The new show has enlisted a cast of Manhattan real-estate heavyweights, from the rising industry stars under Eleanora's team to a familiar alum from the Million Dollar Listing universe. (No, not Ryan Serhant, that's a different Netflix show.) Read on to learn more about the stars of Selling the City, from their real-estate feats to their star-studded relationship histories.

Abigail Godfrey

Abigail Godfrey hails from Greenville, South Carolina, and attended Clemson University, where she studied psychology and met her husband Pat Godfrey, a former college football player, per her Douglas Elliman profile. She recently became a member of Eleanora's team, and per PEOPLE she closed a 1.7 million dollar deal on a condo in Manhattan's NoMad neighborhood in June 2023.

In addition to real estate, Abigail is a philanthropist who runs the Elite V Football Showcase alongside her husband, where they "provide college recruitment opportunities to under-represented high school athletes from across New York."

Instagram: @theabigodfrey

Eleonora Srugo

Eleonora Srugo, 37, was born in Israel and raised in downtown Manhattan, and she attended Stuyvesant High School before getting her Bachelor's from Boston University. She joined Douglas Elliman in 2009 and rose to "consistently rank among the city's Top 10 Individual Agents," per her bio. She established the Eleanora & CO. team at Douglas Elliman in 2023; that same year, she closed a $75 million+ deal on a Central Park South condo. (Davina, eat your heart out.)

Eleonora is also known for her deep social connections, including NY.C. mayor Eric Adams, and for founding an Alumni Mentoring Program at Stuyvesant.

Instagram: @eleonorasrugo

Gisselle Meneses Nunez

Giselle Meneses-Nunez grew up in New Jersey and attended Montclair State University. She got her start in real estate in her home state and later joined Douglas Elliman in 2022, expanding her sales to include New York properties, per her LinkedIn. (Giselle does not currently have a Douglas Elliman bio.)

As for her personal life, Giselle is a mom to a 16-year-old daughter, and the realtor reveals on Selling the City that she had a "situationship" with Michael B. Jordan seven years ago. (This isn't the first time Jordan has been mentioned in a Selling series, as Sunset's Bre Tiesi also previously revealed her history with the actor.)

Instagram: @gissellemenesesnunez

Jade Chan

Jade Chan was born in N.Y.C. and raised in Atlanta. According to PEOPLE, she started in public relations before joining Douglas Elliman's "administrative side" in 2013. She now lands among the brokerage's top 3 percent of agents, managing a portfolio of over $2 billion of New Development inventory and holding the title of Director of Sales for The Mandarin Oriental Residences Fifth Avenue, per her bio.

Instagram: @nyc_byjade

Jordyn Taylor

Jordyn Taylor Braff, 34, grew up in Southern California and transitioned from the entertainment world to real estate. According to her bio, she currently does business in both L.A. and N.Y.C.

On the philanthropy front, Jordyn is an ambassador for the nonprofit Room to Grow, and she founded Twelve Months of Giving, which is currently on hiatus. Her personal life also comes up in Selling the City, where she opens up about her past relationship with Trevor Noah (and claims she was "the funnier one" in the pairing).

Instagram: @jordyntaylornow

Justin Tuinstra

Justin Tuinstra is a Midwestern native who leads his own team at Douglas Elliman and often works closely with his longtime colleague Eleanora. He started his real estate career in 2008 and joined the brokerage in 2011. Per his bio, Justin "has closed over $500 million in sales and earned himself a reputation as one of New York's most adept market strategists."

Instagram: @justintoddnyc

Steve Gold

Steve Gold is a familiar face to fans of real-estate shows, as he was a cast member on Million Dollar Listing New York from 2017 to 2021. Formerly a vice president at Douglas Elliman, Gold is currently a broker leading his own team at The Corcoran Group. His bio states he has sold over $3 billion in luxury properties.

The 39-year-old has welcomed two daughters with his wife, Luzia.

Instagram: @stevexgold

Taylor Middleton

Taylor Middleton Scavo grew up in Nashville, Tennessee, and attended Vanderbilt University, before moving to N.Y.C. and starting her real estate career in 2013. After stints at Corcoran and Serhant (the brokerage from another Netflix series, Owning Manhattan), Taylor is currently a member of Eleanora's team with over $500 million in career sales, per her bio.

She's married to investment banker Peter Scavo.

Instagram: @taylormiddletonnyc

The five-episode mystery thriller show boasts a talented cast of U.K.-based actors, from familiar faces Eleazar and Richard Armitage to rising stars Jessica Plummer and Mary Malone. The drama also begins with an appearance from influencer GK Barry, in a bit role. Though U.S. viewers may not have noticed the cameo, U.K.-based fans of Missing You are buzzing over the reality star's surprise turn. Read on to learn more about GK Barry and how she came to appear on Missing You.

GK Barry is a social media star and podcast host.

GK Barry, real name Grace Keeling, is a 25-year-old internet and media personality. She currently boasts 1.3 million Instagram followers and 4 million TikTok followers. She first rose to fame when her TikToks went viral during lockdown in 2020, and since 2022, she has hosted the popular talk podcast Saving Grace, which recently had a Christmas live show at OVO Arena Wembley.

Keeling was born in England and lived in the British Virgin Islands for six years before moving back to Cambridge, according to Capital FM.

She became a reality TV star on 'I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!'

In the world of television, Keeling first made a splash in 2024 when she became a guest panelist on the British daytime talk show Loose Women. She and Love Island alum Olivia Attwood, who joined the series in 2023, are the youngest panelists in the show's history.

However, Keeling's biggest claim to fame is part of the cast of the 2024 season of the British survival show I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! She lasted 18 days and came in fifth place on the show, which sees singers, actors, and media personalities undergo Survivor-like challenges in an Australian jungle.

She's interested in acting more after her Netflix debut.

Keeling spoke with Cosmopolitan UK about her acting debut in Missing You, which came about after the show reached out to her manager about her role. Avoiding spoilers, the podcaster described her character as a "foot cam girl."

"We got on a call, and they were explaining who my character was, and it made me laugh so much because it's very on brand," she said, adding that filming took place over one day in September 2024. "They gave me a brief outline of what it was about and read me the line up of people [involved] and I thought, 'I absolutely will do that.'"

The reality star also revealed that she's open to doing more scripted, comedic work in the future.

"I just wanted to do it because I thought it was kind of iconic," she said. "I want to build the CV up so my parents cannot moan about anything! I would do [more acting], like The Office vibes, or something that doesn't involve tense acting. I couldn't do Game of Thrones."

GK Barry is dating athlete Ella Rutherford.

Keeling is currently in a serious relationship with Ella Rutherford, a 24-year-old footballer (or soccer player for us Americans) who plays as a striker for Ipswich Town. Rutherford has occasionally appeared on Saving Grace, and Keeling has publicly opened up about dating a woman and coming out as a lesbian earlier this year.

"I look at men now, and I cannot believe that I wasted so much time," she said in a December 2024 interview with MTV UK. "Obviously, to each their own, whatever, but it's just so different with a woman. You get each other emotionally. I feel like they know where parts of you are that men may not. Everything's just better."

From the latest projects from award-winning and cult-loved directors to the next entry into the Universal Dark Universe to highly anticipated sequels, there are a lot of scary movies and thrillers to look forward to (including some that even scaredy cats can tolerate). Below, find the best horror movies of 2025 that are coming to cinemas soon and later this year. (For recommendations of what to watch right now, check out our list of the best horror movies of 2024.)

'Presence'

Release date: January 24

Starring: Lucy Liu, Julia Fox, Chris Sullivan, Callina Liang, Lucas Papaelias, West Mulholland, and Eddy Maday

Why it’s worth seeing: There are countless haunted house movies, but Steven Soderbergh is set to flip the genre on its head for his latest. The Oscar-winner, known for his innovative filmmaking tactics like shooting on an iPhone, frames Presence entirely through the POV of a ghost haunting a family who moves into a new house.

WATCH THE TRAILER

'Wolf Man'

Release date: January 17

Starring: Christopher Abbott, Julia Garner, Matilda Firth, Sam Jaeger, and Ben Prendergast

Why it’s worth seeing: Leigh Whannell has penned several hit horror movies, many of which were directed by blockbuster genre filmmaker James Wan, from the Saw movies to the Insidious series. He became a filmmaker to watch in his own right by directing 2020’s feminist horror movie The Invisible Man, and he’s back helming this film inspired by Universal Pictures’ iconic monster movie The Wolf Man. In the updated version, Christopher Abbott plays a family man who relocates with his wife (Julia Garner) and daughter (Matilda Firth) to his late father’s remote home in Oregon after his death. When a werewolf attacks him, he transforms himself, much to the horror of his family.

WATCH THE TRAILER

'Companion'

Release date: January 31

Starring: Sophie Thatcher, Jack Quaid, Lukas Gage, Megan Suri, and Harvey Guillén

Why it’s worth seeing: If you liked the 2022 hit Barbarian, add Companion to your must-see list: It comes from the same production team and twists abound. The thriller, written and directed by up-and-comer Drew Hancock, centers around a twisted love story and a weekend away gone very wrong. The plot has been kept under wraps, but, trust us, don’t look up any spoilers before going into this one.

WATCH THE TRAILER

'Heart Eyes'

Release date: February 7

Starring: Olivia Holt, Mason Gooding, Gigi Zumbado, Michaela Watkins, Devon Sawa, and Jordana Brewster

Why it’s worth watching: This horror-comedy comes just in time for Valentine’s Day. The genre-bending serial killer movie is about a pair of coworkers who work late on February 14 and are mistaken for a couple by the sadistic, romance-hating Heart Eyes Killer.

WATCH THE TRAILER

'The Monkey'

Release date: February 21

Starring: Theo James, Tatiana Maslany, Elijah Wood, Christian Convery, Colin O'Brien, Rohan Campbell, and Sarah Levy

Why it’s worth seeing: Did Longlegs give you nightmares but absolutely wow you in 2024? Well, its writer/director Osgood Perkins is already back with another film. An adaptation of genre master Stephen King’s 1980 short story of the same name, Theo James pulls double duty, playing a pair of twins who uncover a creepy toy monkey in their family attic. When deaths start unfolding around them, they have reason to believe the monkey is the cause of it, leading them to hide the toy—and set out to destroy it years later when similar deaths start to occur.

WATCH THE TRAILER

'The Woman in the Yard'

Release date: March 28

Starring: Danielle Deadwyler, Okwui Okpokwasili, Russell Hornsby, Peyton Jackson, and Estella Kahiha

Why it’s worth seeing: Little is known about this upcoming film, but with Danielle Deadwyler (Till, The Piano Lesson) leading the cast and Jaume Collet-Serra (The Orphan, Carry-On) directing, it’s bound to be good. Plus, it’s a Blumhouse release and their hits have been among some of our favorite horror movies over the past decade, from Get Out to M3GAN.

'Drop'

Release date: April 11

Starring: Meghann Fahy, Brandon Sklenar, Jeffery Self, Gabrielle Ryan Spring, Violett Beane, Jacob Robinson, Ed Weeks, Travis Nelson, and Reed Diamond

Why it’s worth seeing: We’ve all had our fair share of bad dates, but few may compare to what happens to Meghann Fahy’s character Violet in this thriller. She stars as a widowed mother who goes on a pleasantly surprising date with a charming man (Brandon Skienar), which quickly turns into a nightmare as she starts to receive texts with a series of commands. Among the requests is an order to kill her date, and if she doesn't, whoever is on the other end of her texts threatens to harm her and her loved ones. Major yikes!

'Sinners'

Release date: April 18

Starring: Michael B. Jordan, Hailee Steinfeld, Jack O'Connell, Wunmi Mosaku, Jayme Lawson, Omar Benson Miller, and Delroy Lindo

Why it’s worth seeing: Whenever frequent collaborators Michael B. Jordan and Ryan Coogler team up, it’s a must-see. The Black Panther and Creed filmmaker’s latest is an original horror movie about twin brothers (both played by Jordan) who return to their hometown, “only to discover that an even greater evil is waiting to welcome them back,” per the synopsis.

WATCH THE TRAILER

'Death of a Unicorn'

Release date: Spring 2025 TBA

Starring: Paul Rudd, Jenna Ortega, Will Poulter, Téa Leoni, and Richard E. Grant

Why it's worth seeing: The title of this A24 horror-comedy is quite literal—which sounds like the makings of a wonderfully weird feature debut from Alex Scharfman. Paul Rudd and Jenna Ortega (a pairing we're obsessed with!) play a father and daughter who hit a real-life unicorn with their car, much to their surprise. When they bring the creature to the dad's company retreat, his boss tries to harness its magical properties to dangerous results.

WATCH THE TRAILER

'M3GAN 2.0'

Release date: June 27

Starring: Allison Williams, Violet McGraw, Amie Donald, Jenna Davis, Brian Jordan Alvarez, Jen Van Epps, Ivanna Sakhno, Timm Sharp, Aristotle Athari, and Jemaine Clement

Why it’s worth seeing: Consider this our most anticipated horror movie of the year! After the Blumhouse's horror-comedy movie about a killer AI doll slayed at the box-office in early 2022, a sequel was green lit. Though her tech was deactivated at the end of the original, we know she's set to make a comeback in the follow-up. Thank goodness.

'I Know What You Did Last Summer' sequel

Release date: July 18

Starring: Freddie Prinze Jr., Chase Sui Wonders, Madelyn Cline, Sarah Pidgeon, Tyriq Withers, Jonah Haur-King, Lola Tung, Nicholas Alexander Chavez, Austin Nichols, and Gabbriette

Why it’s worth watching: Could this cast be any more stacked? I Know What You Did Last Summer is the latest ‘90s movie to get rebooted. For the unfamiliar, the original franchise followed a group of teens being stalked by a killer with a hook for a hand after a tragic accident. The new version is said to have a similar premise, but details remain hush-hush. One thing is for certain though: Freddie Prinze Jr., who appeared in the first movies, is coming back.

'The Conjuring: Last Rites'

Release date: September 5

Starring: Vera Farmiga, Patrick Wilson, Ben Hardy, and Mia Tomlinson

Why it’s worth seeing: The Conjuring universe has produced spinoff series like the Annabelle and The Nun movies, making this sequel the franchise’s whopping ninth installment overall The new film focuses on the paranormal investigators who started it all, the Warrens (Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson), and acts as a direct sequel to 2021’s The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It. The plot has been kept under wraps, though many of the films in the series have been inspired by the Warrens’ real case files.

'Saw XI'

Release date: September 26

Starring: Tobin Bell and TBA

Why it’s worth seeing: Jigsaw isn’t done yet. The eleventh Saw movie is finally coming in 2025, though very few details are known about it. In fact, it was about a year into the film’s development that it was confirmed that Tobin Bell, who has played John Kramer (a.k.a. Jigsaw) since the first movie, will reprise his role. Nevertheless, the 82-year-old actor will be back and probably freak us out just the same.

'The Black Phone 2'

Release date: October 17

Starring: Mason Thames, Madeleine McGraw, Ethan Hawke, Jeremy Davies, Miguel Cazarez Mora, Demián Bichir, and Arianna Rivas

Why it’s worth seeing: While the 2021 hit horror movie The Black Phone was based on Joe Hill’s stand-alone novella of the same name, it’s getting the sequel treatment, thanks to the movie’s blockbuster success. The first film was a coming-of-age story about a 13-year-old boy (Mason Thames) abducted by a child predator known as The Grabber (Ethan Hawke), who tries to escape with the help of his past victims’ spirits. It’s yet to be announced what part two will be about, but much of the cast from the first film is reprising their roles—including Ethan Hawke as the masked villain.

'Five Nights at Freddy’s 2'

Release date: December 5

Starring: Josh Hutcherson, Matthew Lillard, Elizabeth Lail, and Piper Rubio

Why it’s worth seeing: Get ready to return to the Freddy Fazbear's Pizza. A sequel was ordered for the video-game-movie-adaptation Five Nights at Freddy’s as soon as it became a surprise box-office smash in 2023. Though no major details have been confirmed, we’d bet security guard Mike (Josh Hutcherson) will try to stop the killer animatronic mascots once and for all.

'Dead Lover'

Release date: TBA; Premiering at Sundance Film Festival

Starring: Grace Glowicki, Ben Petrie, Leah Doz, and Lowen Morrow

Why it’s worth seeing: Some of the most exciting horror movies of the year premiere in Sundance’s Midnight slate, and Dead Lover is among them. For actress/filmmaker Grace Glowicki’s sophomore feature, she stars as a gravedigger who meets her dream man—only for him to die unexpectedly shortly after. Doing anything for love, you can bet she’ll channel Dr. Frankenstein in her attempts to bring him back.

'Didn't Die'

Release date: TBA; Premiering at Sundance Film Festival

Starring: Kiran Deol, George Basil, Samrat Chakrabarti, Katie McCuen, and Vishal Vijayakumar

Why it’s worth seeing: Meera Menon’s latest combines two unlikely topics: podcasting and a zombie apocalypse. In a fun, gory turn, the film focuses on a podcaster who “desperately clings to an ever-shrinking audience in the zombie apocalypse.”

'Opus'

Release date: TBA; Premiering at Sundance Film Festival in January

Starring: Ayo Edebiri, John Malkovich, Juliette Lewis, Murray Bartlett, and Amber Midthunder

Why it’s worth seeing: We may know Ayo Edebiri for her comedic performances, but we’d bet she’ll wow us in this eerie A24 movie. The Emmy winner plays a writer invited under mysterious circumstances to the compound belonging to a legendary pop star who disappeared decades ago. Of course, nothing is as it seems.

'Rabbit Trap'

Release date: TBA; Premiering at Sundance Film Festival

Starring: Dev Patel, Rosy McEwen, and Jade Croot

Why it’s worth seeing: This one’s for fans of folk horror—and creepy kid movies. In Bryn Chainey’s debut feature, a couple (Dev Patel and Rosy McEwen) moves to a home in a desolate, wooded area of Wales. While the musician wife works on her new album, her music “disturbs local ancient folk magic,” inviting a mysterious child (Jade Croot) to their front door. May our crushes on Dev Patel help us brave through the inevitable terrors to come.

'Together'

Release date: TBA; Premiering at Sundance Film Festival

Starring: Alison Brie, Dave Franco, and Damon Herriman

Why it’s worth seeing: Married couple Alison Brie and Dave Franco have worked together before, but we can’t wait to see the funny pair flexing their horror muscles. They’ll star opposite one another as a couple whose relationship is on the rocks after moving to the countryside and then find themselves undergoing “an extreme transformation of their love, their lives, and their flesh” after experiencing a “supernatural encounter." We’re hooked already.

'Touch Me'

Release date: TBA; Premiering at Sundance Film Festival

Starring: Olivia Taylor Dudley, Lou Taylor Pucci, Jordan Gavaris, Marlene Forte, and Paget Brewster

Why it’s worth seeing: Filmmaker Addison Heimann has described his latest feature Touch Me as “a bisexual alien sex horror comedy.” If that doesn’t already have you intrigued, the synopsis should: “Two codependent best friends become addicted to the heroin-like touch of an alien narcissist who may or may not be trying to take over the world.”

'Vicious'

Release date: TBA

Starring: Dakota Fanning, Kathryn Hunter, Mary McCormack, Rachel Blanchard, and Devyn Nekoda

Why it’s worth seeing: We’re here for the Dakota Fanning-assiance. She leads this spooky, paranormal movie about “a young woman who, after being left with a strange present from a late-night visitor, must spend the night fighting for her existence as she slips down a disturbing rabbit hole contained inside the gift,” per the synopsis.

The new series features a talented cast of familiar faces, including Eleazar, Jessica Plummer, Richard Armitage, and Ashley Walters. In the days since Missing You's premiere, viewers have been particularly raving about rising actress Mary Malone for her heartbreaking performance as Aqua, one of Kat's best friends with a devastating secret. Read on to learn more about the breakout star.

Mary Malone is a trans actress who hails from Suffolk, England.

Mary Malone is a television and theater actress in her mid-20s, who has mostly appeared in plays and musicals in the U.K. Per her Spotlight profile, she graduated from the University of Essex in 2020 and began acting in short films that year, making her TV debut in an episode of STARZ's The Girlfriend Experience. Some of her standout theater productions include a 2022 West End production of As You Like It, the award-winning play The Prince, and the cult-favorite musical Fangirls.

Before Missing You, Malone appeared in Doctor Who's 2023 Christmas special as Trudy, a friend and bandmate of Ruby Sunday (Millie Gibson). Missing You is Malone's first major TV role.

Her artistic background includes singing, dancing, piano, and painting.

In addition to acting, Malone mentions several performing arts among her skills, from singing and dancing (per her musical theater background) to piano and puppetry. She has also shared her affinity for fine art on Instagram, including some images of her previous work.

She describes her character Aqua as an integral part of the mystery of 'Missing You.'

Speaking to PinkNews, Malone described her Missing You character Aqua as a "Gemini witchy queen" who has always been there for her best friend Kat, and vice versa. She added that Aqua is an integral part of the season's mystery.

"She is intertwined in the complex spider web that is Missing You," Malone said of Aqua. "She’s woven in. She’s not this trans side character. She’s an essential part of the narrative. I got to do some stunts, which is really exciting, really fun, something I’ve not done before, and I really enjoyed it."

Malone also told PinkNews that she was able to flesh out her character for the show and add a "rich complexity," after Aqua received less nuanced treatment in the source novel.

"I think I’ve added myself to it, and been able to really ground her in a real-life trans human," she said.
"[Aqua's] not all good, and she’s not all bad, and I think she’s a real human with a lot going on, which is really a joy to play...The narrative really does not surround her gender identity, so I think that’s great representation, and accurate representation that we actually are just living our lives."

Her dream role is a bit surprising.

In an interview with Country & Town House, Malone opened up about the roles she's wishing for most in the future. She revealed that she'd most love to work with her idol, filmmaker/author Miranda July, and that her ultimate dream role is surprisingly aquatic.

"I know it’s mad but I always dreamed of playing a mermaid," she told the outlet. "I love films like Splash, Lady in the Water, The Lure. I’ve been drawn to mermaids and the ocean since I was little. So I’m waiting to be AV-checked for a badass queer mermaid film…anytime now."

This year's set of nominees includes some of the internet's favorite celebrities and impressive wins for diversity in filmmaking. Women make up one-third of the nominations in the Best Director category, and Emilia Pérez star Karla Sofía Gascón is the first transgender woman to be nominated for a film in the lead actress category. Meanwhile, in perhaps the buzziest match-up of the evening, Selena Gomez and Ariana Grande will face off in the supporting actress category for their performances in Emilia Pérez and Wicked. (Selenators and Arianators, let's keep things civil!)

Read on for everything you need to know about the 2025 Golden Globes, including how to watch the ceremony live.

When are the 2025 Golden Globes?

The 82nd Annual Golden Globes will air live on CBS on Sunday, January 5 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT. This year, the event will be held at The Beverly Hilton Hotel in L.A.

How to watch the 2025 Golden Globes:

Viewers with cable can tune into their local CBS channel, or use their cable login to watch from a computer, phone, or tablet via CBS's website or app.

The Golden Globes will also stream on the Paramount+ app in the U.S. only. However, the awards ceremony will only air live for subscribers on the Paramount+ with SHOWTIME tier, which starts at $13/month and offers a seven-day free trial. The full ceremony will be available on-demand for all subscribers, including those at the Paramount+ Essential tier (at $8/month), the following day.

If you don't have cable or a Paramount+ with SHOWTIME subscription, there are a few other ways to watch the Globes online. Live streaming TV services like Hulu + Live TV, DIRECTV STREAM, Fubo, and YouTube Live provide access to CBS (and offer free trials).

How to watch the 2025 Golden Globes red carpet:

The official pre-show for the Golden Globes, hosted in partnership with Variety and Entertainment Tonight, starts at 6:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. PT. The red-carpet special will stream on Paramount+ and across Penske Media's digital and social platforms, including Variety, ET, Billboard, Rolling Stone, and WWD.

Who is hosting the 2025 Golden Globes?

Unfiltered comedian Nikki Glaser will host the Globes ceremony, making history as the first woman to host the awards solo. (Amy Poehler and Tina Fey previously co-hosted, as did Sandra Oh, alongside Andy Samberg.)

The multi-hyphenate is also a nominee this year for her HBO stand-up special Someday You'll Die, which premiered last May following her viral appearance at Netflix's The Roast of Tom Brady.

Who is presenting at the 2025 Golden Globes?

The Globes has announced that the star-studded lineup of presenters will include: Andrew Garfield, Anthony Mackie, Anthony Ramos, Anya Taylor-Joy, Ariana DeBose, Aubrey Plaza, Auliʻi Cravalho, Awkwafina, Brandi Carlile, Catherine O’Hara, Colin Farrell, Colman Domingo, Demi Moore, Dwayne Johnson, Édgar Ramírez, Elton John, Gal Gadot, Glenn Close, Jeff Goldblum, Jennifer Coolidge, Kaley Cuoco, Kate Hudson, Kathy Bates, Ke Huy Quan, Kerry Washington, Margaret Qualley, Melissa McCarthy, Michael Keaton, Michelle Yeoh, Miles Teller, Mindy Kaling, Morris Chestnut, Nate Bargatze, Nicolas Cage, Rachel Brosnahan, Rob McElhenney, Salma Hayek Pinault, Sarah Paulson, Seth Rogen, Sharon Stone, Vin Diesel, Viola Davis, and Zoë Kravitz.

Who is nominated at the 2025 Golden Globes?

As for this year's nominees, Emilia Pérez leads the films with 10 nods, followed by The Brutalist with seven and Conclave with six. Other awards darlings who received nominations include A Complete Unknown, Anora, Babygirl, Dune: Part Two, Gladiator II, The Substance, and Wicked.

On the TV side, The Bear is unsurprisingly leading the pack, after its third season broke the Emmys record for most wins by a comedy series in a single year in September. Coming close after the FX series' five noms are Only Murders in the Building and Shōgun with four each. Other nominated shows include Baby Reindeer, The Diplomat, Hacks, Mr. and Mrs. Smith, Nobody Wants This, The Penguin, and Squid Game.

Where to watch movies nominated at the 2025 Golden Globes:

If you're trying to cover any blindspots before filling out your voting ballot on Sunday's award show, you may need to head to the cinema to see a few of the major movies nominated.

A Complete Unknown, Babygirl, Nickel Boys, and Queer are all in theaters. However, some nominated films are only available in select theaters: The Last Showgirl lands in more theaters on January 10, September 5 and The Room Next Door will expand wide on January 17, and The Brutalist is expected to hit more screens later this month. Sing Sing, meanwhile, first opened in summer 2024 and will return to theaters on January 17.

If you won't have time to make it to the cinema by the end of the weekend, you're in luck, because a handful of the titles are streaming or available to rent. Conclave is now on Peacock, Dune: Part Two is on Max, Emilia Pérez is on Netflix, Hit Man is on Netflix, Kinds of Kindness is on Hulu, Lee is on Hulu, Maria is on Netflix, Nightbitch is on Hulu, The Substance is on Mubi,

Anora is both in theaters and available for rent on Prime Video, as is A Real Pain, and Wicked, and The Apprentice, Challengers, Heretic, and Saturday Night can be rented on Prime Video.

Below, we're rounding up the best thrillers of 2025, including what's headed to theaters soon and later in the year. (For movies to watch right now, check out our round-up of the best thrillers of 2024.)

'Both Eyes Open'

Release date: January 17

Starring: Gail Bean, Taye Diggs, Joy Brunson, Tristan Mack Wilds, Michael Olyede, Christie Leverette, and Carla Fisher

Why it’s worth seeing: Rising filmmaker Ariel Julia Hairston’s upcoming indie psychological thriller centers on Ally (Gail Bean), a woman experiencing hallucinations of her abuser after exiting a domestic violence shelter. As it turns out that her concern may not be paranoia, you can bet Both Eyes Open will become a compelling look at how trauma manifests. (All the more reason to see this one: An astounding number of the crew and production heads were Black women, which we love to see.)

WATCH THE TRAILER

'Flight Risk'

Release date: January 24

Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Michelle Dockery, and Topher Grace

Why it’s worth seeing: Buckle up: This one’s sure to be a wild ride (and probably not for those with claustrophobia). Mel Gibson’s latest is almost entirely set aboard a tight, frigid flight in which a pilot is tasked with transporting a U.S. marshal and fugitive to trial. But is everyone who they claim to be?

WATCH THE TRAILER

'Inheritance'

Release date: January 24

Starring: Phoebe Dynevor, Rhys Ifans, Ciara Baxendale, and Kersti Bryan

Why it’s worth seeing: After seeing Phoebe Dynevor lead the erotic/workplace thriller Fair Play, we’re looking forward to seeing the Bridgerton alum in an espionage movie. She leads this thriller as a young woman drawn into an international conspiracy when she learns that her father used to be a spy.

WATCH THE TRAILER

'Presence'

Release date: January 24

Starring: Lucy Liu, Julia Fox, Chris Sullivan, Callina Liang, Lucas Papaelias, West Mulholland, and Eddy Maday

Why it’s worth seeing: You’ve never seen a haunted house movie like this. Steven Soderbergh, known for his innovative filmmaking tactics like shooting on an iPhone, is toying with the genre by making this movie told entirely through the ghost’s (or presence’s) perspective. Through their POV, we’ll see a family become frightened upon moving into a new house.

WATCH THE TRAILER

'Companion'

Release date: January 31

Starring: Sophie Thatcher, Jack Quaid, Lukas Gage, Megan Suri, and Harvey Guillén

Why it’s worth seeing: If you liked the 2022 hit horror movie Barbarian, check out Companion: It comes from the same production team and twists abound. The wickedly funny and surprising thriller, written and directed by up-and-coming filmmaker Drew Hancock, centers around a twisted love story and a weekend away gone very wrong. The plot has been kept under wraps, but, trust us, don’t look up any spoilers before going into this one.

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'Like Father Like Son'

Release date: January 31

Starring: Dylan Flashner, Ariel Winter, Vivica A. Fox, Mayim Bialik and Dermot Mulroney

Why it’s worth seeing: Many of us start to notice similarities between ourselves and our parents as we get older, but what if you began to pick up similar…murderous tendencies? As is the case with the young man Eli (Dylan Flashner) in this movie, who becomes increasingly violent and hopes to break a vicious cycle within his family, as his father (Dermot Mulroney) is awaiting execution for being guilty of murder in the first degree.

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'Valiant One'

Release date: January 31

Starring: Chase Stokes, Lana Condor, Desmin Borges, Callan Mulvey, Jonathan Whitesell, and Daniel Jun

Why it’s worth seeing: Lana Condor is showing her range and we’re here for it. The To All the Boys alum and Outer Banks star Chase Stokes lead this war film that follows U.S. soldiers and a civilian tech specialist whose helicopter crashes in dangerous North Korean territory, setting out on a mission to get to safety.

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'Armand'

Release date: February 7

Starring: Renate Reinsve, Ellen Dorrit Petersen, Endre Hellestveit, Thea Lambrechts Vaulen, Øystein Røger, and Vera Veljovic

Why it’s worth seeing: If you loved Renate Reinsve’s breakout performance in The Worst Person in the World, check out Armand, in which she’s showing a completely different role. In the Norweigan thriller (officially Norway’s submission for Best International Feature at the 2025 Oscars), she plays the mother of a boy named Armand who gets in trouble for an incident involving himself and another boy at school. Amid public scrutiny and concern that the incident might mean something more, she begins to unravel.

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'Bring Them Down'

Release date: February 7

Starring: Barry Keoghan, Christopher Abbott, Nora-Jane Noone, Paul Ready, Aaron Heffernan, Conor McNeill, Susan Lynch, and Colm Meaney

Why it’s worth seeing: With Barry Keoghan and Christopher Abbott leading this indie thriller and Toronto Film Festival favorite, you can bet there will be incredible performances here. They go toe-to-toe in this Ireland-set drama about two farming families with a dark, melodramatic history, which all comes to a head when the son of one farmer (Keoghan) claims the other family’s prize rams were found dead on their property.

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'The Gorge'

Release date: February 14 on Apple TV+

Starring: Miles Teller, Anya Taylor-Joy, Sigourney Weaver, Sope Dirisu, and William Houston

Why it’s worth seeing: After her incredible turn as a bonafide action star in Furiosa, we’ll watch Anya Taylor-Joy lead any action-thriller movie. She and Miles Teller play guards holding posts on the opposite sides of a mysterious gorge, which houses a secret evil. Though they don’t know what they’re protecting, they work together when it comes under threat. The screenplay for The Gorge ended up on the 2020 Black List, or the list of the best-unproduced scripts, so you can bet it’ll be gripping.

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'Last Breath'

Release date: February 28

Starring: Woody Harrelson, Simu Liu, Finn Cole, Cliff Curtis, and Djimon Hounsou

Why it’s worth seeing: Filmmaker Alex Parkinson adapts his 2019 documentary of the same name into a feature. A survivalist thriller, it tells the harrowing yet inspiring true story of a group of deepsea divers’ race against the clock to rescue one of their teammates stuck without heat or light hundreds of feet under the sea.

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'Black Bag'

Release date: March 14

Starring: Cate Blanchett, Michael Fassbender, Regé-Jean Page, Marisa Abela, Naomie Harris, Pierce Brosnan, and Tom Burke

Why it’s worth seeing: Steven Soderbergh has not one but two highly anticipated thrillers coming in 2025. He’ll release the espionage movie Black Bag just two months after Presence hits theaters. The cast is just as stacked, with Cate Blanchett and Michael Fassbender playing a loving married couple and spy duo who start to face off when she’s suspected of treason.

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'The Amateur'

Release Date: April 11

Starring: Rami Malek, Rachel Brosnahan, Caitríona Balfe, Jon Bernthal, Michael Stuhlbarg, Holt McCallany, Julianne Nicholson, Adrian Martinez, Danny Sapani, and Laurence Fishburne

Why it’s worth seeing: Is 2025 the year of spy movies? It might be! This adaptation of Robert Littell’s novel of the same name stars Rami Malek as a CIA cryptographer on a one-man vengeance mission. He sets out to get to the bottom of a terrorist attack in London, which resulted in his wife’s death, when his bosses won’t act.

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'Drop'

Release date: April 11

Starring: Meghann Fahy, Brandon Sklenar, Jeffery Self, Gabrielle Ryan Spring, Violett Beane, Jacob Robinson, Ed Weeks, Travis Nelson, and Reed Diamond

Why it’s worth seeing: We’ve all had our fair share of bad dates, but few may compare to what happens to Meghann Fahy’s character Violet in this thriller. The latest from Christopher Landon (known for helming horror hits like the Paranormal Activity and Happy Death Day movies) follows a young widowed mother trying to get back in the dating game whose night with a pleasantly sweet charmer named Henry (Brandon Skienar) turns into a nightmare. Throughout the evening, she receives concerning texts with a series of commands, threatening to hurt her and her family if she doesn’t listen.

'Hurry Up Tomorrow'

Release date: May 16

Starring: The Weeknd, Jenna Ortega, and Barry Keoghan

Why it’s worth seeing: The Weeknd may have had a cameo playing himself in Uncut Gems and led HBO’s series The Idol, but he’ll make his major acting feature film debut in Hurry Up Tomorrow. The details are scarce, but the thriller from acclaimed indie filmmaker Trey Edward Shults (Waves, It Comes at Night) is said to be inspired by the R&B hitmaker’s forthcoming new music.

'M3GAN 2.0'

Release date: June 27

Starring: Allison Williams, Violet McGraw, Amie Donald, Jenna Davis, Brian Jordan Alvarez, Jen Van Epps, Ivanna Sakhno, Timm Sharp, Aristotle Athari, and Jemaine Clement

Why it’s worth seeing: Everyone’s favorite, killer robot queen is returning to the big screen, which means this is already the best movie of 2025. After the Blumhouse tech horror film became a surprise box-office smash in 2022, a sequel was greenlit, and all we know is it’s set to follow the doll’s comeback, after being deactivated. Thank goodness: May more deranged dance moves be in store.

Untitled 'I Know What You Did Last Summer' sequel

Release date: July 18

Starring: Freddie Prinze Jr., Chase Sui Wonders, Madelyn Cline, Sarah Pidgeon, Tyriq Withers, Jonah Haur-King, Lola Tung, Nicholas Alexander Chavez, Austin Nichols, and Gabbriette

Why it’s worth seeing: It looks like what ‘90s movie classic I Know What You Did Last Summer was for Gen X stars, the reboot will be for Gen Z/millennial cusp favorites. The franchise about a group of friends being stalked by a killer after a tragic accident is the latest horror series to come back. It has the same premise, though details are being kept hush-hush. You can get excited in the meantime, though, knowing the original series’ heartthrob Freddie Prinze Jr. is returning.

Untitled Paul Thomas Anderson movie

Release date: August 8

Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Regina Hall, Sean Penn, Alana Haim, Teyana Taylor, Wood Harris, and Benicio del Toro

Why it’s worth seeing: A new PTA movie on the way is simply another reason worth living! As always, the iconic filmmaker (Phantom Thread, Boogie Nights, There Will Be Blood) has garnered an incredible cast—featuring some of his past collaborators like Licorice Pizza star Alana Haim and some names we’re thrilled to see him working with, from Leonardo DiCaprio to Regina Hall. All we know is that it’s a crime drama and, by the looks of the pap shots that surfaced throughout production, it looks bonkers.

'The Housemaid'

Release date: December 25

Starring: Sydney Sweeney, Amanda Seyfried, and Brandon Sklenar

Why it’s worth seeing: Sydney Sweeney’s become a bit of a scream queen over her career, and we can’t wait to see her lead this adaptation of Freida McFadden’s bestselling novel of the same name. In it, she becomes the housemaid to a seemingly sweet, affluent couple (Amanda Seyfried and Brandon Sklenar), only to find out they have some dark secrets behind closed doors.

'Opus'

Release date: TBA; Premiering at Sundance Film Festival in January

Starring: Ayo Edebiri, John Malkovich, Juliette Lewis, Murray Bartlett, and Amber Midthunder

Why it’s worth seeing: We may know Ayo Edebiri for her comedic chops, but we’d bet she’ll wow us in this genre-defying A24 thriller. The Emmy winner will play a writer who finds herself shocked to be invited to the compound of a former pop star who disappeared under mysterious circumstances three decades ago. As you might’ve suspected, everything is not as it seems upon arrival and as she’s drawn into the singer’s web and world. (Here’s to hoping there’s a sick original soundtrack too!)

Below, discover the best Korean movies coming to U.S. theaters and streaming platforms in 2025. (And if you're still immersing yourself in Korean cinema, check out our recommendations for the best Korean movies on Netflix and the best Korean films of 2024.)

'Mickey 17'

Release date: March 7 in theaters

Starring: Robert Pattinson, Naomi Ackie, Steven Yeun, Toni Collette, and Mark Ruffalo

Why it's worth watching: Though Bong Joon-ho's follow-up to Parasite is an English-language film produced in the U.S., the Oscar-winning director likely has an international hit on his hands. Based on Edward Ashton's sci-fi novel Mickey7, the movie stars Robert Pattinson as a man who volunteered to become a "disposable" employee sent on impossible missions and cloned whenever he dies.

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'Good News' (working title)

Release date: TBA on Netflix

Starring: Sul Kyung-gu, Hong Kyung, and Ryoo Seung-bum

Why it's worth watching: This historical film from director Byun Sung-hyun is set in the 1970s, and chronicles "a suspicious operation carried out by a group determined to land a hijacked airplane by any means necessary."

'The Great Flood'

Release date: TBA on Netflix

Starring: Kim Da-mi and Park Hae-soo

Why it's worth watching: This disaster flick is set during the last day on Earth, as a catastrophic flood threatens the entire planet. Kim Da-mi stars as An-na, an AI researcher struggling to survive as she rescues a child from a flooding apartment. Meanwhile, a security team member named Hee-jo (Park Hae-soo) tries to save Anna from "the flood that threatens the entire world."

'Hope'

Release date: TBA in theaters

Starring: Hwang Jung-min, Zo In-sung, Hoyeon, Taylor Russell, Cameron Britton, Alicia Vikander, and Michael Fassbender

Why it's worth watching: The Wailing director Na Hong-jin helms this long-awaited sci-fi movie, which will be primarily Korean-language with an international cast. As reported by Deadline, "Hope follows the residents of Hopo Port, where a mysterious discovery is made on the outskirts of the remote harbor town. Before long, the residents find themselves in a desperate fight for survival against something they have never encountered before."

'Lost in Starlight'

Release date: TBA on Netflix

Starring: Kim Tae-ri and Hong Kyung

Why it's worth watching: Netflix will debut its first-ever Korean-language animated film, a love story between scientist Nan-young (Kim Tae-ri) and musician Jay (Hong Kyung). Nan-young dreams of traveling to Mars and searching for traces of her mom, an astronaut who never returned after a mission. Right before her space voyage, she meets Jay, who repairs retro instruments. Per the streamer, the adorable film will see the pair "embark on the longest-ever long-distance relationship—one that bridges Earth and Mars."

'Love Untangled'

Release date: TBA on Netflix

Starring: Gong Myoung, Shin Eun-soo, Cha Woo-min, Youn Sang-hyun, and Kang Mi-na

Why it's worth watching: For rom-com fans, this romance film set in a high school in 1988 sounds like a must-watch. Per the description, it "follows 19-year-old Park Se-ri (Shin Eun-soo) as she plans to straighten her perpetually frizzy hair before making a life-changing confession, all while getting entangled with transfer student Han Yun-seok (Gong Myoung)."

'Mantis' (working title)

Release date: TBA on Netflix

Starring: Yim Si-wan, Park Gyu-young, and Jo Woo-jin.

Why it's worth watching: Two years after the thriller Kill Boksoon debuted on Netflix, writer Byun Sung-hyun returns to the world of contract-killing agencies, in this spinoff film co-written and directed by Lee Tae-sung. Per the description, the Korean action movie "follows Mantis (Yim Si-wan), an ace assassin returning to a collapsed-order hired killer industry after his vacation. Upon reentering this anarchic world, Mantis encounters Jae-yi (Park Gyu-young), his fellow trainee and rival, and Dok-go (Jo Woo-jin), a retired legendary killer, and realizes they are all vying for the top spot among the killers."

'Revelations'

Release date: TBA on Netflix

Starring: Ryu Jun-yeol and Shin Hyun-been

Why it's worth watching: This thriller boasts an all-star creative team, including Train to Busan helmer (and Netflix favorite) Yeon Sang-ho as director and Oscar winner Alfonso Cuarón as an executive producer. According to the description, the film "follows a pastor (Ryu Jun-yeol) and a detective (Shin Hyun-been), each driven by their own beliefs. The pastor believes it’s his divine calling to punish the culprit behind a missing-person case, while the detective assigned to the case continues to be haunted by visions of her dead sister."

'Wall to Wall'

Release date: TBA on Netflix

Starring: Kang Ha-neul, Yeom Hye-ran, and Seo Hyun-woo

Why it's worth watching: For this thriller, Unlocked writer/director Kim Tae-joon promises another stomach-churning thriller that hits a bit too close to home with its realistic premise. After exhausting all his financial resources, Woo-seong (Kang Ha-neul) "finally saves up enough to buy an apartment, only to have it turn into a nightmare with financial ruin and mysterious noises from neighboring floors."

Whether you prefer to learn about scammers or historical murders, true crime has something for everyone in the new year, whether they be star-studded Netflix shows or incisive new documentaries slated to play at prestigious film festivals. To prepare you for a new year of the genre, here are the best true crime documentaries and scripted series of 2025, including what’s coming soon and on the horizon. (If you’re looking for something to binge now, check out our round-up of the best true-crime docs and shows of 2024.)

'Lockerbie: A Search for Truth'

Release date: January 2 on Peacock

Jim Swire’s 2021 true crime book and memoir, The Lockerbie Bombing: A Father's Search for Justice, is getting adapted for the screen (and it's sure to be a tearjerker). Colin Firth will play Swire as he sets out to discover the truth behind a bombing aboard a transatlantic flight, just over 30 minutes after takeoff, that killed his daughter and 242 other passengers, as well as 16 crew members. The December 1988 incident that took place over Lockerbie, Scotland remains the largest terrorist in U.K. history.

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'Sons of Ecstasy'

Release date: January 9 on Max

If mob stories are your thing, you'll want to check out Sons of Ecstasy. The documentary marks the first time members of the notorious New York crime family the Gravanos are telling their side of the story about their involvement in the ecstasy drug trade, at the peak of its popularity in the '90s. They'll share inside accounts of what went on and how the trade culminated into a dangerous rivalry between them and Shaun Attwood, an English stockbroker, another major ecstasy kingpin.

'An Update on Our Family'

Release date: January 15 on Max

Family vloggers Myka and James Stauffer's shocking, controversial story, in which they re-homed their adopted son on the autism spectrum, was one that many of us couldn't look away from in 2014. The incident then became the catalyst to question the ethics behind YouTubers/TikTokers who make (often monetized) content featuring their children. All of that and more, including just how unregulated this booming online industry is, will be the focus of this three-part HBO doc, which premieres on January 15 and then will air weekly.

'Apple Cider Vinegar'

Release date: TBA on Netflix

In 2022, there was an era where streamers really wanted you to care about scammer stories, whether they be “SoHo grifter” Anna Delvey or Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes. Netflix is betting you’re still riveted enough by pesky con artists to tune into Apple Cider Vinegar, their latest entry into the scammer subgenre. Before she breaks hearts as Abby in The Last of Us season 2, Kaitlyn Dever stars here as Australian wellness influencer Belle Gibson, who falsely claimed to have cured herself of cancer using alternative medicine.

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'Death By Lightning'

Release date: TBA on Netflix

Contrary to how it might feel these days, deranged political intrigue is nothing new in America. Case in point: Mike Makowsky’s upcoming Netflix historical drama Death By Lightning, which follows lesser-known U.S. president James A. Garfield (Michael Shannon) and his eventual assassin, his admirer-turned-adversary Charles Guiteau (Succession’s Matthew Macfadyen). Here’s hoping Macfadyen brings peak “Tom Wambsgans throwing water bottles” energy to his performance!

'The Perfect Neighbor'

Release date: TBA; Premiering at Sundance and available to stream online January 30-February 2

Under Florida’s “stand your ground” law, residents can use deadly force in self-defense without initially trying to retreat from the situation. That law played a role in an unexpected criminal case in which a local “Karen’s” dispute with her neighbor unexpectedly turned deadly. In The Perfect Neighbor, director Geeta Gandbhir uses police body cam footage to question how lax state gun laws can turn neighbors into life-threatening forces, and whether justice will be served.

'Predators'

Release date: TBA; Premiering at Sundance and available to stream online between January 30-February 2

True crime is enticing, but at what point does our fascination with headline-making perpetrators and their victims’ stories cross the line into exploitation? In an attempt to answer that question, David Osit’s documentary Predators casts an eye back to one of the genre’s earlier entries: NBC’s early aughts reality TV hit To Catch A Predator. In each episode, child predators were lured to a film set, interviewed, and eventually arrested. By examining the series’ legacy, Osit asks viewers to consider their relationship to the contemporary true crime boom, and how we can avoid being complicit in the pain that lesser entries into the genre can bring upon real people.

'Toxic Town'

Release date: TBA on Netflix

There’s plenty of true crime across the pond, too. Doctor Who alum Jodie Whittaker leads the cast of Netflix’s Toxic Town. The forthcoming series dramatizes the Corby toxic waste case, in which the Corby Borough Council was found guilty of allowing toxic atmospheric waste from a nearby steel manufacturer to impact local townspeople, leading to more than 30 cases of birth defects. The show’s star-studded British cast also includes Sex Education’s Aimee Lou Wood and Bridgerton’s Claudia Jessie.

With Squid Game season 2 wrapping up Netflix's 2024 Korean slate on December 26, it's time to look forward to the releases that will fill our watchlists in 2025. So far, 2025's upcoming Korean TV shows will feature new stories starring Hallyu's biggest stars, while several hit reality competitions are set to return. Read on for our running list of the best K-dramas coming to Netflix in 2025.

'When the Phone Rings'

Premiere date: November 22, 2024

While this popular K-drama debuted in 2024, it won't reach its finale until early 2025—making this the perfect show to catch up on over your holiday vacation (once you finish Squid Game, of course). It stars Yoon Yoo-seok and Chae Soo-bin as a couple in a marriage of convenience whose relationship is thrown into flux when one of them is kidnapped.

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'When the Stars Gossip'

Release date: January 4

This rom-com K-drama has a straightforward plot description: "An astronaut and a tourist meet and fall in love at a space station." Hallyu superstar Lee Min-ho plays the space tourist Gong Ryong, an OB/GYN dating the heir to Korea's richest corporation.When the Camellia Blooms' Gong Hyo-jin plays Eve Kim, the perfectionist commander who has to keep Gong alive.

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'Single's Inferno' season 4

Release date: January 14

The fourth season of Single's Inferno marks a big moment for Netflix Korea's unscripted shows, as the first one to be renewed for four seasons. It'll see a new cast roughing it out on an abandoned island dubbed Inferno, flirting and competing in challenges in hopes of winning a Paradise date in a luxury hotel.

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'Aema'

Release date: TBA

In 1982, the movie Madame Aema made history as one of the box-office hits of that year, and as the most erotic Korean film of its time. This comedy series set in Chungmuro, the heart of the Korean film industry in the 1980s, will depict the fictionalized process of creating the film. Among the characters involved are Jeong Hui-ran (Lee Ha-nee), the acclaimed diva who's removed from the lead role due to studio disputes; Shin Joo-ae (Bong Hyo-rin), a nightclub dancer who's suddenly cast as the film's new star; and Kwak In-woo (Cho Hyun-chul), the timid rookie director about to make his directorial debut.

'All the Love You Wish For'

Release date: TBA

Eight years after they first played love interests in Uncontrollably Fond, Bae Suzy and Kim Woo-bin reunite in this highly-anticipated fantasy rom-com from The Glory screenwriter Kim Eun-sook. The new drama (previously known as Everything Will Come True), will chronicle the adventures of Jinn (Kim), a genie who's awakened from his centuries-long sleep, and Ga-young (Bae), who's granted three wishes.

'Can This Love Be Translated?'

Release date: TBA

Famed screenwriting duo the Hong sisters (Alchemy of Souls, Hotel del Luna) are behind this exciting rom-com, starring Moving's Go Youn-jung and Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha's Kim Seon-ho. Per the description, "an unexpected romance blossoms between multilingual translator Ju Ho-jin and global celebrity Cha Mu-hee, as their professional relationship takes unpredictable and heartwarming turns."

'The Devil's Plan' season 2

Release date: TBA

For viewers more interested in games of mental wit than physical strength, The Devil's Plan is set to return for a second season. The exciting first season brought together contestants from various fields (including doctors, actors, professional poker players, and a K-pop idol) to solve sophisticated mental games for the chance at a 250 million won (approximately $173,000) prize.

'Hong Rang'

Release date: TBA

This historical K-drama, adapted from Jang Da-hye's novel Hong Rang: Swallowing Gold, will chronicle the bond between step-siblings Hong Rang (Alchemy of Souls' Lee Jae-wook) and Jae-i (Destined With You's Jo Bo-ah). Over a decade after Hong Rang disappeared at the age of eight, he returns home with no memory, and Jae-i becomes "torn between doubt and love for her enigmatic step-brother," per Netflix.

'Karma' (working title)

Release date: TBA

Squid Game season 1 star Park Hae-soo and Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha's Shin Min-a will lead this crime thriller K-drama based on the Kakao webtoon of the same name. Per the announcement, the show will follow the "entangled lives of those who, without knowing how or why, end up repeating their karmic cycle with one another."

'Kian’s Bizarre B&B'

Release date: TBA

Webtoon writer (or manhwa) and TV personality Kian84 will lead this new variety show, where he "sets up and runs an extraordinary guesthouse on the island of Ulleungdo called KIAN Bizarre B&B, which offers a unique experience for young visitors." According to the description, "the guesthouse operates in a realm between healing and hilarity," as it welcomes a diverse selection of guests, including BTS member Jin and actress Ji Ye-eun.

'The Price of Confession'

Release date: TBA

This upcoming mystery-thriller K-drama boasts an all-star cast, including Kill Boksoon's Jeon Do-yeon, Goblin's Kim Go-eun, Squid Game's Park Hae-soo, and Extreme Job's Jin Seon-kyu. Jeon plays Ahn Yoon-soo, a woman accused of her husband’s murder, who encounters a mysterious prison inmate (Kim) and "strikes a dangerous deal," according to the show's description.

'Squid Game' season 3

Release date: TBA

Netflix has confirmed that Squid Game's final episodes will arrive on the streamer in 2025, bringing the story of Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) and (hopefully) the sadistic Game to an end. It's anyone's guess how the series' creator Hwang Dong-hyuk will conclude one of Netflix's most-watched shows ever.

'Trauma Code: Heroes on Call'

Release date: TBA

This medical K-drama, adapted from the webtoon Severe Trauma Center: Golden Hour, will center on an ensemble cast led by Kingdom and Light Shop star Ju Ji-hoon. The show's description reads, "Genius surgeon Baek Kang-hyuk transforms a university hospital's budget-draining trauma team into a trauma center that saves lives."

'Two Women'

Release date: TBA

This highly-anticipated K-drama (also known as Eun Jung and Sang Yeon) will follow "the journey of two friends who have an enduring, complicated love-hate relationship," per Netflix. Former childhood besties Ryu Eun-jung (Goblin's Kim Go-eun) and Cheon Sang-yeon (Reborn Rich's Park Ji-hyun) reunite at 42 years old as they face a profound challenge: Sang-yeon's battle with cancer. The Glory's Kim Gun-woo also stars.

'Weak Hero Class 2'

Release date: TBA

Weak Hero Class 1 was one of the best thriller dramas of 2022, following high school student Yeon Si-eun (Park Ji-hoon) as he struggled against brutal school violence. Now, Netflix is set to distribute the show's second season, in which Si-eun will challenge a new set of bullies after he's transferred to a new school. Season 2 will also star Crash Landing on You's Yoo Soo-bin, Twinkling Watermelon's Ryeoun, and Twenty-Five Twenty-One's Choi Min-young.

'When Life Gives You Tangerines'

Release date: TBA

Six years after starring in Hotel del Luna, K-pop star/actress IU is finally returning to the K-drama world, in the latest series from My Mister director Kim Won-suk. Per Netflix, the highly anticipated drama will take place on Jeju Island and "chronicle the adventures of Ae-sun (IU), 'the remarkable rebel,' and Gwan-sik, (Park Bo-gum), the 'unyielding iron,' including Gwan-sik’s long-standing crush on Ae-sun since they were young."

In 2025, movie lovers can look forward to exciting new music documentaries with exclusive footage of iconic bands and subgenres, as well as timely films that provide intimate looks at modern topics like AI and the fight for LGBTQ+ rights. There’s even a tearjerker about hummingbirds! So, it’s safe to say there are exciting docs that just about anyone can look forward to. Below, we’re rounding up the best documentaries of 2025 that are on the horizon. (If you want even more recommendations of docs you can watch right now, check out our list of the best documentaries of 2024.)

'Avicii – I'm Tim'

Release date: December 31 on Netflix

This music doc may come out on New Year's Eve, but we'd bet many will tune into it in early 2025 (and still think about it long afterward). It's said to be the most personal and closest examination yet of who Tim Bergling, the Swedish artist behind his star EDM persona Avicii, was throughout his life before his death by suicide in 2018. Featuring home footage and clips from his private archive, Avicii – I'm Tim, which was made with his family and closest friends and colleagues involved, paints a never-before-seen portrait of the hitmaker and his innerworld.

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'Don't Die: The Man Who Wants to Live Forever'

Release date: January 1 on Netflix

Filmmaker Chris Smith has released several buzzy documentaries in the past few years, from Netflix titles like Fyre and the true-crime hit The Disappearance of Madeleine McCann to HBO’s 100 Foot Wave. His next is sure to rattle viewers, as well. Don’t Die’s subject is Bryan Johnson, a tech entrepreneur who has committed his life's work to try to defy aging through questionable and controversial practices, including plasma transfusions.

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'Every Little Thing'

Release date: January 10

In the hills of L.A.’s Beverly Hills, Terry Masear spends her days tending to injured hummingbirds. Masear knows that her winged charges aren’t on Earth for long regardless, but the joy she takes in caring for her home’s little cast of characters soon moves past typical cute animal content into something more profound. Weaving together tales of Masear’s avian rehab with her history of overcoming an abusive rural upbringing and finding her place within L.A., Every Little Thing is a lovely reminder that everyday resilience and magic can be found in your own backyard, even amid hardships and loss,

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'Eternal You'

Release date: January 24

Like it or not, AI seems here to stay. While some argue that it’ll help unlock a new era of human innovation, others’ view of this technology is more informed by…every sci-fi cautionary tale ever. The German documentary Eternal You attempts to parse the shadowy potential of AI with a moral quandary: What if you could use AI to talk to a late loved one? That might sound like a ghoulish Black Mirror episode, but avatars of the deceased are a real product engineered by tech startups. If any premise is ripe for soberly interrogating the boundaries this invention should have, it’s this one.

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'Move Ya Body: The Birth of House'

Release date: January 26

These days, house music is a global phenomenon. (See Ariana Grande's eternal sunshine and Beyoncé's Renaissance as evidence.) But in the 1980s, it was still a brand-new sound emerging in the South Side of Chicago’s underground clubs. Elegance Bratton’s Move Ya Body tracks house’s journey from the Second City to the world stage, mixing interviews with some of the genre’s key figures with rare archival footage.

'Becoming Led Zeppelin'

Release date: February 7

Rock music lovers, this one's for you. As its title suggests, Becoming Led Zeppelin isn’t your typical career-spanning music documentary. Instead, it uses a “hybrid docu-concert” format to track the iconic British band’s rise to fame in the 1960s. The biggest draw? The film’s bounty of never-before-seen early concert footage and recordings, which will be available for fans to watch in IMAX.

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'Heightened Scrutiny'

Release date: TBA; Premiering at Sundance and available to stream online between January 30-February 2

In 2024, a whopping 669 anti-trans bills threatening trans people’s basic access to healthcare, legal protections, and more were introduced in the United States, more than any other year on record. Now, director Sam Feder—who previously made the groundbreaking 2020 Netflix LGBTQ+ documentary Disclosure—is taking on this precarious moment for trans rights in his new film Heightened Scrutiny. The doc follows ACLU lawyer Chase Strangio as he contends with not only political scapegoating but biased media narratives in his mission to protect transgender Americans’ freedoms.

'Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore'

Release date: TBA; Premiering at Sundance and available to stream online between January 30-February 2

In 1987, Marlee Matlin shot into the spotlight when she became the first Deaf actor to win an Academy Award at just 21-years-old for her performance in Children of a Lesser God. Her win, in turn, helped give Weeds and Grey’s Anatomy star Shoshannah Stern the confidence to pursue an acting career as a Deaf woman. Now, Stern is bringing things full circle in her directorial debut Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore, in which the two women trace Matlin’s career and how navigating Hollywood has (and hasn’t) changed for the Deaf community.

There are dozens of exciting action movies due out in 2025, from intriguing, women-fronted spinoffs of beloved franchises to highly anticipated sequels to original assassin and espionage thrillers. Whether you love classic, big-budget action films or prefer ones that defy genre a bit, there's likely something coming soon that'll draw you to the multiplex or captivate you on streaming. Below, find the best action movies of 2025, including what's coming soon and due out later this year. (For more recommendations of titles you can watch right now, check out our list of the best action movies of 2024.)

'Den of Thieves 2: Pantera'

Release date: January 10

Starring: Gerard Butler, O'Shea Jackson Jr., Meadow Williams, Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, and Salvatore Esposito

Why it’s worth seeing: A sequel to 2018’s hit heist movie Den of Thieves is coming to theaters soon, with Gerard Butler reprising his role as Detective Nick "Big Nick" O'Brien. The synopsis states the follow-up will find him “back on the hunt in Europe and closing in on Donnie (O’Shea Jackson Jr.), who is embroiled in the treacherous and unpredictable world of diamond thieves and the infamous Panther mafia, as they plot a massive heist of the world’s largest diamond exchange.”

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'Back in Action'

Release Date: January 17 on Netflix

Starring: Cameron Diaz, Jamie Foxx, Andrew Scott, Jamie Demetriou, Kyle Chandler, and Glenn Close

Why it’s worth watching: Cameron Diaz is officially back in action after taking a hiatus from acting. The ‘90s/’00s rom-com icon leads this action-comedy alongside Jamie Foxx as a couple pulled back into the espionage work they left years ago for a quiet, domestic life together when their secret CIA identities are almost exposed. We can’t wait to see the former Charlie’s Angel in her element.

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'Flight Risk'

Release date: January 24

Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Michelle Dockery, and Topher Grace

Why it’s worth seeing: Buckle up: This one’s sure to be a wild ride. It’s a tense new thriller directed by Mel Gibson, almost entirely set aboard a claustrophobic flight in which a pilot is tasked with transporting a U.S. marshal and fugitive to trial. However, it’s soon revealed not everyone is who they claim to be.

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'Inheritance'

Release date: January 24

Starring: Phoebe Dynevor, Rhys Ifans, Ciara Baxendale, and Kersti Bryan

Why it’s worth seeing: Phoebe Dynevor showed her erotic/workplace thriller chops in Fair Play, so we can’t wait to see her in an espionage movie. She leads this thriller as a young woman drawn into an international conspiracy when she learns that her father used to be a spy.

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'Valiant One'

Release date: January 31

Starring: Chase Stokes, Lana Condor, Desmin Borges, Callan Mulvey, Jonathan Whitesell, and Daniel Jun

Why it’s worth seeing: Lana Condor is showing her range and we’re here for it. The To All the Boys alum and fellow Netflix favorite, Outer Banks heartthrob Chase Stokes, are among the leads of this war action-thriller about U.S. soldiers whose helicopter crash lands into dangerous North Korean territory. Stokes will play the general tasked with leading the team into safety, while Condor plays a civilian tech specialist brought along for the mission.

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'Love Hurts'

Release date: February 7

Starring: Ke Huy Quan, Ariana DeBose, Daniel Wu, Marshawn Lynch, Mustafa Shakir, Lio Tipton, Rhys Darby, André Eriksen, and Sean Astin

Why it’s worth seeing: Everything Everywhere All At Once brought ‘80s movie icon Ke Huy Quan back into the spotlight, and we’re so glad it did because now we have a new fave leading man in him. He stars in this action-comedy flick as a realtor whose past as a hitman comes back to haunt him when his former partner-in-crime, Rose (Ariana DeBose), resurfaces to tell him he’s being hunted by his brother (Daniel Wu).

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'Captain America: Brave New World'

Release date: February 14

Starring: Anthony Mackie, Danny Ramirez, Shira Haas, Carl Lumbly, Xosha Roquemore, Jóhannes Haukur Jóhannesson, Giancarlo Esposito, Tim Blake Nelson, and Harrison Ford

Why it’s worth seeing: You bet Marvel’s massive 2025 slate is already announced! The first of Phase Five’s 2025 releases is Captain America: Brave New World, which finds Anthony Mackie donning the red, white, and blue suit, after becoming the new Cap in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. The movie is set when drama unfolds following an election, putting Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross (Harrison Ford) in charge of the nation.

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'The Gorge'

Release date: February 14 on Apple TV+

Starring: Miles Teller, Anya Taylor-Joy, Sigourney Weaver, Sope Dirisu, and William Houston

Why it’s worth seeing: After her incredible turn as a bonafide action star in Furiosa, we’ll watch Anya Taylor-Joy lead any action-thriller movie. She and Miles Teller play guards holding posts on the opposite sides of a mysterious gorge, which houses a secret evil. Though they don’t know what they’re protecting, they work together when it comes under threat. The screenplay for The Gorge ended up on the 2020 Black List, or the list of the best-unproduced scripts, so you can bet it’ll be gripping.

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'Old Guy'

Release date: February 21

Starring: Christoph Waltz, Lucy Liu, Cooper Hoffman, Ryan McParland, Ann Akinjirin, and Jason Done

Why it’s worth seeing: Christoph Waltz and Cooper Hoffman play an unlikely pair of hitmen coworkers/mentor-and-mentee/pals in this action-comedy blockbuster. Waltz plays Danny, the titular "old guy" who’s fed up being on desk duty at his contract killer job until he’s made the mentor to a young, new hire (Hoffman). After realizing the senior employees are being phased out, the two set off on a mission to take down their employers, making for a wild buddy romp.

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'Cleaner'

Release date: February 21

Starring: Daisy Ridley, Clive Owen, Taz Skylar, Flavia Watson, and Ray Fearon

Why it’s worth seeing: Martin Campbell, who directed multiple James Bond movies including 2006’s beloved Casino Royale, is behind this high-intensity action-thriller. It’s set at a political function that’s hijacked by a group of activists, some of which become violent and take hostages. Thankfully for the attendees, the building’s window cleaner (yes, that’s where the film gets its title) played by Daisy Ridley is present, doing her job, and actually a “dishonorably discharged but highly trained ex-soldier.”

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'In the Lost Lands'

Release date: February 28

Starring: Milla Jovovich, Dave Bautista, Arly Jover, and Amara Okereke

Why it’s worth watching: Fans of Game of Thrones may want to put this one on their radar. It’s based on a short story by GoT author George R. R. Martin. Longtime collaborators and husband-and-wife duo Paul W. S. Anderson and Milla Jovovich helm the project, with Anderson directing/co-writing the fantasy-action joint and video-game-adaptation icon Jovovich starring as a sorceress sent to the “Lost Lands” by a queen to find a magical power that allows one to turn into a werewolf.

'Mickey 17'

Release date: March 7

Starring: Robert Pattinson, Naomi Ackie, Steven Yeun, Toni Collette, and Mark Ruffalo

Why it’s worth seeing: Bong Joon-ho is finally back with his follow-up to the Oscar-winning Parasite. The Korean filmmaker's next is a highly anticipated adaptation of the sci-fi novel Mickey7 by Edward Ashton, about a man (Robert Pattinson) set on a mission in space who’s meant to die…and be brought back to life again and again. We can’t wait to see what madness Bong and star Robert Pattinson cooked up—which seems to be a lot, based on his goofy accent in the trailer.

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'Black Bag'

Release date: March 14

Starring: Cate Blanchett, Michael Fassbender, Regé-Jean Page, Marisa Abela, Naomie Harris, Pierce Brosnan, and Tom Burke

Why it’s worth watching: Cate Blanchett in a Steven Soderbergh movie? Let’s go, baby! The Oscar-winning filmmaker’s latest is about a loving married couple and spy duo (Blancett and Michael Fassbender) who start to face off when one of them (Blanchett) is suspected of treason.

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'The Electric State'

Release date: March 14 on Netflix

Starring: Millie Bobby Brown, Chris Pratt, Ke Huy Quan, Jason Alexander, Woody Harrelson, Anthony Mackie, Brian Cox, Jenny Slate, Giancarlo Esposito, and Stanley Tucci

Why it’s worth watching: Could Millie Bobby Brown be our next great action star? For her latest blockbuster, the Stranger Things actress teams up with the popular genre filmmakers the Russo Brothers for an adaptation of Simon Stålenhag’s graphic novel. She plays a girl in an alternate version of the ‘90s who sets out on an epic cross-country journey when a robot comes to her, claiming to know where her missing brother is.

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'Novocaine'

Relese date: March 14

Starring: Jack Quaid, Amber Midthunder, Ray Nicholson, Jacob Batalon, Betty Gabriel, and Matt Walsh

Why it’s worth watching: Anything with Jack Quaid as a romantic lead, we’re in. In Novocaine, he plays a man with congenital insensitivity to pain (CIP), or a rare condition in which he cannot feel any pain. He uses his condition to his advantage to transform into the action hero he never thought he’d be when his girlfriend is stuck in a dangerous hostage situation.

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'A Minecraft Movie'

Release date: April 4

Starring: Jason Momoa, Danielle Brooks, Sebastian Eugene Hansen, Emma Myers, Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, and Jemaine Clement

Why it’s worth seeing: Every kid’s favorite video game is the latest to traverse over to the big screen in an imaginative animated/live-action feature. The synopsis reads: “Four misfits—Garrett “The Garbage Man” Garrison (Jason Momoa), Henry (Sebastian Eugene Hansen), Natalie (Emma Myers), and Dawn (Danielle Brooks)—find themselves struggling with ordinary problems when they are suddenly pulled through a mysterious portal into the Overworld: a bizarre, cubic wonderland that thrives on imagination. To get back home, they’ll have to master this world (and protect it from evil things like Piglins and Zombies, too) while embarking on a magical quest with an unexpected, expert crafter, Steve (Jack Black). Together, their adventure will challenge all five to be bold and to reconnect with the qualities that make each of them uniquely creative…the very skills they need to thrive back in the real world.”

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'The Amateur'

Release Date: April 11

Starring: Rami Malek, Rachel Brosnahan, Caitríona Balfe, Jon Bernthal, Michael Stuhlbarg, Holt McCallany, Julianne Nicholson, Adrian Martinez, Danny Sapani, and Laurence Fishburne

Why it’s worth seeing: This book-to-movie adaptation of Robert Littell’s mystery-thriller novel of the same name stars Rami Malek as a CIA cryptographer on a one-man vengeance mission. He sets out to get to the bottom of a terrorist attack in London, which resulted in his wife’s death, when his bosses won’t act.

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'Thunderbolts'

Release date: May 2

Starring: Florence Pugh, Sebastian Stan, David Harbour, Wyatt Russell, Olga Kurylenko, Lewis Pullman, Geraldine Viswanathan, Chris Bauer, Wendell Edward Pierce, Hannah John-Kamen, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus

Why it’s worth seeing: Thunderbolts will officially mark the end of Marvel’s Phase Five—and you can bet it’s going out with a bang. The star-studded ensemble plays a ragtag team of antiheroes on government-contracted missions, with Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan) and Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh) among their leaders.

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'Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning'

Release date: May 23

Starring: Tom Cruise, Hayley Atwell, Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg, Vanessa Kirby, Esai Morales, Pom Klementieff, Henry Czerny, Angela Bassett, and Rolf Saxon

Why it’s worth seeing: Tom Cruise is back to save the movies! He’ll reprise his iconic, immortal role as Ethan Hunt in a direct follow-up to 2023’s Dead Reckoning, which saw him face off against an artificial intelligence program, “The Entity.” We can’t wait to see what death-defying stunts he does next.

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'Karate Kid: Legends'

Release date: May 30

Starring: Jackie Chan, Ralph Macchio, Ben Wang, Joshua Jackson, and Shaunette Renée Wilson

Why it’s worth seeing: If you’re bummed Cobra Kai is coming to an end, don’t worry: More in the Karate Kid franchise is coming soon. It serves as a follow-up to the original films and the 2010 one starring the legendary Jackie Chan and Jaden Smith. Here, a young kung fu prodigy (Ben Wang) moves from Beijing to N.Y.C. after experiencing a family tragedy. “When a new friend needs his help, Li enters a karate competition,” according to the synopsis, “but his skills alone aren’t enough. Li’s kung fu teacher Mr. Han (Jackie Chan) enlists original Karate Kid Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) for help, and Li learns a new way to fight, merging their two styles into one for the ultimate martial arts showdown.”

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'From the World of John Wick: Ballerina'

Release date: June 6

Starring: Ana de Armas, Anjelica Huston, Gabriel Byrne, Lance Reddick, Catalina Sandino Moreno, Norman Reedus, with Ian McShane, and Keanu Reeves

Why it’s worth seeing: If you love the stylized John Wick films and wondered what they might look like with a female lead, look no further than Ballerina. This spinoff, set after the events of the third John Wick movie (yes, Keanu Reeves will make an appearance), is about a ballerina assassin (played by Ana De Armas) as she trains to seek revenge against her father’s death. Expect familiar faces and places, including the hotel-for-killers, the Continental Hotel in New York, to play into the plot.

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'How to Train Your Dragon'

Release date: June 13

Starring: Mason Thames, Nico Parker, Nick Frost, Julian Dennison, Gabriel Howell, Bronwyn James, Harry Trevaldwyn, Ruth Codd, Peter Serafinowicz, and Murray McArthur, and Gerard Butler

Why it’s worth seeing: Get ready to return to the isle of Berk—this time more fantastical and life-like than ever. The hit animated DreamWorks series How to Train Your Dragon will be adapted into live-action (no real dragons, though, unfortunately) by Dean DeBlois, who helmed the original movies. New names will portray the Vikings/dragonriders, while Gerard Butler reprises his role as Stoick the Vast.

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'F1'

Release date: June 27

Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Tobias Menzies, Javier Bardem, Sarah Niles, Lewis Hamilton, Kim Bodnia, and Samson Kayo

Why it’s worth seeing: After Formula One’s popularity has blown up over the past decade, it was inevitable the sport would get the Hollywood treatment. This fictional action movie follows a former star driver (Brad Pitt), who quit racing due to an injury in the ‘90s, as he’s brought out of retirement to train a rookie (Damson Idris).

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'Jurassic World Rebirth'

Release date: July 2

Starring: Jonathan Bailey, Scarlett Johansson, and Mahershala Ali

Why it’s worth seeing: If you weren’t convinced there needed to be another Jurassic World movie, first-look photos of Jonathan Bailey in tiny glasses may change your mind. The next movie in the franchise is set five years after the events of 2022’s Dominion when the world is no longer hospitable to dinosaurs, leading the few still remaining to live in “isolated equatorial environments with climates resembling the one in which they once thrived,” according to the official description. “The three most colossal creatures within that tropical biosphere hold the key to a drug that will bring miraculous life-saving benefits to humankind.”

'Superman'

Release date: July 11

Starring: David Corenswet, Rachel Brosnahan, Nicholas Hoult, Edi Gathegi, Anthony Carrigan, Nathan Fillion, Isabela Merced, and Skyler Gisondo

Why it’s worth seeing: It’s a bird, it’s a plane, no, it’s David Corenswet in his cute glasses and floppy hair, taking over from Henry Cavill as the next, charmer to play Clark Kent. James Gunn helms this D.C. blockbuster about the kryptonite super, which fans are already clamoring for. Rachel Brosnahan will star opposite Corenswet as Lois Lane, while Nicholas Hoult takes on supervillain Lex Luthor.

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'The Fantastic Four: First Steps'

Release date: July 25

Starring: Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Ralph Ineson, Julia Garner, Paul Walter Hauser, John Malkovich, Natasha Lyonne, and Sarah Niles

Why it’s worth seeing: While the plot of Marvel’s new take on The Fantastic Four has been kept secret, we can revel in the incredible casting. All of the internet’s boyfriends are there—Pedro Pascal will play Reed Richards (aka Mr. Fantastic), Joseph Quinn will be Johnny Storm (aka the Human Torch), and Ebon Moss-Bachrach will portray Ben Grimm (aka the Thing)—while forever scene-stealer and The Crown alum Vanessa Kirby is to be Sue Storm (aka the Invisible Woman).

'TRON: Ares'

Release date: October 10

Starring: Jared Leto, Greta Lee, Evan Peters, Hasan Minhaj, Jodie Turner-Smith, Arturo Castro, Cameron Monaghan, Gillian Anderson, Sarah Desjardins, and Jeff Bridges

Why it’s worth seeing: It’s taken a while, but we’re finally getting the third movie in Disney’s TRON series, coming 15 years after 2010’s TRON: Legacy. The cast is stacked, Nine Inch Nails is set to do the score, and it’s set to follow “a highly sophisticated program, Ares, who is sent from the digital world into the real world on a dangerous mission, marking humankind’s first encounter with A.I. beings,” per the synopsis.

'Avatar: Fire and Ash'

Release date: December 19

Starring: Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldaña, Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang, Joel David Moore, CCH Pounder, Giovanni Ribisi, David Thewlis, and Oona Chaplin

Why it’s worth seeing: Thankfully after Avatar: The Way of Water became a box-office sensation when it was released in 2022, we won’t have to wait much longer for the next Avatar film. Though details are scarce on the latest installment in James Cameron’s epic sci-fi/fantasy series, it’s set to return to Pandora and fans have speculated it will focus on the “Ash People.”

Below, we’re rounding up all of the best comedy movies of 2025, including what’s coming to theaters and streaming soon and later in the year. (And if you’re looking for something to watch right now, check out our recommendations of the best comedies of 2024.)

'Back in Action'

Release Date: January 17 on Netflix

Starring: Cameron Diaz, Jamie Foxx, Andrew Scott, Jamie Demetriou, Kyle Chandler, and Glenn Close

Why it’s worth watching: Cameron Diaz is officially back in action after taking a hiatus from acting. The rom-com icon leads this action-comedy hybrid opposite Jamie Foxx as a couple who left their work in the CIA years ago for domesticity, but are pulled back in when their secret spy identities are exposed. We can’t wait to see the former Charlie’s Angel in her element.

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'One of Them Days'

Release date: January 24

Starring: Keke Palmer, SZA, Maude Apatow, Vanessa Bell Calloway, Keyla Monterroso Mejia, and Katt Williams

Why it’s worth watching: It’s SZA’s acting debut and she’s starring opposite Keke Palmer. Need we say more? On top of that, it’s produced by Issa Rae, so if you weren’t already convinced you’re in for a good time, that should seal the deal. The two superstars play besties who get into a hijinks-filed day when an annoying boyfriend runs off with their rent money and they do whatever they can to earn enough cash and not face eviction.

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'You're Cordially Invited'

Release date: January 30 on Prime Video

Starring: Reese Witherspoon, Will Ferrell, Meredith Hagner, Geraldine Viswanathan, and Timmy Tatro

Why it’s worth watching: Reese Witherspoon and Will Ferrell are fronting big studio comedies again so all is right in the world. They go toe-to-toe in this Hello Sunshine-produced film as the sister of a bride-to-be and the father of a different bride who discovers their destination wedding venue has accidentally booked them.

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'Companion'

Release date: January 31

Starring: Sophie Thatcher, Jack Quaid, Lukas Gage, Megan Suri, and Harvey Guillén

Why it’s worth watching: The team behind the 2022 hit horror movie Barbarian produced this wickedly funny thriller, written and directed by Drew Hancock. Much of the plot is kept hush-hush, but it centers around a twisted love story and a weekend away gone very wrong.

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'Heart Eyes'

Release date: February 7

Starring: Olivia Holt, Mason Gooding, Gigi Zumbado, Michaela Watkins, Devon Sawa, and Jordana Brewster

Why it’s worth watching: This horror-comedy comes just in time for Valentine’s Day so you can laugh and hide in the arms of your funny valentine. The genre-bending serial killer movie centers on a pair of coworkers working late on February 14 and mistaken for a couple by the sadistic, romance-hating Heart Eyes Killer.

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'Paddington Peru'

Release date: February 14

Starring: Ben Whishaw, Emily Mortimer, Hugh Bonneville, Olivia Colman, and Antonio Banderas

Why it’s worth watching: Are the Paddington movies some of the greatest art of our time? Maybe! The first movie about the beloved children’s book character captured our hearts with its quirky, twee sensibilities, and, well, Paddington 2 is among the highest-rated films of all time on Rotten Tomatoes. The upcoming third movie in the franchise has a tough act to follow, but it’s sure to charm, as the titular talking bear (voiced by Ben Whishaw) is set to bring his British-found family, the Browns, to his home in Peru. It’s said to be inspired by Werner Herzog’s films Aguirre, the Wrath of God and Fitzcarraldo, so do with that information what you will.

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'Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy'

Release date: February 13 on Peacock

Starring: Renée Zellweger, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Leo Woodall, Jim Broadbent, Gemma Jones, Isla Fisher, and with Colin Firth and Hugh Grant

Why it’s worth watching: Your Galentines Day plans have arrived. Everyone’s favorite, relatable rom-com heroine returns with more adventures in motherhood and love to juggle. Recently widowed (maybe keep tissues in tow for this one!), she navigates single motherhood and dating for the first time in years, including online (gasp!) and with younger men (another gasp!). We’re stoked to have our girl back!

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'My Dead Friend Zoe'

Release date: February 28

Starring: Sonequa Martin-Green, Natalie Morales, Ed Harris, Morgan Freeman, and Utkarsh Ambudkar

Why it’s worth watching: This film from Kyle Hausmann-Stokes, marking his feature directorial debut and based on his short Merit x Zoe, was a hit at SXSW 2024, taking home the Audience Award. The moving comedy centers on veteran Merit (Sonequa Martin-Green) who keeps being visited by the ghost of her best friend who died in combat (Zoe) and takes it upon herself to become the caretaker for her estranged grandfather (Ed Harris) when he’s diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.

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'On Becoming a Guinea Fowl'

Release date: March 7

Starring: Susan Chardy, Elizabeth Chisela, Henry B.J. Phiri, Roy Chisha, and Blessings Bhamjee

Why it's worth watching: Acclaimed I Am Not a Witch filmmaker Rungano Nyoni's latest is an A24-produced dark comedy. It revolves around a woman named Shula (Susan Chardy) who happens upon her uncle's dead body in the middle of the road, leading family secrets and drama to surface amid his funeral proceedings.

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'A Nice Indian Boy'

Release date: April 4

Starring: Karan Soni, Jonathan Groff, Sunita Mani, Zarna Garg, and Harish Patel

Why it’s worth watching: Who doesn’t love a wedding hijinks rom-com? This one, based on a play by Madhuri Shekar, sees an Indian family coming to accept their son’s love for a white man and help plan a celebration that pleases everyone involved. We bet this one will be heartwarming and swoon-worthy, especially with Boadway darling Jonathan Groff as the charming love interest.

'The Naked Gun'

Release date: August 1

Starring: Liam Neeson, Kevin Durand, Paul Walter Hauser, Danny Huston, Pamela Anderson, and Liza Koshy

Why it’s worth watching: The members of Saturday Night Live’s The Lonely Island have seemingly taken on a lot of childhood wish fulfillment-type projects over the years, and this seems like it could be Akiva Schaffer’s latest. He’s directing this spin-off of the beloved cop comedy franchise The Naked Gun. Liam Neeson will take on Detective Frank Drebin, famously first portrayed by deadpan icon Leslie Nielsen, so you can bet he’ll be tapping into his action blockbuster leading man persona and his own humorous spin.

'Freakier Friday'

Release date: August 8

Starring: Lindsay Lohan, Jamie Lee Curtis, Chad Michael Murray, Manny Jacinto,

Mark Harmon, Julia Butters, and Maitreyi Ramakrishnan

Why it’s worth watching: After 22 years, we’re finally getting a sequel to one of the most beloved ‘00s films. LiLo and Jamie Lee are back as the hilarious mother-daughter duo Anna and Tess. It’s unclear if they’ll go for body swap round two, or if somebody else will do the swapping, but the film is said to find Anna as she’s a mom and soon-to-be stepmom dealing with “the challenges that come when two families merge.” Thankfully, what matters most has already been confirmed: It will see a reunion of Anna’s band Pink Slip.

'Animal Friends'

Release date: October 10

Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Aubrey Plaza, Jason Momoa, Dan Levy, Lil Rel Howery, Vince Vaughn, and Addison Rae

Why it’s worth watching: Ignore the cutesy title: This is a rated R romp. However, there are animals involved. Plot and character details are under wraps, but the Ryan Reynolds-produced-and-starring animated/live-action hybrid movie follows two unlikely animal friends on a road trip. Based on the A-list cast, we’d guess this one will be very LOL-worthy.

'Bugonia'

Release date: November 7

Starring: Emma Stone, Jesse Plemons, Alicia Silverstone

Why it’s worth watching: Emma Stone and Yorgos Lanthimos are back at it. For their fourth collaboration, they’re adapting the iconic 2003 South Korean film Save the Green Planet! into English. The plot follows two conspiracy theorists who kidnap the CEO of a major company (Stone), convinced that she’s an alien. It's time to put on our tin foil hats and lock in!

'Atropia'

Release date: Premieres at Sundance Film Festival in January, release date TBD

Starring: Alia Shawkat, Callum Turner, Chloë Sevigny, and Tim Heidecker

Why it’s worth watching: Luca Guadagnino is among the producers of filmmaker Hailey Gates’ full-length adaptation of her short Shako Mako. Alia Shawkat led the short and returns for the feature, playing an aspiring actress named Fayruz working at a U.S. military base in the fictional country Atropia. The synopsis reads: “When she meets Abu Dice, an experienced soldier playing the role of an insurgent, their romance quickly threatens their respective ambitions and questions their allegiance to the military and Atropia’s purpose. Set on the eve of Bush’s “surge,” the bloodiest year of the war, Atropia is a comedic love story cast against a uniquely absurd American backdrop.”

'Bubble & Squeak'

Release date: Premieres at Sundance Film Festival in January, release date TBD

Starring: Himesh Patel, Sarah Goldberg, Steven Yeun, Dave Franco, Matt Berry

Why it’s worth watching: After Evan Twohy’s screenplay ended up on the Hollywood Black List, or the list of the best unproduced screenplays, in 2020, it got picked up and will mark his directorial debut. Set in a world where cabbages are banned, a couple (Himesh Patel and Sarah Goldberg) is accused of smuggling them across the border, leading them to confront the issues in their relationship.

'Twinless'

Release date: Premieres at Sundance Film Festival in January, release date TBD

Starring: Dylan O’Brien, James Sweeney, Lauren Graham

Why it’s worth watching: Dylan O’Brien pulls double weight here (well, really triple because he produced the film), playing a set of twins. It follows the “bromance” that develops between two young men who connect in a twin bereavement support group.

'A Simple Favor 2'

Release date: TBD

Starring: Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively

Why it’s worth watching: Pour out a dirty martini because there’s a sequel to A Simple Favor on the way. Paul Feig, who directed the 2018 adaptation of the bestselling mystery-thriller novel, helms the follow-up, which takes its complicated besties Stephanie (Anna Kendrick) and Emily (Blake Lively) to a destination wedding in Italy. We can’t see what chaos follows them (and what incredible pantsuits Lively wears next).

'Knives Out: Wake Up Dead Man'

Release date: TBD

Starring: Daniel Craig, Josh O’Connor, Cailee Spaeny, Glenn Close, Josh Brolin, Mila Kunis, Jeremy Renner, Kerry Washington, Andrew Scott, Daryl McCormack, and Thomas Haden Church

Why it’s worth watching: Netflix will release the third Knives Out movie in 2025, with Daniel Craig slipping back into his New Orleans drawl as detective Benoit Blanc. As usual, the cast of suspects in the murder mystery is stacked, and it’s already been teased as revolving around the “most dangerous” investigation yet. We’re ready to pull out our deerstalker cap and magnifying glasses to get on the case

Among the new season 2 cast, one actor surprising fans with their dark comedic performance is Choi Seung-hyun as the pill-popping, retired rapper Thanos (Player 230). Choi's casting became an immediate topic of conversation among K-pop fans, as he's known as the former member of one of Korea's most successful idol groups. For anyone unfamiliar with the actor and rapper, read on to learn more about Choi Seung-hyun, a.k.a. T.O.P, and his decades-long entertainment career. (And once you finish watching the new episode, check out our breakdown of Squid Game season 2's ending and our guide to the forthcoming season 3.)

Choi Seung-hyun, a.k.a. T.O.P, is a former member of BIGBANG.

Choi, 37, is best known among music fans as T.O.P, the former lead rapper and visual for the iconic boy group BIGBANG. The musician began his career as an underground rapper before debuting with BIGBANG in 2006. The group went on to sell over 140 million records worldwide, and their song "Fantastic Baby" was the first K-pop music video to hit 300 million views on YouTube. Choi also released solo singles, including "Turn It Up" and "Doom Dada."

After a tumultuous extended hiatus (more on that below), Choi left YG Entertainment in 2022, before officially withdrawing from BIGBANG in June 2023. Though he hasn't recently released solo music, he did participate in co-writing the group's 2022 single "Still Life."

He's an award-winning actor who made his debut in 2007.

Choi won his first acting role just a year after his music debut, with a role in the romantic K-drama I Am Sam. The star actually collaborated with some of his Squid Game co-stars earlier in his career. He worked with Yang Dong-eun in I Am Sam, and in 2009, Choi and Lee Byung-hun starred in the popular thriller K-drama Iris.

In 2010, Choi received two Best New Actor awards for his performance in the Korean War movie 71: Into the Fire, from Korea's prestigious Blue Dragon Film Awards and Baeksang Arts Awards.

His other notable credits in the years since include the 2013 action film Commitment, the 2014 crime movie Tazza: The Hidden Card, and the 2015 romance drama The Secret Message. Squid Game season 2 is Choi's first acting role since the 2017 Chinese film Out of Control.

He's an art collector and the grand-nephew of a pioneering Korean artist.

Choi was born into an artistic family; his great-uncle is the famed Korean abstract artist Kim Whanki, whose piece "Universe" became the first-ever Korean painting to sell for over $10 million at a 2019 auction.

Now Choi is an avid art collector himself. He and his BIGBANG bandmate (and childhood friend) G-Dragon were listed on ARTnews' 2019 list of 50 Art Collectors to Watch. Choi also occasionally shares the new art he's acquired on his Instagram.

In addition to his art hobby, the actor is an entrepreneur who owns the brand T'SPOT Wine. He was also formerly set to go to space as part of Japanese billionaire Yusaku Maezawa's dearMoon civilian mission, but the project was canceled in June 2023.

He served 10 months in prison for illegal marijuana use.

Choi took a hiatus from his entertainment career in early 2017, as he began serving his mandatory military service as a conscripted policeman. That June, he was accused of smoking marijuana, which is an illegal substance in South Korea that holds a sentence of up to five years in prison.

Choi pleaded guilty to using marijuana four times; the judge sentenced him to 10 months in prison, suspended for two years since the actor showed regret for his actions, and publicly apologized to his fans. Choi served his probation for two years and completed his military service as a public service worker in July 2019.

'Squid Game' creator Hwang Dong-hyuk has defended his casting.

In an interview before Squid Game season 2's release, creator Hwang Dong-hyuk defended his choice in casting Choi, arguing that the actor was "necessary" for the show.

"In the case of Choi Seung-hyun, it was quite a while when I decided to cast him," he told Maeil Business Newspaper. "The sentence was already handed down, the probation period was over, and if that time had passed, I thought it would be time to start something like this again."

Hwang added, "[Choi] showed a lot of effort and talent when he worked hard and sent me acting videos and verified them once again when he was nervous while reading...I can't tell you in detail what kind of character it is, but it takes a lot of courage for Choi Seung-hyun to play this role. That's why I personally thought this actor was the best fit for me."

Luckily, Netflix has confirmed that Squid Game will complete its epic story. In July 2024, creator Hwang Dong-hyuk revealed that the series would conclude with the third and final season. Now that we know which characters survived season 2, read on for everything we know about Squid Game season 3 so far. (If you're still scratching your head over the cliffhangers at the end of season 2, read our finale breakdown.)

When will 'Squid Game' season 3 be released?

Don't worry: There won't be another three-year wait between Squid Game seasons 2 and 3. Netflix has confirmed that Squid Game season 3 will be released sometime in 2025. The exact release date is still unknown, but Hwang has confirmed that season 3 is currently in post-production, with the cast having filmed seasons 2 and 3 back-to-back.

The director teased the possible release window in a post-season interview with Variety. "After season 2 launches, I believe we will be announcing the launch date for season 3 soon. I probably expect that to launch around summer or fall next year," he told the outlet.

Netflix didn't include a full season 3 trailer at the end of season 2, but viewers did get some flashes of a future scene. The Red Light, Green Light doll Young-hee returns, this time under a painted sunset, and she has company. A male doll (her "boyfriend," Cheol-su, per Hwang) faces her while a railroad crossing switches from red to green. Get ready for season 3.

Who in the 'Squid Game' cast will return for season 3?

The death toll for season 2 was lower than expected, meaning that most of the show's new ensemble cast will be back to finish their arcs. That includes Lee Jung-jae (Gi-hun), Lee Byung-hun (Front Man), Wi Ha-jun (Jun-ho), Jun Suk-ho (Woo-seok), Yim Si-wan (Myung-gi, 333), Jo Yu-ri (Jun-hee, 222), Yang Dong-geun (Yong-sik, 007), Kang Ae-shim (Geum-ja, 149), Park Gyu-young (No-eul), Kang Ha-Neul (Dae-ho, 388), Park Sung-hoon (Hyun-ju, 120), Chae Gook-hee (Seon-nyeo, 044), Lee David (Min-su, 125), and Roh Jae-won (Nam-gyu, 124).

With seasons 2 and 3 being connected, it's unlikely that season 3 will add any new cast members. However, we may get another surprise casting like Park Hee-soon as the Front Man's lieutenant.

What will 'Squid Game' season 3 be about?

After season 2's bleak ending, with the rebellion failing and Gi-hun watching his best friend Jung-bae (Lee Seo-hwan) die, season 3 will likely start at a low point. Much of where the show goes next will depend on Gi-hun's mental state, whether he's able to rally and fight again or if he loses all hope. Either way, he'll likely be forced to continue the games with the rest of the remaining players, for the Front Man and VIPs' perverse amusement. (Also, since the Xs are pretty much wiped out, the games could last all six rounds.)

Outside of specifics, which are anyone's guess, there are two big emotional showdowns that season 3 is headed toward: one between Gi-hun and Front Man (hopefully without his mask), and one between Front Man and his brother Jun-ho. Since Captain Park has been working for Front Man, he may lead Jun-ho and crew to the correct island so the two brothers can reunite face to face.

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Hwang teased that Front Man's complicated feelings towards Gi-hun will factor into the upcoming season. As many fans have theorized, Hwang said there may be some hope for redemption within the Front Man, as the antagonist has a layered response to seeing how Gi-hun retained hope in humanity after winning the games, instead of giving up on people altogether.

"What he feels toward Gi-hun is hatred," Hwang told the outlet. "He looks down on him and wants to win above him. However, deep inside, watching Gi-hun having gone through the same experience he first had in Squid Game, and seeing how Gi-hun is genuinely believing in humanity, is persisting to protect humanity…I believe the Front Man harbors a very strange inferiority complex, or a sense of defeat, when he sees Gi-hun."

"Even deeper down, I suspect he harbors a bit of respect for Gi-hun, as well," he continued. "He really sees what he let go of and what he lost when he sees Gi-hun. Secretly, he might even want Gi-hun to fight on."

Will there be a 'Squid Game' spinoff?

While fans still have another season to look forward to, Hwang has shared that he would possibly be up to return to the world of Squid Game someday. (Likely after a long deal of rest.)

He told THR that he sees the upcoming episodes as the end of the series, but shared where he could see the world of Squid Game going next. "Personally, I see the third season as being the finale to this story. That’s because I believe I’ve had closure to the story I wanted to tell about society through the character of Seong Gi-hun," he explained. "If I ever wanted to go back to the world of Squid Game, it would be about different characters with a different story arc. Some kind of spinoff, maybe. For example, the masked guards. How did they end up here? What do they do in their downtime? Something like that, maybe."

But let's rewind: Squid Game season 2 finally hit Netflix on December 26, 2024, over three years after the first installment became a surprise hit K-drama turned cultural phenomenon turned one of Netflix's most-watched shows ever. Though news of the renewal initially prompted criticism as seeming unnecessary, creator Hwang Dong-hyuk's second season is just as expertly written, thrilling, and timely as the first, as the dystopian death game turns into a pressing commentary on greed and sectarianism taken to their harshest conclusions.

For everyone who's just finished bingeing through the episodes, and needs to process everything we just watched, here's a breakdown of the ending of Squid Game season 2.

What happens in the 'Squid Game' season 2 finale?

Episode 7, "Friend or Foe," starts with the brutal end of the X vs O bathroom fight, which shows how effective a kimbap fork can be as a weapon. (R.I.P. Thanos...and four others, damn.) This fight parallels Deok-su's (Heo Sung-tae) lunch-line murder in season 1, as it signals that players can kill each other outside of a round and benefit from it. Couple that with the ongoing tension of each side needing to recruit more people before the next morning's vote, and that evening is set to be another strobe-light bloodbath.

However, Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) realizes it's the perfect time to steal the guards' guns and bring the games down. He convinces his X allies to fight the people who created the games instead of each other. The 12 or 14 of them hide during the carnage and play dead once it's over, so they can ambush the guards and take their guns. The message doesn't get to all the X players, since the guards manning the cameras need to think everything's going to plan. (However, I'm salty because my girl Se-mi, 380, played by Won Ji-an, didn't have to go down like that, at the hands of Roh Jae-won's Nam-gyu, 124. R.I.P., queen.)

Gi-hun and his crew successfully subdue the red-suited guards who come in to end the fight. The plan to fight to the control room is a tough sell, but Jung-bae (390) (Lee Seo-hwan) gets more volunteers by appealing to the rest of the X's as the last chance to get out of there before the O's take over the vote. Hyun-ju (120) (Park Sung-hoon) then comes in particularly clutch, organizing the men and giving a mini-ballistics lesson with her special-forces knowledge. (The players likely know how to use machine guns because many have presumably completed their mandatory military service.)

The rebels get stuck in a firefight against the guards, as the pastel-colored staircases become darkened with bullet holes. Gi-hun and Jung-bae are the ones to go on and try to find the control room, and they get as far as the purple-painted management area. They get stuck fighting their way up a giant staircase, with all the square-masked guards from the control room coming out to swarm them. Their situation quickly becomes hopeless as all the rebels run out of bullets. Front Man (Lee Byung-hun) recruits three players to be backups for Gi-hun and Jung-bae, and former Marine Dae-ho (388) (Kang Ha-neul) is panicking before he volunteers to go back to the dorm for more ammo. Once he gets to the dorm, his poor mental health (perhaps an episode caused by PTSD?) leaves him frozen as soon as he steps back out into the Escher-scape. There may be 15 minutes left in the show, but by the time Dae-ho drops his walkie-talkie, it's clear that the rebels are going down.

What is the Captain Park's secret in 'Squid Game' season 2?

Several subplots outside the games also come to shocking conclusions in the season 2 finale, including Captain Park's identity. (Is it just me, or was it clear from the jump that the fishing captain was working for the Front Man?) Before the reveal, viewers learned that Captain Park had "randomly" found and rescued a drowning Jun-ho (Wi Ha-joon) after the season 1 finale, and that Park had been helping the detective-turned-traffic-cop search for the island facility. Even after a year and a half, they hadn't found it—which tracks because there are over 3,300 islands in South Korea—but could Park really not remember the general area where he rescued someone? Park seemed suspicious from the moment when, during their search in the season 2 premiere, he told Jun-ho, "Come and catch squid with me, okay?"

When a seasick mercenary catches Park messing with the drone, the jig is up and the soldier gets a knife to the gut for his trouble. Unfortunately, he tricks Woo-seok (Jun Suk-ho) into believing the thuds are falling boxes. Park will likely continue steering Jun-ho and the search crew in the wrong direction in season 3...or maybe he'll change course. After all, Squid Game can't end without another confrontation between Jun-ho and Front Man, the two tragic brothers who were kept apart this entire season. I'm placing my bet now: Jun-ho will make it to the right island.

What happens to the Front Man (a.k.a. "Young-il") at the end of 'Squid Game' season 2?

Many questions remain surrounding Front Man/"Young-il." In the "Meet the Cast" featurette ahead of season 2, actor Lee Byung-hyun said Front Man's main goal is to "shatter" Gi-hun's conviction that people are inherently kind, even in the most desperate situations. With that context, it can be argued that every new rule in this season is specifically designed to break Gi-hun's faith in humanity. When did Front Man think of this plan to lure Gi-hun back into the games to mess with him? When did Front Man decide to enter the games himself? Is the Player 001 slot always left open for some meta-fuckery, or have these been two particularly weird (or perhaps extra-entertaining) years for the VIPs to watch?

The dramatic irony of only having the audience know that "Young-il" is Front Man is a good and fascinating twist. Attentive viewers can see on the first watch that Front Man makes some choices just to fuck with Gi-hun, like being horrible at the spinning top. It also adds an extra layer to his argument early in the finale, that the Xs should attack the Os first. Sure, it matches the brutality that only Jung-bae saw in the merry-go-round, but it's also a push to see if Gi-hun will attack players he sees as innocent. I might be reading a bit of smugness into Front Man's expression when the others briefly start agreeing with him, and a bit of satisfaction when Gi-hun agrees that a few players must be sacrificed so the plan can work. "See? Man is evil."

Once the rebels step into the pastel hallways, Front Man barely tries to hide his villainous face. The shot of him glaring at the unmasked guard right before said guard is shot is priceless, as is the beat when it's clear that he's been lying about having no bullets. The way he looks straight into the camera is a bit melodramatic, but it ultimately pays off as he asks Gi-hun, "Are you sure?" as Gi-hun offers him what's believed to be the last spare magazine.

Front Man strings along Gi-hun's hope to the end. The backup team of three takes the purple hallways to a position where they can catch the guards by surprise, but instead, Front Man shoots his fellow rebels himself. Then, over a walkie-talkie, he narrates his own "death" to Gi-hun, passing off his gunshots as a guard. A quick change, and "Young-il" is behind the mask again, ready to torment Gi-hun to his face instead of at his side.

As Gi-hun's on his knees, staring down the barrel of Front Man's gun, the evil mastermind says, "Look closely at the consequences of your little hero game." He shoots Jung-bae. The guards hold Gi-hun down on the ground next to his last remaining friend, to watch him die. And that's the end of Squid Game season 2.

What will happen in 'Squid Game' season 3?

By the end of Squid Game season 2, the people left alive include the Front Man, of course, and his second-in-command (a surprise role played by Park Hee-soon, one of South Korea's most established actors), as well as Jun-ho, Woo-seok, and Captain Park, who are on the boat. A surprising amount of players we've come to know and (some of them) love are also alive: Myung-gi (333) (Yim Si-wan) and Jun-hee (222) (Jo Yu-ri); Yong-sik (Yang Dong-geun) (007) and Geum-ja (149) (Kang Ae-shim); Dae-ho and Hyun-ju (Park Sung-hoon), both of whom will likely blend back in with the remaining players; Seon-nyeo (044) (Chae Gook-hee) and Nam-gyu (Roh Jae-won); and Min-su (125) (Lee David), somehow. As for No-eul (Park Gyu-young), she's definitely alive among the guards, as they spent too much time weaving her into the organ-harvesting plot for that to go nowhere.

A quick toast to the fallen: R.I.P. Recruiter (Gong Yoo), Thanos (Choi Seung-hyun), Se-mi (Won Ji-an), Jung-bae, and Gyeong-seok (Lee Jin-uk).

And then there's Gi-hun, a man who keeps hitting devastating rock bottoms despite being worth at least 400 billion won. (Money really doesn't buy happiness.) His time in the games likely isn't over, as both the Front Man and the VIPs will get a kick out of watching him play completely broken. This season promised six games, and there are three remaining that we still have to see (likely in season 3).

The question remaining at the end of season 2 is just how broken he is. Will he somehow rally emotionally and eventually succeed in his impossible goal? Will he be so numb that he immediately dies in round 4, and one of our other faves takes the hero role? Or will this be the final push for him, as many have theorized, to become the next Front Man once and for all? Only Netflix knows how many months we'll have to wait and theorize for Squid Game season 3.

Her role in Squid Game season 2, which arrives on Netflix on December 26, 2024, is set to elevate her to the global stage thanks to a breakout chameleonic performance Jo gives as Jun-hee (Player 222). Jun-hee is a desperate young woman who enters the competition and encounters her boyfriend, a crypto-bro scammer played by Yim Si-wan. Jun-hee will likely remind viewers of the terse, captivating Sae-byeok, a performance that catapulted Hoyeon to superstardom (and a SAG Award) in parallel with Squid Game’s meteoric rise. As such, the actress has huge shoes to fill, and she does so admirably, imbuing intriguing new layers to the character as she deals with both her complicated relationship with her ex and the secret reason she joined the game.

Below, Jo chats with Marie Claire (via a translator) about her extensive research process for Jun-hee, bonding with her co-stars on set, and how she personally would fare in the deadly games.

Marie Claire: What was your reaction when you first learned about the opportunity to be in Squid Game? Did you go through an audition process?

Jo Yu-ri: I actually had a relatively long audition process, which was about three months. At times it was tiring, and I really wanted to get this part. So when I first heard the casting news, it was exhilarating. I was so happy with it.

MC: How would you describe Jun-hee’s motivations as she enters the competition?

JY: I think it's the baby that Jun-hee is carrying. She wanted to make a living, doing whatever she could. That's why I believe she decided to join the game.

MC: What is your favorite aspect of the character Jun-hee? Did you relate to her in any way?

JY: Jun-hee and I both have a very strong drive and a strong willpower to have things that they desire to achieve. Along with survival skills, that's what I think is similar between Jun-hee and me.

MC: What was your experience acting alongside Yim Si-wan and playing characters with such a loaded history?

JY: I think Jun-hee would've had very mixed feelings toward Myung-gi, because on one hand, she hated him or she blamed him for whatever happened to her. But on the other hand, she also cares for him. She still wants the best thing for Myung-gi.

MC: I also really love Jun-hee’s relationship with Kang Ae-sim’s character, Geum-ja, throughout the series. Why does Geum-ja become significant to Jun-hee over the course of the season?

JY: Geum-ja was the first person to realize Jun-hee's pregnancy, so I think that played a part. They also share a mother's instincts in the facility, which also contributed to the bond that they built together. I think Jun-hee may have also found some motherly figure from the character of Geum-ja.

MC: Jun-hee is far along in her pregnancy when she joins the competition. Were there any specific ways you had to move your body in scenes that involved running and playing the games?

JY: Yes. We actually paid close attention to how Jun-hee's body movements would feel to the actual women who have experienced pregnancy before. I didn't want the character of Jun-hee to look awkward or unusual or unnatural for a pregnant woman. So we researched a lot to study basic posture, gestures, and body movements. Even in a sitting position, we studied if a pregnant woman can sit like Indian-style, whether we could do it or not.

MC: Were there any scenes that challenged you as an actor?

JY: The one scene that I can remember was Jun-hee crying in the restroom alone. That was the very first scene that Jun-hee showed her emotion, so I was kind of under pressure during that scene.

MC: Jun-hee is very level-headed throughout all the games. If you were in a similar situation, do you think you would react in the same way?

JY: I don't think I would be as cool or levelheaded as Jun-hee. I would probably have very shaky hands where my body would tremble every game. I guess Jun-hee is maybe a stronger person than I am.

MC: Did any of your more experienced co-stars give you advice during filming?

JY: Kang Ae-shim, who plays the character of Geum-ja, she actually taught me a lot, especially about being pregnant. She taught me how to behave or how to move as a pregnant woman, as well as what is possible and what is not possible if you are pregnant. That helped me a lot, so I very much appreciated her being there. While we were building a stronger friendship on the set, the chemistry between our characters got stronger as well. So it was very interesting.

MC: Squid Game is a really sad show at its core, but if you could imagine a happy ending for Jun-hee, what would you imagine the rest of her life to be after the competition?

JY: For Jun-hee, it would not so much be about winning the game or being the finalist. We do the vote after every round, so maybe more people will vote for X so that Jun-hee can leave the game. Then maybe she could get her share of the reward money and live a happy life with her baby. I think that would be the happy ending for Jun-hee.

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

For season 2, arriving on Netflix on December 26, 2024, director Hwang Dong-hyuk increased the show's ensemble cast, giving viewers more complicated characters to root for...until their bloody demises. The talented new cast includes Hallyu superstars, regular Netflix actors, and some of K-pop's biggest names. Read on to learn about the cast of Squid Game season 2. (If you need a refresher on how Squid Game season 1 ended, we've got a breakdown for you.)

Lee Jung-jae as Seong Gi-hun (456)

At the end of season 1, Gi-hun walks away from the flight determined to bring an end to the game no matter what it takes. When he finds himself wearing the 456 tracksuit again, he has to go through the terrifying ordeal for the second time.

Lee Jung-jae, 52, earned several awards for his performance in Squid Game season 1, including the Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Television Series - Drama, and the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series. He went on to star alongside Amandla Stenberg and Manny Jacinto in the short-lived Disney+ Star Wars series The Acolyte.

Lee Byung-hun as The Front Man

After his dramatic reveal in season 1, the Front Man (real name Hwang In-ho) will have a much larger role in season 2. Per the "Meet the Cast" featurette video that Netflix shared, In-ho is the "complete opposite" of Gi-hun, as the mastermind behind the competition believes that "there's no benevolence left in people."

Lee Byung-hyun, 54, is one of South Korea's most successful and well-known actors. He's even appeared in seven of the 100 highest-grossing Korean movies of all time. Some of his best-known films include Joint Security Area; The Good, the Bad, the Weird; I Saw the Devil; Masquerade; Inside Men; and Concrete Utopia. He previously worked with director Hwang on the historical Korean movie The Fortress.

Wi Ha-joon as Hwang Jun-ho

After infiltrating the game in season 1, Jun-ho survived his deadly fall. By the events of season 2, he's back to his job as a police officer. Per the featurette, Jun-ho's mind is still on his brother In-ho (a.k.a. the Front Man). "Because he loved and looked up to his brother so much, he just can't let go."

Wi Ha-jun, 33, made his acting debut in 2015 and has since starred in over a dozen K-dramas. In addition to Squid Game, he's best known for appearing in the shows Something in the Rain, Romance is a Bonus Book, Bad and Crazy, Little Women, The Worst of Evil, and Gyeongseong Creature. Earlier this year, he had his first male lead role in the romance K-drama The Midnight Romance in Hagwon.

Gong Yoo as The Recruiter

The handsome Recruiter also returns for season 2, as he sets out to find another set of contestants desperate enough to join the game.

Gong Yoo, 45, has appeared in some of the most popular K-dramas and Korean movies ever, including Coffee Prince, Train to Busan, Guardian: The Lonely and Great God, and Kim Ji Young: Born 1982. Before Squid Game, he starred in director Hwang's groundbreaking film Silenced in 2011. Recently, Gong has starred in two Netflix K-dramas: the sci-fi epic The Silent Sea, and the thriller melodrama The Trunk.

Yim Si-wan as Myung-gi (333)

Myung-gi used to be a popular YouTuber before he promoted a cryptocurrency that left himself and his subscribers broke. He was on the run from the law and his debtors before joining the game, where he runs into both his former followers and his ex-girlfriend, Jun-hee.

Yim Si-wan, 36, started his career as a K-pop idol in the boy group ZE:A, which debuted in 2010. He had his first major acting role in the 2012 K-drama Moon Embracing the Sun. His most notable projects include Misaeng: Incomplete Life, The Merciless, Strangers from Hell, Run On, Summer Strike, Unlocked, and Boston 1947.

Jo Yu-ri as Jun-hee (222)

Jun-hee is an "independent and persistent" young woman who "joins the game to earn a living," according to the featurette. When she was in a relationship with Myung-gi, she was advised to buy his crypto, but they fell out of touch before the game. Once she encounters him in the facility, she has to deal with both her ex-boyfriend and a major secret.

Jo Yu-ri, 23, started her career as a contestant on Korean reality competition shows, placing 15th on 2017's Idol School and 3rd on 2018's Produce 48. From the latter, she became the main vocalist of the K-pop girl group IZ*ONE, which released music from 2018 to 2021. Jo debuted as a K-pop soloist following the group's disbandment and later starred in the web drama Mimicus in 2022.

Yang Dong-geun as Yong-sik (007)

Similarly to Gi-hun before he won the game, Yong-sik is a shameless gambler burdened by debt. The immature man is surprised to encounter his mother Geum-ja in the game, not knowing she had signed up.

Yang Dong-geun, 45, started his career as a child actor and went on to debut as a rapper (under the stage name YDG) in 2001. He has continued his acting and music careers concurrently to this day. Yang's most well-known shows include School, The Three Musketeers, Lost, Connect, and Moving, and he also had a stint as a judge on the rap competition show Show Me the Money.

Kang Ae-shim as Geum-ja (149)

Yong-sik's mother Geum-ja joined the game not for herself, but to help pay off her son's debt. The resilient and fiercely loyal woman refuses to give up on her son and always puts his needs before hers, for better or worse.

Kang Ae-shim, 61, is a stage and screen actress who has appeared in several K-dramas, including Be Melodramatic, When the Camellia Blooms, Move to Heaven, Hospital Playlist, Bad and Crazy, Queen of Divorce, and A Virtuous Business.

Lee Seo-hwan as Jung-bae (390)

Jung-bae is also a gambler who joins the game to pay off debts. Like others mentioned above, he runs into a familiar face in the game: his best friend Gi-hun, who he hadn't seen in years. Interested viewers can go back and spot Jung-bae alongside Gi-hun during the gambling scenes in the series premiere.

Lee Seo-hwan, 51, made his debut as a stage musical actor at the age of 32. He later appeared in dozens of K-dramas, including Fight for My Way, Romance is a Bonus Book, The Lies Within, The Devil Judge, Lost, Pachinko, Vigilante, Goodbye Earth, and The Tale of Lady Ok.

Park Gyu-young as No-eul

No-eul was a soldier in North Korea before she defected and fled to the South. She was forced to leave her newborn behind, and now she "has no other purpose in life than to find her child."

Park Gyu-young, 31, is a familiar face to Netflix K-drama fans. Since making her acting debut in 2015, she has grown into a prolific screen actress, starring in shows including It's Okay to Not Be Okay, Sweet Home, The Devil Judge, Dali & Cocky Prince, Celebrity, and A Good Day to Be a Dog. She's already set to return to Netflix soon in the upcoming 2025 K-drama, Mantis, a spinoff film from 2022's Kill Boksoon.

Kang Ha-neul as Dae-ho (388)

Dae-ho is a former Marine with an "over-the-top masculinity and survival strategy," per the featurette. However, he's also "a bit of a friendly trickster" who, "deep down, is pretty fragile.

Kang Ha-neul, 34, is best known for his leading role in the romance K-drama When the Camellia Blooms, which earned him the Best Actor award at Korea's prestigious Baeksang Arts Awards. He has also appeared in the films Forgotten, The Pirates 2, Love Reset, and Pilot, as well as the dramas Misaeng and Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo.

Park Sung-hoon as Hyun-ju (120)

Hyun-ju (above, center) is a transgender woman and former special forces soldier, who joins the game to fund her gender-affirming surgery. Her training comes in handy, as she exhibits resilience and natural leadership. (In an interview with TV Guide, director Hwang said that it was "near impossible" to cast a trans actress in the role, as there are "close to no" openly trans actors in South Korea.)

Park Sung-hoon, 39, has quickly become one of the most exciting actors to watch in South Korea over the past few years. In 2022, he starred as unrepentant bully Jae-jun in the Netflix melodrama The Glory. Then, earlier this year, he had another leading villain role in the record-breaking drama Queen of Tears.

Lee Jin-uk as Gyeong-seok (246)

Gyeon-seok is a father who needs money to pay for his daughter Na-yeon's medical treatments, after the toddler is diagnosed with blood cancer.

Lee Jin-uk, 43, previously worked with Hwang Dong-hyuk in 2014, when he had a supporting role in the fantasy comedy Miss Granny. Lee is best known for his roles in Glass Castle, I Need Romance 2012, High Society, Voice, Sweet Home, and Welcome to Wedding Hell.

Chae Gook-hee as Seon-nyeo (044)

Per the featurette, Seon-nyeo is a "once-powerful Korean shaman past her prime" whose "main purpose in the show is to curse people and deliver prophecies."

Chae Gook-hee, 54, has primarily appeared in supporting roles in K-dramas, including Dear My Friends, The World of the Married, and Lovers of the Red Sky.

Choi Seung-hyun (T.O.P.) as Thanos (230)

Thanos is a retired rapper who subscribed to Myung-gi's YouTube channel and invested all his money in the same crypto coin. The harbinger of chaos joins the game after losing his life savings.

Choi Seung-hyun, 37, is also a retired rapper in real life, better known as T.O.P., the former lead rapper of K-pop group BIGBANG who left the group in 2023. As an actor, Choi made his film debut in 2009 and won Best New Actor at both the Baeksang Arts Awards and the Blue Dragon Film Awards. His well-known roles include 71: Into the Fire, IRIS, Commitment, Tazza 2: The Hidden Card, and The Secret Message. Squid Game is Choi's first acting role following a hiatus due to legal troubles.

Lee David as Min-su (125)

Min-su is a timid and cowardly man in his 20s, who's bullied into joining the "Thanos team" for group challenges.

He's played by Lee David, 30, who started his career as a child actor. He's best known for the K-dramas Bring It On, Ghost, Save Me, Itaewon Class, and Law School, as well as the movies Unforgettable and The Fortress.

Roh Jae-won as Nam-gyu (124)

Nam-gyu once met Thanos while working as a bouncer at a nightclub. He ends up as Thanos's right-hand man and punching bag, so Nam-gyu bullies the weaker Min-su.

Roh Jae-won, 31, is a rising actor who has appeared in several recent K-dramas, including D.P., Daily Dose of Sunshine, A Killer Paradox, Uncle Samsik, and Doubt.

Won Ji-an as Se-mi (380)

Se-mi is a "bold and determined" woman who joins Thanos team alongside Min-su. Per the featurette, "To her, hitting 'X' to leave the game is actually scarier than risking her life to keep playing."

Won Ji-an, 25, is a rising actress whose first K-drama role was in D.P. She's also starred in Hope or Dope, If You Wish Upon Me, Heartbeat, and A Year-End Medley.

Kim Shi-eun as Young-mi (095)

Young-mi is a meek girl who befriends Hyun-ju when they team up for the six-legged pentathlon game. She remains loyal to her unnie (Korean for an older sister, or a close, older female friend) throughout season 2.

Kim Shi-eun, 25, made her acting debut in 2017 and has starred in the acclaimed films Next Sohee and The Dream Songs. She also previously appeared in the dramas Special Labor Inspector Jo, Run On, and Mental Coach Jegal.

Song Ji-woo as Mi-na (196)

Mi-na, a player who quickly catches Thanos' eye in the dormitory, is played by Song Ji-woo. The 27-year-old actress previously made her Netflix K-drama debut in The Glory, where she played the teenage version of bully Choi Hye-jeong. Song's other notable dramas include Extraordinary You, The Forbidden Marriage, Love to Hate You, Doctor Slump, and Captivating the King.

Jeon Seok-ho as Woo-seok

Woo-seok (above, left) is an employee of Mr. Kim (played by Kim Bup-rae, right), the loan shark who threatened Gi-hun in season 1. At the start of season 2, Woo-seok helps in the efforts to track down the Recruiter, and eventually he teams up directly with Gi-hun.

Jeon Seok-ho, 40, is a prolific Korean actor who has held supporting roles in dozens of dramas and films. He's best known for the shows Misaeng: Incomplete Life, Strong Woman Do Bong Soon, Kingdom, Hyena, The Uncanny Counter, Moving, and Love Next Door.

Oh Dal-su as Captain Park

Park is a fishing boat captain who discovered Jun-ho and saved him from drowning after the cop was shot at the end of season 1. By the start of season 2, the pair have been searching for the mysterious game island for months.

Oh Dal-su, 56, is an award-winning actor who has starred in dozens of films over his 35+ year career. He has appeared in supporting roles in five films by famed auteur Park Chan-wook: Oldboy; If You Were Me; Lady Vengeance; I'm a Cyborg, But That's OK ; and Thirst. Oh took a brief hiatus from acting after facing sexual misconduct allegations in 2018.

Sung Do-hyun as Mercenary Leader Kim

Kim, the mysterious leader of Jun-ho's team of mercenaries hunting for the island, is played by Sung Do-hyun. The 43-year-old actor made his debut in 2012 and has mostly starred in movies, including small parts in Hwang Dong-hyuk's film The Fortress. He also previously appeared in the dramas Kingdom season 2 and Mask Girl.

During Robert Eggers’ remake of the classic gothic tale, the 19th-century housewife works through her shame even while men try to diagnose and hospitalize her, and Depp’s portrayal is one of cinema’s latest, greatest erotic horror performances. The 25-year-old is on par with Isabella Adjani in 1981's Possession (Adjani also played a version of the Hutter character in a 1979 rendition) and Charlotte Gainsbourg in 2009's Antichrist. But while her predecessors are completely unhinged in their characterizations, Depp straddles a fine line of literally being in a corseted and tightly bound body, while emotionally wanting to rip open her bodice and give herself over to the “darkness.”

Much of Depp’s bewitching performance in the film, out December 25, comes down to her movements, from granular gasps to dramatic back arches. To manifest believable moments of possession and sexual awakening, Depp worked closely with movement coach Marie-Gabrielle Rotie, a visual artist with a background in dance. A close collaborator of Eggers’, having previously worked with him on 2022’s The Northman, as well as shows like The Witcher, she was tapped for this project due to her knowledge of the Japanese dance form butoh, known as “the dance of darkness.” (It’s often a source of visual inspiration for many J-horror films.)

Rotie choreographed movements before shooting, relayed them to Depp during a rehearsal period in the production’s stunt room, and was present throughout filming on the snowy Prague set. She also helped craft the final sequence between Ellen and Orlock, just before the set was closed to the two actors, an intimacy coordinator, and the director.

Most notably, the movement coach saw herself as further elevating the project’s “feminist lens.” “The messages that come across [in the film] are about female desire, female eroticism, and medicalization of the female body, ” she tells Marie Claire over Zoom from her home in Suffolk, England. (The town is coincidentally known as “witch country,” due to its history in the U.K.’s witch trials.)

“There are still things that women don't talk about with each other or admit to. In different cultures, it's completely taboo, or your body does not belong to you to a certain extent. It belongs to your husband or to the patriarchies,” she says. “For Ellen to find her way through all of that and then to reach her own conclusion was an interesting journey to take with her.”

We spoke to Rotie about finding inspiration in hysteria patients from 19th-century mental hospitals, how surprised she was by Depp’s flexibility, and constructing the film’s final intimate scene between the monster and Ellen.

Marie Clarie: You studied images of hysteria patients for inspiration. Were there certain photos you were looking at? Did you give Lily-Rose Depp any homework?

Marie-Gabrielle Rotie: Yes, over the course of that whole rehearsal period, both Rob [Eggers] and I would give her images. In fact, Rob's office had massive blowups of images.

When I go to create movement, I'm drawing upon a massive reservoir of visual images that have embedded themselves in my body. So, I was very aware of some of the images of the arch of hysteria—where women do these extraordinary backbends on the bed. There was one particular patient of [neurologist Jean-Martin] Charco's, called Augustine, who was very famous for doing these.

I was also equally aware of the wonderful visual artist Louise Bourgeois, a French artist in her 90s, and she's done a lot of sculptures called the “Arch of Hysteria” dealing with these images of women in cages or domestic spaces. For me, that was a perfect image to work with.

What I do is I go into a studio, I have these images, I have these references, and I have Rob's script as the primary focus. I'm reading the script carefully, going, ‘What does he need in this particular scene?’ Rob works so beautifully in terms of visualizing and [storyboarding], so everything seems to be there. But funny enough for the movement, [he can be] quite open-ended because he realizes that the body has to find its place in the frame. So, that was my job.

MC: You specialize in the Japanese form of dance butoh, which greatly informed Lily’s movements. Why was butoh so inspiring for this film?

MGR: I think of myself as an artist working with the body, and I think of choreography as painting the space with movement or sculpting time with movement. Butoh [for years after it was founded in the ‘50s was] quite male. Women only became involved from the 1970s onwards. Part of my work within butoh has also been to work as a feminist marker to think about How can this language be used to explore my own body, my own desire, my own eroticism, my own sexuality, my own darkness, my own shadow? How can I use all of these things as a language and as a tool to go inside and to express, not just on behalf of myself, but on behalf of other women?

Butoh was perfect for Nosferatu because it deals with transformations of the body. In some senses, we open the body to being inhabited by various forces, whether that's wind, rain, becoming a flower, an insect, or an animal. In the same way, Nosferatu is about allowing an entity to manifest. It felt like it was destiny that those two languages should meet somehow.

MC: That’s so interesting and makes sense since this version of Nosferatu sees Ellen through a feminist lens and more than a sacrificial lamb.

MGR: I was really interested in the medicalization of [Ellen’s] body. That's why both Rob and I leaned into looking at notions of hysteria and the documentation of hysteria in the 19th century, which tallied extremely well with the period in which [the film] is set. I was thinking about how that body is literally corsetted in. It's repressed, it's controlled, it's laced up, it's buttoned up—and how Lily might work against that and try to find her way out of it in some form.

MC: Did Lily-Rose Depp surprise you in any way while you were working together?

MGR: Lily was always a revelation. I remember that first rehearsal we were doing a lot of shaking—and shaking is quite exhausting. I remember Lily saying to me, ‘Marie, do you do this for a living? Oh, my God, this is really hard!’ But once we developed a language together, and she understood what was required, then she started to settle into it and find ways to be able to cope with the demand on her body.

I was surprised at her flexibility. I said to her, ‘How come you are so flexible? Do you do yoga or something?’ She said, ‘No, nothing.’ She's more flexible than the average dancer in her back and elsewhere. So I was able to go, ‘Right, that's it. Beautiful. I can use the arch of the hysteria.’

The scene [when she arches her back and levitates off the bed] we made very quickly. And then Lily insisted on putting her hand on [her neck]. It made sense—we had her hand there at the beginning [of the film].

MC: Was there a moment in rehearsal when the movements began to click for her or did it all come as naturally as the backbends?

MGR: It took a few rehearsals to find the core strength. The opening scene where she's lying in the earth on her side, that takes an awful lot of core strength to find the stability not to faceplant. When you have to roll onto your side, it's quite an art to keep the core steady so you can shake, hold this hand here, and shake your legs at the same time. So that took quite a few rehearsals, but once she got it, [she got it].

The scene that was the hardest was this shaking scene where she was with her husband in the living room. This was really hard because, in a way, it wasn't 100% choreographed. It wasn't like, ‘Put your hand here. Do that.’ It was more like she had to find a physical state inside of herself, which we can rehearse, but there's only so much you can rehearse before you have to do it along with the text and the actions of demolishing the living room. It was incredible how she managed to do that and find all the transformations. In the end, it’s Lily who has to glue it all together for herself as an actress and find all those little nuances.

MC: Was she rehearsing with you in a corset?

MGR: I was absolutely insistent from the very beginning that we work in a corset because I was very aware it would impact her ribcage, movement, breathing, but also bring its own beauty to how we might then deal with the movement itself.

MC: You worked with a few other cast members, including Emma Corrin on the scene when she succumbs to the plague. What was that like?

MGR: Gosh, yes, the rats. They had a caravan on site, so I was on the floor of their caravan saying, ‘Well, you could move like this,’ they’re looking at me standing up, of course then they has to go on the floor of this room and actually have rats on their body.

They’re wearing a night dress and the rats all go and sit on their crotch, the warmest place. So my job as a choreographer was to go in and literally move their body so that the rats would have a pathway to go up them a bit more and not settle there. It was the most bizarre moment on set. But Emma was so stoic about it, didn't flinch.

MC: Did you and Lily have conversations about the film’s themes of shame, repression, and desire, and how that manifests in movement?

MGR: Rob created novellas for each character. I never saw it, but they would've done the work of creating the scaffolding for that character in terms of the narrative. My job was to go in and create the physicality.

When you're working with physical movement, you're already working with emotions. You're working with very deep memories sometimes that can be triggered by movement. So, in a way, our conversation was entirely on the physical plane. There's a way of communicating where you don't need so many words.

Nonetheless, some of the major conversations we had were about the ending. The question of: Is she just this sacrificial maiden? [That is] true of the original version of Nosferatu where the woman is super passive, and she's basically sucked the life out of her, and then she's saved humanity. I had tried that version in rehearsal with Bill [Skarsgaard] where he falls out of shot, as in the original Nosferatu and Rob's original storyboarding. Rob and I were like, “Something’s missing here,’ and I said, ‘Look, at this point, she's had her blood half sucked out of her, so she's nearly dead.’ And we had to work really carefully to modulate her death.

I thought, Why doesn't she float back up into the frame and then bring her down with him? It’s almost like, ’Is she a ghost? Is she alive? Is she dead? Is she on the edge of existence?’ I felt that was a really interesting conclusion to the love that she actually genuinely feels for, not something external to herself, but actually a part of herself. It's a way of accepting herself, and that's what makes the ending so beautiful. It is not just a love story between two entities. It's a love story about herself; she's accepted something in herself.

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

The moment feels unprecedented. Much of Babygirl does. Because save for select feminist films (consider The Piano, Benedetta) and TV series (Girls, Sex Education), we’ve become accustomed to seeing heterosexual women on screen climax within moments of being intimate. That is, if it’s depicted at all. The male gaze tends to prioritize men’s satisfaction, or what Babygirl writer/director Halina Reijn describes as the “orgasm gap.” But often when we do see it in women, it’s like a formula: passionate kissing, a couple of thrusts, and the woman lets out a dainty gasp of satisfaction.

Romy’s pleasure in Babygirl, however, is carnal. It’s not concerned with being seen as what society may deem as “pretty” or “feminine,” and feels far more realistic than previous depictions we’ve being exposed to. Romy's entirely uninhibited (so much so that Kidman got exhausted filming orgasm scenes). But that’s only part of why the new A24 erotic drama, about an affair between a CEO and her intern, at least 20 years her junior, feels so groundbreaking and sexy. The eroticism of the motel scene, and many of Romy and Samuel’s encounters, lies in how honestly Babygirl depicts a woman pursuing what she wants for the first time (even if that means risking her picture-perfect life in the process).

Romy has everything she could ever want in Babygirl in a way that feels tongue-in-cheek; she’s the well-respected businesswoman, married to a doting husband (played by Antonio Banderas), the mother to two talented, headstrong daughters, with a penthouse in Manhattan and quintessential home in Connecticut. She can even afford to make time for high-end wellness treatments. But what she wants in the most intimate moments, she can’t get—mainly an orgasm with her husband Jacob who is reluctant to try anything new in the bedroom.

In the film’s opening scene, after Jacob finishes and goes to sleep, Romy sneaks off to a room down the hall to watch porn and touch herself in private. It's something we can tell has become commonplace in her routine. The position she’s in and the sound she makes as she climaxes parallels what she experiences with Samuel later on—a culmination of her desire that’s been repressed (for potentially her entire adult life).

But Romy and Samuel’s affair is by no means out of the romance novel or even classic erotic thriller playbook. They don’t simply realize their attraction, rush into each other’s arms, and start making out behind closed doors. The pair don’t even know where to put their hands on each other at first. How they discover and consent to the roles they hope to fulfill for each other is unique to the film—and immensely hot.

When the two first connect in the office, Samuel weasels his way into Romy’s orbit by bolding requesting she be his mentor. In what’s supposed to be an informational interview, he crosses a line by telling Romy that he suspects she likes being told what to do, seeing a side of her few others seem to have noticed and daring to engage with it. He continues to push boundaries, toying with their corporate power imbalance, like sending her a glass of milk at a bar and whispering, “Good girl,” in her ear when she gulps it down like any perfect baby girl would.

So when he requests she meet him at a motel, their S&M dynamic seems somewhat obvious, except it’s not at all. Samuel tells Romy to get on her knees, to which she’s aghast, leading him to laugh and sheepishly admit that he doesn’t know what she wants. It’s hysterical, uncomfortable, oddly heartwarming, and wildly erotic all at once because, with one awkward interaction, Reijn demonstrates that these two individuals are unsure of how to fulfill Romy’s fantasy but willing to explore that together. By the end of their encounter, she climaxes like she hasn’t before.

Many of their subsequent encounters also include missteps and fumbling on both parts. When they meet in a conference room early on, Samuel’s domineering tone comes off as too self-serious and corny. Once, after having sex, they dance together like friends at a sleepover in their plush hotel room robes—with Samuel performing an awkward striptease to none other than George Michael’s “Father Figure.”

It also feels notable that Babygirl finds sex appeal in submission. When the trailer dropped, many viewers first reactions expressed disappointment that Dickinson did not play the titular baby girl, or assumed that they’d seen this kind of movie about an age-gap relationship or heterosexual S&M dynamics before. But as Reijn reveals, that’s far from the truth. It’s not at all about Samuel getting off in commanding Romy; in fact, he never once orgasms on screen and his reactions are largely kept out of frame. This is entirely about Romy. There’s a raw vulnerability in how she wants someone else to take control for once and how she’s empowered by accepting that and also by being the partner who ultimately has the final say in doing what she’s told.

Of course other films, from teen raunch comedies like Yes, God, Yes to coming-of-age movies like Diary of a Teenage Girl and LGBTQ+ dramas like Disobedience or Portrait of a Lady on Fire, have explored similar themes, especially in recent years. But Babygirl feels like the start of the next great chapter for erotic dramas in its openness to center a story on a woman, over 40, not shying from the messy and humorous parts of sex, while also being so damn honest about how brave it can be to fall in love with every side of yourself and your desires.

When Romy first sees Samuel, he calms a stranger’s unruly dog on the street. She’s momentarily frightened but impressed with his composure and power over the animal. Later, in the film’s final moments, Reijn incorporates flashes of the black German Sheppard into the motel room scene where the two had their first physical encounter. Pacing back and forth where Samuel stood in his black hoodie and chain, in some ways, it’s as if they’re one and the same. But it’s also as if the dog represents Romy, having unleashed something inside herself and tamed the beast all the same. “Good girl” is right.

Having switched her focus from the young adult novels she was previously penning, Henry has sold seven million books since July 2024, with five of her titles getting the book-to-movie-adaptation. But where on Earth does one go to start reading?

That all depends on how you’re looking to approach Henry's collection. Much like Taylor Swift, the millennial author has an affinity for planting Easter eggs in her prose. For that reason, you may choose to read her romance novels in order, starting with Beach Read (2020) and People We Meet on Vacation (2021) and closing it out with Book Lovers (2022), Happy Place (2023), and Funny Story (2024). Her latest novel, Great Big Beautiful Life should come last, as it’s not set for release until April 2025.

If you want to go for the deep cuts, you could start with her young adult series, beginning with Henry’s first-ever book, The Love That Split the World. (There’s also A Million Junes, When the Sky Fell on Splendor, and Hello Girls.)

However, we suggest you tackle her library by skipping straight to the hits, or Emily Henry's very best books thus far. But don't worry: We've done the legwork to find out exactly how Henry's books rank, from her early works to her first star-crossed romance to her latest labor of love. Below, find Emily Henry's best books, ranked.

Thankfully for us and other fans of all things spooky and mystical, many great supernatural TV shows have been created over the decades. Believe it or not, they date back to the 1950s and '60s, and then really found their form in the '90s and beyond. So, whether you like your magic with a side of humor, or your demonic beings with a sprinkle of psychological drama, below, we've rounded up the best supernatural TV shows of all time to fuel your next binge-watch.

'The Addams Family' (1964–1966)

Many of us grew up watching the '90s film The Addams Family, but long before that, the spooky gothic bunch were the heroes of a 1960s sitcom, inspired by a comic of the same name. Despite being canceled after two seasons due to low ratings, it remains a beloved series that fans of Netflix's Wednesday will likely enjoy.

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'American Horror Story' (2011– )

American Horror Story is such a cultural phenomenon that it has guest-starred the likes of Lady Gaga and Kim Kardashian over the years. The anthology series from Ryan Murphy ranges from terrifying to extremely campy every season, though it's rarely for the faint of heart. If you want to start from the beginning (and what's still its best-ever season), the original installment follows a family embroiled in tragedy who moves into a haunted house. Maybe don't watch it before bed?

WATCH IT

'Angel' (1999–2004)

A successful spin-off of the much-loved Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel is the story of a vampire with a soul, played by ‘90s heartthrob David Boreanaz. To redeem himself, Angel helps the good people of L.A. with supernatural-based problems—all while navigating his personal life.

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'Bewitched' (1964–1972)

Bewitched is the exhilarating story of a witch named Samantha (Elizabeth Montgomery), who only reveals to her human husband (Dick York/Dick Sargent) that she is a witch after their wedding. A whole bunch of antics ensue as Samantha tries to keep her word and stay away from magic, but she fails time and time again in ever-funnier ways.

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'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' (1997–2003)

Supernatural TV shows don’t get much more iconic than Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Sarah Michelle Gellar plays a high school student who must learn to accept her fate, which means fighting vampires and other nasty creatures. Thankfully, she has the help of her faithful friends along the way, including some played by very recognizable actors.

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'Charmed' (1998–2006)

Charmed is the wonderful story of the Halliwell sisters who discover they come from a long line of good witches. Now, they're tasked with protecting the world from a series of evil demons, while tending to their various personal dramas.

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'The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina' (2018–2020)

A much darker adaptation of the Sabrina character from the Archie comics, The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina follows a 16-year-old half-witch, half-mortal who has to contend with all the difficulties her nature and abilities entail. Though you won’t find any of the comedy of the '90s take on the teenaged witch here, Kiernan Shipka is brilliant as the titular Sabrina.

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'Dark Shadows' (1966–1971)

We love a good throwback, and Dark Shadows is certainly worth a watch for fans of retro horror. Having graced TV screens for five seasons starting in 1966, this soap opera was a fave of teenagers who reveled in the supernatural events befalling a small community in Maine, including vampires, werewolves, and zombies. Twilight before its time, if you will.

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'Ghost Whisperer' (2005–2010)

It's hard not to fall for Jennifer Love-Hewitt as Melinda Gordon, the titular ghost whisperer in this drama. She can chat with spirits and help them deal with their unfinished business by acting as a messenger between them and the living. Ghost Whisperer ran for five seasons, so there's plenty for you to binge.

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'Good Omens' (2019–2025)

Good Omens is based on Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman's novel of the same name. It was Pratchett's dying wish that Gaiman make sure the TV adaptation was up to scratch—and he pulled through. As for the storyline, it's about an angel (Michael Sheen) and a demon (David Tennant) who team up to stop the world from ending, so that's pretty fun.

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'Grimm' (2011–2017)

Grimm was a fan favorite for the six seasons it was on television. It's the story of a detective in Portland, Nick Burkhardt (David Giuntoli), who discovers he's a kind of warrior called a "Grimm," tasked with hunting evil magical creatures called Wesen.

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'His Dark Materials' (2019–2022)

His Dark Materials is the TV adaptation of Philip Pullman's beloved fantasy book series—and it's a must-watch for fans of the source material. The magical show tells the story of an orphan named Lyra (Dafne Keen), who is on a quest to save her kidnapped friend from a shadowy force. The show has been repeatedly praised for its thrilling world-building.

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'The Magicians' (2015–2020)

The Magicians is the enchanting story of a group of students who find out that—gasp!—magic is real, and that could be really bad news for them. It ran between 2015 and 2020, starred Stella Maeve, Hale Appleman, and Arjun Gupta, and was based on the novels by Lev Grossman.

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'Medium' (2005–2011)

Patricia Arquette as Allison DuBois on Medium was pretty darn cool. She had psychic visions of the dead and used her talents to help solve murders in her local area, working with the district attorney. All while wearing Olivia Pope-esque pantsuits, of course.

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'Not Dead Yet' (2023–2024)

Not Dead Yet is pretty much Ghost Whisperer meets New Girl: a wholesome comedy whose main character just so happens to see ghosts. Played by Gina Rodriguez, Nell Serrano is an unfulfilled 30-something obituary writer whose subjects come to her, ask her for help, or give her unsolicited advice, then disappear once she submits their obit.

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​​'Once Upon a Time' (2011–2018)

Ella Enchanted die-hards, Once Upon a Time is your show. The concept is: Take legendary fairytale characters and transport them into the modern-day world, adding lots of shocking twists and turns. And with the writers of Lost at its helm, you'd better bet this series pulls it off.

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'Russian Doll' (2019–2022)

Natasha Lyonne plays protagonist Nadia Vulvokov in this Groundhog Day-style supernatural show. At her 36th birthday party, Nadia finds herself dying on a loop and returning at the same moment each time. She tries to figure out what is happening—and there you have it: a perfectly formed supernatural show.

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'Sabrina the Teenage Witch' (1996–2003)

Based on the comics of the same name, Sabrina The Teenage Witch is the most delightful '90s sitcom. It stars Melissa Joan Hart as Sabrina Spellman, the aptly named teenage witch who lives in a rather eccentric household, made up of her centuries-old aunts and their ill-tempered talking black cat. Delightful, we tell you.

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'Sleepy Hollow' (2013–2017)

You're probably familiar with Tim Burton's 1999 film of the same name, which was based on Washington Irving's The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, but if you haven't seen this 2010s TV drama, you're missing out. This one is set in modern times, and the protagonist Ichabod Crane (Tom Mison) has been resurrected more than two and a half centuries after the original story took place. Exciting!

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'Smallville' (2001–2011)

The premise of Smallville is simple: It's Superman but as a teen. Tom Welling plays a young Clark Kent as he learns how to deal with the superpowers he's blessed (or cursed) with, all while dealing with typical teenage dramas, including his ongoing romance with Lana Lang (Kristin Kreuk). You're in luck—there are 10 seasons to devour.

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'Stranger Things' (2016–2025)

It’s the show that launched the careers of Millie Bobby Brown, Finn Wolfhard, and many other Gen Z stars, and the one you’ve almost certainly taken a Halloween costume idea from. Stranger Things is the perfect mix of science fiction and nostalgia, thanks to some very strange things happening to this lovable group of kids in Hawkins, Indiana circa the 1980s.

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'Supernatural' (2005–2020)

Surprise, surprise: Supernatural has made our list of the best supernatural TV shows of all time. Starring Jensen Ackles and Jared Padalecki as the Winchester brothers, the series sees the protagonists fight evil beings like ghosts and demons.

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'Teen Wolf' (2011–2017)

The 2010s were a hotbed of supernatural teen dramas, with Teen Wolf a resounding success among them. It follows teenage werewolf Scott McCall (Tyler Posey) as he does his utmost to protect his community from all sorts of paranormal happenings. Bonus: His love interest (Crystal Reed) is descended from a line of werewolf hunters. Juicy!

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'True Blood' (2008–2014)

In True Blood, protagonist Sookie (Anna Paquin) can read people's minds, which is already cool enough. But adding to the whole supernatural shtick, Sookie ends up in a romantic entanglement with a good-looking (and centuries-old) vampire, played by Stephen Moyer.

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'The Twilight Zone' (1959–1964)

Originally airing between 1959 and 1964, the TV series The Twilight Zone has achieved cult status in the collective psyche. This supernatural series straddles science fiction, horror, and fantasy, and won three Primetime Emmys and one Golden Globe in its heyday.

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'The Vampire Diaries' (2009–2017)

The Vampire Diaries premiered at the height of Twilight fever and enjoyed incredible success riding that particular be-fanged wave. It has all the elements of a perfect supernatural teenage drama: an idiosyncratic town, vampire brothers (played by Ian Somerhalder and Paul Wesley), and a love triangle involving said vampire brothers. Ideal.

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'The Walking Dead' (2010–2022)

In The Walking Dead, zombies are known as "walkers," but this is a zombie supernatural drama. It follows survivors of an apocalypse as they fight for their lives, while also battling other groups of survivors willing to do anything to prevail.

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'Wednesday' (2022– )

The Addams Family was a TV show, then a movie, then a TV show again—this time rebranded as Wednesday starring the perfectly cast Jenna Ortega. It's both funny and dramatic, involves psychic powers and murder investigations, and...unforgettable dance sequences.

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'What We Do in the Shadows' (2019–2024)

What We Do in the Shadows is the hilarious tale of a bunch of goofy vampires who like to feed off mortals, and fundamentally misunderstand how the world works. Special mention for the ongoing joke about energy vampires, because who doesn’t know one of those, eh?

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'The Witcher' (2019– )

You’d be forgiven for watching The Witcher simply for the pleasure of witnessing Henry Cavill expertly wield a sword. Still, the plot isn’t too shabby either: It’s about the medieval-times monster hunter Geralt of Rivia as his life intertwines with that of the Crown Princess Cirilla of Cintra (Freya Allan) and the sorceress Yennefer of Vengerberg (Anya Chalotra).

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'The Wizards of Waverly Place' (2007–2012)

Who could forget the show that gave Selena Gomez her big break? Gomez played Alex Russo, a young wizard and somewhat rebellious teenager who had to fight her tendency to use her powers for her own gain. This Disney Channel show is great to watch when you need a laugh and a break.

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'The X Files' (1993–2002; 2016–2018)

Before playing everyone's favorite Netflix mom on Sex Education, Gillian Anderson was Dana Scully on The X Files, starring opposite David Duchovny as Fox Mulder. Following a mystery of the week format, the two FBI agents investigate paranormal and extraterrestrial activity (with a healthy helping of romantic tension between them).

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In case you’ve been living under a rock, the first book in this romantasy (a.k.a. romance meets fantasy) collection, Fourth Wing, took off like a rocket in 2023, climbing straight to the top of The New York Times Best Sellers list and remaining there for three months. As of April 2024, it had sold more than 2.3 million copies—a number bound to get even higher when the latest release in the series drops in 2025. And don’t even get us started on social media: The hashtag #fourthwing has more than 1 billion (that’s billion, with a "B") views on TikTok alone.

Feeling a bit of book FOMO? We don’t blame you. Below, we've rounded up everything you need to know about the series, from the number of books the author has planned to the release date of the latest Fourth Wing drop. (Hint: It’s sooner than you think.)

What is the 'Fourth Wing' book series about?

The Fourth Wing series, also known as the Empyrean series, is about a 20-year-old woman named Violet Sorrengail who is thrown into the competitive—and dangerous—world of dragon-riding at the punishing military academy Basgiath War College.

Plagued by physical ailments from a childhood illness, assassination attempts at the hands of her competitors, and a growing attraction to rival rider Xaden Riorson, Violet’s quest is a dangerous one, full of secrets, betrayal, and violence.

However, if she can stay alive, she might unlock the power of the winged mythical beasts she’s set out to ride and share in their magic. (How else to channel, oh, say, lightning manipulation?)

How many books does Rebecca Yarros have planned for the 'Fourth Wing' series?

According to Yarros, the series was originally plotted for three books, but she needed five to tell the full story arc. “Probably about 30,000 words in, I called my editor and I said, 'I think this is a five-book series,'” she told Variety in 2023. “And that’s how we went from three to five.”

You'll have to wait a while to read the full series: Books four and five have yet to be written.

How to read the 'Fourth Wing' series in order:

To read the Fourth Wing series chronologically, you'll want to start with Fourth Wing, then move on to Iron Flame, the second book in the series. Fourth Wing first hit shelves in April 2023, with Iron Flame (which is divided into two parts) coming just several months later in November 2023.

The eagerly anticipated Onyx Storm is the third book in the series. The third installment is available for pre-order now.

As for books four and five, their names and release dates are still unknown.

When will 'Onyx Storm,' the third book in the 'Fourth Wing' series be released?

Onyx Storm will be released on January 21, 2025. Yarros announced the book's title and publication date in a March 2024 appearance on Good Morning America.

She also cited the book as her favorite in the series while giving fans a look at the back cover on Instagram. With the phrase "I will not die today" crossed out in favor of the words "I will save him," the cover suggests a shift in priorities for our heroine Violet.

"I can’t wait for you to get your hands on it!" Yarros told fans in the caption of a post on Instagram.

The release comes more than a year after the release of 2023’s Iron Flame, which left fans with a cliffhanger ending that had bookworms practically salivating for more.

What is the third 'Fourth Wing' book, 'Onyx Storm,' about?

So far, Yarros has remained relatively tight-lipped on her next book’s plotline, originally telling Good Morning America only that Onyx Storm was about “politics, new adventures, old enemies, and, of course, dragons.”

A few other details have been released since the writer's morning show appearance. From her website, we can deduce that there will be plenty of guts and gore: There’s a trigger warning for “war, battle, hand-to-hand combat, perilous situations, blood, intense violence, brutal injuries, death, poisoning, graphic language, and sexual activities.”

In September, the author finally released the official summary on her Instagram. According to the blurb, the third installment in the series is set to pick up 18 months into Violet’s war college training. “Violet must journey beyond the failing Aretian wards to seek allies from unfamiliar lands to stand with Navarre,” the official logline reads. “The trip will test every bit of her wit, luck, and strength, but she will do anything to save what she loves—her dragons, her family, her home, and him. Even if it means keeping a secret so big, it could destroy everything.”

It ends by teasing, “A storm is coming...and not everyone can survive its wrath." Ominous!

As for the fans, they've been hard at work drumming up theories for this latest series installment, analyzing everything from the significance of the riders’ dragon colors (is Aaric’s blue dragon a clue he might be an important character?) to guesses about Violet’s second signet. (That's a unique magical ability, for the Fourth Wing uninitiated.) We'll have to wait and see!

What to know about the 'Fourth Wing' TV series:

Great news: In due time, once you finish pouring through these page-turners, you'll be able to binge-watch it, too, because Fourth Wing is the latest hit book series to get the on-screen adaptation treatment. Prime Video and actor Michael B. Jordan’s production company, Outlier Society, have teamed up to develop a show based on the popular books. Yarros is among the executive producers and Emmy-winner Moira Walley-Beckett, best known for writing/producing Breaking Bad and creating the series Flesh and Bone and Anne With an "E," will serve as showrunner.

The news came from Yarros herself, with the author sharing her excitement over the news on Instagram in October 2023. “I'm so humbled and thrilled to announce that FOURTH WING has been optioned!!!” she wrote. “I can't wait to see their adaptation of Fourth Wing brought to life! I have all the faith in the world in them!⁠”

It will likely be some time until the series hits our screens: Casting hasn't even been confirmed yet. However, Yarros and the team behind the series have been working hard to find the right names to bring to life her beloved dragon-riders. She's even offered insight into who will be playing Xaden. In a November 2023 interview, she told Variety, “We’re just going to say he’s POC; we’re just going to leave it at that…I want to make sure that role is open to as much diversity as possible."

She added, "I was never going to give the readers my vision because I know that once you give the readers your vision, that’s what they’re gonna stick to. And I wanted to make sure we left it open to as much diversity as possible.”

Following the renewal, showrunner Patrick Sean Smith told Netflix’s Tudum that “there’s a lot more to go here with these characters.” The feel-good drama about the titular small California town and its inhabitants also became the “longest-running English-language drama series” on Netflix with its season 7 order, according to Deadline.

Below, we’re breaking down everything we know about Virgin River season 7 so far.

Has 'Virgin River' been renewed for season 7?

Before Jack and Mel even said their “I do”s in season 6, Netflix already renewed the romance drama for another season. The cast announced the early renewal on Instagram in a mash-up video on October 23, 2024 ahead of the December 19 season 6 release, teasing more secrets in what is now Netflix’s longest-running original scripted series.

When will 'Virgin River' season 7 come out?

Virgin River’s cast and crew are pretty efficient because new episodes have been released every year since the first season debuted in December 2019. Most seasons take about a year to come out, save for the break between seasons 2 and 3 which was approximately eight months, so we can expect the confirmed 10-episode season to drop sometime in 2025.

How does 'Virgin River' season 6 end?

Spoilers for the sixth season of Virgin River ahead. Don’t fret—even after Mel and Jack briefly run away from their own wedding, everything goes smoothly with the rest of their nuptials in the season 6 finale. When Mel’s biological father Everett (John Allen Nelson) appeared on her doorstep during the holiday episode “Father Christmas,” her father figure Doc (Tim Matheson) had some serious concerns about his intentions based on an incident between the two men years ago. Since then, the adults have put it behind them. Doc walks Mel down the aisle and Everett plays a song he wrote about Mel’s late mother Sarah as their first dance.

But what happens to the other characters may have fans reeling. Brady (Ben Hollingsworth) and Lark (Elise Gatien) solidify their relationship just moments before Lark skips town and empties his bank account in the process. As he’s trying to move forward, he and Brie (Zibby Allen) slip back into old patterns and sleep together. Brie is conflicted, given she’s in a committed relationship with Mike (Marco Grazzini). She’s ready to walk away from both men when Mike gets down on one knee, admitting that he wants to marry her despite knowing about her infidelity.

Actress Zibby Allen who plays Brie teased that she “can’t believe the finale” before revealing that they filmed two endings for Brie’s cliffhanger. “The one they went with, I’m so happy, but I’m blown away,” she told TV Insider. “And I’m like, ‘How are we going to move forward?'”

The finale left a few other loose threads as well: Doc’s medical license was suspended, and Hope (Annette O'Toole) believes someone is after his clinic; Marley (Rachel Drance) appears the morning after the wedding to ask Mel to adopt her baby; and perhaps most shockingly, Jack checks in on Charmaine (Lauren Hammersley) and finds her front door open and her living room ransacked. The last shot of the season is on Jack as he opens the twins’ bedroom door, looking horrified by what he sees behind it—something we’ll have to wait for season 7 to understand.

Who in the 'Virgin River' cast will return for season 7?

The main cast is expected to return for the new season, including Alexandra Breckenridge (Mel), Martin Henderson (Jack), Tim Matheson (Doc), John Allen Nelson (Everett), Annette O’Toole (Hope), Ben Hollingsworth (Brady), Colin Lawrence (Preacher), Kandyse McClure (Kaia), Sarah Dugdale (Lizzie), Kai Bradbury (Denny), Zibby Allen (Brie), Margo Grazzini (Mike), and others.

We could also see more of the new additions to the season 6 cast, Callum Kerr and Jessica Rothe, who play the younger versions of Mel’s parents Everett and Sarah. They appeared in flashbacks in season 6 and Netflix is currently developing a separate prequel series around them. However, if they decide not to move forward, it’s possible these characters will be weaved into future seasons of Virgin River.

Given Lark skipped town in the season 6 finale, she and her daughter Hazel (Ava Anton) may not be making any more appearances in the series. And if Mel and Jack decide to adopt Marley’s baby, the biological mom (Rachel Drance) could also show up occasionally.

What will 'Virgin River' season 7 be about?

Smith teased to Tudum that season 7 of the romance series will “explore the honeymoon phase for [Mel and Jack] as they’re building their lives on the farm, which can come with its own obstacles.” Despite this, he assures fans that the central couple won’t be breaking up. “I can’t imagine creating a scenario where you think Mel and Jack are going to break up,” Smith continued. “It forces you to dig a little bit deeper into, well, what other issues can they have in their relationship?”

But given how things ended in season 6, we can also expect more of the messy love triangle between Brie, Mike, and Brady, and a potential new baby in the mix should, Mel and Jack go through with the adoption. There’s also the lingering mystery around Charmaine, whose entanglement with Calvin (David Cubitt) may reach an ugly head.

Now, every time a Netflix reality show ends its season—the latest of which being The Ultimatum season 3—fans immediately start placing bets which cast members are most likely to end up on Perfect Match (*cough* Sandy and J.R. *cough*), and when the tropical dating competition will make its return. Read on for everything we know about Perfect Match season 3 so far, including the many rumors about the next installment's cast.

Has 'Perfect Match' been renewed for a third season?

In an announcement that shocked no one, Netflix revealed on June 27, 2024, that Perfect Match would return for a third round of drama-filled episodes. The season 3 renewal came less than a week after season 2's eventful finale, as Netflix put out a call for a new batch of "single Netflix Reality Universe (NRU) stars."

Do we know when 'Perfect Match' season 3 will come out?

There's been no word yet of when Perfect Match season 3 could arrive on Netflix. However, from the show's past release schedule, we can make an educated guess that new episodes could arrive sometime in 2025. After all, Netflix has kept up a yearly schedule for the reality hit so far, with season 1 arriving in February 2023, followed by season 2 in June 2024.

There's also another hint that season 3 could arrive next year, though Netflix has not confirmed: There have been rumors that Perfect Match already completed filming earlier this summer.

Has anyone been cast in 'Perfect Match' season 3?

As of December 2024, Netflix hasn't revealed any of the official cast of Perfect Match season 3. However, Internet-savvy Netflix fans have made a hobby out of documenting casting rumors for many popular shows in the NRU. Perfect Match is the most exciting show for Internet sleuthing, as it's populated by already-known stars on TMZ's radar.

Case in point: In March 2024, TMZ broke the news that Harry Jowsey and Jessica Vestal were swapping PDA on a Mexico beach, a full three months before Perfect Match season 2 arrived. A similar situation may be taking place ahead of season 3: In October 2024, Love is Blind alums AD (from season 6 in the U.S.) and Ollie (from the first U.K. season) were spotted having dinner together in Mexico. As soon as the news came out, rumors began swirling that they could've met while filming Perfect Match season 3.

Of all the speculation surrounding Perfect Match season 3, the most exciting claim is that Netflix may have widened their casting to reality stars outside of their own reality shows. Besides the typical names from Love is Blind, Too Hot to Handle, and The Circle, rumors are flying that Perfect Match season 3 will also include Love Island and Siesta Key alumni, and even some Bachelor Nation stars. Best to take this with a grain of salt, but if season 3 does bring in contestants outside of the Netflix reality bubble, it could make for even more unpredictable matches.

Played by Callum Kerr, young Everett is a singer-songwriter who gets swept up in a romance with Sarah (Jessica Rothe). “He is full of excitement and wonder, and he wants to travel and see things and doesn’t want to be tied down and wants to be able to get up and go whenever he wants,” Kerr told TV Insider about his character.

So who exactly is Kerr, the newest player in the Virgin River universe? Read on to learn about the model, actor, and musician who may even star in his own Virgin River prequel.

Callum Kerr is Scottish and studied finance in school.

Born near Edinburgh, the 30-year-old actor joined the National Youth Theatre of Scotland when he was younger. During this time, he auditioned for the hit British teen drama Skins but didn’t land the part. Acting was, at first, a hobby and Kerr went on to study finance at school, after which he worked at a law firm. But it wasn’t long until he realized that acting was his dream, and he quit his job to pursue an artistic career in London.

After a series of modeling gigs, one of Kerr’s first acting roles was in the TV adaptation of the classic rom-com Four Weddings and a Funeral helmed by Mindy Kaling. He was also cast in the British soap Hollyoaks and will be seen in the new seasons of the Netflix anime series One Piece and Prime Video’s fantasy series Wheel of Time.

He is a country musician.

You might also recognize Kerr from his recurring role on Monarch, a musical drama that ran for one season on Fox before being canceled. Life imitated art in 2023 when he released his first single “Tequila Therapy” after dabbling in Nashville’s country music scene for six months.

On his Instagram, Kerr described the song as the “breakup remedy we’ve all been waiting for” and the “shot that heals all wounds.”

Since the track dropped, he signed a record deal at OneRPM and HuffCo in June 2024. But don’t worry, Kerr won’t be trading his acting career for a guitar: He told Digital Spy, “I'm going to continue to act. I've always done music as well, so I'll continue acting, doing music, and trying to stay creative.”

Kerr’s musical inclinations will come in handy for his role on Virgin River as Everett is described as “a singer-songwriter with a poet’s soul.” According to his official character description, as reported by Deadline, “One day he’ll pursue his dreams of the stage, but for now, he’s skimming through life in a VW Van, until a chance meeting with a beautiful hitchhiker, Sarah, may just show him there’s more to life than he ever thought possible.”

Kerr's character may star in a 'Virgin River' prequel in addition to season 6.

While he was cast as a recurring character who will appear in flashbacks in season 6 of Virgin River, Deadline reported in February 2024 that Netflix is also developing a prequel about Mel’s parents. The present-day version of Everett originally appeared in the 2023 Christmas special, and the potential prequel would focus on the love story between Everett and Sarah, Mel’s mom.

Virgin River showrunner Patrick Sean Smith is developing the prequel series, though it hasn’t been officially picked up yet and it's yet to be confirmed if Kerr would reprise the role. Kerr announced his casting in September 2024 on Instagram, saying he was “over the moon” to join the Virgin River universe, so fingers crossed that more is to come.

The beauty influencer, known for her TikToks reviewing the color inclusivity of brands, opens up on this week's episode of the Marie Claire podcast "Nice Talk" about returning from a recent hiatus feeling confident and recharged.

Golloria announced she was taking a break from social media and content creation in September, after experiencing disparaging negativity and racism online.

"I knew I needed to take that break," Golloria shares on "Nice Talk." "I knew that absorbing that much hatred and bigotry at the masses that I was, was not healthy for my psyche."

Though the TikTok star, originally from South Sudan and now based in Texas, knew it meant "missing out" on income from her videos for a time, she saw her break as "a form of resistance."

"Taking a break was me taking my power back because there is only so much you can do," says Golloria.

"Rest is a form of resistance and a beautiful one, at that, and if I can't prioritize myself now, I'll never be able to prioritize myself later, and the whole entire goal of this will never be accomplished if I don't take care of me and me first," she says. "I feel like, as Black women, we sometimes feel like we are constantly having to put on the cape, we're constantly having to fight, we're constantly having to advocate for everything and everybody but ourselves."

"At the end of the day, it is tiring, and it's exhausting, and Black women do not always have to be at the forefront of every goddamn movement," she continues. "We can rest. And whenever we rest, we rest, and when we choose to rise, we rise."

After taking time to focus on her mental health by reading, journaling, going to therapy, and exercising, Golloria resumed sharing content in November, which she described as being "really liberating."

She says, "It was liberating because it showed me that I am indeed resilient. I am resilient to the point where it's like, 'Girl, it's okay if you don't want to be resilient.' Not every day is resiliency, but just to see me come back as strong as I did, and know that I did it the right way, know that I did it with taking care of myself first, and making sure that this was my decision and my decision only, I'm proud of myself."

Golloria also reveals on "Nice Talk" whether she would ever launch her own beauty brand. When asked if that was in the cards, she says, "I would."

"It's in the works," the content creator admits, but said the plan is for two to three years out. "It's definitely something that I want to do. I will definitely be prioritizing dark-skinned women first and everybody else second."

For more about her plans, as well as how Golloria's navigated brand partnerships while growing her platform, how she thinks makeup companies can do better, and more, listen to this week's installment of "Nice Talk." The episode is out now wherever you listen to podcasts.

The flashbacks examine Sarah’s fateful romance with Mel’s biological father Everett (played by Callum Kerr). The relationship was something Rothe found relatable. “We all have that person that was our first love that we never stopped thinking about, that you just are drawn back to time and time again,” Rothe told TV Insider. “I love that Sarah’s practical, but she’s also an optimist. She knew she and Everett were going to find each other again, and she has faith in the world in those ways.”

Rothe has been slowly building up a strong resume across multiple genres, and fans will get to know her better as she becomes a staple in the Virgin River universe. (Her character may even get a prequel treatment alongside her love interest!) Below, find out what to know about the latest addition to the Virgin River cast.

Jessica Rothe always wanted to be an actress, but didn’t consider pursuing it professionally until high school.

Growing up as the daughter of a doctor and elementary school teacher in Denver, Colorado, Rothe was allowed to do extracurriculars like theater and choir—but only if she got good grades. “It was like, ‘if you get an A on your science test, you can go to rehearsal,’” the 37-year-old recalled to Popsugar in a 2017 interview. A high school teacher recognized her talent and encouraged her to pursue the path. She attended Boston University and moved to New York to do theater (“never TV or film,” she jokingly remembered about her original aspirations).

Meryl Streep was her original inspiration due to her chameleonic performances. “She got to be the ingenue and the character actress because people weren’t looking for reality in the same way. They were looking for films to be an escape,” Rothe said.

Rothe was dubbed a “scream queen” for her work in 'Happy Death Day' and its sequel.

After a few smaller roles, including one opposite Emma Stone in La La Land, Rothe was cast in the 2017 horror film Happy Death Day where she played Theresa “Tree” Gelbman. Vulture credited “the force of Rothe’s undeniable charm” as the reason the time loop story works at all, and the Evening Standard and DuJour dubbed her a “scream queen” for her work in the film and its 2019 sequel.

Rothe was drawn to Tree because she saw her as a strong female character with a multifaceted personality. “The thing with Tree is she's such an unexpected scream queen. She’s this sassy, brassy, multi-dimensional human being who's flawed. She drinks and she has sex and she makes mistakes and sometimes she's really bitchy, but at the end of the day she has a new heart,” Rothe told Flaunt. “I got to be funny, scared, rageful, and heartfelt all in the same film, and it was something that I feel especially in this genre women don't get to do.”

But she’s not a stranger to romance.

Between the release of the Happy Death Day films, Rothe appeared in the 2018 romance film Forever My Girl. A few years later in 2020, she starred in the tearjerker All My Life and the jukebox musical Valley Girl. The Hollywood Reporter called her handling of the dramatic material “impressive,” so fans can expect she’ll handle the role of Sarah with care.

Rothe looks for strong female characters in all of her roles.

Even before her breakout role in the Happy Death Day franchise, she appeared in a short-lived 2016 MTV series Mary + Jane centered on a cannabis delivery business. “When I decided to do Mary + Jane, one of the things that I was most excited about was the demographic that we would predominantly be reaching out to, which is 12- to 25-year-old women,” she told Women’s Wear Daily. “We talk a lot on the show about female entrepreneurship and what it’s like when your best friend has something you want, and how you deal with jealousy in a healthy way and how to be competitive in a healthy way—things that I really wish I had seen on TV when I was a teenager.”

Her role in the 2023 film Boy Kills World pushed the idea of female empowerment even further. The actress learned 17 forms of martial arts for the action film, telling fans at ComicCon Cape Town in April 2024, “Women are strong and badass.” She’s a firm believer that there’s “enough space at the table for all powerful women,” and believes in closing the gender pay gap and a woman’s right to choose.

So, did Aria and Scotty's relationship survive the stress of The Ultimatum? And what major twist did the couple reveal months after filming ended? Read on for our breakdown of Scotty and Aria's time on The Ultimatum season 3.

What happened between Scotty and Aria on 'The Ultimatum' season 3?

In a typical season of The Ultimatum, most couples arrive on the show with the girlfriend wanting to get married and the boyfriend hesitant. Scotty, a 30-year-old influencer, and Aria, a 25-year-old aesthetic nurse, were one of the rare couples where the opposite was true, with Scotty putting his foot down about himself and Aria both getting engaged and living in the same city, after being long-distance for the past nine months. Aria was hesitant to move and make a sacrifice for him while she was at the peak of her career.

Once the show's process started going, the bigger issues between Scotty and Aria became apparent via their trial marriages. Aria matched up with Caleb and the pair arguably had the best cohabitation period of the season. They got along extremely well, and they were able to talk through their baggage—including Aria's trauma from her parents' divorce. Aria also recognized the differences in how Caleb acted in a partnership versus Scotty, and she said multiple times that she wanted Scotty to act more like Caleb, instead of how defensive and confrontational he could be with her.

Meanwhile, Scotty paired up with Zaina, and the pair quickly bonded over both being the ones who were ready for marriage while their partners weren't. Scotty and Zaina's trial marriage seemed perfectly pleasant...until one telling conversation. Scotty suggested two date ideas, and Zaina gave reasonable reasons for shutting them down: She's afraid of heights, so a hot air balloon wasn't an option, and cryotherapy didn't sound pleasant to someone who doesn't like being cold. However, Scotty reacted to this like she was rejecting him personally, instead of understanding that her not wanting to do those activities had nothing to do with him. Then he found out she ate without him, and he got snippy. "This is not what I was looking for in a trial wife," he said. "Someone that just eats without me." (In case my use of "petty" slipped by earlier, one of Scotty's recent IG posts is a reel of himself and Aria going on a hot air balloon ride, with the caption, "The hot air balloon ride wasn’t a bad idea after all.")

Even before the trial marriages started, Scotty and Aria's communication issue became clear in the season 3 premiere, during one of the cast's group-dating mixers. Aria had started crying after seeing Zaina and Scotty hit it off, and he'd responded by yelling at her for "coming at [him] foul." Between that and the blow-up with Zaina, Scotty's approach to conflict was one of Aria's biggest hesitations regarding getting married. In this respect, Zaina was a great trial wife for him, because she didn't feed into his need to win every argument, regardless of whether he was in the wrong. Scotty even acknowledged that he needed to learn to find the resolution in an argument and not just fight in circles to prove himself right. But he still ended his trial marriage with one last stubborn argument. Zaina ended the cohabitation by saying that Scotty doesn't "deserve to experience" her presence.

By the time they reunited, Scotty and Aria needed to work through a lot. He still had his defensive argument style, which Aria pointed more directly to as something they needed to work on. There was also a little bit of jealousy on Scotty's part, along with confusion about whether Caleb and Aria had formed an emotional connection during their trial marriage. (For more on the Aria-Caleb-Mariah of it all, read our breakdown on Caleb and Mariah.) That's a lot to deal with in three weeks—or an episode and a half of show time—and The Ultimatum only included a handful of scenes where they discussed their issues.

Right after they reunited, Aria made it clear that their arguments before going on the show felt like Scotty was more focused on defending himself, rather than hearing her side of things. Scotty argued that she could do the same, and she did try to interrupt him as he was sharing his side of the argument at some points. Later, Scotty brought up that she didn't naturally practice non-sexual physical touch, and she responded that it was something she needed to work on. (That'd been an area of growth she brought up during her trial marriage with Caleb as well).

However, the conversation took a turn when, again, Scotty got snippy, and told her, "I'm tired of you getting emotional because I give you constructive feedback." After more of this "constructive feedback," Aria started crying, and a stone-faced Scotty said, "Be irritated. I'm gonna be honest." Essentially, neither was sure how to give what the other was asking for—which wasn't a good place to enter a marriage.

Do Scotty and Aria get engaged on 'The Ultimatum' season 3?

The short answer is yes! In their Ultimatum Day speeches in the season 3 finale, Scotty gave his speech about how the show challenged them, and Aria said that she wanted to give him more trust and compromise with him in their relationship. They take a moment to revel in how far they've come and tear up together before Scotty gets down on one knee, and Aria says yes.

So, Scotty and Aria do end The Ultimatum engaged. But that's not the end of their story...

Are Scotty and Aria still together after 'The Ultimatum' season 3?

In what may be a first for the show, Scotty and Aria have a short engagement of just 24 hours. At the reunion, Aria reveals that, after the finale was filmed, she realized she felt things were moving too quickly and like she had made a mistake. He agreed, and they did move in together, but their "biggest issue...the way that [they] have conflict" continued.

In the reunion, Aria shared that she and Scotty went back to their old patterns for about a year until she issued a different ultimatum. She reasoned that if they didn't go to therapy together, which she had been asking about for a while, then they'd break up. Between that and some personal tragedies—including Aria's grandmother dying and a miscarriage—they ended things. A tearful Aria summed it up to him by saying, "You don't love me the way I wanted to be loved."

During the finale, Scotty says he hopes that "this isn't the end" of his and Aria's story, but adds that both of them being single right now is probably for the best. In an interview with Today, Scotty admitted that he needs to go on a "journey of healing," including working through his "fear and apprehension towards therapy."

"We are taking some time away from each other. We’re broken up, and I’m honestly really heartbroken." he told the outlet. "I needed to be better for her, and in the moment, I wasn’t. For me, I know that there’s so much work that I need to do in order to be a better individual for myself first. And you know, I love Aria with my whole heart."

"I have so many regrets about conversations, or how I showed up, or how I didn’t show up for Aria, and miscommunications with Zaina too," he added of his time on the show. "I brought so much of my hurt into this experience. I know hurt Aria, where she felt like she was trying so hard, and I was just dismissive of her effort. I wish I could take that back. I wish I could tell her and show her how much she means to me."

The Boyfriend became a fast favorite among Japanese and Korean reality show fans, thanks to its similarities to beloved hits like Terrace House. As soon as the show ended, fans began clamoring for news of whether the series will welcome a new batch of Green House residents next summer. Read on for a breakdown of everything we know about The Boyfriend season 2.

Has 'The Boyfriend' been renewed for season 2?

Yes! After months of speculation, Netflix announced The Boyfriend season 2 on December 15, 2024. Per the Tudum article revealing the news, the next installment will follow a new group of queer men, with panelists Megumi, Chiaki Horan, Thelma Aoyama, Durian Lollobrigida, and Yoshimi Tokui returning to provide commentary.

“Thanks to the love from our viewers, it is exciting to return for a new season,” said Dai Ota, executive producer at Netflix. “Being the first same-sex romance reality show in Japan, we paid careful attention to ensure that the story is an authentic portrayal of these relationships. In Season 1, we showed not just romance, but their friendship and meaningful connections with one another, which I believe touched the hearts of fans around the world.”

Ota added, “In Season 2, we will continue to showcase their compassion and stories of growth, with more unique perspectives and backstories. Please look forward to a new season with new participants, a new Green Room, and new storytelling.”

When will 'The Boyfriend' season 2 come out?

Netflix hasn't given word on an official release date for The Boyfriend season 2, but we can look to the season 1 production timeline for an idea. Per season 1's watch party, it was filmed around October or November 2023, before it premiered on July 9, 2024. With that example, The Boyfriend could return in late summer or the fall of 2025.

Where are the stars of 'The Boyfriend' season 1 now?

Until we meet the new cast of The Boyfriend season 2, fans can keep up with the growing careers of the season 1 cast. Breakout couple Dai and Shun opened a joint YouTube channel after the show's airing, which currently has over 600,000 followers. Meanwhile, Kazuto is set to release a photobook in early 2025, and Uzak's go-go dancer career is still flourishing.

At the end of the first season, the house is officially in the hands of another couple, and the central mystery about what happened there is solved. With most characters happily starting new chapters in the finale, are there any threads to pull for a season 2 of No Good Deed? Here’s everything we know about a potential renewal.

Has 'No Good Deed' been renewed for season 2?

So far, Netflix has stayed mum on a season 2 renewal for No Good Deed. The streaming giant’s renewal strategy fluctuates depending on the title, but having a significant amount of views typically bodes well for another season (the hit romance series Nobody Wants This got a second season just two weeks after it premiered, while others sometimes don’t get an answer for months after release). Only time will tell if No Good Deed will have another house on the market.

In the meantime, fans can rest easy knowing that Feldman already has plans in mind for potential future episodes. Speaking with Variety following the show's release, the creator revealed, "I’ll just say that I always had a season 2 in mind, and I do think that a show like this has legs if it is done in a clever way. I’m very excited to sit down and talk to Netflix about what those plans are. They know a little bit, but I do think that this show has some life left to live, and I really hope that we get to see it through."

When would 'No Good Deed' season 2 come out?

Without an official renewal, it’s hard to tell when exactly a second season would hit Netflix. But using the first season’s production timeline as a guide, stars Ray Romano and Lisa Kudrow boarded the comedy in early December 2023, with the rest of the cast announced later that month. Filming reportedly began a few months before the cast announcements, which means, if the show is renewed shortly and enters production shortly after, we could see a second season by the end of 2025 or in early 2026.

What happens at the end of 'No Good Deed?'

Spoilers for the entire first season of No Good Deed ahead. The finale of No Good Deed reveals two things: the fates of all four families, including those who won the home, and how the Morgans’ son Jacob (Wyatt Aubrey) actually died on the night we see in flashbacks throughout the series. Leslie and Sarah (Abbi Jacobson and Poppy Liu) have the keys, while Dennis and Carla (O-T Fagbenle and Teyonah Parris) are building their new home across the street in the lot that used to belong to JD and Margo (Luke Wilson and Linda Cardellini) before their house burnt down. JD and Margo have gone their separate ways as a couple, and the Morgans have never felt like more of a family unit.

Speaking of Margo, it’s revealed that she was having an affair with Jacob and was the one who shot him from outside of the house after he stole a bunch of her jewelry. Margo is inside when her house is lit on fire (likely by Kudrow’s Lydia who went there to confront her earlier in the evening). In a six-month flash forward, Margo is living with major scarring from burns on the right side of her face and also maybe a prison sentence: Lydia and Paul’s nephew (Kevin Alves), a police officer, sidles up to her at the bar to arrest her.

Who in the 'No Good Deed' cast would return for season 2?

The first season of No Good Deed ends without cliffhangers; the intertwined ensemble’ stories are all tied up. The house is sold to Abbi Jacobson and Poppy Liu’s characters Leslie and Sarah; the reason for the Morgans moving out is also made clear, as it’s discovered that Margo a.k.a. Luann (Linda Cardellini) is who shot and killed their son in the home—not their daughter Emily (Chloe East), as they believed for all these years.

There's a possibility that the show could continue to follow Luann and her inevitable future schemes, with Cardellini coming back. It could also dive more into the Morgans' story and their next chapter, seeing the return of comedic heavyweights Romano and Kudrow.

However, with the open-and-shut manner of the story from the first season, it seems like No Good Deed could become an anthology if it's renewed. That's not unheard of for a Netflix series: It's exactly what the streamer did for the second installment of its acclaimed, runaway hit Beef. Start putting your dream casts together!

What would 'No Good Deed' season 2 be about?

When Feldman set out to create No Good Deed, she wanted to make a show about the L.A. real estate market. She also planned to reunite with her frequent collaborator Cardellini, who had mentioned wanting to play a “badass bitch” in her next role, after spending three seasons as the do-gooder Judy on Dead to Me. While speaking with Tudum, Feldman said, “I had already started dreaming up this world of Los Angeles real estate and thinking, ‘Why hasn’t there been a show about the buying and selling of one house and all of the people that revolve around that one location?’ I thought, ‘Who would that badass bitch be in this world?’”

If Margo were to continue being the basis of the show, it could follow her further in season 2. Because, let's be real, prison won't really change her, the series may focus on her latest trials and tribulations as a social climber looking for easy money opportunities.

In the days since No Good Deed's premiere, Feldman has also hinted that a future season could touch on the Morgan family's future, which may not be as sunny as the finale hints. In her interview with Variety, when asked about what kind of house Paul and Lydia will move to after selling their own, the creator gave the cryptic answer, “That is a really good question that I am not going to answer, because you never know what you might see in a Season 2."

Feldman also summarized Paul and Lydia's marriage strife throughout season 1, telling Variety, "In wanting to give them as close to a happy ending as possible, we felt like we needed them to really confront the thing in the other person that was bothering them the most. The truth is that thing for them was the way the other one was grieving the loss of their son.” She then teased, "If you were to ever see them again, that might come up."

But there’s also a chance that Feldman turns in the keys to the Morgan house completely and explores a different house on the market in L.A. Wild stories of buying and selling were part of the genesis for the series—and we’d bet Matt Rogers’ character Greg Boycelane has other fascinating clients.

Feldman may also set out on another adventure entirely. “The three most stressful things in life are death, taxes, and moving,” the showrunner told TV Insider. “I did death with Dead To Me and as [No Good Deed star] Abb [Jacobson] keeps joking, my next show is going to be a crazy show about accountants.”

The Mindy Kaling-produced series faced some major shake-ups going into its third season. Following the departure of main cast member Reneé Rapp, the show expanded its cast with several new faces, including rising stars Gracie Lawrence and Mia Rodgers as new members of the central friend group, which includes Kimberly (Pauline Chalamet), Whitney (Alyah Chanelle Scott), and Bela (Amrit Kaur). With season 3 just a few weeks into its airing, the new core fivesome's chemistry is already a match made in comedy heaven.

As season 3's first episodes arrived on Max in late November, we sat down with Scott, Chalamet, Lawrence, and Rodgers to play our favorite test of off-screen friendship, How Well Do You Know Your Co-Star? The actresses breezed through questions about their favorite Disney Channel Original Movies, childhood dream jobs, and go-to bakes, while mining their memories for fun facts they've learned about each other while bonding on set. Newcomers Lawrence and Rodgers reminisced on some memories of their jobs before landing on the Max hit, while Scott and Chalamet revealed the Broadway show that's their go-to for an impromptu karaoke session.

Watch the full challenge, above, then watch new episodes of The Sex Lives of College Girls every Thursday through January 23, 2025.

If you like some of the greats—the aptly titled Friends, The Golden Girls, and others—this list serves as a must-watch list for you. Below are the best TV shows about friendship.

'30 Rock' (2006–2013)

Beyond the office life humor (and the weird friendships that can result), 30 Rock gives us a multitude of odd couple relationships within the SNL-like live sketch-comedy show. But the beating heart is Jack (Alec Baldwin) and Liz (Tina Fey), whose relationship is such that when they marry accidentally in one episode, it's not even that surprising.

WATCH IT

'Absolutely Fabulous' (1992–2012)

Ab Fab, as it's sometimes referred to, is raucous. Besties Patsy (Joanna Lumley) and Edina (Jennifer Saunders) constantly outdo themselves, and each other, in bad behavior. To watch and love the show is partly to be relieved we're not them, but also to be delighted by their terrible choices.

WATCH IT

'The Bold Type' (2017–2021)

Sort of a Sex and the City for millennials, this show revolves around young women working for a women's mag. They're BFFs who all work at the (fictional) publication Scarlet, and have a bunch of fun work and relationship problems to sort out throughout five seasons.

WATCH IT

'Broad City' (2014–2019)

It's hard to explain exactly how modern and refreshing Broad City was when it first debuted. It captured what it was like to be broke in a city (New York, in this case), mostly confused about life, and constantly hanging around an impressively non-judgmental best friend.

WATCH IT

'Brooklyn Nine-Nine' (2013–2021)

The police procedural has never been funnier or sweeter in this series. It follows your standard "case of the week" format, but we'd be fine if the characters simply stood around talking.

WATCH IT

'Community' (2009–2015)

This cult classic show revolving around an eclectic study group at a fictional community college is extremely meta and has a joke every 10 seconds. But once you get used to the pace and the quirky characters, you settle into its rhythm. By the end, you'll feel like one of the group.

WATCH IT

'Dawson's Creek' (1998–2003)

This '90s phenomenon featured some fast-talking, philosophy-spouting teens with twisty romantic entanglements—but the thing we all remember most from that show is the deep bonds between the characters. The teen drama even spawned real-life friendships (including BFFs Michelle Williams and Busy Philipps)!

WATCH IT

'Derry Girls' (2018–2022)

This period sitcom, situated in Northern Ireland during the Troubles, doesn't sound like it would be a particularly hilarious context. But wait, because this group of friends gets into seriously funny shenanigans, it's the perfect blend of honesty and hyperbole.

WATCH IT

'Friends' (1994–2004)

No list of TV friendships would ever be complete without Friends. It became how we spoke about ourselves in friend groups (are you a Monica or a Rachel?) and the conduit for our own romantic and platonic entanglements. Years after the series finale, we still love to watch and re-watch the best episodes.

WATCH IT

'Gilmore Girls' (2000–2007)

Gilmore Girls characters talk a mile a minute on this show and have a lot to tell each other. The whole community is one big BFF; however, special mention goes to the mother-daughter duo Rory (Alexis Bledel) and Lorelai (Lauren Graham), who prove that you can be best friends with your mom (even when it's complicated).

WATCH IT

'Girls' (2012–2017)

Like others on this list, the titular girls aren't particularly good at being friends with each other. For millennials (and Gen Zers introduced to the show during its recent revival), this HBO hit is particularly resonant with the post-college experience—namely, the mistakes and detours on the way to adulthood.

WATCH IT

'The Golden Girls' (1985–1992)

There aren't enough shows depicting women as they age, and even fewer exploring the bonds between middle-aged friends. But before Grace and Frankie, there was The Golden Girls, which was so popular because we fell in love with the foursome's friendship.

WATCH IT

'Gossip Girl'

While the romantic relationships in the original Gossip Girl became very complicated, the friend group was always dynamic. Come for the snarky banter between Blair (Leighton Meester) and Serena (Blake Lively), and stay for the chill vibes of Dan (Penn Badgley) and Nate (Chace Crawford)! (And a healthy dose of the iconic friendship between Blair and Dorota.)

WATCH IT

'Grace and Frankie' (2015–2022)

Two middle-aged women (played by legends Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda) become unlikely best friends after their husbands (Martin Sheen and Sam Waterston) leave them for each other. Throughout the show's many seasons, Grace and Frankie explore what it means to grow old gracefully, try to date, deal with medical issues, and figure out how to deal with family crap, all with a lot of wit.

WATCH IT

'Grey's Anatomy' (2005– )

The characters have evolved and changed on this long-running show (with many original cast leaving over the years), but we'll never forget the original group of interns. The first season spawned the iconic duo of Christina (Sandra Oh) and Meredith (Ellen Pompeo), of course, but the whole group of doctors was particularly tight-knit.

WATCH IT

'Harlem' (2021– )

Harlem centers around NYU alums who are now in their 30s and trying to figure out life. The series features some great guests and recurring characters (from Whoopi Goldberg to Lil Rel Howery), and is bolstered by incredible dialogue and dynamite chemistry between the core cast.

WATCH IT

'How I Met Your Mother' (2005–2014)

This sitcom had a nice premise with a hint of mystery, as it features a dad telling his kids how he met their mother. But as his story unfolds, the actual narrative is about living in New York and generally having no idea what you're doing with your work, relationships, or life, and the friends who help along the way.

WATCH IT

'Insecure' (2016–2021)

This Emmy-winning series about the Black female experience wouldn't be the same without its two longtime BFFs Issa (Issa Rae) and Molly (Yvonne Orji). What's lovely about it is that their relationship grows, changes, and even breaks without them completely losing sight of the other.

WATCH IT

'It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia' (2005– )

Technically the characters on It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia are friends, but the humor comes from how utterly horrible they are to each other. The very long-running show constantly develops new ways to punish its lovable sociopaths.

WATCH IT

'Laverne & Shirley' (1976–1983)

This classic TV show makes the case for lifelong friendships. Laverne (Penny Marshall) and Shirley (Cindy Williams) are absolute opposites but still the best of friends, and their relationship takes them from bad jobs all the way to Hollywood. These days, it's also a fun '70s throwback.

WATCH IT

'Living Single' (1993–1998)

With a premise that should sound quite familiar—six friends share a brownstone in Brooklyn—Living Single was groundbreaking in its portrayal of Blackness on TV. With Queen Latifah at the helm as a magazine editor looking for love, the show's a delight.

WATCH IT

'My Brilliant Friend' (2018–2024)

This Italian coming-of-age drama covers four books in an Elena Ferrante series over four seasons. It's grand and sweeping, chronicling the relationship between two best friends from childhood to old age, trying to escape poverty and tradition in their home outside Naples. It's gorgeous, dramatic, and sometimes heartbreaking—a must-watch.

WATCH IT

'New Girl' (2011–2018)

This show was a bit of a cultural phenomenon. Though the material was pretty classic (friends and roommates get into shenanigans, romantic and otherwise), the specificity of the characters, from Jess (Zooey Deschanel) as a bubbly and overly cheery teacher to Schmidt (Max Greenfield), the successful ladies' man with OCD, helped make it feel authentic.

WATCH IT

'Playing House' (2014–2017)

If you missed this show when it initially aired, it's worth seeking out. It's based on the real-life friendship between the leads, Lennon Parham and Jessica St. Clair; Emma (St. Clair) comes home to help her BFF after Maggie (Parham) separates from her cheating husband...while pregnant with his baby.

WATCH IT

'Scrubs' (2001–2010)

Long live J.D. (Zach Braff) and Turk (Donald Faison)! The hit '00s show set in a hospital featured romantical drama aplenty, but the true love of the show was the foursome of medical BFFs. The standout was the J.D./Turk bromance, although a case could be made for J.D. and Elliot (Sarah Chalke), who were also besties (and sometimes lovers).

WATCH IT

'Seinfeld' (1989–1998)

The friends in the famous "Show About Nothing" weren't particularly nice to each other, but that was kind of the fun. Whether they were gathering in Jerry's (Jerry Seinfeld) apartment to complain or...going somewhere else to complain, their banter kept us coming back.

WATCH IT

'Sex and the City' (1998–2004)

Even though plenty of shows explored female friendship before it, Sex and the City popularized the idea of the gal-pal friend group who are just as much your soulmate as any partner. The depiction wasn't perfect, but it's still a template for many women who watched and continue to rewatch.

WATCH IT

'Sherlock' (2010–2017)

Sherlock and Watson from the iconic mystery-thriller book series have been a dynamic duo for over a century, but the modern reimagining in this series wisely leans in on their "odd couple" dynamic. The detective (Benedict Cumberbatch), a "high functioning sociopath," keeps his moral compass (Martin Freeman) around as an increasingly important aspect of his work.

WATCH IT

'Stranger Things' (2016– )

This '80s throwback isn't just about scrunchies, questionable experiments to spy on the Soviets, and Kate Bush: It depicts, with pointed accuracy, how kids formed friendships by being left alone by their parents for hours on end. Even without the scary monsters, this sci-fi hit is relatable and heartwarming to anyone.

WATCH IT

'Supernatural' (2005–2020)

The Winchester brothers are—fortunately for them and us—best friends who like to hunt supernatural creatures together. The fact that Supernatural lasted a whopping 15 seasons came down to the dynamic between stars and actual pals Jared Padalecki and Jensen Ackles.

WATCH IT

'Will & Grace' (1998–2020)

Will & Grace was wildly ahead of its time and helped educate viewers about the LGBTQ+ community. The sweet, snarky relationship between the two title characters (played by Eric McCormack and Debra Messing) was awesome, sure, but anyone who was a fan of the show knows that Karen (Megan Mullally) and Jack (Sean Hayes) were perpetually stealing the show.

WATCH IT

'The Wonder Years' (1988–1993)

For its time, this coming-of-age story was quite novel. It helped usher in a wealth of teen shows in the '90s (and a new appreciation for the difficulties of adolescence). But the show worked primarily because of the Arnold family and their neighbors and friends—it felt very relatable.

WATCH IT

ROSÉ walked a long path toward her first full-length solo album, which finally arrived on December 6, 2024 (via Atlantic Records/THEBLACKLABEL). The 27-year-old—whose real name is Roseanne Park or Park Chae-young—was born in New Zealand and grew up in Australia until the age of 15, when she moved to South Korea to train as an idol under YG Entertainment. In 2016, she debuted as a member of BLACKPINK, and they immediately set off on a meteoric rise to become one of the world’s biggest girl groups, selling out stadiums for their “Born Pink” world tour and headlining Coachella in 2023. But when YG announced in December 2023 that all four members—also including JISOO, JENNIE, and LISA—were not renewing their solo contracts with the company, it became clear that they were setting out in new directions as individual artists (while the label would still manage future BLACKPINK activities).

From the moment of the announcement, all eyes were on how each idol would steer their own careers out from under the crafted BLACKPINK brand. JENNIE announced her label and agency ODDATELIER within a month of YG’s announcement, followed by LISA’s LLOUD and JISOO’s BLISSOO the following February. In June 2024, ROSÉ finally gave an update on Instagram confirming that she had music soon to come, coupling a sentimental caption—which started with the phrase, “Sorry for the long wait”—with photos of a recording studio session in which she’s dressed in a Bruno Mars T-shirt.

After nearly a year where BLACKPINK’s fandom BLINKS (and casual listeners like myself) were left questioning, ROSÉ gave a thundering answer. On October 17, she released “APT.,” a boisterous, pop-punk duet with Bruno Mars celebrating good times spent drinking with friends. With minimal promotion—beyond a day-before announcement and some cheeky Instagram teases—the party track quickly took over TikTok and radio play, eventually peaking at no. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 and claiming no. 1 on the Billboard Global 200 for seven weeks and counting.

It was the perfect song to introduce ROSÉ as an artist melding Western pop and K-pop origins. Even though most of the song’s lyrics are in English and the carefree theme is universal, “APT.” is distinctly Korean in its influences. It takes both its name and its post-chorus from the classic Korean drinking game 아파트 (pronounced "apateu"). In her cover interview with Paper Magazine, ROSÉ credited her single’s popularity partly to global interest in Korean culture. “Korean culture is, I would say, one of the most fun cultures out there. To be able to show that to the world, it's like a personal excitement for me,” she told the outlet.

Her excitement has infected the world. In the months following “APT.”s release, the TikTok hashtag #apt racked up over 570 million posts. Among the hashtags “#aptgame” or “#aptdrinkinggame” clips of people around the world playing the drinking game have gotten thousands or sometimes millions of likes. It’s become a cultural phenomenon, like the ubiquity of dalgona candy challenges following the release of Squid Game.

Of course, U.S. music fans becoming obsessed with Korean songs and culture is nothing new; before “APT.” and Squid Game, there was Parasite’s Best Picture win at the 2020 Oscars, BTS’ 2020 chart-topper “Dynamite,” and the virality of “Gangnam Style” in 2012. Odds are that every music listener in the U.S. has heard a song by a K-pop artist at least once, thanks to the recent influx of English releases like BTS’s “Dynamite” and “Butter,” or TWICE’s “The Feels.” K-pop groups singing in English isn’t a new practice; long before Western artists collaborated regularly with Korean idols (or singers who trained and debuted under a regimented entertainment company) K-pop groups would use English phrases even in the industry’s earliest songs. The appearance of K-pop songs on U.S. charts also isn’t anything new; back in 2009, Wonder Girls became the first group to break onto the Billboard Hot 100 chart with their retro hit “Nobody,” which was the same year that BoA’s self-titled English-language album hit No. 1 on the Billboard 200. Still, many idol groups’ English-language releases have struggled to reach the mainstream heights that ROSÉ achieved on her first try.

K-pop fans have spent the past few years debating the line between the Western genre distinctions of “K-pop” and “pop,” while pointing out that streamers like Spotify and Apple Music tend to lump any release by an idol singer under K-pop even when the song is a completely different genre. The answer seems to lie within the cultural differences between how Korean fan culture and American fan culture praise singers. In Korea, idols are held to extremely high standards to maintain a “pure” image; their career could end over scandals like being caught dating, using illicit substances, or sharing their political opinions. Not only are these actions seen as fair game for Western singers, but they’re in many ways as expected of pop stars as writing their own lyrics, as a huge part of fan identification comes from the artists’ level of authenticity. When K-pop idols are treated like living dolls and Western pop stars can’t be anything less than full transparency, where can an aspiring crossover act find a middle ground?

rosie proves that the answer lies in the music. The record is an intensely personal album; over 12 tracks, ROSÉ lays her insecurities and troubles bare, as she examines a rollercoaster of emotions spurred by toxicity. Though “APT.” is an alt-rock banger, much of rosie features minimal, acoustic-tinged production, with each track being both skillfully catchy and admiringly vulnerable; it’s impossible not to compare the songwriting style to the likes of Taylor Swift and Olivia Rodrigo. With songs like “number one girl,” she plays with duality, nodding toward unhealthy relationships with both an on-again-off-again lover and her millions of loving yet demanding fans. During her press run for rosie, the singer has been vocal about mining her 20s for inspiration and crafting an intensely personal project, telling i-D that her “mission statement” for the album was “always just to try and approach it with as much honesty as humanly possible.”

Such complete transparency is as mesmerizing as it is refreshing. In the run-up to rosie’s debut, the singer gave multiple interviews revealing the writing process behind her album, which was crafted over several months of songwriting sessions in L.A. K-pop interviews usually straddle a fine line between offering insights on an idol’s latest release and making sure that none of the soundbites threaten their pure, neutral image. Awkward clips where idols try to avoid describing songs about sex or lust have become infamous memes within the wider fandom. But in her press run, ROSÉ has been open about her songs being directly inspired by her relationship history, and even occasionally reminisced about going through heartbreak while promoting with BLACKPINK. Instead of handling dating like the taboo it is in the K-pop industry, she treats the self-admission that she’s “very serious about dating” as the ordinary fact it should be, rather than a jaw-dropping admission from an idol at the top of her career. In an interview with The New York Times, she acknowledges that her candidness isn’t normal, and makes a very clear statement about her personal life: “I do want to make sure that that’s very well addressed: The fact that it’s not about the story of who Rosie has been with or whatever. It’s really more about the art.”

In today’s fandom culture, both Western and Eastern, chart impact is held as the ultimate mark of success. While rosie has had a strong start—her music video “toxic til the end,” which she dropped alongside the album, has gotten 35 million views in just five days—ROSÉ has solidified her debut as one of K-pop’s most important albums in recent years purely through the inspiration it gives for the industry’s future. Even in her BLACKPINK days, ROSÉ was a trailblazer as part of the unabashedly cool, unapologetic message of the group’s music, that she was one of those confident girls who could do “what I want with what I like.” Now, by stepping out from behind that persona and sharing her most intimate stories on rosie, ROSÉ is connecting with fans all around the globe and seeding a future for K-pop idols where they can make a global impact by speaking on the topics and passions that lie in their hearts. At a time when the K-pop industry is constantly searching for growth in the U.S., she exemplifies that authenticity is a way to become a force in American culture.

Nothing ushers in the winter season like hot chocolate, Mariah Carey, big sweaters, and…murder. Hear us out. This time of year can be intense. There’s the relentless travel, year-end deadlines, parties where you might run into your ex, and a lot of family time. Sometimes the best reprieve is curling up on the couch and reading a “cozy mystery,” or a murder mystery that channels genre purveyors like Agatha Christie but manages to be more wholesome than more gruesome thrillers.

With their lovable characters, charming settings, and feel-good subplots that balance the suspense, cozy thrillers keep you turning page after page. To boot, resolutions in these novels often arrive in welcome surprises, nearly as satisfying as the first snow of the season.

Because there’s little better material to enjoy when all you want to do is stay in, get lost in a book, and avoid the cold temps outside, we rounded up some of the subgenre’s must-reads—from classic detective novels to frostbitten thrillers. Below, find the 13 best cozy mysteries to enjoy all season long.

However, as the season went on, fans guessed they might be the couple from this season's cast most likely to make it to the altar. Read on for our breakdown of Caleb and Mariah's time on Love is Blind season 3, including all the clues toward whether they're still together.

What happened between Caleb and Mariah on 'The Ultimatum' season 3?

Two years into their relationship, 24-year-old Mariah has given 29-year-old Caleb the ultimatum. Mariah seems emotionally intelligent beyond her years; she is very clear about knowing that she wants marriage and kids. Meanwhile, Caleb is concerned that she may be rushing things.

Before they "break up," Caleb thinks about the future, sharing his worry that she could get to 40, and possibly resent him after realizing she never got time to focus on herself. The moment hints that Caleb is thinking about them long-term, just toward the future and not the present. However, Mariah also mentions that communication was an issue for her and she feels she didn't get enough reassurance from him in the past.

During the week of speed-dating, Mariah forms a friendship with Micah, and they believe they could challenge each other to learn in a trial marriage. Meanwhile, Caleb clicks with Aria. They had a similar upbringing, and can both get vulnerable quickly. After the Choice dinner, Mariah and Micah and Caleb and Aria are ready to start their trial marriages...but just days into the timeline, Micah quits the show, along with his girlfriend Chanel and another couple, Dave and Vanessa. Mariah's left to spend the three-week trial marriage by herself—minus occasional friend meet-ups with Nick—while Caleb goes through his time living with Aria. The rest of Mariah's scenes, until she reunites with Caleb, are very Nick-centric, so the only sense we get of how she spent her time are clips of her reading self-help books like Jay Shetty's 8 Rules of Love.

Aria and Caleb's trial marriage is the easiest of all the temporary couples. The pair have chemistry and in between doing skincare together, they discuss serious topics like trust issues and communication styles. Plus, they're both clear that the other is very different from their "exes."

On Caleb's end, Aria is more independent and skeptical than Mariah. At one point, Caleb says that Mariah trusts through "blind faith" that he's the right person for her, and he finds that a bit scary. Later on, Caleb admits that part of his hesitation with marriage is fueled by his baggage of worrying that he could be a good husband and father. In theory, that's the type of introspection that The Ultimatum process is meant for.

However, you could also argue that trial marriages are designed to spur wandering eyes and jealousy, and the best trial marriages can make for insecure original partners. The pair starts platonically, but Aria forms a bit of a crush, especially since Caleb is so different from her original partner Scotty. Caleb also admits that he also has an emotional connection in a confessional.

However, before the girls' night, Caleb doesn't want Aria to tell Mariah they've formed an emotional connection. He seems to come at it from a place of let me be the one to tell her, but Aria wants to be honest with Mariah. So after the girls' night, Mariah gets concerned that Aria and Caleb could've formed a stronger emotional connection than she and Caleb at that point in their relationship.

That potential Mariah-Caleb-Aria love triangle adds some friction after the Changeover when everyone returns to their original partners. Caleb continues to assure that there's nothing between him and Aria beyond friendship—and maybe he's focusing on the fact that he doesn't intend to pursue a relationship with her—but Mariah can tell that her confusion about where he and Aria stand is valid. Caleb seems to want to shut down the discussion and have a fun mood instead of a serious one, but Mariah doesn't want to hold off on delving into her worries, including their communication issues.

Eventually, Mariah breaks down and expresses that, since they reunited, the negative energy between them has been her frustration with how hard The Ultimatum process has been. By their final date, the couple is cuddling while fishing and admitting that they both need to work on their insecurities instead of bringing them into the relationship. (May this be the healthiest example of The Ultimatum in the show's run so far?)

Do Caleb and Mariah get engaged on 'The Ultimatum' season 3?

When they get to Ultimatum Day, after some requisite tense editing from the show, Caleb chooses to...propose to Mariah and get engaged! He appears to get out of the way of his doubts, which he sums up before the big scene as being worried that "there's just someone [out there] waiting for her that's better." Once they arrive at the venue, they both acknowledge that they've grown a lot during the show, and Caleb has a handwritten proposal about how he's no longer afraid to let her love him. It goes to show that something good can come out of everything—even a show like The Ultimatum.

Are Caleb and Mariah still together after 'The Ultimatum' season 3?

Fast-forward to the reunion filming—which occurred sometime before season 3's release, per Variety—and Caleb and Mariah are still an adorable couple. They came to the reunion with adorable vacation clips in tow, and confirmed that they're planning a summer 2026 destination wedding. (Also, Caleb likes to match Mariah's outfits, which already makes him the ideal L.A. husband.)

The reunion also included a surprising detail we didn't see during filming: During the separate trial marriages (or trial singleness for Mariah), Mariah still called Caleb daily and they’d speak for hours. This admission came amid a dramatic confrontation about Aria feeling wronged by Caleb, which didn't seem all that constructive, but it is a small detail to note what was left on the cutting room floor.

Even before the finale, there were clues on social media that the two were still an item. They still followed each other, and an eagle-eyed Redditor spotted a recent couple pic of the pair from Mariah's second Instagram page, which is currently private. There's no way to validate the Reddit post or to know when the picture was taken, but even before the engagement was confirmed, many fans were sure that Caleb and Mariah were season 3's best chance at a happily-ever-after.

On December 11, 2024, the Minnesota regional office of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) issued a complaint against the hit Netflix reality TV show, stating that it misclassified the series contestants as participants when they should be considered employees. Categorizing the cast as employees would provide them federal legal protections, including the right to unionize.

The complaint against Love is Blind's production companies, Kinetic Content and Delirium TV, LLC, also says that the show "committed several labor violations, including unlawful contractual terms related to confidentiality and noncompete provisions," as reported by The New York Times.

The NLRB complaint is a major development in the challenges the reality juggernaut—which follows couples as they fall in love and get married "sight unseen"—has faced behind the scenes. Several former cast members have filed lawsuits against the series, with allegations raging from "inhumane working conditions" and unfair pay to "intentional infliction of emotional distress." Kinetic and Delirium have steadily denied accusations and defended their practices over the past few years, as Love is Blind has risen in popularity to become a regular cultural phenomenon.

The NLRB began investigating Kinetic and Delirium's production standards after two former Love Is Blind cast members (season 5's Renee Poche and season 2's Nick Thompson) submitted complaints to the labor board.

In addition to Love is Blind's legal battles, the complaint is also a pivotal turn in the ongoing "reality reckoning," as former cast members of franchises from Real Housewives to Vanderpump Rules have spoken out against the lack of labor protections for both reality TV personalities and below-the-line workers, who primarily work as freelance laborers.

As for the next steps, according to the New York Times, "Complaints are issued after a labor board regional office concludes that there is merit to accusations that have been made against an employer. They are then litigated before an administrative law judge, who will determine whether the employer has violated the law. The employers could appeal a decision to the national labor board in Washington."

Neither production company has shared a statement responding to the complaint at the time of publishing. This piece will be updated to reflect their response upon release.

Netflix—which streams the show but is not listed in the complaint—has also yet to respond.

Love is Blind season 8 is set to premiere on Netflix on February 14, 2025.

The prospective buyers—a wealthy couple living across the street, a nosy duo who have always dreamed of living in this house, and newlyweds in disagreement on whether this home is right for them—all circle the listing, threatening to uncover the Morgans's secret with their desperation. Adding to the must-watch show’s appeal, the quirky cast of characters is an ensemble led by seasoned comedic and dramatic actors. Read on to see who’s who in the No Good Deed cast.

Lisa Kudrow as Lydia Morgan and Ray Romano as Paul Morgan

Lydia and Paul Morgan are the central long-married couple dealing with the grief of their son’s death. To move on, they put their 1920s Spanish-style Los Feliz home on the market, even though it’s the site of his death and the house still holds the secrets to what happened the night he died.

Lisa Kudrow, 61, is best known as Phoebe from Friends, the NBC sitcom she starred in from 1994 to 2004. She was also in the cult classic ‘90s movie Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion and the critically acclaimed shortlived HBO mockumentary The Comeback.

Ray Romano, 66, is another ‘90s sitcom star. He had his own show Everybody Loves Raymond on CBS from 1996 to 2005. Since then, he starred in the TNT drama Men of a Certain Age and appeared in films like Martin Scorsese’s The Irishman and the rom-com The Big Sick.

Linda Cardellini as Margo Starling and Luke Wilson as JD Campbell

Margo and JD are a mismatched couple who live across the street in a sleek state-of-the-art house. JD is a soap opera actor in a work rut, while Margo is his manipulative wife hiding personal and familial secrets from everyone around her.

Linda Cardellini, 49, rose to fame on the cult classic comedy series Freaks and Geeks. She followed that with stints on ER and Bloodline. She also starred in Netflix’s Dead to Me, meaning, No Good Deed sees her reunite with the show’s scribe. Feldman told Netflix’s Tudum that she wrote this character specifically for Cardellini after she expressed a desire to play a “badass bitch” in her next role.

Luke Wilson, 53, is best known for his partnership with director Wes Anderson, starring in the indie icon’s films Bottle Rocket and The Royal Tenenbaums—the former of which was co-written by Luke’s brother Owen Wilson and the latter of which co-starred Owen. He also famously played the romantic interest in the Legally Blonde movies, and on TV, he’s appeared on That ‘70s Show, Enlightened, and Stargirl.

Abbi Jacobson as Leslie Fisher and Poppy Liu as Sarah Webber

Leslie and Sarah are a lesbian couple hoping to raise a family in Lydia and Paul’s home, as Leslie has fixated on the property for many years. When Lydia and Paul begin acting funny, they take it upon themselves to dig deeper into what exactly happened in the house at the hands of the current owners.

Abbi Jacobson, 40, created the hilarious Comedy Central hit series Broad City with her comedic partner Ilana Glazer. Following its five-season run, Jacobson co-created and starred in the TV remake of the beloved sports movie A League of Their Own.

Poppy Liu, 32, is a comedic actress who has appeared in Hacks, Sunnyside, and iCarly. She also starred in the psychological thriller series Dead Ringers.

O-T Fagbenle as Dennis Sampson and Teyonah Parris as Carla Owens

Dennis and Carla are a newlywed couple—a marriage spurred by Carla’s surprise pregnancy. They’re searching for their dream home, but there are a few bumps in the road: Dennis’s mom (played by Anna Maria Horsford) makes her presence known by essentially moving in with the young family, while Carla hides from her husband that her dad is ultra-wealthy.

O-T Fagbenle, 43, is a British actor best known for his roles in The Handmaid’s Tale and Presumed Innocent. He also portrayed President Barack Obama on The First Lady, and starred in Apple TV+ shows WeCrashed and Loot.

Teyonah Parris, 37, is best known as Monica Rambeau, a recurring role in multiple films across the Marvel Cinematic Universe. She also appeared in shows like Mad Men and Empire and has had a robust film career, starring in Dear White People, Chi-Raq, If Beale Street Could Talk, and Candyman.

Matt Rogers as Greg Boycelane

Greg is Lydia and Paul’s real estate agent, tasked with shuffling prospective buyers in and out of the home and ensuring the house’s current owners don’t accidentally sabotage the sale.

Matt Rogers, 34, is best known for his podcast “Las Culturistas,” which he co-hosts with his best friend, SNL’s Bowen Yang. As an actor, Rogers has appeared in I Love That for You, Shrill, Awkwafina is Nora from Queens, Search Party, and the hit LGBTQ+ comedy Fire Island.

Denis Leary as Mikey Morgan

Mikey is Paul’s brother dealing with a drug addiction who reappears at the home after being released from jail, inevitably wreaking havoc on the family. Mikey knows more about what the Morgans are hiding, and his tumultuous relationship with his brother threatens to bring the truth to light.

Denis Leary, 67, is most recognizable from his starring role in Rescue Me, a series he co-created that ran for seven seasons. He also appeared in Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll, and films like Judgment Night, Gunmen, and Draft Day.

Anna Maria Horsford as Denise

Denise is Dennis’s mother, who coddles her adult son and is weary of her new daughter-in-law.

Anna Maria Horsford, 76, is known for her penchant for sitcoms and has had memorable roles on Amen and The Wayans Bros. She also appeared on The Shield and the daytime soap The Bold and the Beautiful. Horsford has also starred in several comedic films, like Friday and A Madea Christmas.

Kate Moennig as Gwen

Gwen is Margo’s secret lover trying to swoop in on Lydia and Paul’s home and flip it for a profit. Her plans are thwarted when she ends things with Margo—something Margo doesn’t take kindly to.

Kate Moennig, 46, is best known for starring in the iconic LGBTQ+ series The L Word. She reprised her role in the sequel series The L Word: Generation Q. Moennig has also starred in Ray Donovan, Grown-ish, and Young Americans.

Linda Lavin as Phyllis Adelman

Phyllis is Paul and Lydia's overbearing neighbor, who takes it upon herself to surveil the neighborhood and record any suspicious activities.

Linda Lavin, 87, is a Tony- and Golden Globe Award-winning actress best known for playing the titular role in the classic sitcom Alice. Recently she has appeared in the shows Elsbeth, B Positive, and Santa Clarita Diet. She is also a member of the American Theater Hall of Fame.

Chloe East as Emily Morgan

Emily is Lydia and Paul's daughter, who is estranged from the family since her brother's death.

Chloe East, 23, started her career as a child actress and is a Disney Channel alum who had a recurring role on Liv and Maddie. Her recent breakout roles have included playing Monica Sherwood in The Fabelmans and Sister Paxton in Heretic.

Wyatt Aubrey as Jacob Morgan

Jacob is Paul and Lydia's teen son, who died under mysterious circumstances.

Wyatt Aubrey is an up-and-comer who made his acting debut in a small role on the Max teen drama Genera+ion.

Kevin Alves as Nate Morgan

Nate is Mikey's son, and Paul and Lydia's nephew. Despite his dad's past, Nate is now a straight-laced cop who's estranged from Mikey.

Kevin Alves, 33, is best known for playing Travis on the mystery thriller series Yellowjackets. He previously appeared on shows including Locke & Key, Shadowhunters, and Degrassi: The Next Generation. Fun fact: He's also a former competitive figure skater, representing Brazil and Canada.

The cook and best-selling author opens up on this week's episode of the Marie Claire podcast "Nice Talk" about her journey toward opening First Bloom Corner Store, a market in Bloomville, New York that features her favorite products.

"It's always been a dream to open a grocery store," she shares on the podcast. "I love grocery store shopping. I love the experience."

Roman, who spent years working in restaurants before transitioning to food media, explains that she had money saved up to put into the project but found herself learning to be nimble with unexpected costs.

She says she chose to open the shop in the Catskills due to "utility," since so few grocery stores existed in the area she was interested in, and that the space she found was "basically a blank canvas." "It needed a new ceiling, and then we needed to build all the shelving that was custom in there," Roman says. "Then there's start-up costs of licenses and accounts and plumbing and installation for certain health code—things that I didn't see coming."

The writer/cook believed it was worth it to invest in her vision. Roman says, "I was like, 'Well, if I'm gonna do this, I'm gonna fund it myself, and we'll see what happens. Because I didn't want to be beholden to anyone else's vision. I didn't want to owe anyone money. But also, that means that you have a lot fewer resources when [it's] coming from your savings."

She adds, "But it was a dream...I wanted to spend my money on it."

The author of Sweet Enough and Nothing Fancy, and Dining In explains that, though First Bloom Corner Store opened in 2023 and launched its online store this fall, she has even more in mind for the shop. "I have goals and ambitions for the store and for the brand that exceed that space, but I also really want it to be authentic and I want it to be solid before I do that," she says. "It's very important to me that it functions as a solid, wonderful business without my name attached to it."

On "Nice Talk," Roman also shares her tips on how to be an outstanding host and guest.

Though it depends who she's cooking for, Roman reveals on the podcast that if she's cooking dinner for people, she tends to prioritize "deliciousness over anything fancy" and makes elevated takes on simple dishes. Her examples include a one-pot chicken and potatoes prepared in a way that will leave guests saying, "I didn't know a potato could be so good."

"I think that when people want to impress somebody, they either make too many dishes...or they feel like they have to pull out some stuff and also bake dessert," Roman says, "Not everything needs a hat. It's like [what] anyone who dresses well will tell you about fashion, I will tell you about food. You need five great pieces, because it's how you wear them, it's not what you wear. It's like how you cook things; it's not what you cook."

To impress as a guest, the author suggests a beverage you won't be able to finish in one sitting, such as a liquor bottle like amaro, that "doubles as a gift and something that you can enjoy together in that evening."

Roman talks more about the changes she's made in her career over the years, navigating brand partnerships, how she handles feedback from her followers, and more on this week's installment of "Nice Talk." The episode is out now wherever you listen to podcasts.

While rugby is still a minor sport in Korea (similar to its presence in the U.S.), after watching the sport for the first time, Chang decided to bring the "inspiring, emotional and admirable" sport to a global audience." Over the 14-episode season, seven teams—Yonsei University, Korea University, Korea Armed Forces Athletic Corps, OK Man Rugby Club, POSCO E&C, Hyundai Glovis, and KEPCO—compete for the title of the strongest rugby team in Korea, as well as a prize of 300 million won (about $200,000).

In addition to showcasing rugby, the series also highlights the sportsmanship and determination of its athletes, who include college students, semi-professional players, national team members, and Olympians. Read on to meet some of the fierce contestants on Rugged Rugby: Conquer or Die.

Emosi Labati (Hyundai Glovis)

Emosi Labati, 20, is a Fijian player who first came to South Korea to play high school rugby in 2019, before joining the Hyundai Glovis team in 2023. In an interview with Korean JoongAng Daily, he revealed his dream is to become the Son Heung-min of rugby and "secure Korea’s first win at the Olympics" as a naturalized player.

Jeong Yeon-sik (Hyundai Glovis)

Jeong Yeon-sik, 31, has played on South Korea's national teams for the rugby union and rugby sevens divisions. He was part of the team that won a silver medal at the 2022 Asian Games. Jeong joined Rugged Rugby as part of his team Hyundai Glovis, where he's played since 2020.

Lee Yeong-woon (OKMan)

Lee Yeong-woon competes in Rugged Rugby along with his team OKMan Rugby Club, which was formed in 2023. The newest team in the competition, they're often underestimated on the Netflix series.

Na Kwan-young (KEPCO)

Na Kwan-young is an essential player on KEPCO, a frontrunner team in the Netflix competition. During the Rugged Rugby press conference, he said, "I'm happy we can introduce rugby through Netflix. This was the most desperate match I've ever played, as we might become the representative image of Korean rugby. I feel a sense of responsibility."

Chang Yong-heung (KEPCO)

Chang Yong-heung made his first appearance on Netflix earlier this year, competing in the second season of Physical: 100. Chang has been a member of the South Korean national team since 2014; after withdrawing from Physical: 100 to prepare for the 2022 Asian Games, the team took home its first silver medal in 17 years.

Oh Ji-myung (POSCO)

Oh Ji-myung plays on Rugged Rugby as part of his team POSCO E&C, which is known as the representative "power rugby" team in Korea. During a press conference for the show, he said, "I'm glad we can promote Korean rugby through the Netflix platform. We aimed for the championship, wanting to become the protagonists," per The Korea Times.

Seo Woo-hyeon (Yonsei)

Seo Woo-hyeon, 21, is the captain of the Yonsei University rugby team, a highly respected team that competes in the country's semi-pro rugby league. Yonsei also has a decades-long rivalry against Korea University, which plays out on the show.

Some are based on true stories, and others are purely fictional. But the best inspirational movies do something special: They avoid cliches and deliver a cinematic journey that inspires hope and wonder, whether they explore hardship, unconventional success, or underdog sports stories. From Remember the Titans to It's a Wonderful Life, below, find the most inspirational movies of all time.

'42' (2013)

Jackie Robinson, the first Black MLB player, lived a life worthy of a biopic. The movie was a modest success and has risen in esteem since then, particularly in praise of the late Chadwick Boseman adding depth and unspoken complexity to the character.

WATCH IT

'Apollo 13' (1995)

Even though you may know the ending of the real story that inspired the movie, Apollo 13 is one of the most suspenseful movies. The race to save three astronauts (played by Tom Hanks, Bill Paxton, and Kevin Bacon), trapped in space and running out of oxygen, is as scary as it is ultimately hopeful.

WATCH IT

'Before Sunrise' (1995)

Technically, you'll want to view this film as the first of Richard Linklater's trilogy about a couple (Julie Delpy and Ethan Hawke) whose chance meeting defines their lives. The second is probably the most inspirational, but the first—deeply romantic and hopeful—sets off the journey in spectacular fashion.

WATCH IT

'The Big Lebowski' (1998)

While you might not automatically categorize the iconic '90s movie The Big Lebowski as "inspirational," bear with us. The Dude (Jeff Bridges) gets into some pretty serious situations, but thanks to his laidback attitude (and some impressive plot shenanigans) he keeps on "abiding" all the way through.

WATCH IT

'Catch Me if You Can' (2002)

Frank Abagnale Jr. (portrayed by Leonardo Dicaprio), a young and highly successful con man, is pursued by a dogged FBI agent. While most of the film catalogs (and somewhat celebrates) Abagnale's exploits, it's more interested in redemption. Can an inveterate criminal be reformed? Can his skills be used for good? Those are the questions on Steven Spielberg's mind here.

WATCH IT

'Coach Carter' (2005)

Samuel L. Jackson stars in this sports drama, giving one of his all-time best performances as a tough but extremely supportive coach. The film is based on the true story of a Richmond High School basketball coach who suspended his players until they pulled up their GPAs.

WATCH IT

'Dead Poets Society' (1989)

This movie is a love letter to great poetry, critical thinking, and the best teacher you've ever had (played perfectly by Robin Williams). Even if you have never watched the coming-of-age classic, you probably can recognize its most famous line pulled from literature: "Oh captain, my captain!"

WATCH IT

'The Diving Bell and the Butterfly' (2008)

If you missed this overlooked '00s film upon its release, it's worth watching. It's based on Jean-Dominique Bauby's memoir in which a stroke left him with "locked-in syndrome"—fully conscious but unable to move or speak. We experience what it's like to be in Bauby's body as he struggles to communicate but lives a gorgeous, rich inner life.

WATCH IT

'Erin Brockovich' (2000)

The film that won Julia Roberts an Oscar, Erin Brockovich gives us an unlikely hero. Erin is an unemployed single mom who takes a job at a law firm out of necessity—then starts a massive investigation into groundwater contamination. It's based on a true story and one of filmmaker Steven Soderbergh's all-time bests!

WATCH IT

'E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial' (1982)

If you're a fan of movies that make you weep, this '80s classic should be on your list; it's difficult to get through E.T. without crying, but the watch is worth it. A teeny, tiny alien left on Earth by accident befriends a small boy (Henry Thomas)—are you crying yet? we are!—and tries to be reunited with his family.

WATCH IT

'Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind' (2004)

This is a trippy sci-fi movie that imagines a future where you can erase memories from your own brain. But it's really a story about a relationship—flawed, imperfect, sometimes painful—that persists despite both trying desperately to forget about it.

WATCH IT

'Good Will Hunting' (1997)

"It's not your fault." Good Will Hunting is about a once-in-a-lifetime super-genius who overcomes his upbringing. But it's also about a traumatized young man whose relationship with a good therapist (Matt Damon and Robin Williams, respectively) transforms his life.

WATCH IT

'The Grapes of Wrath' (1940)

Based on the iconic John Steinbeck book you might have had to read in high school, The Grapes of Wrath captures a fraught moment in the Great Depression. Covering a family of sharecroppers whose lives become increasingly desperate, it's nevertheless a story of intense determination and hope.

WATCH IT

'Hoosiers' (1987)

If you want to watch a simple, uplifting sports movie, pick Hoosiers. A high school basketball team in a small town gets a new coach (a stellar Gene Hackman)—and inspirational things happen. No spoilers; just go along for the ride.

WATCH IT

'Jerry Maguire' (1996)

This might be one of the most over-the-top sports movies (and has been meme-d into oblivion). But the film's core remains as inspirational as ever: A down-on-his-luck sports agent (Tom Cruise) paired with a frustrated, undervalued football player (Cuba Gooding Jr.) make sports magic together.

WATCH IT

'Miracle' (2004)

A story about the "Miracle on Ice" (the U.S. team playing against the Soviets in the 1980 Winter Olympics) could easily become schmaltzy, but—thanks to Kurt Russell as the tough-as-nails coach determined to triumph—it turns into one of the best hockey films ever.

WATCH IT

'Moneyball' (2011)

There's rarely a more fun underdog story than Moneyball. The Oakland Athletics start utilizing a new-for-the-time data-driven approach to drafting players—and (despite everyone else in baseball warning them not to do it) see major, major payoffs.

WATCH IT

'The Natural' (1984)

Robert Redford has starred in plenty of inspiring films over the course of his career, but The Natural dares to let him fail. He plays a baseball player with tremendous natural talent, but tragedy has sidelined his pro career. More than 15 years later (and considered old to still be playing), he finally gets his shot.

WATCH IT

'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest' (1975)

Like a handful of other films on this list, this book-to-movie adaptation takes place in a dark setting and doesn't pull punches in depicting tragedy. The film set in a mental hospital intermingles tragedy and hope in a truly profound way. It's no wonder it's considered one of the best films ever.

WATCH IT

'Princess Mononoke' (1997)

Even if you're unfamiliar with the beloved Japanese animation house Studio Ghibli, you should seek this one out. It's a simple but profound environmentalist tale, with a young warrior seeking to lift a curse (and eventually realizing the whole world is at stake). It's a truly gorgeous film.

WATCH IT

'Remember the Titans' (2000)

If you ask someone to pick the most inspirational sports movie, chances are high they'd think of Remember the Titans. It's a story loosely based on a newly integrated Virginia football team—and with Denzel Washington at the helm, you're in good hands all the way through.

WATCH IT

'The Right Stuff' (1984)

A historical fiction film is a prime candidate for an inspirational movie, particularly one about the space race. But believe it or not, this movie about the first U.S. human spaceflight bombed at the box office before becoming an enormous hit on home video. And it's not lost its shine!

WATCH IT

'Rocky' (1976)

We could include most (if not all) of the Rocky and Creed movies on this list, but it's hard to do better than the first film. When you consider that Sylvester Stallone was a virtual unknown and had to fight hard to be cast as the lead, it's a real "art imitates life" story.

WATCH IT

'Rudy' (1993)

While you shouldn't focus on the exact verisimilitude of the story (it's quite a loose adaptation), Rudy follows a true rags-to-riches trajectory of a steel mill worker (Sean Astin) who, despite being "5 foot nothing, 100 and nothing," aspires to play college football.

WATCH IT

'Saving Private Ryan' (1998)

Like many inspirational movies, this war epic depicts painful events until its emotional conclusion. A group of soldiers go out in pursuit of the titular Private Ryan (Matt Damon), the last living child in a family whose sons all got shipped off to combat, amid terrible World War II battles. Keep the tissues handy.

WATCH IT

'Schindler's List' (1994)

Given the story's intensity, it's impressive how well Steven Spielberg's award-winning World War II-set film Schindler's List moves along, with humor and restraint alongside its deep meaning. You'll never forget it: "Whoever saves one life saves the world entire."

WATCH IT

'The Shawshank Redemption' (1994)

This might now seem like the prototypical inspirational movie, not to mention one of the best films of all time. But it took a while for The Shawshank Redemption to become a phenomenon. It goes to some dark places, but Andy Dufresne's (Tim Robbins) journey as a wrongly convicted inmate is as epic as it gets.

WATCH IT

'Silver Linings Playbook' (2012)

This drama centers around challenging topics like mental illness and grief, but it's ultimately an unconventional rom-com. The love story at its center is between a young widow (Jennifer Lawrence) and a man with bipolar disorder (Bradley Cooper), and it up being a riotous celebration of life. It's the definition of a movie you want to watch over and over again.

WATCH IT

'Sing Sing' (2024)

Sing Sing is based on the real-life Rehabilitation Through the Arts Program at the Sing Sing New York prison. The film is deep and profound without being cliche, and several of the actors in the movie are formerly incarcerated alumni of the program.

'To Kill a Mockingbird' (1963)

This adaptation of a most beloved book is considered one of the best movies ever made. It's not wholly inspirational in its plot—lawyer Atticus Finch (Gregory Peck) is up against powerful forces as he defends a Black man in early 20th century Alabama—but it's got a simple, moving message.

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'The Truman Show' (1998)

When you buy into the bone-chilling premise, you find yourself rooting for the unconventional hero and his fight for independence all the way through. Jim Carrey stars as the titular Truman who starts to suspect his world isn't real, and he's right: It's all a TV set and he's the star.

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'It's a Wonderful Life' (1947)

The pinnacle of all inspirational movies, it's easy to forget how daring It's a Wonderful Life is (particularly for the time it was made in 1946). George Bailey (James Stewart) is desperate, depressed, and at the point of self-harm when he meets an angel whose mission is to show him what life would be like without him.

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Since its release, the must-watch series has garnered widespread acclaim from viewers and critics, including a Golden Globe nomination for Knightley. Luckily for viewers who have already binged the six-episode season, Netflix has already revealed the series' fate. Read on for everything we know about Black Doves season 2 so far.

Has 'Black Doves' been renewed for season 2?

Netflix has confirmed that Black Doves season 2 is on the way. During the Edinburgh TV Festival in August 2024, the streaming giant announced that the espionage thriller would return, over three months before the show's debut.

When will 'Black Doves' season 2 come out?

It's still too early to say when Black Doves season 2 will be released, but fans can rest easy because the crew is already working on writing it.

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, creator Joe Barton revealed that he's already back in the writers' room and plans to film the show in 2025. However, he also confirmed that the series will probably not return for the 2025 holidays due to scheduling.

"If it was down to me, I’d probably set everything at Christmas. I just like writing about it," Barton said, when asked if season 2 will take place during the holidays. "But no, I think mostly because of schedules and release, to have something ready for next Christmas would be impossible. And then you’d be in a situation where we’d have to make people wait two years for the Christmas after that, which should just be too long. So I think inevitably it’s not going to be a Christmas show. But it’ll be interesting to see them out of their winter coats."

While the show won't be back a year after its initial release, because it's already in the early days of pre-production, we'd guess it'll be back sometime in winter/spring 2026.

Who in the cast will return for 'Black Doves' season 2?

Most of Black Doves's main roster makes it out of season 1 alive, so it's highly likely that the show's cast will return to reprise their roles. This includes Keira Knightley (Helen Webb), Ben Whishaw (Sam Young), Sarah Lancashire (Reed), Andrew Buchan (Wallace Webb), Kathryn Hunter (Lenny Lines), Ella Lily Hyland (Williams), Gabrielle Creevy (Eleanor), Omari Douglas (Michael), and Luther Ford (Hector).

What will 'Black Doves' season 2 be about?

Spoilers for Black Doves season 1 ahead. By the end of Black Doves season 1, Helen's season-long quest to avenge her lover Jason's (Andrew Koji) murder has ended with her and Sam wiping out the Clark crime family. Sam is the one to pull the trigger, to save Helen from the emotional burden of killing Trent Clark (Angus Cooper). With his selfless act towards Helen, Sam sacrifices his chance to leave life as an assassin behind and live with Michael. Instead, the show teases that Sam forms an alliance with Hector to stay in London.

Meanwhile, after learning that Jason was really an MI5 agent who'd been investigating her, Helen makes big decisions regarding her future. Rather than leaving London, she reconciles with Reed and Wallace, who's on track towards becoming the prime minister.

Speaking to Tudum, creator Joe Barton confirmed that season 2 will follow Helen as Wallace's career success "increases the pressure and the danger on her as a spy."

He added, "Just seeing the tension of that, seeing Sam back in London…I would like to see more Eleanor and Williams, Kai-Ming, all those people. I’d like to start to throw them up against one another again, and maybe make things more dangerous and challenging for them."

He also told Variety that he's looking forward to showing more of Helen and Sam's backstories, including Helen, or Daisy's, childhood.

"We’re still early in the process...We filmed some flashbacks, which didn’t make the final cut, of young Helen and her stepdad and her sister Bonnie," he revealed. "I think that would be really interesting to find out more about. With the second series, I think it’s quite interesting to discover more about the characters, and Sarah’s character. We know quite a lot about Sam, but there’s always more. And just the opportunity to open the scope up a little bit, but that’s all kind of TBC at the moment."

Speaking with The Hollywood Reporter, Barton also revealed that he hopes to give Helen and Sam a "proper on-screen antagonist, a proper villain" to deal with in the second season. However, Barton was tight-lipped about who he wants for the role.

"It’s too early to say because I don’t even know exactly the age or even gender of the villain," he said. "We’re still playing around with it. What’s been amazing about series 1 is getting all these incredible actors together. So we do feel quite excited about who we can add to the group. Some names have been flying around. I’ve got one idea, but we’ll see."

Chanel and Micah's departure has left viewers especially curious about the couple, who received less screen time than the other pairs. Now fans wonder if Chanel, who issued the ultimatum, ever took the next step from girlfriend to wife. Read on for a breakdown of Chanel and Micah's brief time on The Ultimatum season 3, including whether they'll return for the season 3 reunion.

What happened between Chanel and Micah on 'The Ultimatum' season 3?

By the time they arrived on The Ultimatum season 3, 27-year-old Chanel and 28-year-old Micah had been dating for two-and-a-half years. They've been there for each other through the tough times, with Micah even recalling the days when she was a driver for Uber Eats and he would help her at work. They are so close that Micah even refers to Chanel as his wife, but that's not enough—as the ultimatum giver says she doesn’t want to "constantly be called his wife but then nothing ever comes from it."

However, Micah says that he doesn't think that it's the right time to get married, as Chanel just started her career in marketing and he doesn't want to derail her. He tells her, "You are going to be my wife," and that he wants the house, kids, and everything, but his hesitancy is all about the timing and whether they're truly ready. If Micah gets through the process and still doesn't have an answer for her, Chanel is prepared to leave.

After their temporary breakup, both Chanel and Micah jump into speed-dating the other cast members, but it's hard for them not to think of the other. Chanel does end up bonding with Dave, and commiserating over both being ultimatum givers struggling with the process. Meanwhile, Micah gets along with Mariah, who issued the ultimatum to her boyfriend, Caleb. During the Choice ceremony, Mariah and Micah share that they've built a friendship and believe they could challenge each other in their trial marriage.

The already emotional ceremony gets teary once Chanel and Dave choose each other. It's clear that they're only on a friendship level, and Dave and Micah have built a friendship since meeting on the show. Still, Micah's visibly uncomfortable. It appears that Micah has (maybe for the first time?) fully processed the situation, as he tells Dave to ensure that Chanel, his "best friend," is safe. Chanel and Micah wipe away tears, so it's not much of a surprise later that night, around 3 a.m., the show's apartment cameras capture both Micah and Chanel leaving their new places, with Chanel returning at eight in the morning.

Chanel and Micah don't get many aired scenes with their trial spouses Dave and Mariah. All we see during the big twist is that Micah and Mariah are noticeably awkward with each other, while Chanel and Dave are comfortable but Chanel's still much more focused on Micah. By the start of episode 4, Chanel and Micah have disappeared from the show. After Mariah and another cast member, Nick, find their apartments empty, title cards reveal, "Earlier in the day, Dave, Vanessa, Micah, and Chanel secretly met off camera. That evening, surveillance cameras captured them packing. Dave, Vanessa, Micah, and Chanel quickly departed, abruptly ending their experience."

Why did Chanel and Micah leave 'The Ultimatum' season 3?

Since The Ultimatum's season 3 premiere on December 4, neither Micah nor Chanel have spoken out about their swift exit from the series. However, there has been somewhat of an update.

Chris Coelen, the CEO of the show's production company Kinetic Connect, revealed in an interview with Variety that the two couples' departure went differently than seen on the show. Per Coelen, Micah left the production without speaking to anyone, and afterward, the producers talked to Dave, Vanessa, and Chanel about whether or not they wanted to leave the show.

Fans have also speculated that Micah and Chanel could have decided they didn't want to go through the reality series' emotional rollercoaster.

Though they haven't shared official statements, Micah and Chanel offered a powerful message to those wondering about their relationship status post-filming. On the day of the show's premiere, the pair posted several pics from a joint photoshoot in a shared Instagram post, which is now the only post on either of their profiles.

Are Chanel and Micah still together after 'The Ultimatum' season 3?

Chanel and Micah were notably absent from The Ultimatum season 3 reunion, which was filmed before the season's release. However, on December 18, both of them addressed why they skipped the episode, as well as their negative experiences filming season 3. Chanel shared a TikTok video where she explained that she felt "uncomfortable" at several moments during filming and eventually decided to leave after feeling that she was allegedly prompted to act outside of her typical behavior. Meanwhile, Micah kept his statement brief, writing in an Instagram Story, "When you walk away from something, there's no need to return for a 'reunion'—especially when honesty isn't part of the equation."

As for their relationship status, neither Chanel nor Micah have issued an official statement, but according to their social media activity, the pair are still going strong. On December 16, the pair posted a joint Instagram reel of a luxurious date night; as of the 19th, that post and the initial couples shoot are the only posts on Micah's profile. Chanel has begun posting some new solo content as well, but it's clear that Chanel and Micah are still a united front nearly a year after filming ended.

But not long after she came to, she resolved to keep going. She spent years rehabilitating her body, which included three spine surgeries, and pushing through consistent, rigorous training to get back into peak condition. By 2018, she returned to Nazaré, and established the record for the biggest wave that any woman had ever surfed.

Maya’s story of perseverance is movingly captured in Maya and the Wave, a new documentary by Stephanie Johnes that I was proud to join as an executive producer. And as we approach the end of a long and challenging year for women especially, Maya’s story has taken on a new kind of resonance for me.

After all, a lot of women are feeling knocked down. We’re burnt out at work in record numbers. Our reproductive rights have been under continuous attack. And in the wake of the election, many Black women in particular have chosen to take a step back from engaging with a political and cultural landscape that feels like it has rejected us.

But as tempting as it has been to give in to cynicism, I keep coming back to Maya and the Wave and feeling a sense of hope—both when I think about the barriers that Maya overcame to live her story, and the barriers Stephanie has overcome to get it heard.

It’s inspiring enough to consider the physical obstacles that Maya had to prevail over. But conquering a 68-foot wave was far from the end of her battle for recognition. Misogyny came next.

In order for a big wave surfing achievement to be recognized in the Guinness Book of World Records, it has to be verified by the World Surf League. And Maya’s breakthrough was going to mark the first time that a women’s record was recognized in that category. But the WSL ignored her outreach for months. It wasn’t until Maya launched a petition that got tens of thousands of signatures that her accomplishment was finally officially recorded—eight months after it was complete.

Meanwhile, Maya and the Wave itself has gone on its own journey of recognition. Stephanie followed Maya for over a decade, through her struggles and triumphs, demonstrating her own discipline as she slowly and methodically pieced the film together.

When it premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2022, it made a massive splash, with enough audience enthusiasm to earn first runner-up for the festival’s coveted People’s Choice Documentary Award.

But then came eerie parallels to Maya’s story. Despite overcoming long odds to complete an objectively enormous achievement, Maya and the Wave did not get the recognition you’d expect in the aftermath. It left TIFF with no distributor.

But like Maya, Stephanie hasn’t given up. Two years later, she’s taken Maya and the Wave on a self-produced global tour of festivals and screenings as she fights to bring the story to as many audience members as she can.

And it’s not a moment too soon. We’re living through a renaissance of cynicism. Americans are expressing profound doubts about our future, and rates of depression have never been higher. Is it just a coincidence that in a time when millions are searching for an escape, they’re heading to the movies in record-breaking droves? (Including another film featuring a young woman who harnesses the power of the ocean?)

There is a clear appetite for stories of positivity and inspiration right now. Maya and the Wave tells that kind of story, and it is that kind of story.

Maya and Stephanie serve as powerful reminders of how women—and anyone who has ever struggled to achieve a dream and be recognized for it—can beat extraordinary odds if we stay focused and refuse to give up.

But to truly emulate them, we have to be willing to accept that there will be months, or even years, when it feels like we’re making no progress at all. There will be moments when we’ll have to be our own best advocates.

And when we’re faced with choppy, uncharted waters, the only way out might be through.

During the 2025 Golden Globe nominations, announced on Monday, December 9, French filmmaker Coralie Fargeat and Indian filmmaker Payal Kapadia garnered noms for their work on The Substance and All We Imagine as Light, respectively, meaning that women were one-third of the nominations in the Best Director category.

They're nominated alongside Jacques Audiard for Emilia Pérez, Sean Baker for Anora, Edward Berger for Conclave, and Brady Corbet for The Brutalist. (Best Director is one of the few categories at the Golden Globes that does not differentiate by Musical/Comedy or Drama.)

Fargeat and Kapadia's nominations were unexpected. Their spots were predicted to go to two Hollywood titans behind major blockbusters: Jon Chu for Wicked and Denis Villeneuve for Dune: Part Two.

The Substance premiered at Cannes in May, instantly generating buzz, and winning Best Screenplay. However, it was a bit of a wild card pick for the Globes; the film starring Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley is a feminist horror film tackling beauty standards, and awards voters typically overlook the horror genre.

All We Imagine as Light, meanwhile, continues the Globes' trend of recognizing international films across categories. Kapadia's drama, which follows three nurses and friends in Mumbai, also premiered at Cannes and won the prestigious Grand Prix award, becoming the first Indian movie to do so.

Both The Substance and All We Imagine as Light received additional nominations. The Substance will also compete for Best Motion Picture - Musical/Comedy, and Fargeat picked up a nod for Best Screenplay. The film's stars, Moore and Qualley, are nominated for Best Performance by a Female Actor and Best Supporting Performance by a Female Actor in the Musical/Comedy category, respectively.

All We Imagine as Light, a production hailing from India and France, is also up for Best Motion Picture - Non-English Language.

Fargeat and Kapadia's recognition follows last year's Globes which also saw two women nominated for Best Director: Greta Gerwig for Barbie and Celine Song for Past Lives. 2023, however, felt like a step back with its male-dominated nominees. (2022 awarded Best Director to Jane Campion for The Power of the Dog. Campion was nominated along with Maggie Gyllenhaal; 2021 was another major year with three women nominated (including Regina King, Emerald Fennell, and Chloé Zhao, who took home the trophy).

The 2025 Golden Globes will be held on Sunday, January 5, with Nikki Glaser hosting. The awards ceremony will air live from the Beverly Hilton Hotel in L.A. at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on CBS.

To fill out the twisted fictional underworld of modern-day London, the series gathered a cast of stars who'll be familiar faces to British TV and film fans, from Pride and Prejudice and Paddington to Bridgerton and The Crown. Read on to learn more about the cast of Black Doves.

Keira Knightley as Helen Webb

On the surface, Helen Webb appears as a perfect wife to political Wallace and the ideal mother to twins Oliver and Jacqueline. But she's secretly a Black Dove, stealing secrets from her husband and passing them on to her employers. When her secret lover Jason is shot dead by a sniper, she’s determined to find whoever killed him.

Keira Knightley, 39, has been known as the queen of the period piece since her breakout roles in Pride and Prejudice and the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise (though who could forget her early contemporary hits like '00s favorites Bend it Like Beckham and Love Actually). Her other notable roles include 2007's Atonement, 2008's The Duchess, 2010's Never Let Me Go, 2012's Anna Karenina, 2013's Begin Again, and 2014's The Imitation Game.

Black Doves is the actress's second project since taking an extended break from acting during the pandemic and follows 2023's Boston Strangler. Knightley married her husband, musician James Righton, in 2013, and they share two daughters.

Ben Whishaw as Sam

Sam is a lethal assassin and a natural killer, but he has never been able to shut out his conscience. 10 years ago, he was brought in to train Helen and she became his closest friend. At the start of Black Doves, Sam is called back to London after an extended exile, to help Helen investigate Jason's killer.

Ben Whishaw, 44, is a critically acclaimed English actor best known for playing tech master Q in the James Bond movies starring Daniel Craig, as well as voicing the beloved bear Paddington. His shows and films include 2001's My Brother Tom, 2006's Perfume: The Story of a Murderer, 2015's The Lobster, 2018's Mary Poppins Returns, AMC's This Is Going to Hurt, 2022's Women Talking, and 2023's Passages. The openly gay actor was previously married to Australian composer Mark Bradshaw from 2012 to 2022.

Sarah Lancashire as Reed

Reed, Helen’s handler and Sam’s occasional boss, works in the leadership of the Black Doves. As she explains to Helen, she aims to make money selling secrets to the highest bidder, and she doesn't care whether her clients are good or evil.

Sarah Lancashire, 60, is an award-winning English actress who has starred in dozens of roles across TV, film, and theater over nearly four decades. Previously the U.K.'s highest-paid television actress, her notable roles include the long-running soap opera Coronation Street, BBC's Last Tango in Halifax and Happy Valley, Max's Julia, and 2021's Everybody's Talking About Jamie.

Andrew Buchan as Wallace Webb

Helen's husband Wallace is the Conservative minister of state for defense, whose ambition tends to get in the way of his waning desire to do good. He’s been happily married to Helen for the last eight years, not knowing she's a spy who targeted him as a future Prime Minister.

Andrew Buchan, 45, is an English actor best known internationally for playing Andrew Parker Bowles in seasons 3 and 4 of The Crown, as well as hedge funder Felim Bichan in HBO's Industry. He began his career in theater and went on to star in shows and films including BBC Two's Party Animals, ITV's Broadchurch, Prime Video's Carnival Row, and the 2024 Paramount+ movie Apartment 7A. Buchan was previously married to actress Amy Nuttall from 2012 to 2022, and they share two children.

Andrew Koji as Jason

Civil servant Jason met Helen by accident and instantly fell in love. In the pair's affair, Helen found that she could truly be herself, and she was devastated by his death. Jason's tragic end starts the show, leaving the audience to discover why he was killed and how much he knew about Helen's secrets.

Andrew Koji, 37, is a half-English, half-Japanese actor who grew up in Surrey, England. After a brief stint acting in Japan, the martial artist returned to the U.K. and worked as an actor and stunt double, including performing stunts for 2013's Fast & Furious 6. He's best known for starring in 2022's Bullet Train and the Max crime series Warrior.

Omari Douglas as Michael

Michael (above, left) is a kind and gentle man who has no idea about London's dangerous underworld. 10 years ago, he met Sam and they fell in love, even planning a future together. When Sam returns to London after several years away, he's determined to leave Michael alone.

Omari Douglas. 30, is an English actor of Jamaican heritage who has been nominated for a British Academy Television Award and an Olivier Award. He made his TV debut in the Channel 4 miniseries It's a Sin, and he has also appeared in Max's I Hate Suzie Too and the 2023 rom-com Rye Lane. Last year, he starred alongside Bridgerton's Luke Thompson in the stage adaptation of Hanya Yanagihara's novel A Little Life.

Kathryn Hunter as Lenny

Lenny, one of the bosses of Black Doves' world of spies and assassins, is the person who gave Sam his first job. She continued to manage Sam as one of her best triggermen, until his mysterious disappearance. Once he comes back, Lenny—who demands loyalty from her clients—says that he owes her.

Kathryn Hunter, 67, is a British-American actor and director of Greek heritage, best known for her work in physical theater. She's most recognizable for her scene-stealing roles as Arabella Figg in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, The Witches in 2021's The Tragedy of Macbeth, Eedy Karn in the Star Wars series Andor, and brothel owner Madame Swiney in 2023's Poor Things. Earlier this year, she starred as Solange in the psychological horror movie The Front Room.

Ella Lily Hyland as Williams

One of Lenny's freelance killers, Williams (above, right) is played by Ella Lily Hyland, 26. The Irish actress had her first lead television role last year, as a former tennis prodigy in the Prime Video drama Fifteen-Love. She has also had supporting roles in the shows Intruder and A Thousand Blows.

Gabrielle Creevy as Eleanor

Williams' new partner Eleanor (above, left) is a talented assassin with a bleak outlook on the world, but she "hides her need for companionship behind a dark sense of humor," according to Tudum,

Gabrielle Creevy, 28, is a Welsh actress in the midst of a breakout year, with her roles in Black Doves and the Starz miniseries Three Women. Her earlier roles include the long-running soap Casualty, the BBC dramas The Pact and In My Skin, and the 2021 movie Operation Mincemeat.

Paapa Essiedu as Elmore Fitch

Paapa Essiedu, 34, appears in the spy drama as Elmore Fitch, an ex–SAS soldier turned reluctant hitman. The British actor of Ghanaian heritage started his career in theater and television before his breakthrough role as Kwame in the Emmy-winning drama I May Destroy You. His most notable roles include BBC's Press, Sky Atlantic's Gangs of London, Channel 5's Anne Boleyn, and the "Demon 79" episode of Black Mirror season 6. He previously worked with Black Doves creator Joe Barton on the sci-fi series The Lazarus Project.

Luther Ford as Hector Newman

Hector Newman is the youngest brother of the Newman crime family who has a history with Sam from before the latter's self-imposed exile. Hector is played by Luther Ford, 24, who made his television debut as a young Prince Harry in the final five episodes of The Crown. Black Doves is his second major role.

Adeel Akhtar as Prime Minister Eaves

Eaves, the Conservative prime minister of the U.K., is played by Adeel Akhtar, 44. The British actor is best known among Netflix fans for paying DS Sami Kierce in the thriller miniseries Fool Me Once, Aditya Singh in Sweet Tooth, and Inspector Lestrade in the Enola Holmes movies. His other notable credits include BBC's The Night Manager and Killing Eve, 2017's The Big Sick, and 2021's Everybody's Talking About Jamie.

Isabella Wei as Kai-Ming Chen

Part of Black Doves' intricate mystery involves the murder of the Chinese Ambassador Chen and the unknown whereabouts of his daughter Kai-Ming. The notorious party girl is played by Isabella Wei, 20, a Hong Kong actress who made her TV debut in the short-lived Netflix series 1899. Earlier this year, she was cast as the new character Posy Li in Bridgerton season 4.

Finn Bennett as Cole Atwood

Cole Atwood is Kai-Ming's American boyfriend. He's played by Finn Bennett, a 25-year-old Irish-British actor. Before Black Doves, Bennett impressed viewers as Officer Peter Prior on True Detective: Night Country. Next up, he's set to play Prince Aerion Targaryen in the Game of Thrones spinoff A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms.

Tracey Ullman as Alex

Award-winning multi-hyphenate Tracey Ullman, 64, makes a brief appearance in Black Doves' season 1 finale as the matriarch of the Clark crime family. The comedian, actress, singer, screenwriter, producer, and director rose to fame on British TV before emigrating to the U.S., where she has starred on shows including Fox's The Tracey Ullman Show and Showtime's Tracey Ullman's State of the Union. She has won seven Primetime Emmys, a BAFTA, a Golden Globe, and a Screen Actors Guild Award.

After the season's shocking twist saw four cast members abandon the show without warning, Nick was left to spend the three-week trial period alone with his thoughts, while Sandy lived with a new trial husband. Nick and Sandy were already one of the season's most dramatic couples before this big shake-up made them the most buzz-worthy pair of the season. Below, read on for our breakdown of Sandy and Nick's time on The Ultimatum season 3, including any clues of whether their pair's relationship survived the show.

What happened between Sandy and Nick on 'The Ultimatum' season 3?

Nick, a 38-year-old artist who at one point calls himself "the Golden Ultimatum" issued the ultimatum to Sandy, a 27-year-old entrepreneur who counts Coachella as one of her yearly traditions. According to them, Nick was initially the guy that Sandy would drunk-call after a night out before their relationship got more serious over two and a half years. Nick says he's ready to settle down somewhere tranquil near a lake after 15 years of living in L.A. Sandy wants that life eventually, but right now she's at a completely different stage in life, still enjoying the city nightlife. Plus, according to her Instagram, she's a homeowner in Newport Beach, and would likely want to stay in the area.

On their last night together, both Nick and Sandy are prepared to start the process, with Nick even joking about "dumping her ass." Once the speed-dating starts, Nick quickly clicks with his fellow "weirdo" Vanessa, while Sandy has instant chemistry with her fellow Scorpio J.R. The nature of the two connections are very different; at one point Nick calls Vanessa his "kindred spirit," while J.R. and Sandy seem like a combination of intense physical attraction and bantering, light-hearted compatibility. It's also clear early on that J.R. and Nick push each other's buttons, especially during the first night's cocktail party where J.R. names Nick as the guy he wouldn't want to date his ex. When Nick later sees Sandy and J.R. flirting, he says he saw them get along quickly and that "it is what it is."

Both Nick and Vanessa's and Sandy and J.R.'s dates go well throughout the week, though J.R.'s a bit torn between pursuing a "totally different experience" with Sandy or a match with Aria, who's more similar to his original partner Zaina. Sandy and J.R. connect deeply at some points, but they also are the only new couple who share a kiss before the wife-swap (a.k.a. The Choice). When it comes time to partner up, Sandy makes it clear that she likes J.R. and Nick responds by subtly shading them for pursuing their "fun" connection rather than something more serious. He's intimidated that she opened up to J.R. so quickly when it took him a while at the start of their relationship. Their choices are the most contentious of the entire Choice dinner, as Sandy and J.R. choose each other, and Vanessa and Nick choose each other.

Once the trial marriages start, it quickly becomes obvious that Sandy and Nick won't be able to avoid each other for the three weeks. For one, all the couples live in the same building. Nick soon runs into Sandy on a coffee run, where she tells him off-camera that she and J.R. have already kissed. The information shakes Nick and Vanessa tries to comfort him while he's in his head. Sandy shares her side of the coffee interaction and says she gets why he's being emotional, but calling her over and over and being "disrespectful" is too much.

Vanessa doesn't have any testimonials during this stretch, so there's no way to know what was in Vanessa's head after this (unless she explains post-reunion). However, the next update we get is Vanessa abruptly leaving the show with her original partner Dave without a word. (Vanessa has since claimed that she did give Nick a heads up; for more on that, check out our Vanessa and Dave breakdown.) Nick feels understandably abandoned, and he's left alone in the process, as he and Mariah, whose trial spouse Micah also left with his original partner Chanel, decide to support each other as friends. Meanwhile, Sandy wants to focus on her trial marriage, but she admits this is a "recipe for disaster."

From this point on, Nick only has his solo painting time and occasional meet-ups with Mariah to distract him from constantly thinking about Sandy and worrying that she might be falling for J.R. He doesn't even know how well Sandy and J.R.'s trial marriage is going. He doesn't have the audience's view of them gushing over each other in confessionals and kissing by the pool, but what he's imagining could be even worse. And again, they're all living in the same building. He's apparently still calling Sandy nonstop, and one night, he can see her and J.R. have dinner together on their balcony from the ground outside.

The powder keg finally blows when Sandy takes J.R. to meet her mother and sisters. Everyone loves him, and Sandy's family isn't that fond of Nick. When Nick learns later that night that J.R. met the family, he loses it. We see clips of him calling over and over, her hanging up, him wailing like he's being tortured. He even goes to their place to try to get Sandy to leave with him, and both Sandy and J.R. feel that a line of respect has been crossed. It's all genuinely hard to watch, and you can't deny that Nick had to deal with a lot emotionally.

The first batch of episodes ends with the girls' and boys' nights out, just in case there hasn't been enough drama so far this season. The girls' side goes pretty smoothly; Sandy has nothing but great things to say about J.R. to his original partner Zaina, and she tells Zaina that they're not hooking up. Surprisingly, Mariah points out that Nick is just wallowing or distracting himself rather than dealing with his emotions, and she tells Sandy that she doesn't think he'd make a good husband. (Sometimes the youngest of us are the wisest.)

Nick begins the guys' night by apologizing to J.R. before he even sits down. J.R. doesn't verbally accept the apology and instead mentions how Nick showed up at their door, saying that he "lost all respect" for him at that moment. It's a very tough love talk, but it seems as though someone other than J.R. needs to be the one to tell Nick how his obsessive behavior isn't appropriate. Then by the end of the night, Mariah gets Nick to admit that his emotional volatility has been overwhelming, and when J.R. and Sandy meet up at home, she starts crying about not wanting to go back to Nick.

Nick and Sandy's reunion starts from a contentious point at the Changeover, or when the cast members switch to their second trial marriages with their original partners. Once again, J.R. gushes over Sandy and says she "went through Hell" with Nick contacting her repeatedly. Nick takes offense to the notion that Sandy wasn't also reaching out to him, but she argues that Nick's obsessive behavior kept getting worse and that he "tormented" her throughout the trial marriage. She says he went from "completely neglecting me [before the show] to love-bombing me." Once Sandy and Nick are in their apartment, they keep having the same argument about the issues in their relationship outside of the Ultimatum process.

Ultimatum fans on Reddit have theorized that over-editing may have caused the tonal whiplash and confusion in Sandy and Nick's trial marriage. The scenes swing from Sandy sharing her concerns with Nick to him comforting her as she's crying in bed to their latest blow-up fight in a way that none of the moments seem connected. When all the couples reunite for the first time after the Changeover, Nick learns from Zaina that J.R. and Sandy had kissed a second time. He responds to the news by having another meltdown and leaving the apartment to talk it out in a testimonial interview rather than communicating with Sandy. When he returns to the room, Sandy says she intended to tell him about the kiss after filming was completed. In the next scene at the start of episode 8, it's morning and Sandy is lecturing a despondent Nick about how if she was in his shoes during the trial marriage, she would have shown him more respect.

When Nick and Sandy share updates with Sandy's mom about where they're at during dinner, it sounds like nothing has changed over the past few dramatic weeks. Sandy admits that he's showing up in the ways she wanted to before they arrived on the show, but she is still on the fence about whether he would continue to show up in a marriage. Nick admits that he had been distant before filming, but he doesn't explain why besides saying he was scared. There have been so many scenes showing how Nick and Sandy have communication and honesty issues, that we're just left to trust their assurances that marriage could be a good idea for them.

Do Sandy and Nick get engaged on 'The Ultimatum' season 3?

Sandy and Nick's Ultimatum Day, or the final ceremony where they either get engaged or break up, is an emotional rollercoaster. There's a brief pre-finale cliffhanger where J.T. and Sandy meet up first, but any casual Bachelor fan knows that the first one up at the finale ceremony is never a yes. Sandy gently makes it clear she's not leaving with J.R., they wish each other well, and then they go off to their actual, soon-to-be-ex partners.

Once Nick and Sandy start talking, it seems they could make the objectively wrong choice for both of them and get engaged. But then Nick goes for his jacket pocket and the, "What are you doing?" that comes out of Sandy's mouth sounds knee-jerk and scared. Nick recognizes that she's still hesitant; even when Sandy's the one saying, "I want nothing more than to walk out of here engaged with you," Nick is the one to say that love isn't enough if she still has big doubts. So, after everything, Nick is the one to break up with Sandy. (This relationship has been a season of confusion.)

Are Sandy and Nick still together after 'The Ultimatum' season 3?

Nick and Sandy both attend the season 3 reunion and are still broken up. Before the exes can get into it, Vanessa returns to share her side of her and Nick's brief trial marriage, which she describes as a nightmare where he got "ugly" and lashed out at her. Nick doesn't deny anything Vanessa claims, even when she says that Nick probably has some unresolved trauma he hasn't dealt with.

As for Nick and Sandy, Nick says he was going for a piece of paper, not a ring, when he reached into his jacket on Ultimatum Day. He adds that he "begged and pleaded" with Sandy for them to "figure this out" once filming ended, and soon after, Nick went into recovery for drinking too much. He claims that Sandy ended things with him a week into recovery, while Sandy says they ended things on Ultimatum Day. During the reunion, we hear more of Nick's side than Sandy's, but she does cry as he admits that he had been "bombarding" her emotionally during her trial marriage with J.R.

Sandy doesn't get much time to share her side, beyond defending herself against accusations that she and J.R. misrepresented their connection. There's no word on Sandy's dating status, but Nick says he's currently dating someone "wonderful."

What have Sandy and Nick said about 'The Ultimatum' season 3?

Before the reunion, Sandy began posting her way through season 3's airing on TikTok, with references and reactions to the show. In one clip, she lowers her head in embarrassment as a title card reads, "Trust me no one can judge me as hard as I've judged myself." Meanwhile, in the comments of a reaction clip filmed with her mom (where one of Nick's paintings is seen on the wall behind them), Sandy replied to a fan, "There is so so much that is not shown in the scene with him coming to our apartment!"

Sandy also shared her side of the show's drama in a Dec. 11 interview with Elite Daily. She argued that her and Nick's relationship was "completely different" before they arrived on the show, so much so that she initially wondered whether he was putting on an "act for the cameras."

"He was very disconnected from me," she told the outlet. "My friends were actually surprised that he was the one giving me 'the ultimatum' because I was always the one crying for his attention and wanting more from him as a partner. He never showed up for me."

She continued, “Once we started this experience, he instantly flipped...Looking back now, I know it was genuine and he was really struggling. But it was such a drastic shift from one extreme to another. What I was experiencing before going to the show was the extreme side of the neglect. And then this was the whole other extreme.”

Nick didn't directly address the show post-filming until the finale. However, he did release an Instagram Reel "expressing his disappointment for negative comments" that Sandy and the cast have received since season 3's premiere. "We all signed up to do something wildly difficult...Clearly, you guys saw that it didn't work out so well for me, but that doesn't mean that the people who were involved in my situation are bad people. We have to treat each other with care, love, and respect," he said.

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It’s a Friday night in November, and TWICE is choosing what B-sides to recommend—a tall order considering their discography holds over 200 tracks. Sitting casually on the floor of their L.A. STRATEGY pop-up, the K-pop singers—colloquially known as “idols”—throw out some suggestions, before leader Jihyo hums a groovy baseline. After a brief pause, the entire group recognizes the sound and there’s a surge of enthusiasm. “SAY SOMETHING!” the nine members shout, ID’ing their 2020 city-pop track that’s beloved among the most dedicated corners of their fanbase, ONCE.

This bubbly, impressive moment of seamless teamwork is a casual example of what’s known among fans as “The Power of 9,” honed by Nayeon, Jeongyeon, Momo, Sana, Jihyo, Mina, Dahyun, Chaeyoung, and Tzuyu over their past nine years as a group. Since their debut in 2015, the women, ranging in age from 25 to 29, have grown from impressive, chart-topping rookies to the representative girl group of their generation, selling out the world’s largest stadiums. Just this year, they became the third K-pop girl group ever to top the Billboard 200 when the With YOU-th EP dropped in February, proving what a global pop juggernaut they've become.

They’ve also highlighted their individual charms over the past few years, and now count three soloists (Nayeon, Jihyo, and Tzuyu), one sub-unit (MISAMO, comprised of Japanese members Momo, Sana, and Mina), one highly-anticipated acting comeback (Dahyun, in the Korean romance movie You Are the Apple of My Eye), and two YouTube shows (Jihyo and Jeongyeon) among them.

TWICE tells Marie Claire they find a familiar solace when they reunite after branching off on their own. “When I come back to TWICE and group promotions, I can rely on my members, and I realize how reassuring that is and comfortable that is,” says Jihyo.

Initially characterized by cheery bubblegum hits like “CHEER UP” and “What is Love?,” TWICE’s music has matured along with the members, with genre-spanning hits like the ‘80s synthwave-tinged “I CAN’T STOP ME,” bossa nova-infused “Alcohol-Free,” and sultry R&B-forward “MOONLIGHT SUNRISE.” As they approach their 10th anniversary in 2025, TWICE is spotlighting a new side to themselves: the Real Hot Girls. Their latest LP/mini-album STRATEGY features their second collaboration with rapper Megan Thee Stallion, after October’s “Mamushi (Remix).” Of their new release, Nayeon explains, “We wanted to show ONCE a new part of TWICE through this album by trying many different things.”

You could also say that TWICE is continuing to follow the signature formula they laid in their rap for “Mamushi:” “Had you listen once/Then made you look twice.”

With STRATEGY out on December 6, TWICE opened up to Marie Claire about their music taste, from the performance that inspired them during their trainee days to the pop divas they’d pick to headline their personal Coachella.

Nayeon: We listened to a lot of our senior K-pop girl groups back then. That made me want to dream of becoming an idol as well.

Jihyo: Even during our training days, our company would make us practice a lot of English songs. We just naturally got to listen to all of these songs and it definitely helped us a lot vocal-wise. We keep searching for more and more good songs in America or other countries.

Sana: Before my trainee days, I liked Michael Jackson and Ne-Yo.

Jihyo: S.O.S. by SZA.

All of TWICE: And STRATEGY!

Chaeyoung: I want to live in the ‘90s hip-hop era.

Jihyo: I loved the Super Bowl show with Beyoncé, Bruno Mars, and Coldplay. I saw that Beyoncé fell during the stage, but she just naturally got back up, And that was such a cool side of her. Just to imagine performing at such a big venue where she knows how challenging it is, audio-wise as well. I really respect how they filled that performance.

Dahyun: On my first day of training, I actually went to Wonder Girls' concert. As a trainee seeing my seniors perform on stage like that, I thought they were really amazing. I was able to dream a lot bigger just watching them perform.

Jihyo: We really liked the setlist of the Ready to Be World Tour.

Jihyo: Sabrina Carpenter, “Espresso.”

Jeongyeon: Or Coldplay.

Momo: Beyoncé!

Jihyo: TWICE is the headliner. (Laughs) Beyoncé, Rihanna, Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber.

All of TWICE: Megan [Thee Stallion]!

Tzuyu: Sabrina [Carpenter]!

Jihyo: Olivia [Rodrigo]. Call everybody.

Mina: MISAMO’s “RUNAWAY.” It’s an upbeat song, so you tend to start walking fast and speed up the preparation… It’s also the best song when you get off work, so you can drive faster and get home faster.

Tzuyu: Adele’s songs, and Yerin Baek. Lots of ballads.

Jeongyeon: TWICE’s “Feel Special.”

Momo: TWICE’s “I CAN’T STOP ME.”

Nayeon: TWICE’s “I GOT YOU.”

Jihyo: “First Time.”

Nayeon: “LOOK AT ME.”

Jihyo hums a deep cut as they try to recall the name.

All of TWICE: Ah, “SAY SOMETHING!”

Nayeon: Our songs “ONE SPARK” and “I GOT YOU” express a lot of our current state in life.