buy is the perfect time to grab a Dyson if you’ve been holding out.
Best Buy is dropping new doorbusters on select tech every Friday — starting Nov. 8 through Dec. 20. We'll keep an eye out for the best deals in the run up to Black Friday.
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 Nov. 7's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections 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 November 8 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: Puck protection
Green: Yellow flag topics
Blue: Hoop dreams
Purple: Different types of this sport
Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:
Yellow - Hockey equipment
Green - Football penalties
Blue - Basketball movies
Purple - ____ Hockey
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 #46 is...
What is the answer to Connections Sports Edition todayHockey equipment: GLOVE, HELMET, SKATES, STICK
Football penalties: CLIPPING, FACE MASK, HOLDING, OFFSIDE
Basketball movies: HOOSIERS, HUSTLE, SEMI-PRO, SPACE JAM
____ Hockey: AIR, FIELD, FLOOR, ICE
Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.
Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Connections.
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 Friday, November 8, 2024:
AcrossBoringly dullThe answer is Blah.
The answer is Pause.
The answer is Anise.
The answer is Waged.
The answer is Slit.
The answer is Banal.
The answer is Luigi (without the ').
The answer is Asset.
The answer is Heed.
The answer is Paws.
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.
If you're reading this, you're looking for a little help playing Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game.
Strands requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns. Every single letter in the grid will be part of an answer. There's always a theme linking every solution, along with the "spangram," a special, word or phrase that sums up that day's theme, and spans the entire grid horizontally or vertically.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on 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 November 8 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for November 8 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: 👋👏🤝🤏✌️☝️✊🙏These words are literal translations.
Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explainedWords for what these hands are doing.
NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.
NYT Strands spangram answer todayToday's spangram is HandGestures.
Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for November 8Pinch
Wave
Fist
Shake
Pray
Peace
Point
Clap
HandGestures
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.
Right from its first episode, Alfonso Cuarón's Disclaimer warned us to "beware of narrative and form." After all, the person telling a story and the way in which they choose to tell it can be just as manipulative or misleading as an outright lie. Now, in Disclaimer's finale, that driving question of narrative manipulation finally comes to a head.
Throughout Disclaimer's first six episodes, we've only heard one side of the story of Jonathan Brigstocke's (Louis Partridge) death, as laid out in a book by his mother Nancy (Lesley Manville). As Nancy writes in The Perfect Stranger, documentarian Catherine Ravenscroft (played in the present by Cate Blanchett, and in the past by Leila George) seduced Jonathan while on vacation in Italy with her young son, Nicholas (Kodi Smit-McPhee). Nancy's evidence? Photos of Catherine in lingerie, then in the nude, that she found while developing film from Jonathan's camera.
SEE ALSO: 'Disclaimer' review: Cate Blanchett and Alfonso Cuarón's thriller series will shatter youAccording to The Perfect Stranger, Catherine convinced Jonathan to stay with her an extra day to extend their beachside affair. However, as the two rushed off to have sex, Nicholas went out into the sea on a small boat, unsupervised. Upon returning to the beach, Jonathan saved him, only to drown as lifeguards focused solely on saving Nicholas.
Nancy believes that Catherine made the monstrous choice not to call attention to Jonathan's struggles out at sea because he'd wanted to return to London with her, which would complicate matters with her husband, Robert (Sacha Baron Cohen). She channeled that hatred of Catherine into writing The Perfect Stranger. Upon Nancy's death, her husband, Stephen (Kevin Kline), used that manuscript to steadily tear Catherine's life apart, all without having ever met her.
The two finally come face to face in Disclaimer's finale, and Catherine gets to share her side of the story. While she admits Nancy got some elements of the story right — details of the location, for example, and the fact that Catherine chose to stay silent about Jonathan's drowning — her telling is far from the lusty sexual escapades detailed in The Perfect Stranger. Instead, it's a graphic, devastating account of sexual assault, one that throws all of Disclaimer into a harsh new light. Let's break it down.
SEE ALSO: 'Blitz' review: Steve McQueen's World War II epic dazzles but ultimately disappoints What really happened between Catherine and Jonathan in Disclaimer? Leila George in "Disclaimer." Credit: AppleTV+As Catherine tells Stephen in Disclaimer's finale, Jonathan broke into her hotel room and forced her at knifepoint to undress. Hoping to protect herself and Nicholas, she complied. He then made her pose for him as he took photos, and raped her throughout the night. Disclaimer shows the traumatic scene in detail, but without any diegetic sound. Instead, all we hear is Catherine's narration, retelling a story she's never told anyone else.
Her narration continues into the next day, when, hoping to maintain an air of normalcy for Nicholas, she took him to the beach. Exhausted and in pain from Jonathan's assault, she falls asleep, at which point Nicholas drifts off to sea. From here, the story plays out similarly to Nancy's conception of it: Jonathan rushes out to save Nicholas; lifeguards bring the boy safely back to shore; and Catherine says nothing about Jonathan. However, Catherine's motivation here is more complicated, as the young man who saved her son's life is her rapist.
SEE ALSO: 'A Real Pain' review: Jesse Eisenberg and Kieran Culkin charm as odd-couple cousinsWith Jonathan dead, and with everyone believing him to be a hero, Catherine chose to get rid of any evidence she'd collected of the assault, including photos she took of her injuries. "I thought, 'Thank God he's dead. I don't have to prove myself innocent to anyone. I don't have to talk about it if I don't want to. I don't have to relive it if I don't want to,'" she tells Stephen.
Catherine also reveals she learned she was pregnant after the trip and, not knowing whether the father was Robert or Jonathan, terminated the pregnancy. With all physical traces of the assault gone, she hoped to continue her life as if nothing ever happened. But the arrival of The Perfect Stranger re-ignited that trauma, painting her as the villain when she was in fact a victim.
Disclaimer has been building to this reveal for a while. Kevin Kline and Cate Blanchett in "Disclaimer." Credit: AppleTV+I'm always conflicted when film and TV use sexual assault as a plot device. Too often, it can feel like hollow shock factor, brutalization for brutalization's sake. That Disclaimer positions Catherine's rape as a twist, especially after six episodes of what feels more like a pulpy thriller, threatens to push the show into shock-factor territory.
However, Disclaimer has been building to Catherine's story for its entire run, planting seeds of doubt in the viewers' minds even as Stephen, Robert, and Nicholas blindly believe the fantasy Nancy has presented. For example, we learn that the suggestive photos Jonathan took of Catherine on the beach were nonconsensual images of her brushing sand from her thighs and chest well before they met. We also learn that the small knife wound Nancy saw on Jonathan's arm at the morgue was self-inflicted as part of his attempts to scare Catherine. And we get a better understanding of why Jonathan's girlfriend, Sasha (Liv Hill), left him in Italy in the first place. It wasn't because her aunt died, as Nancy wrote in The Perfect Stranger. Instead, it's because of a fight the two had that led to her mother making what Nancy called some "extreme" accusations. While we never learn exactly what those are, there's a clear undertone of sexual violence to their parting — one that Stephen and especially Nancy conveniently ignore.
Then, of course, there's the fact that The Perfect Stranger is solely a product of Nancy's speculation, and we know that she has a very rosy outlook on who Jonathan was. (It's an outlook that Cuarón renders literal with the warm, summery glow of any scene lifted from The Perfect Stranger.) Her version of Jonathan is such a perfect, innocent angel that it's impossible to think of him as a real person — he's literally too good to be true.
SEE ALSO: 'Only Murders in the Building' Season 4 finale: Wait, what about those loose ends from Season 1?Nancy's overprotectiveness of Jonathan's character in death means she offloads flaw after flaw onto her fictionalized version of Catherine, someone she's only seen in suggestive photos. Because of this, she leans hard into the misogynistic trope of the predatory older woman, painting Catherine as a demonic temptress. (Only one of these women has written Kylie Minogue-centric erotica about her son, though.)
Cuarón combats Nancy's characterization of Catherine as a temptress through elements beyond the narrative content of Catherine's encounter with Jonathan. For instance, the paintings on Catherine's hotel room ceiling shift depending on the account. In Nancy's imaginings of Catherine and Jonathan's passionate love affair, the ceiling depicts lovers entwined in a passionate embrace. When Catherine recalls her assault, she remembers the ceiling bearing the image of an ailing woman held up by angels, while the painting above her bed is a woman in a frightened state of undress.
Elsewhere, Catherine wears a red swimsuit the day of Jonathan's death in The Perfect Stranger — the same color she wore when they met. But in Catherine's memory, the swimsuit is black, reminiscent of mourning and the pain she suffered the night before. Of course, the small details in Catherine's telling may not all be objectively "true," as they are a memory. But they inform the tone of her recollection of a great trauma, and because of that, there's far more truth to them than Nancy's fiction — especially since Nancy's only "proof" was a set of photographs. And as Catherine tells Stephen, "photographs are not reality...They are a fragment of reality."
In the end, that's what Disclaimer comes down to: Do you choose to believe shocking fragments of a tale presented out of context? Or do you question them and seek the truth?
Stephen and Robert choose the former, with Stephen using the photos as part of his quest for vengeance, and Robert using them to further fuel his conception of himself as a victim at Catherine's hands. Neither stop to consider what Catherine might say, leading each to ask themselves the same thing about The Perfect Stranger in the finale: "Why did you not question it?" The simplest answer might just be that they never even considered the alternative, so caught up are they in the beleaguered heroism of their own stories.
And that brings us back to Catherine, whose own perspective throughout Disclaimer has been carefully guarded, characterized only by a scolding narrator (voiced by Indira Varma) who picks at her shame. Based on that narration, it could be easy to assume Catherine is guilty of everything Nancy accuses her of. Yet her abject horror at The Perfect Stranger, as well as the many holes in Nancy's story, are more than enough reason to start doubting the story we've been presented about Jonathan. With Catherine's revelation in Disclaimer's finale, the series confirms all these doubts. All along, we haven't been watching a woman hide from a heinous past crime. Instead, we've been watching Catherine as she's forced to re-live her trauma, something she never thought she'd have to do. It's nothing short of gutting, and less of a twist than a vital narrative re-contextualization.
Disclaimer is now streaming on AppleTV+.
If you have experienced sexual abuse, call the free, confidential National Sexual Assault hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673), or access the 24-7 help online by visiting online.rainn.org.
TL;DR: Get over 130 hours of expert ethical hacking training across 15 courses for just £30.79 through 21 November at the Mashable Shop.
Opens in a new window Credit: StackCommerce The All-in-One Super-Sized Ethical Hacking Course Bundle £30.79 at the Mashable ShopIf you’ve been eyeing a career in cybersecurity, these ethical hacking courses are a great way to get started. With cyber threats as a growing concern, companies are looking for experts who know how to protect their digital assets.
This online learning package includes over 130 hours of expert ethical hacking training on sale for just £30.79 (reg. £845.85). The online courses cover a diverse range of practical cybersecurity skills, from ethical hacking basics to advanced social engineering tactics, all while ensuring you stay on the white hat side of things.
Packed with 15 courses, this bundle kicks off with Python programming so you can create custom penetration testing tools — a skill that’s always in high demand. From there, you’ll dive into WiFi hacking, social engineering, and advanced tools like Metasploit and NMAP, gaining the kind of experience that hiring managers crave. By mastering these techniques, you’re setting yourself up to become a cybersecurity professional capable of protecting networks and outsmarting attackers.
Not only will you learn to crack WiFi passwords, intercept data, and explore the hidden vulnerabilities of networks, but you’ll also discover the world of ethical hacking as a viable career path. The demand for skilled ethical hackers continues to grow, with salaries that reflect the expertise required. With this bundle, you’ll even get hands-on with tools like Burp Suite and BitNinja, which are used by cybersecurity professionals every day.
This training bundle is an investment in a career that could be both personally and financially rewarding.
You can enroll in this ethical hacking course bundle at the Mashable Shop while it's on sale for £30.79 (reg. £845.85) through 21 November.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
TL;DR: Live stream Ireland vs. New Zealand in the Autumn Nations Series for free on Virgin Media Player. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
The Autumn Nations Series brings together the biggest international sides in the world of rugby. Outside of the World Cup, this series of fixtures offers the best chance of seeing the northern and southern hemispheres battle it out.
The biggest game from the second round of Autumn Internationals is surely Ireland vs. New Zealand. These sides last met in the World Cup quarter final, with the All Blacks coming out on top and crushing the dreams of the pre-tournament favorites. Can the Irish come out on top at the Aviva Stadium?
If you want to watch Ireland vs. New Zealand in the Autumn Nations Series from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
When is Ireland vs. New Zealand?Ireland vs. New Zealand in the Autumn Nations Series kicks off at 8:10 p.m. GMT on Nov. 8. This fixture takes place at the Aviva Stadium.
How to watch Ireland vs. New Zealand for freeIreland vs. New Zealand is available to live stream for free on Virgin Media Player in Ireland.
If you're abroad for this fixture, you might need to use a VPN to unblock Virgin Media Player. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Ireland, meaning you can unblock Virgin Media Player to stream the Autumn Nations Series for free from anywhere in the world.
Live stream Ireland vs. New Zealand 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 Ireland
Visit Virgin Media Player
Watch Ireland vs. New Zealand for free from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can access free live streams of the Autumn Nations Series without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to live stream Ireland vs. New Zealand (plus more Autumn Nations Series fixtures) before recovering your investment.
What is the best VPN for Virgin Media Player?ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on Virgin Media Player, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries including Ireland
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure
Fast connection speeds free from throttling
Up to eight simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.
Live stream Ireland vs. New Zealand in the Autumn Nations Series for free with ExpressVPN.
TL;DR: A wide range of Microsoft Excel courses are available to take for free on Udemy.
The online world is full of free resources that can help you build a business, pursue your passions, or simply learn something new.
Online course providers like Udemy host a wide range of lessons on everything from Python programming to ChatGPT. Some of the best examples of these courses can be taken for free, and with unrestricted access to all the video content, learners can tackle the material at your own pace.
A wide range of Microsoft Excel courses are available to take for free on Udemy. We have checked out everything on offer and lined up a selection of standout courses to get you started.
These are the best free Excel courses you can take this month:
It's important to note that these free online courses do not include certificates of completion or direct instructor messaging, but that's the only catch.
Find the best free Excel courses on Udemy.
Opens in a new window Credit: Udemy Microsoft Excel Courses Free at Udemy Get DealTL;DR: Unblock XVideos from anywhere in the world with a VPN. The best VPN for unblocking porn sites is ExpressVPN.
You might feel like you have complete access to the online world, but you're wrong. Your access to porn sites like XVideos will be restricted in many locations around the world, which makes sense. But there is also something to be said for retaining your online freedom.
There are occasions when you simply want to spend some quality time with your favorite sites, and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that. In those moments when you want to bypass content restrictions to access sites like XVideos, you should consider using a VPN.
If you're looking for the best way to unblock porn sites like XVideos from anywhere in the world, we have the information you need.
How to unblock XVideos for freeVPNs can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect to a secure server in another location. This straightforward process bypasses content restrictions so you can access porn sites like XVideos from anywhere in the world.
Access your favorite porn sites by following these simple steps:
Sign up for a 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 that supports access to XVideos
Access XVideos from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for unblocking porn sites are not free, but most do offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can unblock porn sites and then recover your investment at a later date. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it works well if you're temporarily away from home.
What is the best VPN for porn?ExpressVPN is the top choice when it comes to unblocking porn sites like XVideos, 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
Fast streaming speeds free from throttling
Up to eight simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.
Unblock XVideos for free with ExpressVPN.
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