Paramount+ has refreshed its library for October 2026 with over 70 movies and shows hitting the streamer’s increasingly impressive collection. If you can’t be bothered to endlessly scroll through the platform to find just the right movie for your current mood, I’m here to help find three flicks that are actually worth your time.

It’s rare I say this, but the three movies I’ve picked below are all greats of their genre. From Sam Raimi’s scariest horror, an early Will Ferrell classic comedy, to arguably the most deserving Best Picture winner at the Oscars of the past 20 years, this trio of films will make you guffaw and gasp.

These are the three new to Paramount+ movies I recommend you stream this weekend.

‘Drag Me to Hell’ (2009)

On the off chance you work in a bank, let me give you a nickel’s worth of free advice. The next time a creepy old woman limps into your branch looking for a third mortgage extension on her home, don’t tell said hag to stick it in her ear. If young loan officer Christine Brown (an excellent Alison Lohman) hadn’t been so keen to impress her boss by being mega miserly, she might not have been struck with a life-ruining curse.

Once old Mrs Ganush (Lorna Raver) finds out her application has been denied, her true form as a demonic gypsy is revealed. Cue a terrifying ambush in a car park that sees our heroine saddled with the mother of all curses. Now in possession of a mystic button that causes Christine to be plagued by horrible visions, she must seek a way to lift the spell before the title of the movie takes on a very literal meaning. As storied as Sam Raimi’s filmography is, this is definitely my favorite of the legendary director’s movies.

Watch "Drag Me to Hell" on Paramount+ now

‘Parasite’ (2019)

Stop reading this now and just go and watch “Parasite”. Alright, maybe stick around to the end of this article, because my next movie is a lot of fun. C’mon now though, you’re not going to watch a better movie on Paramount+ this weekend than Bong Joon-ho’s sensational social satire. The tale of the scheming Kim clan, these impoverished scammers crawl their way into the lives of the wealthy Park family.

Gorgeously shot and wonderfully acted, it’s no wonder this biting dramedy became the first non-English film ever to take away Best Picture at the Academy Awards. Before the surprisingly disturbing final scene, there are a whole lot of laughs to be had in this South Korean masterpiece. While each member of the Kims is brilliantly played, it’s patriarch Ki-taek (Song Kang-ho) who shines the brightest playing a manipulative fake chauffeur. If you do nothing else this weekend, please, please watch “Parasite”.

Watch "Parasite on Paramount+ now

‘Old School’ (2003)

The riotous, slightly sleazy comedy that put Will Ferrell on the movie map. After he catches his girlfriend cheating on him, lawyer Mitch Martin (Luke Wilson) moves into a house near a local university. Rather than watch old weepies all day while gorging on cookie dough, Mitch is forced to confront his blues by embracing campus life all over again. When his best buds throw a successful party in his abode, it’s not long before our attorney finds himself as one of the ringleaders of the newly formed Lambda Epsilon Omega fraternity.

Upon butting heads with the college’s crooked dean, Lambda must pass a series of academic challenges to keep the frat alive. Vince Vaughn is great as Mitch’s best friend, but it’s Frank “The Tank” Richard (Ferrell) who steals the show. That streaking scene! Old man Blue wrestling teenagers in a paddle pool! The genital-based incident with the cinder block! “Old School” certainly isn’t clever, but it’s definitely big on laughs.

Watch "Old School" on Paramount+ now

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You don't need a fancy, expensive gym membership to build muscle and strength. Sure, you might have more equipment available at a gym, but you can do a lot more than you may realize with just a set of adjustable dumbbells or even a medium-heavy set of fixed dumbbells and your exercise mat.

Most importantly, you need to focus on three key areas with your workouts: consistency (several times per week, if you can), staple functional compound exercises and progressive programming. That means repeating exercises and tweaking them to feel more challenging over time while focusing on multiple muscle groups. Do that, and it doesn't matter if you're at home or in the studio.

Not long ago, my 50-year-old client asked for a home dumbbell workout she could do between sessions. These are the four moves and the routine I gave her. Just remember, this routine was designed with someone in mind. If you experience pain or feel unwell, stop immediately and seek medical advice as soon as possible.

Watch: 20-minute dumbbell workout

If you're working with an injury or health condition, I recommend seeking advice before starting this routine.

• Curtsy lunges: 3-4 sets of 6-8 heavy reps per side.
• Start with your feet hip-width apart, weights at your sides or one weight held at your chest. Step your right foot out to the side on your toes, then circle the right foot back behind your left in a wide arc over to the left. Imagine you're drawing a smiley face. Bend your knees and lower into a lunge, hinging forward slightly at the hips with a straight back. It should look like you're curtsying. Drive up through your legs and core to stand, then repeat the lunge. Switch sides after you complete your reps.

• Thrusters: 3-4 sets of 8-10 reps.
• Stand with your feet roughly shoulder-width apart and rack your dumbbells to your shoulders, elbows drawn upward for support. Brace your core. Sit your hips back and squat, sitting as low as you can while pressing through your feet. Your chest should be proud, back straight. Drive upward to stand and press the weights overhead in one move. Keep your arms close to your ears to stabilize the weights. As you sit back into the squat, bring the weights back to your shoulders.

• Suitcase deadlifts: 3-4 sets of 8-10 reps.
• Stand holding your weights at your sides, feet hip-width apart and core active. Set your shoulders back and down, then slowly hinge forward at your hips, maintaining a soft knee bend. Keep your chest proud and back straight. Lower the weights along your outer legs toward the ground. If you can reach the ground outside your feet without hunching, great; if not, pause near the ground, then press upward to stand with power.

• Alternating rows: 3-4 sets of 6-8 heavy reps per side.
• Hinge forward at your hips until your chest is almost parallel to the ground, feet hip-width apart and core engaged. Hold your weights with a neutral grip in front of your shins. With control, row one weight toward your back pocket, elbow nice and close to your body. Pause, squeeze your back, then lower the weight again. Repeat on the other side.

What are the benefits?

You're hitting pretty much every major muscle group during this routine; curtsy lunges strengthen your legs with an outer gluteus and adductor bias, meaning your butt and inner thighs will feel this one; thrusters work the whole body, including your legs, glutes, core, triceps, shoulders and upper chest; suitcase deadlifts work your posterior chain, including your lower back, glutes and hamstrings, but the position of the weights will also strengthen your quads and knees, and your core works hard for stability; finally, rows hit your back and biceps, meaning better posture and pulling power while improving your hip hinge.

I like to load quite heavy on these exercises, but make sure your form doesn't get put to one side for the sake of load. A general rule of thumb: aim for the last two or three reps to be difficult to finish, but not impossible. Lifting close to failure with intensity is one of the best ways to build muscle and make gains with your routine.

Follow Tom's Guide fitness on Instagram for more workouts, routines, tips, and tricks.

Take 30-60 seconds of rest between your sets and move with control. You could also try slowing the tempo of each move to increase overall intensity.

My client rates this routine for working her whole body while remaining low-impact and easy to scale up or down. She's moved up in weight a few times since we first programmed it, and credits it with helping her build and maintain muscle and strength between her gym sessions. Plus, she doesn't have to leave the house. Bonus!

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In the same way that true-crime stories give a real-world edge to the crime-thriller genre, historical dramas pull from specific eras and events of the actual past to add even more depth and immersion to a TV show.

And these three Prime Video miniseries surely do that. All of these historical dramas captivatingly transport viewers to a given period in history — from Soviet Russia to post-Civil War America — all while offering up compelling storytelling and high production value in a tidy, fast-paced miniseries package.

Whether you want to spend time in 1920s Moscow with Ewan McGregor or in the 19th-century Appalachian Mountains with Kevin Costner, here are three historical drama miniseries on Prime Video that you can binge in one weekend.

'A Small Light'

This eight-part bio-drama tells the true story of Miep Gies — portrayed by Bel Powley, who earned Critics' Choice and Screen Actors Guild Award nominations for her moving lead performance — a 20-year-old Dutch secretary who helped hide Anne Frank (Billie Boullet), her family (played by Liev Schreiber, Amira Casar and Ashley Brooke), and other Jewish refugees from the Nazis during World War II after the German invasion of the Netherlands. Miep would later go on to preserve Anne's now-famous diary.

Praised for its balance of historical realism and emotional heft, "A Small Light" achieved that TV rarity: a perfect 100% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, where critics praised the wartime series as "a sensitive portrait of heroism in the face of all-encompassing tragedy."

Stream "A Small Light" on Prime Video now

'A Gentleman in Moscow'

An adaptation of Amor Towles’s internationally best-selling novel, this 2024 British series stars Emmy winner Ewan McGregor as the titular (albeit fictional) gentleman, Count Alexander Rostov, an aristocrat who is sentenced to house arrest by a Bolshevik tribunal following the October Revolution and spends those decades confined inside the grand Hotel Metropol in Moscow.

Over the eight-part historical drama, we watch as the Count's confinement surprisingly opens him up to meeting some lifelong companions, including the hotel staff, visiting actress Anna Urbanova (Mary Elizabeth Winstead), and the young Sofia (Beau Gadsdon), the daughter of Rostov's childhood friend, whom he adopts when her mother disappears into the Soviet system.

Stream "A Gentleman in Moscow" on Prime Video now

'Hatfields & McCoys'

Kevin Costner's always been a bit of a history buff, particularly when it comes to the American West — just look at "Dances with Wolves," "Wyatt Earp," "Yellowstone," and "Horizon: An American Saga" as proof. This 2012 History Channel miniseries continues that proclivity: The six-hour, three-episode epic chronicles the decades-spanning, post-Civil War feud between two Appalachian clans, the Hatfields (led by Costner as William Anderson "Devil Anse" Hatfield) and the McCoys (with Bill Paxton as his rival, Randolph "Randall" McCoy).

"Hatfields & McCoys" received a whopping 16 Emmy nominations and five wins, including for Costner's gritty, commanding lead performance as well as a supporting-actor trophy for Tom Berenger, as Confederate guerrilla Jim Vance.

Rent/buy "Hatfields & McCoys" on Prime Video now

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Gather around, thriller movie fans; I've combed through the recent additions to Netflix's movie library to find you three great picks packed with action, suspense, tension, and even a shocking twist or two.

Netflix's October 2026 slate has been a little light on thrillers in general, but a strong handful were added to the library at the start of the month. Those include a psychological trip from M. Night Shyamalan, a culture chiller with Anya Taylor-Joy, and an action movie where Denzel Washington once again proves he's the coolest actor in Hollywood.

So, these are the new to Netflix thriller movies to watch this week, and if you want even more recommendations, I've also got a guide to the latest thriller movies added to Prime Video this week.

3 new to Netflix thrillers to watch this week

‘Split’ (2016)

To my surprise, “Split” has been back in the headlines this week after James McAvoy revealed it’s one of the few movies from which he receives consistent residuals. But I reckon an actor's pay probably isn’t your first concern when picking a Netflix movie to watch. Fortunately, that topical tidbit aside, “Split” is a chilling psychological thriller from director M. Night Shyamalan, one in which McAvoy really earned his money with a memorable performance.

Also featuring a young Anya Taylor-Joy, who will next be seen on the big screen in the hotly anticipated “Dune: Part 3,” the thriller opens with a trio of teenage girls being kidnapped and trapped in an underground lair belonging to Kevin Wendell Crumb (McAvoy), or is that Dennis? Or Patricia? Or Barry? See, Kevin suffers from a personality disorder in which 23 identities exist in his head, and the 24th, and most dangerous, is about to be unleashed...

Watch "Split" on Netflix now

‘The Menu’ (2022)

Speaking of Anya Taylor-Joy, she also leads “The Menu,” a dark thriller set in the world of ultra-fine dining. Joy is great as the reluctant date of a food snob (played by Nicholas Hoult) who brings her to one of the world’s most exclusive restaurants, operated by exacting head chef Julian Slowik (a wonderful Ralph Fiennes). Weird in all the right ways, and with several excellent twists, “The Menu” is a multi-course meal of a movie you won’t soon forget.

Margot (Taylor-Joy) finds herself in a swanky restaurant located on a secluded island, but there’s more to fear here than just pretentious micro-courses or an overpriced wine list. Over the course of the evening, sinister truths are revealed, and Julian’s grand plan comes to light before dessert is served. “The Menu” hooks you quickly, wasting no time getting into the first course, and keeps you guessing throughout. Just be aware that the out-of-left-field ending has proved divisive.

Watch "The Menu" on Netflix now

‘The Equalizer’ (2014)

Denzel Washington’s “The Equalizer” is more proof that the acclaimed actor is one of Hollywood’s very best. With a lesser lead, this action-thriller series could have been rather shlocky, but with Denzel playing protagonist Robert McCall, a former Marine turned protector of the innocent, it’s a total blast. Netflix has only added the first “Equalizer” movie this month, but if you enjoy it, then I encourage you to seek out the two equally action-packed sequels.

Retired from active service, “The Equalizer” begins with McCall working at a home big-box improvement store. But when he befriends a teenage girl who is being forced into sex work by the Russian mafia, it’s an injustice he cannot sit by and watch. So, McCall takes matters into his own hands and wages war against the mob.

If you want more Washington, check out my colleague Malcolm McMillan’s “Denzel Watchaton” series, where he’s been watching Denzel Washington’s entire filmography throughout 2026.

Watch "The Equalizer" on Netflix now

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After spending much of season 2 making us wonder whether Joanne (Kristen Bell) and Noah (Adam Brody) would ever get their act together, Netflix’s “Nobody Wants This” season 3 is finally letting its central couple enjoy being a couple. They’re moving in together! They’re planning a future! Joanne is taking steps toward converting to Judaism! It’s all very exciting, and honestly, about time.

But having watched all 10 episodes of season 3, I have a new complaint: Now, the show seems to be in quite a hurry to advance Joanne and Noah's relationship, so much that it barely has time to breathe.

The romantic comedy series returns with plenty of the charm that made its first season such a hit. Bell and Brody remain an effortlessly likable pairing, and there are still laughs to be found in the awkward family dynamics and the business of dating someone whose background is different from your own.

But while season 2 felt like it was spinning its wheels, season 3 has apparently decided to floor it. There are plenty of lovely romantic moments, but the writers seem to want to skip over the messy part of, you know, building a solid relationship.

Warning: Major spoilers for "Nobody Wants This" season 3 ahead!

Joanne and Noah are moving at warp speed

Season 3 picks up with Joanne and Noah moving in together and figuring out what their future looks like. For Joanne, that means getting serious about converting to Judaism, a decision with enormous implications for her life with Noah.

Sarah Silverman joins the cast as Rabbi Eden, Joanne's warm, quirky teacher in her Intro to Judaism class, while Andrew Rannells plays Sebastien, a fellow student who quickly establishes himself as Joanne's nemesis. Both are welcome additions who bring fresh energy to this world.

The trouble is that the big milestones come thick and fast. Joanne and Noah get engaged, she completes her conversion and a surprise wedding follows. Fans who've spent two seasons rooting for these two will finally get some of the romantic payoffs they've been waiting for. But there's barely time to savor one milestone before the next arrives.

My biggest gripe with season 2 was that it kept revisiting the same relationship obstacles, as though Joanne and Noah hadn't already spent an entire season proving they wanted to be together. Season 3 corrects that problem, but swings the pendulum so far in the opposite direction that it creates a new one. There's a difference between moving a romance forward and rushing through it. Sometimes, I felt like the writers had gotten word that they wouldn't be renewed for season 4.

Sasha and Morgan deserve more room to flirt

While Joanne and Noah are busy checking off life's biggest milestones, the people closest to them have romantic complications of their own. Sasha (Timothy Simons) and Esther (Jackie Tohn) are navigating life after their separation, while the long-simmering attraction between Sasha and Morgan (Justine Lupe) finally comes to a head.

I've been happy to watch them banter, support and flirt with each other for two seasons. When they finally sleep together toward the end of season 3, though, it feels like it happens too fast and too soon (much like their siblings' relationship, as I detailed above).

It's drama overload. Their hookup and the aftermath compete for attention with Joanne's conversion, the wedding and Sasha and Esther's own rekindling moment. Hey, you know you can let a plot go unresolved for more than three episodes, right?

Verdict: ‘Nobody Wants This’ season 3 needs to pump the brakes

The finale wraps things up with Joanne and Noah essentially eloping, so it could double as a series finale. If the show does return, where exactly does it go from here? Are we about to watch Joanne and Noah try for a baby — and then have one a few episodes later? By season 5, will they be grandparents, with Joanne now in the role of a busybody mother-in-law?

For all my complaints about the pacing, “Nobody Wants This” season 3 is still an enjoyable, charming rom-com. I'm glad it finally dropped the will-they-won't-they nonsense — at least for Joanne and Noah (they should've kept it for Morgan and Sasha). The first few episodes are good stuff, with a focus on the quirks of new cohabitation and Joanne's conversion journey. And the cast remains appealing enough to make me want to spend more time with these characters.

But in rushing its central couple through so many life-changing moments, the show loses some of the emotional texture that made their romance compelling in the first place. Nobody wants a rom-com to rush the rom or lose the com.

As a horror fan, I was immediately intrigued when I heard DC was making a body-horror psychological thriller, especially one centred on a villain who can reshape his face and body into almost anything. “Clayface” follows the iconic shape-shifting character, with director James Watkins and producer Matt Reeves steering the film away from the usual comic-book spectacle. The project also has some exciting horror credentials, with Mike Flanagan originally developing the concept and the movie drawing comparisons to David Cronenberg’s “The Fly” and John Carpenter’s classic films.

In “Clayface,” rising Hollywood star Matt Hagen (Tom Rhys Harries) has his promising career destroyed when a crime boss leaves him horribly disfigured. Desperate to regain his former appearance, he turns to an experimental treatment by scientist Caitlyn (Naomi Ackie) that seemingly restores his looks but comes with terrifying side effects. As his grip on reality begins to unravel and his body undergoes grotesque transformations, Matt spirals into a destructive path of revenge, becoming the shape-shifting monster known as Clayface.

With Gotham’s gloomy, rain-soaked streets as a backdrop, the movie takes DC in a seriously creepy new direction. Having attended an early screening, I have plenty of thoughts on this new horror-thriller and whether it’s worth seeing on the big screen this weekend.

‘Clayface’ is a welcome change of pace for DC

Rather than throwing us into another superhero showdown or crime-fighting adventure, “Clayface” takes DC in a decidedly different direction, trading capes and vigilantes for the cutthroat world of Hollywood stardom. Matt Hagen is on the verge of becoming the next big thing, with an Academy Award nomination under his belt and the kind of face and charm that makes him a red-carpet heartthrob. But one fateful night changes everything, leaving his once picture-perfect appearance brutally disfigured. Watching Matt endure the physical trauma inflicted on his face is genuinely difficult, and it's only the beginning of the film's wince-inducing moments.

When Matt turns to an experimental treatment in a desperate attempt to reclaim his old life, things go from bad to worse. The practical effects are a real highlight, particularly when his face begins to melt away and his skin becomes something he can literally mould like clay. It's the kind of grotesque body horror that had me squirming in my seat, and the scene shown in the trailer, in which Matt tries to cut open his eyelids after they become stuck together, is every bit as uncomfortable as it sounds. There's plenty more nastiness where that came from, including some brutal kills and a revenge arc that should satisfy anyone who enjoys watching a wronged protagonist unleash their darker side.

My biggest problem with “Clayface," though, is that it rarely feels like a DC film. I genuinely found myself forgetting that the story was set in Gotham, a city that should have so much personality of its own, and I think it could have worked just as well as an entirely separate horror movie. There's also a frustrating lack of meaningful connections to the wider DC universe. I appreciate that this is largely Hagen's own story, and it potentially lays the groundwork for him to appear in other DC projects down the line, but I wanted to feel more of a connection to the world he's supposed to inhabit.

What's more surprising is that, despite all its gruesome practical effects and wince-inducing moments, I actually found “Clayface” a little too light on horror overall. It has plenty of nastiness, but I wanted it to push further into genuinely unsettling territory, while giving us more of that distinctive comic-book personality. I'd have loved to see the filmmakers lean harder into a darker, grittier vision of Gotham and Matt's increasingly tragic journey, making his transformation feel like a truly significant moment in this universe. That might have given the film a stronger identity beyond its body horror. Still, if you're simply looking for a gruesome thriller with plenty of action, “Clayface” has enough going for it to warrant a watch.

Verdict: ‘Clayface’ is an entertaining horror ride with plenty of bite

Ultimately, I had a good time with “Clayface,” even if I wanted a little more from its story and place in the DC universe. There's enough humanity to Matt Hagen's journey that it's hard not to feel for him, and that emotional connection makes his increasingly gruesome transformation all the more uncomfortable to watch. The practical effects are a real highlight, too, delivering plenty of wince-inducing moments that'll stick with horror fans. I’m still thinking about some of those scenes.

If you're a horror fan with a strong stomach, this is well worth considering for your next cinema trip, particularly if you enjoy body horror with a healthy dose of action and revenge. That said, I can't help feeling that “Clayface” leaves some serious potential untapped. Its central character has a genuinely tragic origin, and I'd have loved to see the film push further into the darker corners of Gotham to make his story feel more at home in the DC universe. It's still a gruesome, entertaining watch that showcases the exciting potential of DC's darker side.

"Clayface" is in theaters on October 23

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Tom Cruise has a need for speed again — wait, that’s the wrong movie. Technically, Cruise’s Pete “Maverick” Mitchell will return to the cockpit in “Top Gun 3.” But first, he has a date with the racetrack in “Days of Thunder 2.” Cruise will reprise his role as Cole Trickle, the talented hotshot driver in 1990’s “Days of Thunder.”

Cruise is a sequel machine, having played Ethan Hunt eight times in the “Mission: Impossible” franchise and Maverick twice in the “Top Gun” series. His desire to make another sequel based on a character from decades past makes sense, yet Cole Trickle is not the character I would pick. Instead, I want Cruise to return to the pool hall, blast “Werewolves of London,” and star in a sequel to “The Color of Money,” which celebrates its 40th anniversary this month.

The case (for and) against ‘Days of Thunder 2’

In my Tom Cruise pantheon, “Days of Thunder” is not in my top 10. I’m not even sure it cracks my top 15. I don’t mean that as a dig at Cruise; it’s more a testament to his filmography. I’d rather watch Brian Flanagan juggle drinks in “Cocktail” than learn about the importance of tires on a racetrack.

To be fair, I won’t turn down the opportunity to watch Cruise obsess over NASCAR and learn some aggressive driving tactics to implement in the sequel. Recruiting Anne Hathaway to play the female lead—a racecar team owner and engineer—is fine by me. Hiring Jonathan Levine, who I believe has a sleeper hit this Christmas with “Mr. Irrelevant,” to direct is an inspired choice. Collaborating with super producer Jerry Bruckheimer is always a wise decision.

I like the ingredients of the sequel, but I’m not dying to eat this meal. I’ll be in the theater opening weekend in 2028 to watch “Days of Thunder 2” and cheer on Cole Trickle to another victory. That being said, my relationship with “Days of Thunder” is nonexistent. I challenge anyone to find someone who ranks “Days of Thunder” above “Mission: Impossible” and “Top Gun” among Cruise’s best movies. “Edge of Tomorrow,” “Minority Report," and “War of the Worlds” are better than “Days of Thunder.” I’d even rather watch “Oblivion” at this point.

I don’t know the plot details, but I imagine Cruise’s Cole Trickle will now be a veteran driver who has to mentor young talent and grapple with the passage of time. If that sounds like the plot of “F1,” your instincts are correct. Audiences just saw Brad Pitt follow that formula last year. Are they ready to watch Cruise do the same in 2028? I’m not.

Legacy sequels lose more often than they win. “Top Gun: Maverick” was an anomaly, the rare legacy sequel that’s better than its predecessor. I try not to bet against Cruise because he’s an obsessive creative who will do whatever it takes to entertain the audience, or he’ll die trying. (Please don’t die, Mr. Cruise.) Until Cruise can determine who “Days of Thunder 2” is for, I’m skeptical of the outcome.

Released in October 2006, “The Departed” was the highest-grossing movie of Scorsese’s career to that point ($292 million worldwide). “The Departed” earned some of the best reviews of the director’s career and culminated in an Oscar statue (more on that below). It’s also a movie that broke Scorsese mentally. Warner Bros. pushed to have Sullivan or Costigan survive in hopes of making a franchise. Scorsese immediately rejected that idea. It’s a cruel twist: knowing the movie that brought Scorsese so much success would be the thing that led him to distrust major studios.

‘The Color of Money” is ripe for a sequel

I suck at pool. I lack the precision and expert hand-eye coordination needed to sink shots into the corner pocket, which is why I avoid the game like it’s the plague. Even convincing hustlers like Cruise and Paul Newman couldn’t get me to pick up a pool cue. I have watched many games of pool from the side, and from my experience, the most important trait of a successful player is confidence. You can’t dwell on the bad shots, and you can’t showboat on the good ones.

In “The Color of Money,” Cruise plays Vincent Lauria, a character with more confidence than prime Michael Jordan. Vincent is a cocky pool player with exceptional talent. Vincent’s skills attract “Fast Eddie” Felson (Paul Newman), a former pool player who takes Vincent under his wing and teaches him the art of hustling.

Eddie, Vincent, and Vincent’s girlfriend, Carmen (Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio), hit the road in search of pool halls where they can practice before a prestigious tournament in Atlantic City.. Along the way, Eddie tries to show Vincent the ins and outs of hustling. First lesson: Sometimes if you lose, you win. Eddie knows that by losing to top players, you can then hustle the rich ones and win more money.

Who knew pool could be so cinematic? In one of his few “director-for-hire” jobs, Martin Scorsese brings his kinetic filmmaking style to pool games that rival the tension and thrills of the Super Bowl. It’s a movie about ego and pride—Eddie fears his best days are behind him, while Vincent feels he’s only just getting started. Greed and corruption—two specialties in Scorsese movies—transfer from Eddie to Vincent as this wide-eyed kid learns that playing it straight won’t get him far.

Then there’s the “Werewolves of London” scene, where this movie soars to new heights. Cruise reaches into his charisma playbook and shows off his signature trademarks: a self-satisfied grin, a chance to show off his intensity (he made most of the shots), and a ridiculous gesture (martial arts with a pool cue). It’s a euphoric scene that ranks just below “You complete me” among my favorite Cruise moments.

“The Color of Money” is a sequel to 1961’s “The Hustler.” In that movie, Newman plays a younger version of “Fast Eddie” Felson, an aspiring hustler who sets out to beat the top pool player, Minnesota Fats (Jackie Gleason). “The Hustler” is much darker and grittier than “The Color of Money,” exploring the morality of winning and losing and the idea of sacrificing one’s integrity for personal gain.

I don’t expect Cruise to explore Vincent’s darker side in a potential sequel. The movie could easily channel the vibrancy of “The Color of Money.” I’d much rather watch Vincent mentor an upstart in pool than Cole challenge a hotshot rookie in racing. I love Cruise’s stunts as much as the next person, but I miss seeing his dramatic chops on display when dialogue, rather than action, drives a scene.

Playing a down-and-out Vincent gives Cruise a chance to do something he hasn’t done this century: lose. Notice how Cruise’s characters usually find a way to win. Ethan Hunt always overcomes the challenges. Maverick is still the best pilot to get the job done. The youngsters push Cruise’s characters to their limits, but in the end, the old man always wins. Vincent has to be a loser at some point in the sequel, or the movie doesn’t make sense. I’m eager to see Cruise play a character at rock bottom. It’s been too long.

“Digger” was supposed to be Cruise’s return to risk-taking with his roles. While the movie flopped, I love that Cruise went out on a limb and tried something different. That’s what I want to see from Hollywood’s last true movie star. It’s OK to mix in a “Top Gun” sequel if you’re doing other interesting projects. Plus, he still might walk away with an Oscar nomination for “Digger.”

Speaking of the Academy Awards, Newman won his acting Oscar for “The Color of Money.” Could “The Color of Money 2” be Cruise’s chance to take home a much-deserved acting Oscar? He’ll have the legacy support from the Academy, and his “it’s time” narrative will be at an all-time high.

I know “Days of Thunder 2” is going to get made. Paramount Skydance has already given it a release date, so I don’t see the studio pulling the plug. As for his next move, I need Cruise back in the pool halls. Heck, call up Scorsese to see if he’d direct. I have the announcement video for you. Cruise is at the pool table and says, “I’m back” before executing the break shot. Thank me later.

Watch on Apple or Amazon.

I go on and on to anyone who will listen about how important mobility routines are as you get older. Trust me, at 25, many people barely think about mobility; at 35, they consider it; at 55, they really need it; and at 75, they wish they'd started sooner.

Thankfully, you can rely on Tom's Guide Fitness to regularly post mobility routines for every age and ability. I'm the resident personal trainer and editor here at TG, and below, I share one of my favorite mobility exercises to coach.

I would pick this exact exercise to build range of motion, strength, and control, especially if you're finding these aspects of fitness harder to maintain as you age. This typically becomes more noticeable as you hit your 40s and 50s, so let's take a look at how to battle it.

How to do the kick through

• Start in a high runner's lunge with your left foot forward and planted and your back leg extended, resting the ball of your right foot on the ground
• Place your right hand down for support and square your hips
• Brace your core, lift your back leg off the ground and press through your right hand. Bend your right knee and push your leg through and under your body, kicking it out and away from you as you extend your right leg
• Lift your chest, sit your butt close to the floor without touching and pause for a moment, pointing your toes if you can. See if you can keep your left heel planted
• Reverse the movement back to high runner's lunge
• Try 2-3 sets of 6-8 reps per side.

Why you should try the kickthrough

This is one of those exercises that looks fairly simple but, in practice, tests you. You're strengthening your hips and core, working on improving range of motion and control, and, to some extent, your flexibility. There's also an element of stability and balance work as you learn to coordinate and move your left and right sides independently.

Follow Tom's Guide fitness on Instagram for more workouts, routines, tips, and tricks.

The kickthrough is surprisingly functional as you transition from one pose to the other. If you notice this more in your hips, try to brace through your core more, as this may signal some weakness or tightness in your hips and a lack of core engagement.

Moreover, practicing this regularly helps stretch the side body and back, which can be useful for back pain. That said, if you are pre- or post-natal, injured, or dealing with a health condition, I strongly recommend seeking clearance before trying this move.

As you get older, building stronger bones, joints and muscles becomes even more important to help prevent age-related injuries associated with falls or balance. Unilateral movements like this help strengthen both sides of the body, which translates to activities like walking or running, so be sure to include mobility work alongside strength training and low-impact cardio as you age.

At 35, I've already started prioritizing movements like these, and I do with my clients, too. If you want more moves like this, try these three "primal" animal exercises.

More from Tom's Guide

• The caterpillar walk is considered the 'gold standard' for lower body mobility and flexibility — here's how to do it
• Forget running — this 20-minute walking workout fires up your metabolism and builds functional strength
• I did the Frankenstein walk to strengthen my hip flexors and build core stability: here’s what happened after a week

Since the original Samsung Galaxy Z Fold launched, all I've wanted is a foldable iPhone. All along, I've said that once Apple releases one, I'd be lined up on day one to buy it.

Release one Apple did; buy one I did not.

The pre-order date came, and I even live-blogged how quickly they were selling out, all while my Apple Card stayed firmly planted in my digital wallet. Something fizzled out in my brain, and I decided this wasn't the right time — or the right phone — for me.

Why the change of heart? At first, I didn't give it much thought, but now that the dust has settled, I've had a chance to look at seven reasons I passed on the iPhone Duo. On their own, none is a true dealbreaker, but together, they were enough to get me to hold off on the phone I've waited more than five years for. At least for now.

$2,000 price tag

This is the big, obvious reason to pass on the iPhone Duo. The phone starts at $1,999 for the base model and goes up from there. I currently own an iPhone 17 Pro Max. It's hard to justify spending around $2,000 when I have a really good, one-year-old device.

Let's be real here: the iPhone 17 Pro Max is still a fantastic phone. We gave it a nearly perfect 4.5-star rating in our review, citing its durable design, stellar A19 Pro performance, fantastic 48MP 8x zoom camera, and more as reasons for the high score. And I agree with all of that after using it for a year, which makes it even harder to give up.

But I'll be honest: even if I paid the $1,100 asking price for the iPhone 17 Pro Max out of pocket, I'd still struggle to justify paying almost double for the iPhone Duo.

Let the early adopters deal with the issues

Sure, Samsung has eight iterations of the Galaxy Z Fold, but Apple hasn't. This is the company's very first crack at a folding phone, and there's bound to be some issues that pop up.

Could it be the folding screen's durability? An issue with the outside display? MagSafe woes? Issues with iOS transitioning to a larger screen?

Who knows?

But something will probably degrade the experience of the $2,000 foldable iPhone Duo, and I'll let everyone else work through it and buy the Duo 2 next year once Apple has had time to iron out the kinks.

Waiting for more optimized apps

Apple will update its own apps and make them look great on the iPhone Duo. It'll probably add useful functionality that takes advantage of the larger screen. And we've already heard about optimized third-party apps like Slack and Netflix But there's millions of iPhone apps that will take time to update, and I can see a situation where a lot of them just look like stretched out phone apps for a while.

Not sold on Nano-texture finish

I'll start by saying I haven't used the iPhone Duo yet. I've only seen videos and talked to several people who have used the phone. And based on what I've seen and heard, I don't think Nano-texture was the right choice for such a big screen.

Sure, it cuts glare and minimizes the crease, but it seems to do so at the cost of color vibrancy, which doesn't sound optimal with a massive 7.6-inch display. We'll see how it functions in the real world as more people get it into their hands, but for now, this is one of the main reasons I didn't get it on day one. If it ends up being better than expected, I might come around in a couple of months when the stock stabilizes, but for now, I'm holding off.

I like zooming in on my camera phone

One of the most expensive phones to ever hit the market doesn't have a telephoto lens. Seriously? As most other phones move to push their cameras to the absolute limit, Apple has limited the Duo by not having any kind of telephoto lens.

Now, this isn't an Apple problem alone: the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 doesn't have a telephoto lens either (presumably, the extra size required for a zoom lens is an issue in a foldable design), but I was really hoping Apple would push things forward by including one.

I like being able to zoom in at concerts, sports events and other far-away places, and not having that functionality on the camera that's always in my pocket seems like a deal breaker.

I just don't need a screen that big

This is a real clincher for me: I don't need a big screen on my phone. I sat down and looked at my most-used apps, and none of them would really see much benefit from a massive screen (which is the same reason my iPad collects dust while my iPhone and MacBook are in constant use).

I'm not an artist. I don't draw on my screen. I don't do handwritten notes. I'm not looking to set my phone on the table to take selfies (I have a portable tripod if that need arises).

All of the big selling points that made me think I wanted an iPhone Duo didn't actually sell me on the phone when it came time to throw down my hard-earned money. Sorry, iPhone Duo, but I just don't see how you fit in my life right now.

It's built like a brick

The iPhone Duo isn't light. In fact, it weighs a hefty 8.96 ounces, making it the heaviest iPhone to ever hit the market. As the first iPhone with two screens, that isn't surprising.

But I would have liked to have seen the Duo at least compete in the same weight class as Samsung's foldables. The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra comes in at 7.6 ounces while the base Z Fold 8 weighs just 7.09 ounces. That's a sizable weight difference that could be quite noticeable.

This isn't a deal breaker for me — if it weren't for the other factors, I'd put up with a heavier device. But compounded with everything else, I think it seals the deal on me waiting for next year.

More from Tom's Guide

• My iPhone 18 Pro Max just got delivered and I immediately regret the purchase — and I think iPhone Duo is to blame
• 7 ways the iPhone Duo could change foldables for the better
• iPhone Duo modes explained — 6 ways you can use Apple's new foldable

Every week I comb through the latest movie arrivals on Prime Video to pick out a trio of great thriller flicks for your watchlist. I love the genre, and it’s pretty clear that many of my fellow subscribers do as well. After all, thrillers regularly rank highly in the Prime Video top 10.

The good news is that I’ve found three strong picks this week. There’s a new Prime original movie which centers on a dysfunctional family coming together to pull off the heist of a lifetime. Or how about the Sean Connery-fronted Bond movie that kickstarted one of Hollywood’s most bankable blockbuster series? And you shouldn't overlook Keanu Reeves kicking some serious butt in one of the best revenge action-thrillers of the 21st century. I’m, of course, talking about Mr. Wick.

So, without further teasing, these are the three new to Prime Video thriller movies you need to watch this week.

3 best new to Prime Video thriller movies this week

‘Masterplan’ (2026)

Prime Video dropped two new original movies last week. While romantic drama “Love of Your Life” went straight to No. 1, heist caper “Masterplan” has had to settle for third place, behind its fellow original and slasher sequel “Scream 7.” Maybe that’s because this breezy comedic-leaning thriller is a little forgettable. On the plus side, it does star Stanley Tucci, and the charismatic actor is in good form as a legendary thief planning the score of a lifetime.

So what valuable object is being stolen in this heist movie? That would be the Mona Lisa, the world’s most famous and priceless painting. To acquire the masterwork, Tucci’s experienced thief recruits two young criminals, a hacker (Simona Tabasco) and a demolitions expert (Victor Belmondo), who are soon revealed to be his estranged children. Yup, this isn’t just a daring heist; it’s also a chaotic family reunion. And getting this fractured family to work together in harmony might be even tougher than stealing the world’s most well-guarded painting.

Watch "Masterplan" on Prime Video now

'Dr. No’ (1962)

Prime Video added all the James Bond movies to kickstart October. It’s not the first time the entire 007 collection has been available on Amazon’s streaming service, and last time they disappeared surprisingly fast, so my advice is to get watching as soon as possible. Naturally, if you’re a Bond newcomer or have only seen the modern Craig era, you’ll want to start at the beginning: 1962’s “Dr. No,” which introduced viewers to Britain’s most suave secret agent.

Bond’s first big-screen adventure might be more than 60 years old, but it’s held up remarkably well. Okay, so the movie’s attitude towards women hasn’t aged so gracefully, but putting 007’s womanizing ways aside, “Dr. No” is a thrilling spy movie that created several of the franchise’s trademark elements still used to this day. Sean Connery plays the iconic spy, and in his debut film, he’s on the trail of the eponymous Dr. No (Joseph Wiseman), a genius but sinister scientist, with dastardly plans to sabotage a U.S. space launch.

Watch "Dr. No" on Prime Video now

‘John Wick’ (2014)

Speaking of full franchises now on Prime Video, “John Wick’s” entire run to date is now streaming. The “Ballerina” spin-off is over on HBO Max, but you can watch Mr. Wick’s campaign for revenge from start to its current finish on Prime. Picking a personal favorite is very tough; all four mainline “John Wick” movies are fantastic, so I’ll go with the obvious choice: the movie that started it all. Keanu Reeves has never been cooler (sorry, Neo), and this revenge story is extremely easy to get invested in because it revolves around a dog!

The titular John Wick (Reeves) is still reeling from the death of his beloved wife when he receives a final gift from his partner, a truly adorable beagle puppy. This pooch helps him heal. But when a group of Russian mobsters breaks into Wick’s home to steal his classic Mustang, they cruelly kill the dog in an act of needless violence. But what they don’t know is that Wick is a former assassin, feared even in the darkest corners of the criminal underworld. Now on the warpath, Wick will stop at nothing to get his payback on those who wronged him.

Watch "John Wick" on Prime Video now

More from Tom's Guide

• New on Prime Video in October 2026
• Take our Harrison Ford 80s movies quiz now
• Prime Video top 10 movies — 3 worth watching this week

If there's one TV genre that I subconsciously avoid, it's the "lawyer show" — those case-of-the-week procedurals and pulpy courtroom dramas have simply never done it for me. But I did recently find a successful (and surprising) entry point that might just have changed my mind on the law-show genre: "Fisk."

Unlike "The Good Wife" and "Good Fight" and such, "Fisk" eschews gavel-banging dramatics for deliciously dry Aussie humor and everyday office absurdities, following a no-nonsense corporate lawyer working at a low-budget probate law firm in Melbourne. It's more on par with "The Office" than "Matlock."

If you missed the snarky sitcom — which has aired for three seasons on ABC in its native Australia since 2021 and reportedly will return for season four next year — here's why you should catch up now on Netflix.

What is 'Fisk' about?

Comedian and series co-creator Kitty Flanagan ("Full Frontal," "Utopia") leads the sitcom as our titular Fisk — Helen Tudor-Fisk, that is — a middle-aged, high-end contracts lawyer who leaves Sydney for her hometown of Melbourne to escape the fallout after her marriage breaks down and her career implodes.

Helen soon finds work at Gruber & Gruber, a small law firm in the Melbourne suburbs that specializes in wills and probate law and is populated by a lovable team of weirdos, played by Marty Sheargold, Julia Zemiro and Aaron Chen. (John Gaden also stars as Helen's father, a retired Supreme Court judge who comes out as gay later in life.)

Across three seasons (thus far), Helen has to navigate not only her new co-workers but also her absurd and difficult clients, whose family wills, inheritance clauses, and the like seem designed to test her patience.

Why I recommend you stream 'Fisk' on Netflix

If you're into the cheeky Aussie humor of sitcoms like "Kath & Kim," "Summer Heights High" and "Utopia," you'll appreciate the deadpan laughs of "Fisk," but the series smartly balances out the title character's causticity by pulling in the cozy, lighthearted sweetness of fellow workplace comedies like "The Office," "Parks and Recreation" and "Abbott Elementary."

Anchored by Flanagan's hilariously understated lead performance and boosted by a supporting cast full of Australian comedy veterans, "Fisk" makes Gruber & Gruber a place where you'd definitely want to hang out, even just to witness the kinds of legal hijinks Helen, Ray, Roz, George and the rest get up to each week.

It's not a surprise, then, that the sitcom has resonated with viewers and became a sleeper hit when it arrived on Netflix globally, cracking the streaming service's weekly top 10 charts across multiple countries, including the U.S., U.K. and Canada. It charmed critics, too: "Fisk" previously took home the AACTA Award (basically the Aussie Emmy) for Best Television Comedy Series and Best Comedy Performer for Flanagan. We're looking forward to even more Gruber & Gruber shenanigans when the show returns for season 4!

Stream "Fisk" on Netflix now

More from Tom's Guide

• Netflix top 10 shows — here’s the 3 you need to binge-watch this week (October 13-19)
• ‘The Diplomat’ season 4 review: Netflix’s best drama delivers its best season yet
• 3 new-to-Netflix thriller movies to watch this week — including a ‘90s masterpiece with Robert De Niro and Al Pacino

Netflix’s top 10 is a handy place to start when you’re looking for your next binge, but with so many shows competing for your attention, it can be tricky to know which ones deserve a spot on your watchlist. That’s where I come in. I’ve picked out three series currently trending on Netflix that are worth setting aside some time for this week, whether you’re in the mood for a chilling mystery, intense political drama or a fascinating real-life story.

First up, a fisherman must protect his family and community when a mysterious sea creature begins terrorizing the area. Elsewhere, a U.S. ambassador is caught in a diplomatic crisis where every decision could have far-reaching consequences, while a four-part documentary explores the extraordinary highs and lows of a boxing champion. There’s plenty to get stuck into, so here are the three Netflix top 10 shows I’d recommend adding to your watchlist first.

Note: This list is based on the Netflix U.S. top 10 shows as of Tuesday, October 20, 2026.

Best shows in the Netflix top 10

‘Below’

One of the most bingeable shows I’ve watched this year has to be “Below,” a sea creature thriller that packs plenty of mystery and suspense into just six episodes. It takes familiar creature feature ideas and gives them a more grounded feel, with family drama and small-town problems playing just as big a role as the monster itself. The isolated maritime setting also adds to the creepy atmosphere, with local folklore and strange events making it difficult to know what’s really lurking beneath the surface. If you’re after a short thriller that keeps you guessing, this is well worth a watch.

Fisherman Calvin Penney (Josh Hartnett) lives in the small coastal town of Snooks Arm, Newfoundland, where he struggles to keep his family’s livelihood afloat. When his children return home for a long-awaited reunion, an unidentified sea creature begins threatening the community. Calvin joins forces with visiting marine researcher Dr. Fonda Howander (Mackenzie Davis) to investigate the strange occurrences and stop the creature before more lives are put at risk.

Stream "Below" on Netflix

‘The Diplomat’

“The Diplomat” is back with a new season, and if you haven’t caught up with this acclaimed political thriller yet, now’s a great time to start. Created by Debora Cahn, whose previous credits include “The West Wing” and “Homeland,” the series delivers plenty of political conflict without losing its sharp humor. Season 4 also brings some exciting new additions to the cast, including Allison Janney, Bradley Whitford and Jodie Whittaker, making the latest chapter even more appealing. Our managing editor, Kelly Woo, even said “Netflix’s best drama delivers its best season yet.”

Kate Wyler (Keri Russell) is an experienced American diplomat who unexpectedly becomes the US ambassador to the United Kingdom. As she settles into her new role in London, Kate must navigate an international crisis involving a British vessel while managing complicated relationships with British officials and her own government. Her husband, Hal Wyler (Rufus Sewell), is a former ambassador with his own political ambitions, making their professional and personal lives increasingly difficult to separate.

Stream "The Diplomat" seasons 1-4 on Netflix

‘Tyson’

If you’re interested in boxing or enjoy a compelling doc, Netflix’s “Tyson” is well worth checking out. This four-part documentary series follows Mike Tyson’s life and career, from his rise to heavyweight champion to the personal struggles and public scandals that shaped his story. Rather than simply celebrating his achievements in the ring, it takes a more honest look at the man behind the headlines, exploring his regrets, challenges and attempts at self-reflection. Netflix has also paired the series with Tyson’s upcoming stand-up special, “Mike Tyson: Return of the Mike.”

Beginning with his difficult childhood in Brooklyn, New York, the series centers around his discovery of boxing and his relationship with trainer Cus D’Amato, who helped him become the youngest heavyweight champion in history at just 20. Through interviews with Tyson and people from his inner circle, it explores his rise to international fame, turbulent relationships, legal troubles and time in prison. The documentary also covers his later career, including his infamous 1997 fight with Evander Holyfield and his eventual return to boxing.

Stream "Tyson" on Netflix

Netflix top 10 shows right now

1. "Below" (2026)
2. "The Diplomat" (2023)
3. "Love is Blind" (2020)
4. "Instadocs: AI Gone Wild" (2026)
5. "East of Eden" (2026)
6. "Tyson" (2026)
7. "Is It Cake? Halloween" (2025)
8. "Hollywood Arts" (2026)
9. "The Great British Baking Show" (2026)
10. "Michael Che: Shot in Minnesota" (2026)

More from Tom's Guide

• Everything new on Netflix in October 2026
• Can you name these Netflix shows from cropped screenshots?
• 5 best new to Netflix movies and shows to stream this week

We’re getting ever closer to Halloween, and there’s plenty of scares to be had in Prime Video’s top 10 movie chart this week. I’ve combed through the platform’s weekly hits to find the films worthy of your precious streaming time.

Prime Video’s top 10 usually isn’t stuffed full of bona fide classics, and this week is no different. Still, I think you’ll enjoy the trio of picks I’ve gone with, which include an emotional new drama starring Margaret Qualley, the latest entry in an iconic horror series and a light-hearted criminal caper led by Stanley Tucci.

The movies below are taken from Prime Video’s top 10 as of Monday, October 19, 2026. So break out the teeth-rotting treats and prepare to laugh, cry and gasp at my pick of flicks that are actually worth streaming.

Best movies in the Prime Video top 10

‘Love of Your Life’ (2026)

Get your hankies ready for a new weepy. Following nurse Maya (Margaret Qualley), a pandemic-related tragedy sees the Boston healer up sticks to Europe, where she becomes a reclusive digital nomad. Unlike the rest of us who spent our time rewatching old episodes of "DuckTales" during lockdown, Maya ends up flitting through unfulfilling casual relationships, which only worsens her grief.

Qualley once again impresses in a leading role, even if the material is a little sappy. Still, the supporting cast, including Patrick Schwarzenegger, Aaron Pierre and Gabriel Basso, is reasonably strong and the globe-hopping plot, which takes in Lisbon, Luxembourg and Tokyo, is handsomely shot. Perhaps the most surprising thing about “Love of Your Life”? It’s produced by Ryan Gosling. Sadly for fans of “Drive,” there’s a distinct lack of action in this sincere, well-meaning drama.

Watch "Love of Your Life" on Prime Video now

‘Scream 7' (2026)

Sidney Prescott returns to the iconic horror franchise after star Neve Campbell sat “Scream 6” out due to a pay dispute. One of the OG Final Girls, it’s great to see the series’ main star back and dueling yet another version of Ghostface. Considering we’re now seven slashers in, it’s impressive that “Scream 7” still has the appetite for the kill.

This time out we’re treated to a very different version of Sidney. Now happily married and a protective mom to Tatam (Isabel May), our hero’s suburban life is turned upside down when a new Ghostface turns up to slice and dice. Or should that be an old Ghostface? The movie has some fun playing around with the notion of AI deepfakes, resulting in a few surprising cameos. The opening scene set in the original film’s infamous house and one kill that feels like it’s been lifted from “Final Destination” are particular highlights.

Watch "Scream 7" on Prime Video now

‘Masterplan’ (2026)

You’ve got to admire Stanley Tucci. Not only does he seem to spend most of his existence travelling while making fettuccine so delicious you want to dive into your TV, he seemingly has a “movie must be set in Italy” clause in any new project. In fairness, only part of “Masterplan” is set in the land of pasta (an early heist in Lake Como), with the main action taking Tucci’s talented thief to Paris.

Why is this pilfering scoundrel in the City of Love with a couple of up-and-coming heists artists? To steal the Mona Lisa from the Louvre. Obviously. There’s an early(ish) reveal that further juices up proceedings too. Though at first ambitious thieves Chiara (Simona Tabasco) and Jay (Victor Belmondo) appear to have little in common other than a talent for stealing stuff, they actually have a deeper hidden connection. This crime comedy is breezy and good-natured, with Tucci in typically good form.

Watch "Masterplan" on Prime Video now

Prime Video top 10 movies right now

1. "Love of Your Life" (2026)
2. "Scream 7" (2026)
3. "The Love Hypothesis" (2026)
4. "The Secret of Moonacre" (2008)
5. "Now You See Me: Now You Don't" (2025)
6. "Dark Nature" (2023)
7. "Forget Me Never" (1999)
8. "Masterplan" (2026)
9. "First Winter" (1982)
10. "Reign of Fire" (2002)

More from Tom's Guide

• New on Prime Video in October 2026
• All 7 'Scream' movies ranked
• The best streaming services in 2026

Grand Theft Auto VI is just one month away. On November 19, the game, 13 years in the making, will finally launch. You'd think after waiting more than a decade, one month will be no big deal, but as GTA 6's release date looms, the wait is feeling longer than ever.

So, I'm passing the time in two ways: firstly, playing the frankly ludicrous amount of new games that have launched in September and October, and secondly, watching some movies to get in the mood. These range from films that have inspired GTA games to a full documentary set entirely within GTA 5. Yes, that's a real movie.

If the wait for GTA 6 is also starting to feel torturous, give these three movies a watch. It'll help pass at least a little bit of the time.

‘Scarface’ (1983)

“Scarface” and Vice City are inextricably linked. The 1983 Brian De Palma epic crime drama was such an inspiration for 2002’s Grand Theft Auto: Vice City that at times it borders on a carbon copy. However, GTA 6 will give players a modern-day spin on the franchise’s satirical recreation of Miami (“Scarface” and GTA: Vice City are set in the ‘80s); I don’t expect the parallels to be as stark this time around. But still, “Scarface” is a classic, and giving it a rewatch will certainly get you in the mood for your own digital crime spree across Vice City.

Scarface” centers on Cuban immigrant Tony Montana (Pacino), who arrives in ‘80s Miami alongside his friend, Manny (Steven Bauer). Tony wants to carve out his own slice of the American dream. So what’s a newbie in town to do but start building a criminal empire? But as his power increases, so does his list of enemies. As he becomes increasingly paranoid and unpredictable, all roads lead to a bloody shootout that could see his empire crumble.

Watch "Scarface" on Netflix now

‘Bonnie and Clyde’ (1967)

One of GTA 6’s most intriguing additions to the franchise is its two playable characters, Jason Duval and Lucia Caminos. They’re a criminal couple who certainly appear to have a bit of Bonnie and Clyde about them. 1967’s “Bonnie and Clyde” tells the true story of Clyde Barrow and Bonnie Parker, a loved-up pair who spent their date nights committing robberies across the United States in the 1930s. The inspiration for Jason and Lucia starts right here.

Starring Faye Dunaway and Warren Beatty as Bonnie and Clyde, respectively, this acclaimed crime drama sees the pair embark on a wild criminal spree during the Great Depression. I don’t think it’s a spoiler to say their tale, and also the movie based on their lives, ends in tragedy, making “Bonnie and Clyde” surprisingly sombre in its final moments. It was nominated for 10 Oscars, winning two: Best Supporting Actress (for Estelle Parsons) and Cinematography.

Watch "Bonnie and Clyde" on Prime Video (buy/rent) now

'Grand Theft Hamlet’ (2024)

Instead of watching a movie that may have inspired the Grand Theft Auto games, why not watch a movie that takes place entirely inside a GTA game? That's the elevator pitch of "Grand Theft Hamlet", a 2024 documentary that uses Grand Theft Auto V as its playground — or should that be stage? Because it's all about two friends attempting to stage Shakespeare’s Hamlet within GTA 5’s open-world map.

It's a ridiculous idea on paper, and the movie does poke fun at the absurdity of it all. However, it rises beyond its central gimmick by going deeper. The doc also explores how we connect to others in a digital age, and how art can offer solace even during the darkest of times. And because it's GTA, a lot of stuff gets blown up at the same time. "Grand Theft Hamlet" is funny and a little moving.

Watch "Grand Theft Hamlet" on Mubi now

More from Tom's Guide

• New on Netflix in October 2026
• The best streaming services in 2026 to subscribe to right now
• I just played The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake

The Asus ROG Xbox Ally X20 is an interesting gaming handheld to discuss. That’s because it’s mostly a cosmetic upgrade of the Xbox Ally X, keeping the same internal components. This, along with its steep $1,299 sticker price, might be reason enough to skip it. However, those design upgrades still make it a compelling portable console for some.

If you’re curious about the ROG Xbox Ally X20 but aren’t sure whether to buy it, I’ve outlined the key reasons to consider buying this gaming handheld, along with the top reasons to skip it.

Asus ROG Xbox Ally X20: Reasons to buy

That sweet OLED

Let’s start with the star of the show—that gorgeous OLED panel. This is arguably the main thing folks have asked for in each new iteration of the ROG Ally, so it’s great that Asus finally answered. As with the Steam Deck OLED, this will no doubt be the deciding factor for folks.

I played Forza Horizon 6 on the X20 and was floored by the OLED panel’s brightness and bold colors. Whether it was the vast countryside, packed cities, or the cars inhabiting them, everything looked incredible on the 7.4-inch 1080p display. The 120Hz refresh rate also ensured that even the fastest races moved buttery smooth.

Words can’t fully convey how good games look on the X20’s stellar OLED panel, but it’s the best I’ve seen on a gaming handheld. As I said, for some, the OLED alone will be enough of a selling point. It’s really that impressive.

Sleek ergonomics

The original ROG Xbox Ally is the most comfortable handheld to actually hold thanks to its Xbox controller-inspired grips and smart weight distribution. Asus could have left this aspect alone, and I wouldn’t have complained. Instead, the company took what was already great and made it even better.

The X20 features rubberized grips that make it easier to hold during long gaming sessions. Rubber grips aren’t new to gaming controllers, but few gaming handhelds feature them, so their inclusion here is especially appreciated.

Regarding the hardware redesign, the TMR joysticks move smoothly, while the shoulder buttons feel more tactile and the rounded face buttons feel better under your thumbs. I’m also a fan of the D-Pad, which you can rotate to act as a 4-way D-Pad for side-scrolling games or an 8-way D-Pad for fighting games. These are small design tweaks that make a big difference.

The best Windows handheld experience

Like the ROG Xbox Ally systems, the X20 features the Xbox UI. That shouldn’t surprise you, since the Xbox UI was designed for handhelds, but it's worth mentioning in case you were worried you’d get another clunky Windows 11 experience.

Like SteamOS, the Xbox UI is a slick, easy-to-navigate interface. If you want to dive deeper into the settings, you can do so at any time. That last point matters, especially if you’re a PC gamer used to tweaking settings to get games to look and play just right.

One reason the Xbox UI runs so smoothly is that, when it’s open, the Windows desktop stops running—making the handheld purely optimized for gaming instead of running unnecessary background processes that impact performance. This makes a meaningful difference in both performance and battery life.

Asus ROG Xbox Ally X20: Reasons to skip

A steep price

Let’s not dance around it. The ROG Xbox Ally X20 is a seriously expensive handheld. While the Xbox Ally X’s $999 price tag wasn’t exactly cheap, it seems like a bargain compared to the X20’s $1,299 asking price.

Before you think I’m being unfair, I’ll admit that this handheld’s price isn’t an anomaly. For instance, the phenomenal MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ will set you back a crushing $1,799 thanks to its larger 8-inch display and 32GB of RAM, compared with the X20’s 24GB.

Still, it’s clear that the halcyon days of just 3 years ago, when Windows handhelds started as low as $599, are long over.

Under performer

The Xbox Ally X20 has the same AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme chip and 24GB of RAM as the Xbox Ally X. As a result, you get similar performance—for better or worse.

As the table above shows, Asus’ handheld can’t match the performance of the Intel Arc G3-powered MSI Claw 8 EX AI+, even at 35W TDP. You’ll need to tweak settings seriously to get the best per-game performance on the X20.

Bottom line

Despite the upgrades, the X20 is still an Xbox Ally X and is already getting long in the tooth. The ROG Xbox Ally X was the best Windows handheld when it launched. Now, it faces stiff competition from MSI and other handhelds packing an Intel Arc G3 chip. The fact that it costs so much for the same performance and battery life only makes it harder to recommend.

But despite its flaws, the X20 offers exceptional image quality for a handheld, along with fantastic ergonomics. If you want a great overall Windows handheld and still have extra cash on hand, you won't walk away disappointed.

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You don't need a long list of kettlebell exercises or a complex workout that requires your trainer to repeat themselves 60 times before you understand it. You just need one of the best kettlebells. And some guts. Intrigued?

As a personal trainer, I like my clients to move functionally. That means I prioritize movements like cleans, squats, presses and rows that target the major muscle groups. I also like to improve conditioning, so this routine includes functional compound exercises, very little rest and a lot of pace.

Here it is.

How to do the kettlebell workout

Set a 12-minute timer (adjust to your taste) and grab a medium-heavy kettlebell. You'll be racking up reps, so choose a weight you can lift for about 10-12 reps rather than just a few.

Remember, you're going to fatigue, so aim for consistency rather than all-out intensity at first. You can ramp it up at the end, but aim for a slow burn at the start. This one will fire up almost every muscle group in your body, test stability and power and get your lungs and heart pumping.

At the end, you may want to lie down and bring your breathing under control while those jelly legs recover.

If you experience pain, feel dizzy or unwell, or are returning to exercise from illness or injury, please seek advice before starting this routine. If you are pregnant or post-partum, I strongly advise seeking medical advice.

Here are the moves broken down:

• Squat clean: Stand with your feet roughly hip- or shoulder-width apart. Grip a kettlebell between your feet. Drive the weight upward using an overhand grip, as if zipping up a jacket. As the kettlebell rests on your forearm, shelve it with your shoulder and perform a squat, keeping your elbow lifted and core engaged. Release the weight to the ground, then repeat on the other side.
• Down-up x bent-over row: Stand with your feet hip-width apart, place your hands down on the floor in front of you, then jump back into a plank with your core engaged. Jump your feet forward to land wide either side of your kettlebell. Row the weight with one arm, keeping your elbow close to your body. Lower it, repeat the down-up, then row with your other arm.
• Swing x squat clean x push press x overhead squat combo: Stand with your feet roughly hip- or shoulder-width apart. Grip a kettlebell between your feet. Drive the weight upward using an overhand grip, as if zipping up a jacket. As the kettlebell rests on your forearm, shelve it with your shoulder and perform a squat, keeping your elbow lifted and core engaged. Press the weight overhead using a soft knee drive, then perform a squat again, keeping your arm punched overhead close to your ear. Repeat on the other side.

Your goal is to complete 2 reps (a rep per side) of each move, back-to-back, in your first round. Reset. On the next round, add 2 reps. Keep adding each round, completing the moves back-to-back with no rest except between rounds. See how many rounds you can achieve in 12 minutes.

This is a killer workout, and you'll burn out fast if you don't pace yourself.

Focus on your form, engage your core for stability and power throughout, and try to maximize your squat depth. Always choose form over weight, and reduce it when you need to. If you reach your maximum, stick with the same reps rather than adding.

Let us know how you get on in the comments!

Follow Tom's Guide fitness on Instagram for more workouts, routines, tips, and tricks.

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Ghost of Yotei is one of my favorite games of recent years. Even though I've achieved the Platinum trophy in the base game, I keep coming back to it as Ezo's beauty is just too addictive. So, when the Echoes of Sekigahara story expansion was announced, I couldn't wait to get my hands on it. And now that I have finished it, I love the game even more — and it's the puzzle piece Ghost of Yotei was missing all along.

This isn't the first time we've heard of Sekigahara. Atsu, the katana-wielding protagonist, mentions it a few times in the base game. She fought in and earned her laurels at the Battle of Sekigahara, but that's all we're told.

The Echoes of Sekigahara DLC takes you to Ashoro Foothills, located in the eastern part of the fogged-out map, and introduces you to Nagato from Atsu's past. What unfolds is a touching (albeit short) tale that sheds light on Atsu's humanity and emotions, and left me wanting even more Yotei.

Ghost from the past

Echoes of Sekigahara starts in Ezo. You pick up a bounty from a bounty board on a man called Nagato the Handsome. Turns out, Atsu knows him from her time during the Battle of Sekigahara, so she travels to Ashoro Foothills in the east. This isn't a very big area, and you can explore every aspect and complete all side activities in under 10 hours.

Though Atsu is at first reluctant due to their past, she teams up with Nagato to cut off resources to Lord Saito's army. You take on a new kind of enemy faction: the Vipers, the Snakes' followers, now without a leader (Atsu kills the Snake in the base game's intro).

There's a lot of infighting as mini-bosses, known as Snake Contenders, are vying to replace their slain leader. You seek them out and, of course, vow to put an end to them. You can wield heavy weapons (which break after about four or five hits), and I'll leave it for you to explore just how fun that is.

There are plenty of side activities to partake in, too, such as finding fox dens and hot springs, as well as a lovely Mythic Tale starring your wolf companion. Ashoro Foothills is visually stunning, and what I love a lot is that you see it flourish as the expansion pans out. At first a deprived area having been plundered by the Vipers, you rebuild Ashoro Springs, the main town, by helping the locals secure food supplies.

The story expansion explores Atsu's more intimate side. The Atsu we know is fuelled by vengeance, and she has no space for personal relationships — that much is clear in the way she treats Jubei, her brother, still being alive and having a daughter.

Echoes of Sekigahara humanizes her as we explore her and Nagato's relationship through playable flashbacks. The story feels a little predictable, much like the base game, but it's told in a compelling manner, and it still hits you like a ton of bricks, thanks to the somber music and original Japanese lyrics soundtracking their encounters.

Ezo's Most Wanted

While the Echoes of Sekigahara story expansion mode is fantastic, it's the DLC's Most Wanted mode that had me hooked for a few days after I wrapped everything up. This is a new roguelike combat-survival mode where you play as one of four characters: Atsu, Oyuki, Nagato, and everyone's favorite samurai, Jin Sakai.

You then pick up bounties on the Yotei Six and fight your way through waves of enemies. Ever wanted to fight the Kitsune as Oyuki, the one who held the mantle previously? Now you can.

Each character has their own unique play style. For instance, Atsu starts each bounty hunt with dual katanas, while Oyuki wields her trusty kusarigama. As the hunt continues and you defeat waves of enemies, you unlock new passive or active perks that aid in combat by triggering certain effects, like lightning strikes after every successful parry counter.

Most Wanted is seriously addicting. You face off against different types of enemies and mini bosses — agile archers, heavy brutes, you name it — and do whatever you can to best them. Fighting the members of Yotei Six, especially as Jin Sakai, was incredibly fun. While I love Ghost of Tsushima's story, I much prefer Ghost of Yotei's fluid combat system, and Jin's stances fit right into Yotei's world and Most Wanted's combat gauntlets.

But Most Wanted isn't for the weak. Waves of enemies can quickly overwhelm you and you can't always brute-force your way out of it. Instead, I had to think tactically, and choose my perks wisely.

My favorite, which I mentioned earlier, was triggering lighting strikes, and having my weapon set on fire after, say, hitting an enemy four times with my yari. It's ridiculously fun, and even if I was beaten by a mini boss before getting to the main bounty, I was compelled to try again — and this is coming from someone who sucks at punishing Soulslike games!

Worth coming back to

Echoes of Sekigahara is the story expansion Ghost of Yotei desperately needed. I loved the base game, but I know it didn't tell the strongest story, and it couldn't scratch the itch like Ghost of Tsushima did. The DLC slots in like a puzzle's missing piece. It massively aids Atsu's character development, and I'd recommend playing it before you head into the final quests in Oshima Coast.

Personally, I wasn't expecting to like Nagato as much as I did. He's sly and you don't know if you can trust him, but after finishing Echoes of Sekigahara, I kept wishing he was in the base game and that we got to know him more.

Regardless, the story expansion as well as the oh-so-fun Most Wanted mode have reaffirmed one thing for me: Ghost of Yotei is one of the best games of this generation, and one that keeps you coming back for more.

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I've spent a week wearing Meta's new Ray-Ban Audio glasses, and I have a confession. At first, I wasn't particularly impressed.

They're essentially sunglasses with speakers built into the frames. Meta's AI assistant is there when you need it, but nothing about the glasses immediately feels groundbreaking. I've already spent time with Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses, so going from a pair that can see what I see to one without a camera felt like a step backward.

Except, a week later, I find myself reaching for the Ray-Ban Meta Audio Burbank glasses whenever I leave the house.

I've worn them to my son's soccer game, brought them to the trampoline park with my three kids and used them while driving and running errands. Somewhere along the way, I realized I was checking my phone a lot less.

The biggest surprise wasn't something Meta added. It was what the company took away. I've never been completely comfortable wearing a camera on my face. Even when I'm not recording, other people have no way of knowing that. At my son's soccer game, I don't want parents wondering whether I'm filming their children. At the trampoline park, I want to watch my kids without feeling like I'm carrying surveillance equipment.

Removing the camera takes that awkwardness out of the equation. The glasses still have microphones, so they aren't completely free of privacy considerations, but they feel far more natural to wear.

And after getting past my initial skepticism, I discovered five unexpected ways these audio-only glasses could fit into everyday life.

1. An anytime translator

Traveling somewhere you don't speak the language usually means pulling out your phone, opening a translation app and hoping everyone is patient enough to wait while you figure out what the other person just said. Ray-Ban Meta Audio offers another option.

The glasses support live translation, allowing you to hear translated speech through the built-in speakers while keeping your phone in your pocket. The person you're speaking with can read or hear your translated responses through the companion app.

Imagine getting into a taxi in Lisbon or checking into a hotel in Tokyo. Instead of holding a phone between you and another person, you can maintain eye contact and carry on a conversation with translated audio coming through your glasses.

Out of everything these glasses can do, translation is one of the features I'm most interested in testing further. And unlike camera-based AI, it doesn't require actually facing the people you're talking to.

2. A personal research assistant

As a journalist, this might be one of my favorite possibilities. Think about the last time you were speaking to someone and suddenly couldn't remember a date, a name or a statistic. Normally, you'd either admit defeat or reach for your phone.

With the Ray-Ban Meta Audio glasses, I can ask Meta AI questions without opening an app. The answer comes directly through the speakers, and I don't have to look away from whatever I'm doing.

That makes me think about how useful these could be for teachers, presenters and tour guides.

A teacher could check a historical date during a lesson. A tour guide could look up a detail about a landmark. Someone preparing to give a presentation could quickly confirm a fact before stepping in front of an audience.

It reminds me of the earpiece a television presenter wears when a producer needs to feed them information. There are some obvious limitations. The assistant can get facts wrong, and speaking a command aloud isn't invisible to the people around you. It also isn't going to quietly interrupt your thoughts with the perfect answer.

Still, for quick questions, conversions and facts that don't warrant pulling out my phone, it's a feature I can see myself using regularly.

3. Screen-free navigation

This is where the glasses genuinely impressed me. As a parent of three, driving anywhere can get noisy. Between conversations, questions and whatever disagreement is happening in the back seat, I've occasionally struggled to hear my phone telling me where to turn.

With the Ray-Ban Meta Audio glasses, navigation instructions come directly through the speakers built into the frames. I don't have to turn up the car audio or ask everyone to be quiet just so I can hear the next direction.

The open-ear design is particularly useful because the glasses don't seal off my ears the way traditional earbuds do. I can still hear my surroundings, including my kids and important sounds outside the car.

That doesn't eliminate the need to stay attentive, and drivers should follow local laws on audio devices. I also wouldn't recommend carrying on a distracting conversation with an AI assistant behind the wheel.

But the navigation experience has been one of my favorite parts of wearing these glasses. And there's another benefit I hadn't initially considered: walking around an unfamiliar city.

I love exploring new places, but I hate the feeling of staring at Google Maps while everything interesting happens around me. With spoken directions, I can keep my head up, look at the buildings and actually enjoy where I am.

4. A discreet way to reach someone when you need help

Here's a use I hadn't expected to appreciate: being able to make a call or send a message without visibly reaching for my phone. The glasses support hands-free calls and messaging through compatible services. That means I can ask them to contact someone while my phone stays in my pocket or bag.

Of course, that's convenient when I'm carrying groceries or juggling three kids' belongings. But I started thinking about situations where having your hands free could be more important.

If you're uncomfortable during a rideshare, walking home at night or on a date that isn't going particularly well, being able to contact a trusted person without searching for your phone could be useful.

You still need to speak a command, and anyone nearby may hear you. The glasses aren't an emergency alert system, and I wouldn't rely on them as my only way to get help. They also depend on having a working connection through a compatible phone. But I appreciate having another way to reach someone quickly.

5. A screen-free way to stay connected to my kids

This is the one that convinced me I would keep wearing the glasses. When I'm around my family I don't want to spend time looking at my phone. I want to stay as present as possible.

At the same time, I don't want to miss an important call, a message from my husband or something related to everyone's schedules. It's a familiar problem for parents. You want to be present, but you also need to be reachable.

At my son's soccer game, I could leave my phone in my bag and still use voice commands or ask Meta AI a question. When I took my kids to the trampoline park, I didn't feel the same need to keep checking my screen.

The glasses can handle calls, supported messages, reminders, music and podcasts. I can use them to ask a quick question while I'm doing something else, rather than stop what I'm doing to find my phone.

I especially love that the Burbank frames look like regular Ray-Bans. They're lightweight, comfortable and available with Transitions lenses, which makes wearing them indoors and outdoors much more practical.

I've worn glasses since I was two years old, so having another pair on my face feels completely natural. And unlike earbuds, they don't occupy my ears or leave me feeling cut off from everything happening around me.

The takeway

I went into this experiment assuming Meta had made a less capable version of its smart glasses. I came away thinking the company may have made something more practical for everyday use.

The Ray-Ban Meta Audio glasses don't replace my smartphone. They can't identify objects, read unfamiliar signs or menus through a camera, or capture those moments when I wish I'd taken a picture. They're also not cheap. Starting at $349, they're a significant purchase when you consider that a good pair of sunglasses and wireless earbuds can handle many of the same basic tasks.

Meta rates the glasses for up to 12 hours of mixed use, but continuous audio playback is rated for up to six hours. That's worth remembering if you plan to spend your day listening to music or podcasts.

Still, the fact that I don't have to pull out my phone nearly as often has changed how I think about these glasses. I can listen, communicate, navigate and get answers from AI while wearing something that looks and feels like ordinary eyewear.

And without the camera, I feel a lot more comfortable doing it.

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"Flight" is an important milestone in my Denzel Watchathon. It marks the end of a drought for the legendary actor and the beginning of a return to form.

Of course, this is a debatable claim in itself. Yes, "Flight" was Denzel Washington's first Oscar-nominated performance since he won for "Training Day" at the 74th Academy Awards. That 11-year gap between nominations is the longest of Denzel's career; the next-longest gap between Oscar-nominated performances was the seven years between "Malcolm X" and "The Hurricane." Since "Flight," he's been nominated a further three times.

But while those are indisputable facts, subjectively, some would argue Denzel put in a few of his best performances ever during that 11-year gap. "Man on Fire," "The Manchurian Candidate," and "American Gangster" notably all fall in that drought. In a poll we ran earlier this year, our readers even declared "Man on Fire" Denzel's best performance, upsetting "Training Day" for the top spot.

Regardless of whether Denzel was at a "low point" of his career or not, though, what cannot be denied is that his performance in "Flight" is worthy of its Oscar nomination. It's a nuanced performance that requires him to be a functioning alcoholic while transitioning from a borderline action-star aviator at the start of the movie to a cornered, broken man as the film enters its second and third acts. It's a must-watch and worth every penny to do so.

If you want to watch this movie before you read on, you'll want to buy or rent it from YouTube. It's also available on Amazon, but right now it's $2 cheaper through YouTube or Google Play. Unfortunately, "Flight" is not currently on any of the best streaming services.

'Flight' is a complex disaster movie/legal drama hybrid

"Flight" is very loosely inspired by real events. In fact, it makes no claim in its marketing to be based on a true story. But the events of Alaska Airlines Flight 261 did play a part in the crafting of this story, according to John Gatins, whose screenplay for "Flight" was also nominated for an Oscar.

Denzel stars as Whip Whitaker, a veteran airline pilot for SouthJet Air and, as we see in the opening moments of the movie, a drunk and an addict. Given that he's about to fly a commercial airliner from Orlando to Atlanta, it feels like a problem when we see him drinking, smoking and doing lines of cocaine before getting in the captain's chair of Flight 227.

This builds a baseline of tension that ramps up once we learn this isn't going to be a normal flight. Whip will need to navigate this plane through an intense rainstorm; a tricky task in normal conditions, let alone when you're high as a kite.

But things quickly take a turn for the worse. Whip makes it out of the storm only to discover a mechanical failure causing the plane to enter an uncontrolled descent. Now, he has to do a Sully Sullenberger impression and crash-land a plane, all while still being very much drunk; he's even had a few extra vodkas on the plane once he cleared the initial storm.

I won't spoil some of the finer points of this action sequence, but suffice it to say it's incredible. It will have you on the edge of your seat, just waiting for the ultimate disaster.

The remarkable thing about "Flight," though, is that this is just the first act of the movie. Most of the movie is tonally disparate from this action thriller set piece. The rest of the movie transforms into a moving character study that borders on a legal drama.

Upon recovering from the crash, Whip is now forced to face the reality of his situation: he may have been a hero for landing the plane, but his alcoholism may leave him the fall guy for a mechanical failure. He did something essentially no other pilot could manage, and yet because he was drunk at the controls, he could face life in prison for manslaughter.

That sets up the moral conundrum of "Flight." Whip is wrong. He was drunk. He shouldn't be allowed to go unpunished. And yet, none of the lives lost in that crash are on him. All the lives saved are his to claim by a combination of luck, skill and (as the movie hammers you over the head with) divine intervention. So what is the right outcome if all these things are true?

Verdict: 'Flight' is Oscar-worthy

Ultimately, "Flight" does answer its moral quandary, albeit a bit neatly. It's not a happy ending for everyone, but you'd have to think that, in reality, things would be far messier than the conclusion of this movie lays out.

It's hard to imagine another actor successfully landing this plane, though. Denzel has to have the balance of a functioning alcoholic. He has to be a complete mess while letting nobody on the outside see it. He has to be able to switch from action star to emotional wreck with subtlety. He has to be charming enough for us to like him without undercutting the fact that he's arrogant and reckless enough that he had no qualms about flying a metal tube through rough skies at hundreds of miles an hour with 102 lives on the line, and he'd do it again without second thought.

Of course, it's Denzel. So he manages to do exactly that, and that's why it's no surprise his performance as Whip was Oscar-worthy. It's not the most grandiose performance of his. It doesn't have the same flash as his portrayal of Alonzo Harris in "Training Day" or Frank Lucas in "American Gangster. But it is just as worthy of being in conversation with those iconic roles.

If you've never seen it before, "Flight" is a must-watch. It was worth every penny I spent to stream it.

Buy or rent "Flight" on YouTube now

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I've reviewed so many earbuds and headphones that I've lost count. Last time I checked, it was somewhere around fifty. That's 5-0. Yep, I've put so many earbuds in my earholes that it's a marvel I still wake up excited to test more.

But because I've reviewed so many, I know which are the best earbuds, and which aren't worth your time. And really? Most of the "best" earbuds are below $300. Some of them are well below $300.

I'll die on this hill: no one should be spending over $300 on Bluetooth earbuds. No, not even the Sony WF-1000XM6 ($330). No, not even the Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 ($499). No, not even the Noble Fokus Prestige Encore ($699). Hear me out.

Specs compared

Here are some of the most memorable earbuds I've reviewed, from cheapest to most expensive. Notice anything?

As you can see, the best-performing ANC earbuds are the AirPods Pro 3, Bose QC Ultra 2nd Gen, Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro, and Sony XM6. While all other earbuds we've tested have at least acceptable ANC, no other brand really comes close to the big names. And Bose? The best. Dr. Bose literally invented ANC. (No, seriously. That's not an aphorism. Literally.)

I'm not going to walk you through the objective specs like IP ratings, Bluetooth codecs, and battery life. The numbers speak for themselves.

Let's chat about the most important spec: sound quality. Of course, sound quality is an inherently subjective criterion. What one person loves, another will think is mediocre, and vice versa.

I am extremely open-minded when I analyse sound quality. I accept that some people prefer bass — like the Soundcore Space 2 Pro — and some people prefer neutral tuning — like the Meze 99 Classics 2nd Gen. I don't mark down audio products for a bassy signature unless it negatively affects the overall listening experience, and vice versa. However, I do explicitly note where each product excels and falls behind, so you get a holistic view before buying.

But here's an opinion I have yet to be disproved: serious audiophiles will have multiple earbuds/headphones for different use cases. Out and about? Wireless earbuds or headphones. At-home listening? Wired headphones or wired earbuds.

Why I would never buy $300+ earbuds

So what about everyone else? I don't think you should spend over $300 on earbuds. I've used $4,000+ headphones, and I'm still happy with my 3-year-old, $250 AirPods. Every single day.

Super expensive Bluetooth earbuds just aren't worth it. Earbuds are tiny, ergo: loseable and less space for drivers.

I'm an audio reviewer, and I've been using my AirPods Pro 2 for over three years now. Am I going to upgrade? No. Heck, no! A) I'm poor, and B) I have headphones for deep listening sessions at home. My Bluetooth earbuds are for everything else. And honestly, my AirPods do everything I want and more.

Despite being four years old now, AirPods Pro 2 still sound creme de la creme. Bass is well-rounded and controlled; mids are melodic and vibrant; the treble is clear and bright without getting anywhere near tinny.

My love of the AirPods Pro 2 got me thinking. Are $500 earbuds much different?

Our Reviews Editor, Pete Wolinski, uses the $499 Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 as his daily drivers. When I asked him if the earbuds were worth it, he said, "I wouldn't buy these earbuds, in all honesty. I would buy Bowers headphones in a heartbeat though, as the build quality, comfort, and SQ all make it worthwhile. Especially the Px7 S3 on sale."

"The Pi8 have the reference tune, and it's classic Bowers: spacious, high fidelity, powerful but controlled bass." However, despite praising the sound quality, he said, "Judging, well, literally everywhere else, the Pi8 aren't worth it. ANC is passable but nowhere near what it could be for in-ear buds, and therefore nothing on the Apple/Sony buds."

But I'm not saying no one should spend more than $300 on certain audio products

As you'll see in the headline, I specifically wrote "Bluetooth earbuds". By all means, spend more than $300 on IEMs or headphones. Wireless earbuds, though? No! Save your money! Please!

Bluetooth headphones cost more than earbuds — it's an occupational hazard — so I'll forgive spending even $500 on wireless cans. It makes more sense to me as an audio reviewer. Headphones like the $549 AirPods Max 2, $459 Technics EAH-A1000, and the "entry-level" $479 Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S3 are worth it.

The same goes for IEMs like the Noble Audio Iris ($699) or budget-friendly Meze Alba ($169). If you go wired, you can get much better sound quality for much less money. Of course, you don't get digital features like ANC, EQ adjustment, or a mic (for the most part), but IEMs aren't intended for that kind of use.

You can also get wired headphones for much, much less than Bluetooth earbuds — with ten times the sound. I've tested most of FiiO's budget lineup: FiiO JT7 ($119), FiiO JT3 ($69), FiiO FT1 Pro ($219). All of these provide textured, tangible sound quality and are much cheaper than AirPods.

So if you want reference sound quality, I would just buy some wired headphones or IEMs. For everything else — ANC, call quality, convenience — you can honestly get top-of-the-range earbuds for well under $300. The Cambridge Audio Melomania A100 ($129), AirPods Pro 3 ($249), or Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro ($249) will not disappoint.

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“Whalefall” arrives in theaters this week, a new survival thriller flick that sees Austin Abrams play a diver swallowed by a sperm whale with just 60 minutes to find a way out. Yes, it’s a real movie, and the high-concept premise has immediately drawn my interest.

It’s also got me thinking about the best underwater thriller movies. Those intense flicks that have you holding your breath at home. So, to get you in the mood for “Whalefall,” I’ve rounded up five intense thriller movies that all take place (primarily) underwater. These range from modern shark films to a classic from James Cameron.

So long as you don’t suffer from thalassophobia (a fear of deep water), these five underwater-set thriller movies will have you hooked from the very first dive into the watery ocean depths.

‘The Abyss’ (1989)

Let’s start with the apex predator of underwater movies, James Cameron’s “The Abyss.” It’s slightly less intense than some of the picks below, often labeled as a sci-fi adventure, but it still centers on a cast of characters racing against the clock in the depths of the ocean. It was nominated for four Oscars, taking home Best Visual Effects. Sure, it doesn’t quite stick the landing, but “The Abyss” is remembered fondly for the journey, and it’s a trip worth taking.

When the USS Montant submarine sinks after an encounter with an unidentified submerged object, the U.S. government sends a team of Navy SEALs to a nearby underwater drilling platform to investigate. Once in the watery depths, the team uncovers something very unexpected. Plus, there’s human drama as an estranged husband (Ed Harris) and wife (Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio) are part of the team trying to solve the mystery.

Watch "The Abyss" on Disney+ now

‘The Dive’ (2023)

“The Dive” is a classic example of a thriller mixing high-stakes plotting with an exploration of trauma. It’s also noteworthy for incorporating thrills both below the surface and back on dry land. It doesn’t have quite enough oxygen in the tank to keep its initial momentum up through to the credits, but it’s got plenty of palm-sweating sequences. And after watching you’ll almost certainly never want to go scuba diving ever again.

Sisters May (Louisa Krause) and Drew (Sophie Lowe), whose relationship is strained by a past fallout, head to a remote location for some recreation diving. Failing to spot the warnings about the dangers of collapse rock in the area, May is struck by underwater debris and becomes trapped almost 30 meters below the surface. With a limited oxygen supply, it’s all up to Drew to find a way to free her sister before it’s too late.

Watch "The Dive" on AMC+ now

‘Underwater’ (2020)

A quite literal underwater thriller, 2020’s “Underwater,” takes a leaf out of “The Abyss’” book by mixing the fear of the deep sea with the terror of discovering something sinister down in the depths. It was produced for a relatively modest $40 million (modest money in Hollywood terms), but really looks the part. Kristen Stewart stars in the leading role, alongside Vincent Cassel and Jessica Henwick. Due to its horror elements, it’s a great pick for Halloween, too.

Set in 2050, within a high-tech underwater drilling facility at the bottom of the Mariana Trench, the crew’s already dangerous job becomes life-threatening when an earthquake rocks the station, and water starts pouring in. As things become even more desperate, our heroes discover that an earthquake didn’t cause the disaster as they first assumed. Instead, they’re being attacked by something even more terrifying and otherworldly.

Watch "Underwater" on Prime Video now

‘47 Meters Down’ (2017)

“47 Meters Down” is a quintessential example of cheap thrills. If you really wanted to, you could absolutely rip this movie apart for its numerous failings, from poor scripting to a third-act narrative shift (which I won’t spoil) that feels very gimmicky. However, if you approach it with a slightly less critical eye, you can find a guilty pleasure watch that will keep your heart rate high.

Like the aforementioned “The Dive,” this survival thriller centers on two sisters, Kate (Claire Holt) and Lisa (Mandy Moore), who decide to go cage diving while vacationing in Mexico. All the signs point to the operators of the diving experience being far from up to code, but they proceed anyway. Not very long into the dive, the winch snaps; they’re trapped in a metal cage more than 150 feet underwater, and with several great white sharks circling.

Watch "47 Meters Down" on Starz now

‘47 Meters Down: Uncaged’ (2019)

The first “47 Meters Down” did well enough at the box office that a sequel was greenlit (and there’s even a third on the way). There wasn’t any narrative road left after the first flick, so fortunately, this is a standalone movie, with new characters. It doesn’t make the mistake of the recent “Fall 2: Deadpoint” by attempting to connect to the original in a very sloppy way. Quality-wise, it’s about on par. Definitely file this one as disposable, but shlocky shark-fueled fun

In “47 Meters Down: Uncaged,” four girls head to a lagoon that houses an underwater entrance to a submerged Mayan city. When one of them disturbs the ancient ruins, it causes a chain reaction that traps them within the structure. Being stuck underwater would be concerning enough, but there’s also great white sharks swimming around, and they’re hungry for human flesh.

Watch "47 Meters Down: Uncaged" on Starz now

'Last Breath' (2025)

The "Last Breath" is arguably the most intense movie on this list because it's based on a true story. It's a feature film remake of a 2019 documentary of the same name, both directed by Alex Parkinson. This commitment to portraying true events pays off as each dramatic moment hits harder when you know real people faced the nerve-shredding challenges on screen.

The thriller chronicles what happens when things go wrong in some of the harshest and most unforgiving conditions known to man. Chris (Finn Cole), David (Simu Liu) and Duncan (Woody Harrelson) are a diving team working to maintain an underwater gas line at the bottom of the North Sea. When a tech malfunction strands Chris with only a rapidly dwindling supply of oxygen, it’s a race against time to save him before he takes his final breath.

Watch "Last Breath" on Peacock now

More from Tom's Guide

• ‘Whalefall’ review: One of 2026’s best movies
• 5 thriller movies about being trapped
• 3 new to Netflix thriller movies to watch this week

The new Fitbit Edge is a follow-up to 2023’s Fitbit Charge 6, one of my favorite wearables and one of the best fitness trackers of all time. But is the Edge actually a worthy successor?

I’ve been wearing the Fitbit Edge for just over 24 hours, and three things are immediately clear. While I’ll save my hardcore test results and comparisons to the competition for the forthcoming review, here’s why the Fitbit Edge already has me impressed.

1. It borrows the Pixel Watch 5’s best health features

Google's Pixel Watch 5 is one of the best smartwatches for health and safety features thanks to groundbreaking tools like Loss of Pulse Detection, Breathing Emergency Alerts, and monthly insulin resistance/blood pressure trend reports.

Fortunately, you don't need to spend $399+ to unlock them. The new Fitbit Edge offers all these same features in a smaller, lighter, and perhaps most importantly, more wallet-friendly $179 package.

These features are in addition to other essentials, like continuous heart rate and body temperature monitoring, dynamic sleep and readiness scores, blood oxygen saturation (SpO2) and ECG readings, heart rate variability insights, and breathing rate/quality tracking.

The Edge also supports Google's AI-powered Health Coach for personalized training plans, nutrition insights, and deeper dives into sleep and workout recovery. It's part of the brand's Google Health Premium subscription, which will run $9.99 a month or $99 for the year.

Not sure if Google Health Premium is worth it for you? The Fitbit Edge comes with a three-month free trial, so you can try before you buy.

2. It’s just as comfy as its predecessor, dimensions be damned

Sometimes, specs can be deceiving. For example, on paper, the Fitbit Edge is taller, wider, thicker, and even a bit heavier than the Fitbit Charge 6. But on the wrist, you'd be hard-pressed to tell.

Despite a slight increase in case real estate, the Fitbit Edge is incredibly comfortable, just like its predecessor, and this is coming from a guy who strongly dislikes wearing any wrist-based wearable to bed. (Thank goodness for the best smart rings)!

There's also a good reason for the bigger case: the Fitbit Edge sports a 1.34-inch AMOLED screen, which is noticeably roomier and easier to interact with than the 1.04-inch display on the Charge 6.

3. Physical buttons > haptic buttons

While the Fitbit Charge 6 is one of my fitness trackers of the past three years, there's one design element I still loathe: the haptic button on the side of the case that vibrates (sometimes) when you press it.

Clearly, I'm not the only one who's anti-haptics, because Google ditched it for a proper clickable physical button on the Fitbit Edge, a small but meaningful user interface improvement I'm thrilled to see.

What are your thoughts on the new Fitbit Edge? Do you think it's a worthy replacement for the Fitbit Charge 6? Let me know below.

More from Tom's Guide

• Fitbit Edge first impressions: 5 reasons to buy (and 2 reasons to skip) Google's new fitness tracker
• Google Fitbit Edge vs Fitbit Air: Which should you choose?
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Earlier this year, Capcom brought the modern Resident Evil trilogy (Biohazard, Village and Requiem) to the Nintendo Switch 2. And if three excellent Resi titles to play weren’t enough, how about six?

Capcom’s Switch 2 support this year has been phenomenal, and that continues with the acclaimed remakes of Resident Evil 2, Resident Evil 3, and Resident Evil 4, all launching on Nintendo’s second-generation hybrid console this week (October 16).

These are three of the finest remakes ever made, bringing three unquestionable survival-horror classics into the modern age. They were already essential games on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC, and that remains true with these new Nintendo Switch 2 versions.

I’ve now tested all three Resident Evil remakes on the Nintendo Switch 2 and compared them to the same games on the PS5 Pro. You won’t be surprised to hear there have been a few technical sacrifices, but the good news is that, overall, all three Resident Evil remakes remain as essential on Switch 2 as they are anywhere else.

Resident Evil 2

Resident Evil 2 kicked off the modern remakes in style. It set the blueprint, replacing the PS1 original's fixed camera with a third-person over-the-shoulder perspective that brings the horror into sharper focus. Plus, the iconic Raccoon City police department building has never been more unnerving, yet fun to explore.

On Switch 2, the game looks excellent. For starters, it runs at 60 fps even in handheld mode, and I strongly recommend enabling HDR. Texture quality takes a hit compared to the native PS5 version; this is most noticeable in character hair — a slight annoyance, since you spend the whole game looking at the back of Leon or Claire’s head!

Objects and environments in the distance also lose some detail, but up close they snap into focus. Crucially, I didn’t encounter any texture pop-in, even when quickly shifting my crosshair between in-game objects. Overall, it’s an impressive port of an already impressive game.

On the Nintendo Switch 2, you get the “Deluxe Edition” as standard, which includes a load of character costumes and a few extra weapons. It’s nice cosmetic DLC, but nothing substantial, and really, you’re going to play the whole game in Leon's cop outfit anyway.

Resident Evil 3

Resident Evil 3 remake is more of the same as Resident Evil 2 remake, which makes sense; the second modern remake reportedly began as a DLC for its predecessor before being spun off into a separate release.

Everything I said above applies to Resi 3. It looks great and runs well (again, 60 fps, even handheld, is a boon). I should note that the Switch 2’s HD rumble is used to great effect in these remakes. The trigger jolts when you fire a pistol, which I found satisfying.

Resi 3 moves into larger city street environments, but I didn’t notice any reduction in image quality. The neon signs, flashing lights, and raging fires of a Raccoon City plunged into chaos all look great. But you do get a slightly cleaner look on the more powerful PS5 Pro, as expected; it's got beefier components.

The “problem” with Resident Evil 3 Remake (and I use that word loosely; it's still great) is baked into the core game, like its short length (an average playtime is a breezy six hours), and this 2020 remake removes several sections from the PS1 original.

Resident Evil 3 didn’t receive much in the way of post-launch DLC, so on Switch 2 you get the standard addition and a single cosmetic costume for each of its characters, Jill and Carlos. At least its smaller scale and scope are reflected in a lower price point.

Resident Evil 4

Resident Evil 4 Remake is the best of the bunch for many Resi fans, a stunning reworking of one of the most influential video games in history.

Disappointingly, it’s also the most technically compromised of these new Switch 2 ports. In handheld mode, environment textures are noticeably downgraded compared to Resi 2 and Resi 3 on Switch 2. Even objects in close proximity are a little blurry, but they sharpen when you focus your crosshair on them. Plus, the fuzziness of Leon’s hair intensifies, and the problem extends to foliage, which is a frequent sight in Resident Evil 4’s initial rural village setting.

The framerate is mostly stable, though I’ve experienced occasional drops. I haven’t seen the adventure through to its conclusion on Switch 2. These might become more frequent in the game’s back half, when the action gets even more intense.

Still, it’s a perfectly playable port, even if the visual downgrades on the Switch 2 are apparent. You’re getting the Gold Edition as standard, which includes the must-play Separate Ways story DLC, The Mercenaries mode, and a long list of outfits and extras.

Which Resident Evil remake should you buy?

When I covered the modern Resident Evil trilogy arriving on Switch 2 in the spring, I cheated this question by saying you should get all three via the Resident Evil Generations Pack. Disappointingly, there’s no bundle here, though I am still tempted to say you should buy all three. Each remake is amazing and plays well on Switch 2.

However, if you’re pushing me for a definitive answer, Resident Evil 2 is the standout, given both the base game’s quality and its excellent transition to the Nintendo Switch 2. Resident Evil 4 is a close second, but the visual and performance downgrades are more noticeable. Resident Evil 3 isn’t far behind, but its short length and lack of incentive to replay see it settle for the bronze medal.

Overall, I’m thrilled that Capcom’s impressive Switch 2 support continues, and every modern Resident Evil game is now available on the platform. If six Resi games in a year aren’t enough for you, it’s been confirmed that next year’s RE: Code: Veronica remake is headed to Nintendo. The Switch 2 is rapidly becoming a Resi machine.

More from Tom's Guide

• Best Nintendo Switch 2 games in 2026
• I played all 3 modern Resident Evil games on Switch 2
• Capcom is keeping the Switch 2 alive right now

It's safe to say that the iPhone 18 Pro Max is proving quite popular. At the time of writing, delivery estimates for the cheapest model are two to three weeks away — compared to one to two weeks for the iPhone 18 Pro. However the popularity seems to pale in comparison to iPhone Duo, whose delivery estimates were pushed into next year after only an hour of pre-orders being open.

My iPhone 18 Pro Max arrived yesterday, after almost a month of waiting for Apple to actually dispatch the thing. The problem was that as soon as it was set up, my mind was immediately stumped on what I should be doing with it. More so after I'd played with the variable aperture, and watched the blades move over the camera lens.

In contrast the iPhone Duo is something that a lot of people are eagerly anticipating, even if you're accepting some compromises in the process. Why? Because it's something brand new that Apple has never done before, even if the first foldable phones are now old enough to be in second grade.

What does the iPhone 18 Pro Max actually have to offer?

I know that on a technical level the iPhone 18 Pro Max is a better phone than the iPhone 17 Pro Max. Our testing shows that the A20 Pro chip makes it significantly more powerful, and the battery life is half an hour longer than you'd get on last year's flagship. Charging time is noticeably faster too, aided by the speedier 60W wired charging capabilities.

But those aren't the kind of upgrades you can consciously feel. They make the overall experience of using the iPhone 18 Pro Max better, even if you don't actually notice what's going on, but they aren't the kind of things that make you physically excited to hold and enjoy the phone for yourself.

Those gears didn't actually shift into place until I held the iPhone 18 Pro Max in my hand, and I felt like the aquarium fish at the very end of Finding Nemo. I have an iPhone 17 Pro Max already, and aside from some obvious difference in the weight of the two phones (8.78 ounces versus 8.22 ounces) I couldn't really differentiate the two phones.

I tinkered with the variable aperture camera system, and it was rather fun to watch the blades move across the lens the way that they do. But that is an activity that gets old very quickly, and once you've exhausted what little enjoyment that brings, the reality sets in that upgrading your phone every year is rather a pointless endeavour.

Apple may have made some significant improvements to the iPhone 18 Pro Max, and added the fancy new camera features, but it doesn't change the fact that this feels more like an iPhone 17S than an iPhone 18 Pro. It makes the 18 Pro Max feel like another iteration of the same old things, and the honest truth is that it's an extremely boring upgrade. To the point that it barely feels like an upgrade at all.

I'll admit that the software changes do play a big impact in what the 18 Pro Max can do. But when you remember that iOS 27 is not exclusive to the newest iPhones, and has been available on older models for a good few weeks (or months if you downloaded the beta), it isn't really a selling point.

The iPhone Duo, on the other hand, is a totally new kind of device that Apple has never made before. Sure, it's not going to impress foldable phone enthusiasts for the same reason the iPhone 18 Pro Max isn't impressing me now. But for those people that have never left the Apple ecosystem before, it's a totally novel kind of device.

iPhone Duo has change that you can feel and experience in your hands

You only need to look at the iPhone Duo to know that it's going to offer a very different user experience than the iPhone 18 Pro Max. It's a foldable phone that opens up to reveal a large tablet-sized display that is noticeably larger than that on a traditional phone.

A whole new form factor and method of operation means that the iPhone Duo is something that you're going to have to get to grips with. Even if you have extensively used foldable phones in the past, the fact that this is a foldable iPhone means it's going to offer a slightly different experience to that of an Android model. Both in terms of the software side of things and how Apple actually makes the foldable experience work compared to the likes of Samsung or Google.

Heck, the fact that Apple has tweaked the UI to put a taskbar on the side of the iPhone Duo means that every user will need to spend some amount of time acclimatizing to the new way of doing things.

The iPhone Duo goes beyond just being a foldable iPhone too. Apple seems to have put a lot of effort into making it something different and unique compared to its usual yearly releases. The use of titanium means it's more durable than the the last two Pro Max iPhones, and under-display camera is a feature that we don't really see on phones anymore.

Even if Apple doesn't solve the myriad of problems hidden cameras have, it's something different that users can experience. Plus it means you have an uninterrupted display, which is not something you see very much of anymore.

Apple has made something different with the iPhone Duo, and expensive as it may be, it's offering something that most iPhone owners haven't been able to experience before now. In a world where new phones have been feeling increasingly boring and barely different from what came before, that's a very desirable trait to have.

Whether Apple can maintain that excitement with future foldable iPhones is unclear, though I suspect that people will lose that sense of excitement very quickly. After all, all other foldables have just become part of the annual release cycle, and there will be a point where the iPhone Duo falls in line with them.

Bottom line

Phone launches have been dull and stale for a long time now. As much as the companies behind them try to drum up excitement and act as though what they're offering is revolutionary, the truth is that 90% of the time they're not. Even new kinds of phone can get old very quickly, especially when you have a release as spectacularly bad as that of the original Samsung Galaxy Fold.

I've never picked up a new phone and struggled to know what to do with it, though. It's not a fun experience to hold a $1,200 phone and wonder what the point of it all is — which makes a very strong argument against upgrading your old handsets too quickly. Though at the same time, I have to wonder whether the impending iPhone Duo release is affecting things. Both in terms of user attitudes, and the resources Apple put into developing its new phone lines.

You can feel the anticipation for the iPhone Duo right now, and the fact that the delivery estimates were pushed back to 2027 suggests that demand is likely much higher than Apple actually anticipated. That's not something you see every year, and it's nice that people can actually be genuinely excited for a brand new phone. It's just a shame that the iPhone 18 Pro Max feels like such a nothingburger.

More from Tom's Guide

• I track deals for a living and here's the best iPhone Duo preorder I've seen
• iPhone Duo Geekbench scores leak, and Apple's foldable is about to leave Android rivals in the dust
• iPhone Duo modes explained — 6 ways you can use Apple's new foldable

Paramount+ has refreshed its library for October 2026, which is welcome news, but also means subscribers face the daunting prospect of combing through more than 70 new additions. That’s a lot of choice — maybe too much choice. So, I’m picking out some highlights to help you spend your weekend watching movies rather than aimlessly scrolling through the Paramount+ library.

I’ve found three great movies added at the start of the month that are definitely worth your time, from a classic rom-com with quotable lines aplenty to a visually stunning drama that retells a Biblical story. Or if you need a laugh after a long week, I’ve got a silly 2010s comedy about three workers trying to off their bosses.

These are the three new to Paramount+ movies I recommend you watch this weekend.

‘When Harry Met Sally’ (1989)

If you can watch Harry (Billy Crystal) give his grand New Year’s Eve speech to Sally (Meg Ryan) without feeling all warm and fuzzy inside, then I’ve got bad news for you, because you’ve got a heart of stone. This 1989 romantic comedy from the late (great) Rob Reiner is chock-full of iconic moments (“I’ll have what she’s having”). Crystal and Ryan have perfect chemistry, and while it’s predictable, that’s not a problem when the journey is so enjoyable.

Set over several years, “When Harry Met Sally” focuses on…well, when Harry met Sally. Both graduates of the University of Chicago, they share a car ride to New York City and figure that will be the end of it. But years later, they are brought back together, become friends, and have to navigate a classic “will-they-won’t-they” situation. Friends-to-lovers is hardly uncharted ground for the genre, but Harry and Sally walk it with an ease few can match.

Watch "When Harry Met Sally" on Paramount+ now

‘Noah’ (2014)

In my book, “Noah” is Darren Aronofsky’s most overlooked movie. A dramatic retelling of the biblical story of Noah’s Ark, it’s quite the fever trip, with some chilling scenes (the horrors of a flooded world are brought to vivid life), and a very strong performance from Russell Crowe as the eponymous Noah. Its larger environmental message isn’t exactly subtle, but it’s a warning we needed to heed back in 2014, and most certainly still do more than a decade later.

You might know the story of Noah — a man chosen by God to build an ark that will rescue various animals from a great flood set to wipe out the sinful humans inhabiting the Earth — but Aronofsky breathes new life into this story told for centuries. “Noah” falls somewhere between an epic drama and an existential horror, which makes for quite an epic. Alongside Crowe, it stars Jennifer Connelly, Ray Winstone. Emma Watson and Anthony Hopkins.

Watch "Noah on Paramount+ now

‘Horrible Bosses’ (2011)

Looking for some wish fulfillment this weekend? Then how about a crude 2010s comedy in which a trio of beaten-down employees hatches a hair-brained scheme to eliminate their bosses? It’s a high-concept idea that will appeal to anybody who’s ever worked under a nightmare boss. It also boasts a strong cast of very funny actors including Jason Bateman, Charlie Day, Jason Sudeikis, Jennifer Aniston, Colin Farrell and Jamie Foxx.

Nick (Bateman), Dale (Day) and Kurt (Sudeikis) all have reasons to loathe their bosses (Aniston, Farrell and Kevin Spacey), and after a night of consuming one too many beers they decide to eliminate them. This sees them turn to a hitman (Foxx), who instead offers to act as a “murder consultant,” and so begins a series of barely thought-out plans that naturally do not play out as expected. It’s an extremely silly movie, but in a guilty pleasure sort of way.

Watch "Horrible Bosses" on Paramount+ now

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Halloween season can’t all be scary movies and gorging on candy corn. You have to pace yourselves, people. While the best streaming services are rightly serving up all sorts of gore-fests and spooky chillers, I’ve only picked one ghostly movie from my trio of Hulu choices for your streaming consideration this weekend.

While you should definitely check out a bunch of new horror movies before the end of the month, I urge you to give my Hulu picks a watch first. And honestly, I shouldn’t need to twist your arm too much, considering two of my choices are all-time greats.

“Die Hard” is one of my favorite action movies ever, and you don't need to wait until Christmas to partake in its festive thrills. “Ghostbusters” is obviously more seasonally appropriate, and it’s a fellow timeless ‘80s masterpiece I’ll never tire of watching. Lastly, I suggest you stream “The Hunger Games” franchise. The first four sci-fi hits are now all on Hulu ahead of the latest prequel instalment heading to theaters next month.

These movies should keep you thoroughly glued to your TV this weekend, and once you’ve busted out your proton pack and dusted off your best bloodied tank top, you can sift through everything new to Hulu and Disney+ this month.

'The Hunger Games' Saga (2012-2023)

Genre: Dystopian sci-fi

What’s it about? This four-part franchise has since been followed up by a 2023 prequel, with another entry on the way next month. Focusing on the tense, life-or-death struggles of young Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence), our heroine takes her sister’s place in the titular “Hunger Games”. As the saga ticks along, the stakes ratchet up, with Katniss leading a full-blown rebellion against the oppressive high society forces who want to keep the impoverished in their place.

Why you need to watch it: Now is the perfect time to catch up on this sci-fi saga, with the second prequel entry “The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping” hitting cinemas on November 26. The franchise that made J-Law a star is well worth revisiting thanks to its tight action, winning cast and first-class costumes.

Stream "The Hunger Games" on Hulu now

'Die Hard' (1988)

Genre: Action/Thriller

What’s it about? Wisecracking yet hardnosed NYC detective John McClane (Bruce Willis) attends a party on Christmas Eve in L.A. to try and reconcile with his wife Holly (Bonnie Bedelia). Annoyingly for poor John, he barely gets time to finish his eggnog before Nakatomi Plaza is invaded by European terrorists, who promptly take everyone hostage… sans McClane. Led by the charismatic Hans Gruber (the late, great Alan Rickman), John must outwit these armed thieves with the outside help of good-natured cop Al Powell (Reginald VelJohnson).

Why you need to watch it: Look, it’s definitely a Christmas movie, okay? Just because we’re a while away from Santa’s big day doesn’t mean you shouldn’t check out this action classic this weekend. Heck, we might be dealing with the best actioner ever made. The critical consensus on Rotten Tomatoes would certainly have it in the conversation, where Bruce Willis’ finest moment holds a sterling 94% approval rating.

Watch "Die Hard" on Hulu now

'Ghostbusters' (1984)

Genre: Comedy/Horror

What’s it about? An all-time ‘80s masterpiece. When three parapsychology professors Dr. Ray Stantz (Dan Aykroyd), Dr. Egon Spengler (Harold Ramis), and Dr. Peter Venkman (Bill Murray) lose their jobs at a university in New York, they swiftly set up a paranormal investigation agency. Thus the titular “Ghostbusters” are born. After catching a ghost in a library and getting thoroughly slimmed by a certain glutenous green ghoul, our heroes face more deadly challenges in the form of Gozer, a malevolent Sumerian god.

Why you need to watch it: Hoo-boy does bustin’ ever make me feel good. That iconic Ray Parker Jr. banger! Crossing the streams! Stay Puft’s rampage through downtown NYC! Who needs Godzilla when we’ve got a 100-foot-tall marshmallow man on the loose. Filled with iconic lines and with star turns from Murray, Aykroyd and Sigourney Weaver, ‘80s movies don’t come anymore iconic. Just don’t mention “Ghostbusters 2”.

Watch "Ghostbusters" on Hulu now

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• Hulu adds a horror movie you need to watch this Halloween

Looking for something new to watch on Netflix this weekend? You're in luck, because there are a few fresh additions worth making room for on your watchlist. Whether you’re in the mood for a star-studded thriller film, a horror comedy to get into the Halloween spirit or an absolute classic, this week’s new arrivals offer plenty of options for your next movie night.

Of course, Netflix’s ever-growing library can make finding something worth watching feel like a challenge in itself. I’ve picked out three of the best new movies to stream this weekend, focusing on films that deserve a spot on your watchlist. Plus, some of these picks are already in the streamer’s top 10.

‘Sacrifice’ (2026)

“Sacrifice” has just landed on Netflix, and I wouldn’t be surprised if it climbs to No. 1 over the weekend given its star power. Directed by Romain Gavras, this dark-comedy thriller pairs explosive action with sharp satire, taking aim at celebrity culture against a backdrop of apocalyptic chaos and bizarre religious mythology. The movie also has a pretty intriguing lineup of appearances, including Charli xcx as Mother Nature and Swedish musician Yung Lean, also known as Jonatan Leandoer. With its wild premise, striking visuals and high energy, this one could be one of the month’s most pleasant surprises.

Mike Tyler (Chris Evans) is a struggling action movie star hoping to revive his career at a glamorous environmental charity gala on a Greek island. Hosted by billionaire Ben Bracken (Vincent Cassel) and his wife, Gloria (Salma Hayek), the star-studded event takes a terrifying turn when Joan (Anya Taylor-Joy) and her radical followers storm the venue and take several guests hostage. Convinced that a catastrophic volcanic eruption will destroy the world within three days, Joan believes three people must be sacrificed to prevent the disaster.

Watch "Sacrifice" on Netflix

‘Cocaine Bear’ (2023)

If you’re in the mood for something completely bonkers, “Cocaine Bear” is a horror-comedy that really goes all in on its ridiculous premise. The movie takes inspiration from a bizarre real-life incident in 1985, when a black bear in Georgia ingested cocaine from a discarded duffel bag. From there, it imagines what might happen if the animal went on a violent rampage, with plenty of bloody kills, outrageous set pieces and dark comedy along the way. It’s a pretty wild ride that takes inspiration from classic creature features, so don’t expect it to hold back on the gore or the ridiculousness.

“Cocaine Bear” follows a group of strangers who meet in a Georgia forest after a black bear consumes a massive quantity of cocaine. Among them are nurse Sari (Keri Russell), who ventures into the woods to search for her missing daughter, Dee Dee (Brooklynn Prince), and her daughter’s friend, Henry (Christian Convery). Meanwhile, drug dealers Daveed (O'Shea Jackson Jr.) and Eddie (Alden Ehrenreich) arrive to recover the missing stash, while local police and unsuspecting visitors find themselves caught in the chaos.

Watch "Cocaine Bear" on Netflix

‘Heat’ (1995)

Classic movie fans have a real treat waiting for them on Netflix, as Michael Mann’s “Heat” is now available to stream. This iconic crime thriller is essential viewing if you love a gripping story packed with tension, slick action and unforgettable performances. It also brought Al Pacino and Robert De Niro together on screen for the first time in the same scene, with their legendary diner conversation becoming one of the movie’s most memorable moments. Honestly, “Heat” is one of those classics you really need to watch if you (somehow) haven’t already.

Neil McCauley (Robert De Niro) is a highly skilled professional thief planning one final major robbery before leaving his criminal life behind. However, after a heist goes wrong, the Los Angeles Police Department begins closing in on his crew. Leading the investigation is Lieutenant Vincent Hanna (Al Pacino), a relentless detective determined to bring Neil to justice. As Hanna tracks the gang’s movements, Neil prepares for an ambitious bank robbery that could secure his future. With both men remaining dedicated to their respective jobs, their paths eventually collide in an increasingly dangerous pursuit.

Watch "Heat" on Netflix

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Michael Myers’ favorite time of year is almost here. With Halloween right around the corner, the new on Prime Video in October 2026 schedule is peppered with spooky shows.

First up for your streaming consideration is “Carrie”. This outstanding update of Stephen King’s iconic novel is an eight-part supernatural chiller helmed by Mike Flanagan. Sensitively handled and genuinely unsettling, newcomer Summer H. Howell shines as the bullied teen who deals with trauma by developing telekinetic powers.

Craving something equally twisted? May I present “Helluva Boss”. Now back for its third season, this adult animation with the odd musical interlude once again follows Blitzo and his demonic crew as they carry out hits for the grudge-bearing residents of Hell.

Lastly, we have “Chucky”. All three seasons of this small-screen spin on the legendary homicidal doll are now available to stream. Good Guys definitely don’t finish last in this darkly comedic reboot of a legit horror icon.

Hungry for more details? Here are three top picks that are worth streaming on Prime Video this weekend. Get ready to carve those pumpkins, people. All Hallow’s Eve is almost upon us.

'Carrie' (2026)

What it’s about: In this modern update of a horror classic, Carrie White is played by Summer H. Howell. The action picks up right after the bright but socially ostracized teen loses her father. Having been homeschooled her whole life, the sudden passing of her parent forces Carrie to attend public school for the first time. Cue a vicious cycle of bullying from her classmates that touches upon the perils of social media abuse. The mental anguish Carrie suffers soon awakens telekinetic abilities, culminating in a famously bloody prom night.

Why you should watch it: A reimagination of Brian De Palma’s iconic 1977 horror film, which was based on the hit Stephen King novel, “Carrie” is the ideal binge-watch for this Halloween season. The modern take on teen bullying hits hard, and newcomer Howell is absolutely superb in the titular role.

Stream "Carrie" on Prime Video now

'Helluva Boss' (2019)

What it’s about: A dark adult animation that follows the musical misadventures of I.M.P. (Immediate Murder Professionals). This not-so-merry band of demonic assassins is tasked with handling the wet work of disgruntled sinners serving eternity in Hell, all of whom want to enact revenge on the living. I.M.P.’s leader Blitzo and their team can’t reach Earth without a magic book, so the loud-mouthed ghoul is forced into a romance with the demon prince Stolas, who just so happens to possess such a supernatural tome.

Why you should watch it: “Helluva Boss” has come a hell of a long way since its origins as an animated YouTube sketch series. Season three is the longest yet, with a promised 15 episodes (the last eight are set to air in 2027). The show’s demented laughs and colorful musical numbers deliver twisted good times.

Stream "Helluva Boss" on Prime Video now

'Chucky' (2021)

What it’s about: The most famous killer doll in the history of cinema comes to the small screen in a three-season show that combines chuckles and knife-wielding deaths. Unlike the movies, this streaming hit features flashbacks that lift the lid on Chucky’s past to a time when he was known as the Lakeshore Strangler. In the present, the former Charles Lee Ray terrorizes a town in New Jersey after he’s picked up by a lonely teen. Fan favorites from the flicks also return, including Jennifer Tilly’s Tiffany Valentine — our devil doll’s love interest first seen in 1998’s “Bride of Chucky”.

Why you should watch it: Brad Dourif is in typically delicious form playing the Good Guy doll gone bad. Though season one is relatively grounded (well, by killer doll standards), the action soon escalates, with the possessed proceedings eventually reaching the White House. Do we wanna play, Chucky? You bet!

Stream "Chucky" on Prime Video now

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The idea of getting swallowed by a whale and having just 60 minutes to escape its stomach is pretty wild, especially when you’re trying to turn it into a feature-length movie. But that’s exactly what makes “Whalefall” such an intriguing premise. Director Brian Duffield adapts Daniel Kraus’ 2023 novel, which was inspired by a viral video of kayakers who nearly ended up inside a humpback whale’s mouth. That real-life encounter sparked an idea that eventually grew into a full-blown survival thriller, with Austin Abrams playing the unfortunate soul who finds himself trapped inside the enormous animal.

While I knew the basic premise of "Whalefall" going in, I’d deliberately avoided most of the trailers. The movie follows Jay Gardiner (Abrams), a young scuba diver searching for his late father’s (Josh Brolin) remains off the California coast. But things take a terrifying turn when a massive sperm whale swallows him whole, leaving him with just one hour of oxygen to find a way out. As you’d expect, much of the movie sees Jay trapped inside the whale’s stomach, battling stomach acid and the animal’s digestive process while confronting his troubled past and fighting to stay alive.

If you’re thinking of catching this new survival thriller in theaters this weekend, here are my honest thoughts on “Whalefall” to help you decide whether it’s worth the price of a ticket.

‘Whalefall’ is an absolute breath-taker

Survival thrillers have a way of making you sweat, gasp and grip your seat, sometimes all within the space of a few minutes. “Whalefall” plays into that perfectly, and with a premise like this, it knows exactly how to get a visceral reaction out of its audience.

I certainly found myself cringing and tensing up in my seat, especially when Jay gets caught in the crosshairs of a giant sperm whale hunting a squid and ends up becoming the whale’s next meal. The whole sequence is incredibly tense because you know Jay isn’t going to be able to swim away. Instead, he wakes up trapped inside the animal’s stomach, with just 60 minutes to escape.

“Whalefall” does a solid job of making the inside of a whale’s stomach look as gross as you’d imagine, with slimy walls and a bizarre collection of fish and other objects it’s swallowed. Watching Jay trapped in this claustrophobic space as he desperately searches for a way out is stressful enough, but things get even nastier when the whale’s stomach starts contracting to crush and digest its food. Seriously gross stuff.

Abrams also does a fantastic job of making Jay’s terror feel real as he struggles to breathe in the toxic air and squeezes through different openings in search of an escape, even if that means accidentally dropping into some acidic goo along the way.

The scenes with Jay trapped inside the whale are easily the strongest parts of “Whalefall.” It’s everything outside of that which weakens an otherwise interesting story. The flashbacks exploring Jay’s complicated relationship with his father, Mitt, are compelling, thanks to strong performances from both Abrams and Brolin. There’s plenty of emotional baggage here, too, which makes Jay’s desperate search for his father’s remains even more heartbreaking. However, some of the flashbacks feel a little too convenient.

Having Jay suddenly remember something his father taught him, like how to treat a wound or slow his breathing, takes away some of the urgency when I’d rather see him figure things out for himself in the moment. There’s also a moment in the third act that takes away some of the seriousness of the situation. Without giving too much away, Jay starts hallucinating from a lack of oxygen and ends up talking to the whale.

I can see how some audiences might appreciate a bit of humor after such an intense hour, but I would’ve preferred to see more panic and fear instead. Still, “Whalefall” is a solid survival thriller that’s at its best when all you’re seeing is the whale’s belly.

Verdict: ‘Whalefall’ is a survival thriller worth holding your breath for

“Whalefall” is definitely one of the year’s best survival thrillers, and I’d recommend catching it on the big screen if you’re after something seriously intense this weekend. It’s even more fascinating knowing the story was very loosely inspired by a real-life incident involving people who nearly ended up in a similar situation. The team behind the movie also worked closely with marine biologists and whale experts to make sure the science felt as believable as possible. Both the original novel and the film draw on scientific research to explore what might actually happen if a person ended up inside a sperm whale.

Even though “Whalefall” struggles a little with its storytelling, particularly when the constant flashbacks interrupt Jay’s escape, I still found it incredibly effective. The film fully commits to its unusual premise rather than treating it as a throwaway gimmick, giving us a strange mix of body horror, family drama and bigger questions about life and survival. It’s certainly not perfect, but it’s the kind of movie you really have to see to believe.

"Whalefall" is now in theaters

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Going into Lance Oppenheim and Nathan Fielder’s documentary “You Can See Everything,” I was dealing with mixed expectations. I think Oppenheim is one of the most talented documentary filmmakers currently working, thanks to feature films “Some Kind of Heaven” and “Spermworld” and HBO series “Ren Faire.” But I can’t stand Fielder and his prank-style cringe-comedy reality shows “Nathan for You” and “The Rehearsal.”

So despite the over-the-top positive reactions from early film festival screenings, I wasn’t sure how I would respond to the duo’s film about convicted fraudster Elizabeth Holmes.

Although Fielder’s onscreen presence is prominent, especially in the second half of the nearly three-hour movie, “You Can See Everything” feels more serious and less smug than his TV shows, perhaps because the often manipulative Fielder is facing someone nearly as manipulative as he is, if not more so. Oppenheim’s familiar oversaturated visual style is toned down a bit, but “You Can See Everything” still looks more cinematic than Fielder’s TV shows, and even before the movie starts relying heavily on re-enactments, it has a docu-fiction feel, as Oppenheim has employed in his past work.

As someone deeply skeptical of Fielder’s persona and vision, I found myself mostly engrossed by “You Can See Everything,” particularly during the first half, in which Fielder spends time with Holmes and her husband, Billy Evans, in the month before her incarceration. It may not be one of the greatest documentaries ever made or a contender for the first documentary to be nominated for a Best Picture Oscar, but it’s still fascinating and ambitious, offering a fresh take on a news story that has already received extensive pop-culture coverage.

‘You Can See Everything’ is a character study of an inscrutable character

The movie begins in 2023, 34 days before Holmes is set to begin her 11-year sentence in federal prison for defrauding investors in her medical start-up Theranos. Although she hasn’t spoken to the press in years, Holmes and Evans invite Fielder and Oppenheim into their San Diego, California, home with theoretically unrestricted access, even allowing Fielder to stay in the guest suite. The couple, who have two young children, are a mesmerizing combination of transparent and evasive, theoretically answering all of Fielder’s questions while avoiding any sense of accountability or self-reflection.

Holmes steadfastly maintains her innocence, in a matter that is either naïvely sincere or deviously deceptive, and even Fielder can’t figure out which one it is. Evans is much easier to read, and he increasingly comes across as the villain, someone who’s using Holmes’ infamy to further his own hunger for recognition, even though he comes from a wealthy family and Holmes is essentially broke after her criminal convictions.

While Fielder is known for concocting elaborate, multilayered scenarios around his often unwitting subjects in his TV shows, no such subterfuge is necessary here. All he has to do is ask some basic follow-up questions in order to get Holmes and Evans to reveal their deranged perspectives, which they seem unable to view as anything but normal.

There’s a stunning sequence in which Fielder shows the couple the classic Abbott and Costello routine “Who’s on First?” as a way of illustrating his frustration with Holmes’ opaque responses, and she completely fails to understand the core concept behind one of the most famous comedy bits of all time.

‘You Can See Everything’ falters when it gets more meta

At the halfway point, “You Can See Everything” shifts gears into a different sort of movie, one that more closely resembles Fielder’s work on “The Rehearsal.” With Holmes now in prison, Fielder has no way to continue interacting with his subject, and his relationship with the belligerent, controlling Evans becomes more and more combative. So Fielder and Oppenheim bring in a ringer, a famous person closely associated with Holmes who provides a welcome outside point of view and also allows the filmmakers to re-enact scenes with Holmes that they can’t film.

Those re-enactments aren’t quite as illuminating as the filmmakers make them out to be, and Fielder falls back on the kind of self-congratulatory cleverness that can make his TV shows uncomfortable and unpleasant to watch. Still, he’s well-matched by both Holmes and his later onscreen collaborator, who push back in ways that the ordinary people he’s targeted on TV are unable to do.

The co-star in the film’s second half is being treated as a spoiler, but her open, enthusiastic participation would be a more effective marketing tool than the dueling creepy stares of Fielder and Holmes.

Verdict: ‘You Can See Everything’ is a bold take on a well-worn subject

After the hit Hulu series “The Dropout” and director Alex Gibney’s documentary “The Inventor: Out for Blood in Silicon Valley,” not to mention the books, podcasts and news magazines, it would be easy to assume that there’s nothing left to say about Holmes and her crimes. But Fielder and Oppenheim confidently counteract that assumption by merely spending time with this strange, intense woman, whose often unblinking gaze and odd manner of speaking are unsettling all on their own.

Does “You Can See Everything” belong on the list of the best documentaries of all time? No, and the way it captures a specific moment in the news cycle means that it may look dated within a few years. But it’s certainly one of the most striking documentaries of 2026, created by filmmakers who aren’t afraid of taking chances and looking foolish.

The ironic distance of Fielder’s other work melts away in the face of such a bizarre, unknowable subject, and that makes the movie more challenging and more rewarding.

“You Can See Everything” opens Oct. 16 in theaters

Every week, I comb through the latest movies added to Netflix to pick out the best thrillers. The genre is hugely popular with subscribers, and I understand why. I also love a great thriller flick.

My picks this week include a new dark comedy with a star-studded cast, including Steve Rogers himself, Chris Evans. Or how about one of the most acclaimed crime thrillers of the 1990s, with its own hugely impressive cast list? Or, if you haven't seen Ben Affleck's new Netflix movie yet, then you might want to check out "Animals."

These are the new to Netflix thriller movies I recommend this week. And if you really can't get enough of the genre, check out my guide to the latest thriller movies added to Prime Video.

‘Sacrifice’ (2025)

Netflix has picked up U.S. distribution rights for “Sacrifice,” a dark comedy thriller that stars Chris Evans, Anya Taylor-Joy, Vincent Cassel, John Malkovich and Salma Hayek. That’s quite the cast list, and its kooky doomsday cult premise certainly catches the attention. Less encouraging is its very weak 35% score on Rotten Tomatoes after debuting at last year’s Toronto International Film Festival. But maybe the star power will be enough to sway you.

Directed by Romain Gavras, “Sacrifice” focuses on a radical group, led by Joan (Taylor-Joy), convinced they must cleanse the Earth to prevent an impending volcanic apocalypse. To save humanity, they abduct three people, among them a movie star making a comeback (Evans), with plans to sacrifice them as part of a ritual. As a chaotic night unfolds, the lines between sacrifice and savior blur, and the already farcical events spiral out of control.

Watch "Sacrifice" on Netflix starting October 16

‘Heat’ (1995)

Speaking of stacked casts, how about this for a headline trio: Robert De Niro, Al Pacino and Val Kilmer. “Heat” is not just one of the 1990s' most epic crime thrillers, but ranks among the genre greats, inspiring countless imitators. However, matching the bar Michael Mann set is certainly no easy feat. Here’s hoping the in-production sequel, which will star Leonardo DiCaprio and Christian Bale, can live up to the impressive legacy of the original “Heat."

Neil McCauley (De Niro) is a master career thief planning one last major score before retirement. At the same time, Lieutenant Hanna (Pacino) is on his tail, willing to go to extreme lengths to catch McCauley and his crew (which includes Kilmer). As this cat-and-mouse game unfolds and heads towards a fateful final confrontation, these two men on opposite sides of the law develop a surprisingly mutual respect.

Watch "Heat" on Netflix starting October 16

‘Animals’ (2026)

Netflix’s latest original thriller continues to sit pretty at the top of the most-watched list. Almost a week after its debut, it hasn’t moved from the No. 1 spot. I’m not surprised; with Ben Affleck in the lead role (and also directing), and a compelling core premise, this movie was always going to be popular. Even though I think it’s merely a serviceable thriller that never rises to become truly special, it’s still got enough momentum to keep you watching.

Mark Kimball (Ben Affleck) is an L.A. mayoral candidate who has secretly invested the family’s entire savings in his campaign. This decision comes back to bite him hard when his son is kidnapped, and the criminals demand an eye-watering ransom. Needing money fast, Mark and his wife (Kerry Washington) turn to a criminal fixer (Gillian Anderson), and reveal sides of their characters that were never supposed to come to light.

Watch "Animals" on Netflix now

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Netflix's “The Diplomat” has somehow gotten better with every season, which itself is a plot twist when you consider how more Netflix shows fare as they age. It could've just maintained the momentum after three seasons of political intrigue, marital warfare and Keri Russell looking increasingly disheveled. Instead, season 4 doubles down on what has always made the show so much fun: putting brilliant, deeply complicated people in rooms together and watching them try to outmaneuver one another while barely holding their personal lives together.

I've now watched all eight episodes of season 4, and I can say that "The Diplomat" remains one of Netflix's best dramas — if not the very best. The plotting is intricate without becoming incomprehensible, the stakes continue to escalate and the show has added two major weapons to its already formidable arsenal: Allison Janney and Bradley Whitford. Their arrival as President Grace Penn and First Gentleman Todd Penn was already a highlight of season 3, but season 4 brings them much further into the action, and the results are fantastic. Janney, Whitford, Russell and Rufus Sewell have the kind of chemistry where they could just read an encyclopedia together and it'd be high theater.

So what makes "The Diplomat" season 4 work so well? It's not just the increasingly high-stakes geopolitical maneuvering, but the complicated personal relationships that make every backroom deal feel like a potential marriage-ending argument. And this season has plenty of both.

‘The Diplomat’ keeps the political thrills coming

Season 4 picks up the complicated threads left dangling at the end of season 3, particularly the fallout from Grace and Hal's secret operation involving Russia's Poseidon weapon. From there, things get considerably more dangerous, with Kate caught between competing political agendas and her own increasingly complicated relationship with Hal.

What I've always appreciated about “The Diplomat” is that the plot is complex without feeling like you need to do homework. Even with all of the covert operations, shifting alliances, international brinkmanship and diplomatic schemes, there's a clear and comprehensible throughline connecting this season to everything that came before it.

This time around, a new threat puts President Grace Penn on an increasingly hawkish footing, increasing the pressure on everyone caught in her orbit. Meanwhile, First Gentleman Todd Penn becomes more involved in the geopolitical game, complicating an already precarious balance of power. His influence on Grace adds another unpredictable element to the mix, especially as he and Kate find themselves navigating an uneasy alliance.

The one slight weakness is that Russia continues to function more as a looming boogeyman than an actual presence. The threat is certainly there, and the geopolitical stakes are enormous, but the show is more interested in what its American and British characters think Russia might do than in showing us much of Russia itself. That's not necessarily a big problem, but it does make some of the consequences feel a bit abstract.

Fortunately, “The Diplomat” has never really depended on its geopolitical machinations alone. The political crises are the engine, but the relationships are the reason you keep watching

The relationships are what make ‘The Diplomat’ so addictive

The real heart of season 4 is Kate and Hal's marriage, which remains an absolute disaster in the most compelling possible way. Their relationship is so tangled, competitive and electric that it's almost impossible to look away. Kate is still not sure if their marriage is worth saving, while Hal has a remarkable ability to make every situation approximately 487 times more infuriating.

I do miss Kate's flirtation with Austin Denison, though. With David Gyasi's British foreign secretary spending much of this season offscreen, that particular spark is largely absent. And I'm not nearly as invested in Kate's fling with Callum Ellis (Aidan Turner). Still, the show has always been at its best when Kate and Hal are orbiting one another, whether they're fighting, flirting or trying to save the free world.

Whitford gets considerably more to do this season, and his scenes with Russell add very interesting layers to the mix. Janney continues to give an Emmy-worthy performance as Grace, and I love the interplay between her and Whitford, as well as Russell and Sewell (and all permutations of the quartet).

Then there's Stuart (Ato Essandoh) and Eidra (Ali Ahn), whose relationship continues to be one of my favorites on the show. Things escalate between them in season 4, and somehow their already unusual dynamic becomes even more delightfully weird and banter-iffic.

And then Jodie Whittaker arrives as a high-ranking British politician, and she is terrific. Her rapport with Russell is immediate, giving Kate another formidable personality to spar with.

Verdict: 'The Diplomat' remains one of the best shows on TV

Four seasons in, “The Diplomat” is somehow getting better, with intricate political plotting and messy relationships that keep you hooked. Keri Russell, Rufus Sewell, Allison Janney and Bradley Whitford are firing on all cylinders, making this another must-watch season despite a few minor missteps.

What really sets the show apart, though, is how effortlessly it balances international intrigue with the messy business of being married to someone who might just be your biggest rival. The plot will keep you hitting “Next Episode,” but it's the characters who make you glad you did.

"The Diplomat" season 4 is streaming now on Netflix

Spooky season is the perfect time for a trip back to Crystal Lake, and this time, we’re going back to where it all began. “Crystal Lake” is a prequel series to the iconic “Friday the 13th” franchise, revisiting the world that made Jason Voorhees one of horror’s most recognizable villains. With Brad Caleb Kane, best known for his work on “Welcome to Derry,” at the helm as showrunner, “Crystal Lake” has the potential to bring something fresh to a familiar slasher story while honoring the original movie that started it all.

Set before the events of the 1980 film, “Crystal Lake” takes us back to the early days of the infamous lakeside community. The series explores the events surrounding Jason’s drowning and the life of his mother, Pamela Voorhees, played by Linda Cardellini. Rather than simply revisiting the familiar story of a killer stalking campers, this prequel gives us a closer look at the people and circumstances that helped shape the franchise’s brutal history. It's a chance to dig into the origins of a horror legend and see how the nightmare began.

As a huge horror fan and someone who’s always had a soft spot for the “Friday the 13th” franchise, I was eager to see what this new series would bring to the table. I’ve watched “Crystal Lake” and am ready to share my honest thoughts on this new horror series, now streaming on Peacock.

‘Crystal Lake’ is a real treat for ‘Friday the 13th’ fans

I wasn’t entirely sure how I felt about diving into Pamela Voorhees’ backstory, especially with “Crystal Lake” making changes to established “Friday the 13th” canon. Shifting Jason’s drowning timeline and altering other details from the 1980 original had me a little concerned. There’s also the risk of overexplaining a franchise that started with a pretty simple premise, potentially losing some of the mystery and no-frills slasher fun that made it so popular in the first place.

Thankfully, I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the show’s approach. Rather than relying entirely on gruesome kills, “Crystal Lake” gives Pamela’s grief and trauma plenty of room to breathe. The series actually dives straight into the tragedy of Jason’s drowning, and the flashbacks showing the two together make his loss feel even more heartbreaking. They also help explain why Pamela becomes increasingly withdrawn, giving her a depth we don’t really get to see in the original movie.

The love for the franchise is also clear from the opening episodes. The recreation of the summer camp is fantastic, from the familiar dock and cabins to Pamela’s jeep and iconic sweater. These little details make “Crystal Lake” feel like a genuine return to the franchise’s roots, even as it explores parts of Pamela’s story we’ve never seen before.

At its heart, “Crystal Lake” is all about Pamela going completely off the rails, and honestly, I’m here for it. Linda Cardellini delivers one of my favorite performances of the year, throwing herself into the role with such wild abandon that it’s impossible not to have fun watching her. The show goes to some seriously strange places, but I loved how willing it was to embrace its more ridiculous instincts. Showrunner Brad Caleb Kane clearly understands what makes “Friday the 13th” work.

The series gets the franchise’s bloody, campy spirit right, with creative kills, practical gore and a convincing ’70s setting that makes it feel like a proper part of the series. There’s plenty of gruesome fun for longtime fans, but the show also gives Cardellini room to turn Pamela into a compelling character in her own right. Not every horror classic needs a prequel, but “Crystal Lake” makes a pretty convincing case for this one. It’s bloody, bonkers and surprisingly compelling, giving Pamela Voorhees the spotlight she deserves.

Verdict: ‘Crystal Lake’ is the slasher prequel I wanted

“Crystal Lake” is also a visual treat, with plenty of little details that show how much care has gone into bringing this world to life. I particularly liked how the first episode uses the classic title card from the original “Friday the 13th,” while the rest feature striking, artistic opening sequences that give each episode its own identity. It’s a lovely touch that makes the series feel even more connected to the franchise.

Overall, this series is exactly the kind of prequel I wanted from “Friday the 13th.” It understands that this franchise is at its best when it embraces the ridiculous side of slasher horror, delivering plenty of creative kills, gruesome practical effects and moments that had me grinning. Linda Cardellini is the real standout, though, giving Pamela so much personality that I was just as invested in her story as I was in the bloody chaos unfolding around her. Consider this my invitation to spend a little more time at camp.

"Crystal Lake" is streaming on Peacock

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Screen-less fitness trackers like Oura Ring, Whoop 5.0, and Garmin Cirqa may be the hot accessory in 2026, but I, for one, am thrilled to see Google finally add a new, petite screen-sporting wearable, the Fitbit Edge, to its portfolio.

The Fitbit Edge is a $179 follow-up to 2023’s Fitbit Charge 6, one of the best fitness trackers of all time, and a contemporary sibling to the screen-free Fitbit Air, another top-performing tracker. More advanced than the Air, the Fitbit Edge sits below the Google Pixel Watch 5, which is, you guessed it, one of the best smartwatches in 2026.

I lead TG’s wearable tech coverage, and I’ve been hoping for a Fitbit Charge 6 replacement for years. Now that it’s finally here, it’s time to decide whether or not it truly lives up to my expectations. With that in mind, here are the five biggest reasons to buy the new Fitbit Edge and the two biggest reasons to skip it, based on my initial impressions.

Buy: Onboard GPS

Two major design factors set the new $179 Fitbit Edge apart from the $99 Fitbit Air; the first is onboard GPS. Do you frequently log outdoor workouts, like walks, hikes, runs, and bike rides? If so, the Fitbit Edge will likely be a better choice for you than the Air. Why?

Because the Fitbit Air lacks onboard GPS, users have to carry a paired smartphone when recording outdoor activities if they want accurate location-based data for metrics like distance, pace, and climb. On the flip side, the Fitbit Edge has a built-in GPS antenna, allowing you to log that same data without the extra bulk of your smartphone.

The Edge even sports an onboard altimeter for on-device elevation tracking. As an avid mountain sports enthusiast, this is something I seriously appreciate.

Buy: 1.34-inch display

The second, perhaps more obvious difference between the Fitbit Edge and Fitbit Air is that the former has a display; the latter does not. The Edge’s 1.34-inch AMOLED touchscreen may not be enormous, but it represents a decent upgrade over the Fitbit Charge 6’s 1.04-inch display.

Unlike the Fitbit Air, users can start and stop workouts on the Edge without needing to open the companion Google Health app on their phone. You can also view your post-workout stats, recent sleep reports, current heart rate, mirrored smartphone notifications, and more.

Buy: Comprehensive holistic insights

Speaking of wellness, the Fitbit Edge is positively brimming with state-of-the-art holistic features, including heart rate variability monitoring, AFib detection, blood oxygen saturation measurements, continuous heart rate, breath rate, and skin temperature monitoring while you sleep, women’s health tracking, Loss of Pulse Detection, and even Breathing Emergency alerts.

Buy: Petite case design

I’m positively allergic to bulky wearables, which is why I’m such a big fan of the Fitbit Air. Not only is it one of the smallest, lightest fitness trackers on the market today and super comfy on the wrist, but it barely even looks like a piece of wearable tech.

The Fitbit Edge is a little less discreet, thanks to its 1.34-inch AMOLED screen. It’s also a bit larger and heavier than its stripped-back sibling. That said, the Fitbit Edge is roughly the same size as its easy-wearing, sleek-ish predecessor, the Fitbit Charge 6, and also a little lighter.

Buy: Compatibility with Android and iOS

Unlike the latest Pixel Watch series, the Fitbit Edge (like the Air) plays nicely with both Android and iOS smartphones. Better yet, the Edge supports mirrored smartphone notifications regardless of which OS you use. There are even a handful of basic pre-written quick replies you can use to quickly respond to texts.

Additionally, the Edge supports universal music control from any Bluetooth-connected device.

Skip: Some features are paywalled

While Google offers a lot of impressive wellness features for free, some of the more advanced, personalized insights and tools require a Google Health Premium subscription for $9.99 a month or $99 annually.

Paywalled features include adaptive fitness plans, sleep coaching tips, blood pressure and insulin resistance trend reports, and personalized metabolic recommendations.

Skip: Lacks NFC for contactless payments

All in all, the Fitbit Edge feels like a proper upgrade to the beloved Fitbit Charge 6 in all but one key way: it lacks NFC. So, while 2023’s Charge 6 supports Google Wallet for contactless payments, Fitbit Edge owners will have to carry a credit card or smartphone to pay for their post-hike pint or after-run pick-me-up.

What are your thoughts on the new Fitbit Edge? Let me know below. And stay tuned for my full review, coming soon.

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Ben Affleck’s new crime thriller “Animals” is now streaming and showing no signs of relinquishing the global No. 1 spot any time soon. As I said in my “Animals” review, it’s a serviceable crime thriller, but lacks the memorable moments and bite of the genre's best.

If you’ve already streamed “Animals” and are looking for your next thrilling watch, then I can help. Below I’ve collected five similar movies (similarities include the talent, plot or setting) that should be on your watchlist. More importantly, each of these movies does many of the same things as “Animals,” but in far superior ways.

So whether you enjoyed “Animals” or found it to be yet another Netflix original disappointment, these are the five movies you need to watch next, and I’ve also included where you can stream them right now to save you time having to scroll through libraries.

‘Gone Baby Gone’ (2007)

“Animals” marks Ben Affleck’s sixth movie as a director, but flash back to 2007, and he was making his directorial debut with “Gone Baby Gone.” A twisting crime thriller that is arguably still his strongest effort to date. Affleck opted not to star in this movie so he could focus on his work behind the camera. However, the movie’s a family affair with Ben’s brother, Casey Affleck, an Oscar winner, playing the lead role of a private detective on the streets of Boston.

When a 4-year-old child is abducted, private investigator Patrick Kenzie (Casey Affleck) and his partner, Angie (Michelle Monaghan), are on the case. The police believe the case has gone cold after the young girl has been missing for 72 hours. However, Patrick knows the city streets and its seedy underbelly better than anybody. He’s determined to reunite mother and daughter, but as he gets close to the truth, he uncovers something shocking.

Watch "Gone Baby Gone" on Paramount+ now

‘Prisoners’ (2013)

“Animals” is a movie about a desperate father navigating a kidnapping situation, exposing darker sides of his character in the process. It’s by no means the first thriller to tackle this subject matter. 2013’s “Prisoners” covers very similar ground. Directed by Denis Villeneuve, it’s one of the best crime thriller movies of the 21st century, with incredible performances, writing, pacing and Oscar-nominated cinematography from the one and only Roger Deakins.

When Keller Dover’s (Hugh Jackman) young daughter and her friend are kidnapped in broad daylight, he becomes increasingly frustrated at the authorities’ inability to locate the missing girls. Against the warnings of police detective Loki (Jake Gyllenhaal), he takes the matter into his own hands, willing to lose his humanity in an effort to find his daughter. Also starring Viola Davis, Paul Dano and Terrence Howard, “Prisoners” is an intense, brooding watch.

Watch "Prisoners" on Prime Video (buy/rent) now

‘The Disappearance of Alice Creed’ (2009)

In “Animals,” viewers are never shown the kidnapping occurring, nor do we follow the events from the victim's perspective. That’s not the case in “The Disappearance of Alice Creed,” a small-scale British crime thriller in which the kidnappee (is that a word?) takes center stage. It’s an exercise in doing a great deal with few resources; there are just three actors in this movie, and the thriller wrings every ounce of drama and suspense from its modest setup.

The eponymous Alice Creed (Gemma Arterton) is the only child of a wealthy family, which unfortunately makes her a target. Taken by two men, Vic (Eddie Marsan) and Danny (Martin Compston), the criminals plan to ransom Alice for a significant sum of money. However, their plan certainly doesn’t go off without a hitch. In this twist-fueled movie, it quickly becomes difficult to know where each character’s loyalties lie, as it’s revealed that not all is what it seems.

Watch "The Disappearance of Alice Creed" on Starz now

‘The Rip’ (2026)

“Animals” marked Ben Affleck’s second Netflix original movie of 2026; the first came in January, and even all these many months later, I still rank “The Rip” as the streamer’s best new movie of the year. Granted, it’s not flawless, and its lofty position perhaps speaks more to weak competition, but “The Rip” is still an enjoyable popcorn movie, even if the subtler first half is a lot more engaging than the final portion, which veers into generic action.

Set in Miami, it follows a squad of narcotics officers who find a stash of cartel money, totalling several million dollars, in a derelict house. The team’s captain (Matt Damon) breaks protocol by not calling in the find. This leads to increasing suspicions as each member of the squad starts to wonder if their colleagues are eyeing up the cash for themselves. The movie is Damon and Affleck’s first on-screen collaboration in three years, and is a rip-roaring ride.

Watch "The Rip" on Netflix now

‘Heat’ (1995)

The city of Los Angeles plays a major role in “Animals.” Ben Affleck’s Mark Kimbell is running for mayor, and the grand finale takes place on L.A.’s iconic waterway. “Heat” is another crime thriller in which the City of Angels plays a very prominent role. It’s also considered one of the most influential crime flicks ever made, and with a sequel in development (starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Christian Bale), now is a great time to stream it. So, it’s very fortunate timing that “Heat” was added to Netflix’s library earlier this week.

Directed by Michael Mann and with an almost three-hour runtime, “Heat” centers on master criminal Neil McCauley (Robert De Niro), who’s in the twilight of his career. He’s planning one last major heist before walking off into the sunset to spend his ill-gotten gains. But between his unpredictable crew, including Van Kilmer’s Chris Shiherlis, and a driven police detective (Al Pacino) closely on his tail, getting away scot-free might not be so simple.

Watch "Heat" on Prime Video now

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The MCU has reached an interesting crossroads. After years of interconnected stories building toward major cinematic events, the franchise has struggled to maintain that same momentum, with its shows playing an increasingly important role in filling the gaps between movies.

Now, Marvel is returning to one of its most intriguing characters for “VisionQuest,” the final chapter in the trilogy that began with “WandaVision” and continued with “Agatha All Along.” Picking up the threads left dangling by Wanda’s destroyed hex, the new series potentially sets up some fascinating developments for the wider MCU.

“VisionQuest” follows White Vision (Paul Bettany), who inherited the original Vision’s memories at the end of “WandaVision” but has spent years struggling to understand what they mean to him. Living quietly in Edinburgh, he attempts to make sense of humanity with help from the artificial intelligence programs inside his system, including Jarvis, Friday, and Edith.

However, his attempts to keep a low profile are interrupted when a bounty hunter comes looking for him. With the dangerous Ultron (James Spader) also lurking within his digital mind, Vision must confront his past.

Having watched the first two episodes on Disney+, I'm intrigued by the direction “VisionQuest” is taking, particularly its return to the questions of identity and memory that made “WandaVision” so compelling. Here are my honest thoughts on Marvel’s latest show.

‘VisionQuest’ gets off to a promising start

One of my favorite Marvel shows, and arguably the best in the MCU, is “WandaVision.” Not only did it offer something genuinely different from the usual superhero formula, but it also gave Wanda (Elizabeth Olsen) and Vision a deeply personal story about grief and the lengths we go to for the people we love.

The series left plenty of unanswered questions, so I was curious to see how “VisionQuest” would pick up those threads and give its title character a story of his own. Thankfully, the first two episodes show some promise. We find the current version of Vision working in the Edinburgh pub he visited with Wanda, with glimpses of his former life suggesting that, despite his efforts to move forward, those memories still linger.

More importantly, the premiere gives this new version of Vision a clear purpose, but his journey isn't just about what happens in the outside world. One of the show’s most interesting concepts is Vision’s mindspace, a digital world inside his own mind where the AI programs stored in his system take on human forms and interact with him.

Jarvis (James D'Arcy), Friday (Orla Brady) and Edith (Emily Hampshire) are all present, while Ultron (James Spader) is kept behind a firewall due to the threat he poses. It's a fascinating way to explore Vision’s inner workings, and Ultron’s presence adds a much darker, more foreboding edge to the story.

The show also introduces Thomas (Ruaridh Mollica), a teenager and grifter who experiences panic attacks and struggles with memories of a life he doesn’t believe is his own. Those memories belong to Tommy, the son of Wanda and Vision whose soul was transferred into Thomas’ body after the events of “Agatha All Along,” when his brother Billy (Joe Locke) used his magic to bring him back.

It’s a slightly convoluted setup if you haven’t seen the previous series, but “VisionQuest” does a decent job of establishing the connection between Thomas and White Vision. Both characters are struggling to understand who they are and where they belong.

That said, I’ve already noticed one weakness in these first two episodes, and that’s how often “VisionQuest” feels the need to explain things we already know. On top of the lengthy recap of Vision’s story in the first five minutes of episode one, we’re also shown literal clips from “WandaVision” to remind us of events we’ve already seen play out.

Too many of these moments also come through conversations in which Vision sits down with someone and explains his problems, his memories and the baggage he’s carrying. It makes parts of the story feel unnecessarily repetitive, slowing down the momentum when the show should be building curiosity around this new chapter in his life.

Verdict: ‘VisionQuest’ has me curious about what comes next

Ultimately, I'm cautiously optimistic about where “VisionQuest” is heading. These first two episodes have given me enough reasons to stick around, even if I’m not entirely sold on everything the show is doing just yet. There’s a lot of potential here, particularly with a character who has spent so much of his MCU journey caught between what makes him human and what makes him a machine.

I’m also interested to see how the series handles its wider cast, especially now that several familiar faces are back in the picture and there’s an opportunity to explore some relationships from a different perspective.

What I’m hoping for most is a story that takes a few risks and gives these characters room to surprise us. The MCU has occasionally struggled to make its Disney+ shows feel essential, rather than simply filling in gaps between movies, but Vision’s story feels like it has the ingredients for something more personal and distinctive.

Hopefully, future episodes will have more confidence in their audience and find more interesting ways to explore Vision’s inner conflict without constantly stopping to explain it. Most of all, like many fans, I desperately want to see Wanda come back.

"VisionQuest" episodes 1-2 are streaming on Disney+

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Prime Video had plenty of buzzy shows that premiered this past summer, from swoony romances like "Sterling Point" and "Every Year After" to action-packed returning favorites like "Reacher." But one title you may have missed when it hit Amazon's streaming platform this past July is "Murder 101," a true crime docuseries unlike any other you've seen thus far on streaming.

Instead of focusing on professional law enforcement or dogged journalists tracking down details of a case, the sleuths at the center of this three-part series are actually high school students in a small Appalachian town. That not only gives the show a welcome touch of relatability (who among us doesn't like to play detective?) but also shows the real-world challenges of trying to bring a criminal to justice.

If you're a fan of the true crime genre (or simply want something great to watch), here's why you should add "Murder 101" on Prime Video to your next watchlist.

What is 'Murder 101' on Prime Video about?

Based on the true crime podcast of the same name, the three-episode docuseries centers on the students of Elizabethton High School in rural Tennessee — Will Bowers, Andrew Barnett, Natali Kodak and Shelby Edmonds, among others. Their sociology teacher Alex Campbell turns a classroom project into a real-world investigation into the "Redhead Murders," a case of unsolved 1980s homicides that has gone cold after four decades.

"Part teen drama, part masterclass, and part edge-of-your-seat crime investigation," the doc follows the extraordinary youngsters as they uncover new leads and connect long-overlooked clues, working with local law enforcement to revive the dead case into a present-day hunt for a killer.

Why you should stream 'Murder 101' on Prime Video

Every day, it feels like yet another true-crime title makes its way onto a streaming service, but even with that inundation of similarly focused mysteries and procedurals, "Murder 101" manages to be a standout not only because of the charming youthfulness of its subjects but also for the humanity it offers to both the doc's subjects and the case's victims.

Many documentaries play into the salaciousness of the true-crime genre with sensational narratives, dramatic reenactments, and efforts more fixated on shock value than respect for the real-life people involved. But the Stacy Lee-directed "Murder 101" instead highlights the empathy, collaboration and social responsibility displayed by the high schoolers as they dig into the cold case and work to bring closure to grieving families.

Altogether, it's an inspirational and moving watch — and one with a solid 89% approval rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes — that still scratches that puzzle-solving, justice-seeking itch for true-crime fans.

Stream "Murder 101" on Prime Video now

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At the end of the first season of FX's “The Lowdown,” I didn’t have any lingering questions or unresolved concerns, and if the delightful comedic mystery series starring Ethan Hawke had ended there, it would have been a satisfying outcome. That doesn’t mean I wasn’t eager to check out the new second season of “The Lowdown,” even if I was a bit skeptical of whether creator Sterlin Harjo could come up with another storyline as compelling as the investigation into the death of Dale Washberg (Tim Blake Nelson).

There was no need for me to worry, because “The Lowdown” returns this week on FX and Hulu with an outstanding second season, at least in the six episodes available for review (out of eight total). Harjo places Tulsa, Oklahoma, bookstore owner and self-described “truthstorian” Lee Raybon (Hawke) on the trail of another elaborate conspiracy, filled with the kind of colorful supporting characters that made the first season so entertaining.

There may not quite be the larger sociopolitical resonance in this season’s story that there was in the first season, but “The Lowdown” still offers plenty of pointed social commentary amid its offbeat criminal antics.

‘The Lowdown’ delivers another quirky, twisty mystery

After winning a local journalism award for the article he wrote about Dale Washberg, Lee is feeling pretty good about himself, which of course means that it’s time for him to get in trouble again. It doesn’t take long before he entangles himself in another dangerous situation after meeting public defender Ginger Lafferty (Betty Gilpin) at the awards ceremony, where he gives a drunken, rambling acceptance speech. Ginger asks Lee to act as a buffer against a pair of guys who are following her, and he takes that as an invitation to become her protector, which she eventually begrudgingly accepts.

Of course, Lee is such a screw-up that he’s not great at being anyone’s protector — including his own — but he’s nothing if not persistent, and soon he’s deeply involved in Ginger’s life, as she’s being pursued by nefarious figures who are seeking one of her former clients, Mekko Dean. Ginger doesn’t know where Mekko is, either, since he’s gone missing from the state prison where he’s supposed to be incarcerated. That doesn’t matter to the people who are after her, and she and Lee try to figure out what happened to Mekko while also growing closer together on a personal level.

Meanwhile, Lee’s deadbeat father, Lee “Frog” Raybon Sr. (Tommy Lee Jones), has returned to town, 17 years after the last time Lee saw him. After being found wandering in a daze on the highway, Frog is picked up by the police and deposited at Lee’s store, and Lee has to figure out what to do with the father he’s tried hard to forget about.

Although Lee has nothing but negative feelings about his dad, Frog charms other people in Lee’s life, including his teenage daughter Francis (Ryan Kiera Armstrong) and his occasional associates Marty Brunner (Keith David) and Ray Moseley (Michael Hitchcock).

The oddball characters keep ‘The Lowdown’ interesting

One of the few disappointments of the new season is Harjo’s apparent difficulty at finding something worthwhile for Marty to do, after his crucial role in the first season’s storyline. At that time, he was a private investigator working for wealthy gubernatorial candidate Donald Washberg (Kyle MacLachlan), serving as a sometime ally and sometime adversary for Lee as Lee pursued the truth about Donald’s brother’s death.

It’s understandable that Harjo would want to keep the charismatic David around, but installing Marty as the new managing editor of the publication Lee writes for doesn’t make much sense, and Marty is stuck in his own isolated subplot about black-market dealings in ancient artifacts, bringing Frog and antique store owner Ray along. Frog, too, is a bit isolated, and Jones’ casting promises a more impactful presence for the character than what unfolds. Maybe the final two episodes will connect Marty’s efforts with Lee’s, but for now it’s almost like they’re on two separate shows.

The characters are still always amusing to watch, and Gilpin picks up much of the slack as this season’s essential co-lead, giving a fantastic performance as the alternately fierce and insecure Ginger. Like Lee, she’s a bit of a mess, but she has a strong sense of justice, and the two characters have excellent chemistry as they recklessly risk their own safety to discover the truth, while also possibly falling in love.

Martha Plimpton and John Hawkes also make strong new additions as a pair of small-town despots (a sheriff and a judge, respectively) who stand in the way of Lee and Ginger’s investigation. As always, Harjo and his fellow writers are adept at creating unique characters who embody the contradictions of the American heartland, in its mix of diversity and intolerance.

Verdict: ‘The Lowdown’ remains distinctive and engaging in its second season

Hawke makes Lee into one of the great dirtbag detectives, in the tradition of characters like Jeff “The Dude” Lebowski from “The Big Lebowski” and Charlie Cale from “Poker Face.” He’s likable no matter how badly he bungles his investigations, because his heart is always in the right place. The same goes for the show, which exudes love for Harjo’s home state even while shining a light on its many shortcomings.

While the first season of “The Lowdown” was complete on its own, the second season proves to be a worthy successor, despite being slightly disjointed. “It’s what I do — I figure stuff out,” Lee tells Ginger, and “The Lowdown” offers him plenty of chances to figure stuff out while occasionally making that stuff much worse. That’s what made him so enjoyable to watch in the first season, and I’m happy to keep watching him figure stuff out for many seasons to come.

The second season of “The Lowdown” premieres Oct. 14 on Hulu and FX

If you need some mid-week thrills, then Prime Video has you covered. The streaming service has recently refreshed its movie library, and I’ve combed through the recent additions to pick out three thriller movies worthy of your watchlist.

My picks this week include a compulsive sports drama that brought the Rocky franchise into the modern day. It’s a legacy sequel done right. Or how about one of the best Bond movies ever made, and I’m not talking about one from Daniel Craig’s tenure as the British superspy either. Finally, for those wanting something properly new, there’s a Prime Video original heist caper.

These are the new to Prime Video thriller movies that need to be on your radar this week.

3 best new to Prime Video thriller movies this week

‘Creed’ (2015)

It’s easy to be a little cynical about legacy sequels. Hollywood loves bringing back classic series with modern installments that attempt to mix the new and the old. The results aren’t always great, but “Creed” is a quintessential example of the formula done almost perfectly. Released nearly a decade after 2006’s “Rocky Balboa,” it takes the sports drama series in a new direction, with a new underdog hero, while fiercely respecting what came before. Hot take incoming: In my Rocky ranking, it falls behind only the practically peerless 1976 original.

Oscar-winner Michael B. Jordan plays Adonis "Donnie" Johnson, the illegitimate youngest son of former heavyweight champion Apollo Creed. He’s desperate for his own shot at the big time, to prove that he’s worthy of the Creed name. In steps Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone), also a previous world champion and Apollo’s old rival, to train Donnie. The duo’s bond rapidly develops inside and outside the ring as Donnie fights for his chance at glory.

Watch "Creed" on Prime Video now

‘Goldeneye’ (1995)

Of all the actors to step into the role of James Bond, Pierce Brosnan was perhaps the most unfortunate. He was a great pick to play the suave British spy, but was let down by generally poor material, tortuous production cycles, and ropey 2000s CGI effects. However, his 007 debut, “GoldenEye,” is right up there with the very best Bond movies ever made. It’s a thrilling spy flick that boasts a memorable villain, great action moments, and brought elements to the series that persisted even beyond Brosnan’s time in the tuxedo, such as Judi Dench’s turn as Bond’s handler M.

The first Bond movie to be wholly original, without taking plot points from an Ian Fleming novel, it begins with 007 and 006, Alec Trevelyan (Sean Bean), infiltrating a chemical weapons facility. The mission goes south and ends in tragedy. “GoldenEye” then flashes forward nine years as the British spy learns that an experimental satellite weapon system has fallen into the wrong hands. The trail leads him to Russia, but this time Bond faces his most dangerous foe yet, somebody who knows his moves and how to best them.

Watch "GoldenEye" on Prime Video now

‘Masterplan’ (2026)

Prime Video’s library drops are a great opportunity to rewatch old favorites or catch up on the best movies of years gone by that you missed the first time around. However, if you’re craving something genuinely new this week, then how about “Masterplan,” Prime Video’s new original heist caper. If a daring scheme to steal the Mona Lisa isn’t enough to convince you to watch this comedy-thriller, Stanley Tucci in the leading role should tip you over the edge. The “Devil Wears Prada” star is always an incredibly charming on-screen presence.

Tucci plays a master thief preparing for retirement, but not before attempting to pull off the heist of a lifetime: Stealing the Mona Lisa from the Louvre Museum. It’s only the most prized and highly secure on-display painting in the world! To assist, he recruits Chiara (Simona Tabasco), a tech whiz, and Jay (Victor Belmondo), an explosives expert, before revealing they are actually his long-lost children. This heist is an unconventional family reunion, and it turns out that stealing the priceless painting might be easier than getting this estranged family to work together without a fight.

Watch "Masterplan" on Prime Video starting October 16

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Looking for your next watch? Netflix’s top 10 is a good place to start, but with so many shows competing for your attention, figuring out what’s actually worth watching can be tricky. Each week, I take a look at Netflix’s most popular shows and pick out three that deserve a spot on your watchlist.

Whether you’re in the mood for a gripping thriller, a dark psychological drama or something completely different, there’s plenty to choose from if you know where to look. This week, there are three shows that I think are well worth your time. So, before you spend half the evening scrolling through Netflix without settling on anything, here are three top 10 shows I think you should add to your watchlist.

Note: This list is based on the Netflix U.S. top 10 shows as of Tuesday, October 13, 2026.

Best shows in the Netflix top 10

‘Below’

Netflix’s latest No. 1 show is “Below,” a creepy sea creature thriller that pairs monster horror with small-town drama. The series makes great use of the ocean’s vast, unpredictable expanse to build suspense, with strange natural phenomena and menacing icebergs adding to the mystery. I found it seriously bingeable, and the steady stream of reveals kept me hooked even when some of the weaker side stories pulled focus from the central mystery. It’s not perfect, but the creepy premise and atmospheric setting make it an easy pick for your next binge.

Set in the remote fishing village of Snook’s Arm, Newfoundland, “Below” follows Calvin Penney (Josh Hartnett), a fisherman struggling to keep his family together while his hometown faces an uncertain future. When a mysterious sea creature begins attacking the surrounding waters, strange incidents soon spread throughout the community. With his son Wade (Charlie Heaton) experiencing unsettling symptoms, Calvin joins forces with visiting marine researcher Dr. Fonda Howander (Mackenzie Davis) to investigate the increasingly dangerous situation. Calvin must uncover what lies beneath the ocean and confront secrets connected to his own past.

Stream "Below" on Netflix

‘East of Eden’

Still attracting plenty of attention on Netflix is “East of Eden,” Zoe Kazan’s new take on John Steinbeck’s classic 1952 novel. This historical drama puts Cathy Ames front and center, giving us a closer look at one of the story’s most complicated characters rather than treating her as a straightforward villain. It’s a fresh approach to a familiar tale, with plenty of family drama and emotional conflict along the way. There’s also a lovely family connection behind the adaptation: Zoe Kazan is the granddaughter of legendary filmmaker Elia Kazan, who directed the 1955 movie version starring James Dean.

Cathy Ames (Florence Pugh) is a fiercely independent woman whose arrival upends the lives of brothers Adam (Christopher Abbott) and Charles Trask (Mike Faist). As Adam attempts to build a new life and raise a family, Cathy has plans of her own, eventually adopting a new identity and pursuing financial independence. Years later, the next generation of the Trask family, including Adam’s sons Cal and Aron, becomes caught up in the consequences of their parents’ decisions. Spanning decades, this seven-part limited series follows the family’s changing fortunes, complicated relationships and growing conflicts as their lives unfold.

Stream "East of Eden" on Netflix

‘Haunted Hotel’

If you’re in the mood for an adult animated series with a spooky twist, “Haunted Hotel” is well worth checking out. This supernatural horror-comedy comes from the team behind “Rick and Morty,” with Dan Harmon among its executive producers, and pairs weird supernatural situations with plenty of sharp, sitcom-style humor. Think “Beetlejuice” meets “What We Do in the Shadows,” with a cast of quirky characters and plenty of spooky chaos along the way. It’s earned positive reviews, too, making it a fun choice if you want something horror-inspired that doesn’t take itself too seriously.

“Haunted Hotel” follows Katherine (Eliza Coupe), a single mother of two who inherits the Undervale Hotel following the death of her brother, Nathan (Will Forte). Hoping to get the struggling business back on its feet, she moves in with her children, Ben (Skyler Gisondo) and Esther (Natalie Palamides), only to discover that the building is packed with restless ghosts. Fortunately, Nathan remains at the hotel as a friendly spirit and offers to help his sister manage its unusual residents. The family also encounters an ancient demon trapped in a young boy's body, who becomes part of their increasingly bizarre household.

Stream "Haunted Hotel" seasons 1-2 on Netflix

Netflix top 10 shows right now

1. "Below" (2026)
2. "East of Eden" (2026)
3. "Mojo Brookzz: I Know You Lying" (2026)
4. "The Great British Baking Show" (2026)
5. "Haunted Hotel"
6. "Is It Cake? Halloween" (2025)
7. "Doctor X" (2026)
8. "A Different World" (2026)
9. "Wonka's the Golden Ticket" (2026)
10. "Percy Jackson and the Olympians" (2023)

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Many people feel like they don't achieve enough of a burn during bodyweight workouts, but I can promise you that's down to poor programming. You can use the art of calisthenics (working with your bodyweight) to your advantage by choosing the right exercises and workout format for your goals. It's about intensity.

Recently, a 40-year-old friend DM'd me and asked if I could design a short bodyweight routine she could do when she works from home. And this is exactly what I sent her. Just remember, this routine was designed with someone in mind. If you experience pain or feel unwell, stop immediately and seek medical advice as soon as possible.

Watch: 20-minute bodyweight workout

If you're working with an injury or health condition, I recommend seeking advice before starting this routine.

• Triceps dips: Use a sofa or bench and place your hands flat roughly shoulder-width apart. Extend your legs away from you. Keeping your back straight, bend your elbows and lower your butt toward the ground. Pause, then press upwards.

• Deficit push-ups: Start in a push-up position with your core engaged and hands elevated on bars, blocks, or books. Bend your elbows and lower your chest toward the ground between the blocks, pause at the bottom, then drive upward. Avoid letting your hips sag and try to move your torso as a unit.

• Spiderman plank: Start in a plank position with your shoulders stacked over your wrists and your butt aligned with your shoulders. Brace your stomach. Bend your right knee and draw it forward with control to tap your right elbow. Return to plank, then repeat on your left side.

• Sprawls: Start in a plank position as above. Jump your feet to land just outside your hands, drop your butt, and lift your chest and hands, as if sitting in a low squat. Return your hands to the ground, then jump both feet back into a plank.

What are the benefits?

Many people assume bodyweight workouts can't get you any real gains. Actually, bodyweight exercises are functional and will help you build a base level of strength and muscle, especially at the beginning stages of working out.

But also remember, gymnasts and calisthenics masters are some of the strongest, most powerful, and athletic people on the planet; they predominantly work with their bodyweight, and while they might not have the same maximal strength as, say, powerlifters, they are strong compared to their weight and size, called relative strength.

If you haven't quite got to a bench press yet, start with push-ups. If you can't squat with a barbell, squat with your bodyweight. Focus on form, control and depth, and take your time with the movements; this will turn any bodyweight workout into a more challenging and rewarding experience.

Now, what's the workout?

The workout:

It's very simple: start with 20 reps of your four bodyweight exercises back-to-back, then take a brief reset. Drop by 2 reps to 18, then to 16, and so on, until you either hit the 20-minute timer or get to 2 reps per move.

How fast can you work?

Follow Tom's Guide fitness on Instagram for more workouts, routines, tips, and tricks.

As I mentioned, slow the tempo of each move down to increase overall intensity. Try adding small pauses in the non-moving part of the exercise, called holding an isometric contraction, which means you create tension without moving the muscles through their full range of motion.

If the dips feel like too much, bend your knees; if the deficit push-ups are too challenging, take away the blocks or use your knees. You can also perform Spiderman planks on your elbows if you have issues with your wrists. And most importantly, good luck...

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• I teach people how to be strong and mobile: this is the one exercise I regret ignoring for years
• I teach people over 50 to be mobile: 3 low-impact moves that build more stability than a 30-minute walk

Before he was a master of horror as the creator of acclaimed limited series like “The Haunting of Hill House” and “Midnight Mass” and the director of multiple Stephen King adaptations, Mike Flanagan was just another hard-working indie filmmaker getting a shot at a slightly bigger budget for his second film. After drawing attention for his scrappy 2011 debut feature “Absentia,” Flanagan leveled up with 2013’s “Oculus,” an ingenious horror movie with a standout performance from Karen Gillan.

“Oculus” is a lot more streamlined than Flanagan’s later horror epics, but it indicates the level of talent and creativity he’d bring to those higher-profile projects, along with his ability to add a fresh perspective to familiar horror elements. I remember being unenthused at the prospect of another movie about a haunted mirror when I went to see “Oculus” in theaters, not being aware of Flanagan’s previous film.

There may not be anything new about the story of Russell siblings Kaylie (Gillan) and Tim (Brenton Thwaites) trying to destroy the cursed mirror that was responsible for the deaths of their parents, but Flanagan makes it feel exciting and immersive. With his TV-series version of King’s “Carrie” set to premiere in October on Prime Video, viewers can now look back to Flanagan’s filmmaking origins by streaming “Oculus” on Netflix.

‘Oculus’ builds effective terror from its simple premise

One of the best sequences in “Oculus” features Kaylie manically laying out the centuries-long history of deaths associated with the mirror known as the Lasser Glass. But that presentation begins with her noting that the mirror’s origins are a mystery, and Flanagan and co-writer Jeff Howard aren’t interested in creating mythology for this cursed object, as so many horror movies feel obligated to do. Bad things happen to anyone who takes this mirror into their home, and that’s all the Russells and the audience need to know.

“Oculus” shifts back and forth between two time periods, and despite the onscreen text first indicating “Eleven years earlier,” the distinction between them becomes increasingly fluid as the movie goes on. That’s one of the film’s greatest strengths, as it disorients the audience in the same way that Kaylie and Tim are disoriented by the mirror’s influence. It’s natural for viewers to attempt to keep track of the two different narrative threads, but eventually it becomes impossible to tell what’s real, what’s a memory, and what’s a hallucination.

The majority of the movie takes place inside the Russell family home, where they’ve just moved in 2002 and where Kaylie has meticulously set up a supposed trap for the mirror in 2013. At first, the mirror is just another new piece of furniture that Kaylie and Tim’s father, Alan (Rory Cochrane), has purchased to celebrate their move. It doesn’t enter the house in any sinister way, but it soon takes hold of Alan, who starts behaving strangely and possibly talking to the apparition of a dark-haired woman (Flanagan’s future wife and frequent collaborator Kate Siegel).

The mirror also affects Kaylie and Tim’s mother Marie (Katee Sackhoff), and the children (played at younger ages by Annalise Basso and Garrett Ryan Ewald) end up living in fear inside their own house. The mirror drives Alan and Marie to murder, leaving the children as orphans and Tim locked up in a mental institution. When he’s released 11 years later, he’s now convinced that there was nothing supernatural involved in their parents’ death, while Kaylie has spent the intervening time becoming more and more obsessed with the mirror.

‘Oculus’ takes pleasure in its horrors

Although Kaylie is determined to destroy the mirror, she’s almost perversely excited by its malevolence, especially since Tim initially scoffs at her assertions of its supernatural properties. She’s set up multiple alarms, cameras and other fail-safes (including a giant kill switch) to keep the mirror from harming them, even going so far as to bring a sacrificial dog to feed its hunger for life and place it on the offensive. She seems more eager about being vindicated than about defeating evil, and of course that hubris provides her downfall.

Gillan gives a gloriously unhinged performance, sharply whipping her ponytail around as Kaylie glides through the house, making sure everything goes exactly as planned. Her smug confidence almost never wavers, even as her carefully laid plans start falling apart, and in a movie with no tangible villain, she provides the requisite deranged energy. Cochrane and Sackhoff are suitably creepy as the parents who start to lose their own grips on reality, and the cumulative effect leads the audience to question the every character’s sanity.

Flanagan himself edited “Oculus,” which is a master-class in cross-cutting as it barrels toward its finale, the past and present completely dissolving into each other. There are none of the lengthy, florid monologues that would define Flanagan’s later work, although there is plenty of the family dysfunction that he explores in his subsequent series.

It’s all condensed into an elegant, eerie story about one of the genre’s most overused plot devices, proving that Flanagan has always had the ability to make timeless horror feel new again.

Stream “Oculus” on Netflix now

It’s the start of a new week, which means it’s once again time to comb through the best of Prime Video's top 10 chart. There’s no need to endlessly scroll through the streaming platform’s ever-expanding library when I can quickly recommend a trio of winning flicks that are currently storming the service.

Prime Video’s top 10 isn’t always stuffed with instant classics, yet I found it pretty easy to pick out three choices this week. My picks include a breezy rom-com that’s generating a lot of buzz, the fourth entry in an action icon’s legendary franchise, and a thriller that packs in both set pieces and smarts.

The movies below are taken from Prime Video’s top 10 as of Monday, October 12, 2026. Though not every movie in this list is going to be up your alley, I’m confident you'll enjoy my picks.

Best movies in the Prime Video top 10

‘The Love Hypothesis’ (2026)

I’m normally allergic to rom-coms, but I had a surprising amount of fun with this one. A knowingly silly adaptation of Ali Hazelwood’s bestseller, “The Love Hypothesis" gets a decent amount of mileage out of its semi-ludicrous premise. Centering around the fake relationship between PhD candidate Olive Smith (Lili Reinhart) and the gruff, socially inept professor Adam Carlsen (Tom Bateman), this light-hearted romance reminded me of “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days”.

If you can get past the thoroughly stupid premise, there are laughs to be had in “The Love Hypothesis”. Once I accepted that two intellectuals would enter into a pretend relationship after an accidental kiss in a hallway, I let myself go along for the vaguely absurd ride. As the fake couple tries to convince Olive’s friends that she’s over her previous crush, the pair are repeatedly plunged into awkward social situations… mainly because the grumpy professor has problems acting like a human. Silly setup or not, Reinhart and Bateman’s chemistry sizzles.

Watch "The Love Hypothesis" on Prime Video now

‘John Wick: Chapter 4' (2023)

Despite the fact I’m still very much not over what they did to his puppy in the first film, I can’t resist Keanu’s iconic hitman. Acting as the final chapter in the “gun fu” saga (for now at least), “John Wick: Chapter 4” is an energetic actioner that revels in high-octane fight sequences without ever taking itself too seriously. Though he was almost 60 when he filmed this, it’s a pleasure to see Reeves can still whoop all the butt.

After the High Table’s Marquis (Bill Skarsgård) destroys the New York Continental, Wick once again finds himself on the run. The setting this time out is downright epic, with John’s bullet-ridden adventure taking him to Morocco, Tokyo and Berlin, before culminating in a suitably cinematic duel in Paris. Donnie Yen is a particularly welcome new addition to the cast, once again going full “Rogue One” by playing a blind martial arts expert. I’m not sure where the next entry goes after this instalment’s fairly definitive conclusion, but I’m eager to find out.

Watch "John Wick: Chapter 4" on Prime Video now

‘The Amateur’ (2025)

Based on the 1981 Robert Littell novel, “The Amateur” is a reasonably gripping thriller with some mighty fun setpieces. After Charlie Heller (Rami Malek) loses his wife to a terror attack in London, the nerdy CIA surveillance expert sets out on a revenge mission. Though his superiors are initially unwilling to help him, a quick bit of blackmail soon gets them onside.

Once Heller has been trained by Lawrence Fishburne’s extra cranky operative, this unlikely action hero is ready to take on his wife’s killers. Don’t expect roundhouse kicks or uzi-wielding shootouts, though. After all, this is a dude whose boss doesn’t think he “could beat a 90-year-old nun in an arm wrestling match.” Heller may not have the brawn, but he certainly has the brains — a rooftop swimming pool sequence shows off both his cunning and his cruelty. Stylishly shot and with a strong cast that includes John Bernthal, this is one thriller that’s ready to turn pro.

Watch "The Amateur" on Prime Video now

Prime Video top 10 movies right now

1. "Now You See Me: Now You Don't" (2025)
2. "The Love Hypothesis" (2026)
3. "Forget Me Never" (1999)
4. "First Winter" (1982)
5. "Dark Nature" (2023)
6. "John Wick: Chapter 4" (2023)
7. "The Secret of Moonacre" (2008)
8. "The Amateur" (2025)
9. "Jack Reacher: Never Go Back" (2016)
10. "Masters of the Universe" (2026)

More from Tom's Guide

• New on Prime Video in October 2026
• The Love Hypothesis review: the logic mostly checks out
• The best streaming services in 2026

I wish all my clients would ask me how to build strong hips that feel open and free because the answer isn't necessarily what you might think.

Years ago, the gold standard was stretching. But now, the tide is turning in favor of weighted mobility routines, dynamic stretching and more controlled weight training. If you can, loading your mobility warm-ups will help you build strength, control and stability that carries over to all exercise.

It's hard to convince people to stick to a consistent mobility routine, but I'm hoping these quick tips will convince you to make more space in your week for low-impact movement.

Recently, a 60-year-old client asked me for strong hips, and I gave her this advice. Just remember, this routine was designed with my client in mind. Seek medical advice personalized to you before starting a new regimen.

My 60-year-old client asked me how to get stronger hips, so I recommended two things straight away

1. Planes of motion

The planes of motion refer to sagittal, frontal and rotational movement, which means movements front-back, side-to-side, and rotation. To keep your hips truly strong and healthy, you must target as many of them as possible, which means moving in all directions.

I've included a short video below to show you some examples of movements you can try, but as a general rule of thumb, think about lifting and lowering your legs (the job of the hip flexors), internally and externally rotating your hip joints, abducting your hips, which means moving your leg away from your midline, plus adducting, which means bringing the limbs closer.

2. Loading the hips and force production

Loading your movements with resistance bands, kettlebells, dumbbells, loop bands, barbells and props like Pilates balls will increase the intensity and resistance your joints and muscles work through, but the exercises themselves should remain low-impact.

Think about longevity and the ability of your hips to withstand impact. That is your key to injury prevention. You don't need heavy weights, either; you just need to move slowly and with control, using rep ranges between 6-10 and sets between 2-4.

Sometimes, you can feel an exercise more with a lighter weight, full control and range of motion. It doesn't take away from the movement when the quality improves. I've included a short warm-up example below that you can use with just a loop band.

I recently spoke with a bone loading expert (our chat will be published in the next few days, at the time of writing), who told me that the best way to build strong bones, ligaments, muscles and tendons is to produce high force using low-impact movement.

That includes pushing hard against a stationary object or holding positions using heavy loads. Consider this the next time you turn to a HIIT routine!

Avoid "just" stretching

Your hips help you raise your knees. But they need to rotate, adduct, abduct, stabilize, protect, control and help produce force, too. So just sitting in a stretch for a few minutes, while beneficial for short-term flexibility, isn't going to cut it if you want to build truly strong, mobile hips.

Think about how long many of us sit during the day; our hips respond really well to movement, so when you take a break from your desk, use that opportunity wisely. I'm not saying don't stretch at all, just don't depend on it to fix all niggles and tightness. Staying stationary can cause weaknesses and underactive muscles, which in areas like the hips can lead to back pain.

Also, much of the existing research on the stretch reflex indicates we need to sit in stretches for much longer than we realize to allow muscles to feel safe enough to relax. While your reflex prevents any sudden force or overstretching by inhibiting it, stretching for over 30 seconds gently signals to your muscles and nervous system that your body is safe, allowing you to benefit from the stretch properly and relax into it.

So, if you do plan to stretch, give yourself enough time to settle into it. I recommend Yin yoga, which is a slow, static form of yoga that encompasses this.

Verdict

Overall, it really is as simple as choosing 3-6 low-impact exercises you enjoy, performing 6-10 reps and 2-4 sets of them, and loading them appropriately using equipment you like using. Use as much range of motion and slow, controlled movement as you can, and focus on producing force against resistance without high-impact joint work.

Over time, progress movements accordingly or switch them out. Move your hips in all directions, and try to focus on the ones you don't like or aren't good at, as this is a sign your hips need it!

Follow Tom's Guide fitness on Instagram for more workouts, routines, tips, and tricks.

More from Tom's Guide

• I teach people how to be more mobile: 3 low-impact back and shoulder moves that build stability and strength after 40
• I teach people how to be strong and mobile: this is the one exercise I regret ignoring for years
• I teach people over 50 to be mobile: 3 low-impact moves that build more stability than a 30-minute walk

Before leaving my dorm room when I graduated from college in 2002, I opened the top drawer of my desk, where past students had inscribed their names for posterity, and added my own mark. I wrote “Felicity Porter ’02.”

That’s the effect that the college graduation of a fictional character, just a few weeks before my own, had on my life. Felicity and I had spent the past four years going through many of the same college milestones — although I never ended up at the center of a love triangle — and I had just seen her write her own name on the wall of her closet at the University of New York.

Watching “Felicity” now elicits a different sort of nostalgia, nearly 25 years after my college graduation and the end of the series, but it’s still a beautifully crafted coming-of-age story, with excellent performances and well-drawn characters. As played by Keri Russell, Felicity herself is one of the best TV characters of the past 30 years, a charming, awkward, open-hearted and driven young woman who is also a fiercely loyal friend. I may not have actually gone to college with Felicity, but after four seasons of her show, I felt like I had.

Thanks to a recent deal with Disney, all four seasons of “Felicity” are now streaming on Netflix. While some of Felicity’s college experiences may seem quaint to modern viewers, the show’s story of growing up and figuring out who you are and what you want in life is universal, ready to be discovered by a new generation.

‘Felicity’ is a warm, empathetic character study

“Felicity” begins with the kind of ridiculous high concept that has fueled numerous romantic comedies: At her high school graduation, Felicity finally works up the nerve to approach Ben Covington (Scott Speedman), the popular guy she’s spent four years crushing on from afar. She asks him to sign her yearbook, just hoping for something like “Have a great summer!,” and he writes a heartfelt note saying that he always wished he’d gotten to know her better.

Based on that single flicker of interest, Felicity changes her entire college plans, ditching Stanford and the career trajectory planned by her parents to follow Ben to New York City.

That set-up could be the source for lots of cringe comedy, but creators J.J. Abrams and Matt Reeves keep the show grounded and honest, and Felicity and Ben develop a sweet if often complicated relationship.

Throughout the show’s four seasons, Felicity bounces back and forth romantically between Ben and the geeky Noel Crane (Scott Foley), forming genuine bonds with both. Plenty of viewers were Team Ben or Team Noel, but I was always Team Felicity, hoping for her to make her own way in life regardless of which guy she was with, and that’s how the show was, too.

Ben and Noel aren’t just objects of Felicity’s affection, but well-rounded characters in their own rights, with their own ambitions and flaws. The same goes for Felicity’s friends, including musician Julie Emrick (Amy Jo Johnson), premed classmate Elena Tyler (Tangi Miller) and Wiccan roommate Meghan Rotundi (Amanda Foreman). Felicity’s love life may be the focus of the show, but as a person, she’s always there for her friends, and she feels as deeply for them as she does for any guy she’s dating.

‘Felicity’ is network TV at its best

Although Abrams and Reeves went on to bigger success in genre fare, “Felicity” finds its greatest strengths in the mundane, allowing viewers to get to know these characters over the course of lengthy seasons that don’t really exist in the streaming era. Felicity and her friends have time to make mistakes, meet new people, fall in love, break up and get back together again. There are moments when the show tips into melodrama, especially in a third-season storyline about a shooting at a Christmas party, but for the most part it sticks to simple, relatable emotions.