IT General

SAVE $10: As of Sept. 10, the Amazon Fire TV Stick HD is on sale for $24.99 at Amazon. That's a saving of 29% on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire Stick HD $24.99 at Amazon
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Amazon's Fire TV Stick is one of those products that simply makes life easier. No need to toss out older, non-smart TVs in favor of newer models; this handy device gives them a few more years before the inevitable upgrade.

The streaming device plugs into your TV (or laptop) and lets you access platforms like Prime Video, Netflix, Hulu, and more. No need to upgrade to a fancy smart TV; all you need is an HDMI port. And as of Sept. 10, the Fire TV Stick HD is back on sale, now priced at just $24.99.

SEE ALSO: Get a free year of ESPN's streaming service when you buy an on-sale Samsung QLED or OLED TV

The Fire TV Stick HD also comes with a remote with Alexa built in. Use this voice control to search for TV shows, search questions online, or even use it to talk to your other smart home devices, like robot vacuums. And with this particular Fire TV Stick, you'll be able to enjoy all your favorite shows in beautiful HD quality. And the setup really couldn't be easier. All you need to do is plug the device into your TV's HDMI port, and that's it. You have instant access to a range of streaming platforms and lots of live channels, too.

If you have an older TV in need of some love, get this Fire TV Stick on sale at Amazon now.

YouTube is the go-to platform for vloggers, content creators, musicians, and anyone who loves to share their life through the art of video.

The most-followed channels on the platform have amassed huge subscriber counts, well into the millions, showing just how many of us enjoy sitting back and relaxing with a good YouTube video. From celebs to entertainment giants, influencers to creators, these channels dominate YouTube with viral videos, dedicated fan bases, and massive viewership.

SEE ALSO: YouTube channels to help keep your mind calm

But have you ever wondered who holds the acclaim of top spot for the most subscribed channel? Wonder no more, here are the 10 YouTube channels with the most subscribers, according to Social Blade.

1. Mr Beast - 425 million subscribers

MrBeast’s YouTube channel is known for its over-the-top challenges, massive cash giveaways, philanthropy, and jaw-dropping stunts, making it one of the platform’s biggest and most influential channels.

2. T-Series - 302 million subscribers

T-Series is India's largest Music Label & Movie Studio, and the YouTube channel features a vast collection of Bollywood music videos, movie trailers, and songs.

3. Cocomelon - Nursery Rhymes - 196 million subscribers

Cocomelon Nursery Rhymes' YouTube channel is a favorite among parents, featuring colorful, educational animations and catchy songs for young children. Engaging colors and fun storytelling aim to help toddlers learn letters, numbers, and life lessons.

4. YouTube Movies - 191 million subscribers

The YouTube Movies channel is the go-to spot for renting and streaming new movie releases, shorts and trailers. You can choose between renting, buying, or watching select titles for free with ads.

5. SET India - 186 million subscribers

SET India’s YouTube channel offers full episodes, clips, and promos from Sony Entertainment Television’s popular Indian shows. Featuring drama series, reality shows, crime thrillers, and comedy programs.

6. Vlad and Niki - 144 million subscribers

Vlad and Niki’s YouTube channel is a popular kids’ channel full of imaginative playtime adventures, toy reviews, and family-friendly challenges. The channel tells the stories of two brothers through educational content and exciting adventures.

7. Kids Diana Show - 136 million subscribers

Kids Diana Show’s YouTube channel features fun, colorful videos of young Diana playing imaginative games, reviewing toys, and other family-friendly adventures. This channel focuses on storytelling, games, and learning.

8. Like Nastya - 130 million subscribers

Like Nastya's YouTube channel is another family-friendly account that follows the exciting adventures of a young girl named Nastya. Videos include fun toy reviews, imaginative games, and educational content.

9. Stokes Twins - 130 million subscribers

The Stokes Twins' YouTube channel features a mix of pranks, challenges, comedic skits, and vlogs. Run by Alex and Alan Stokes, the pair have become known for their stunts and antics.

10. Music - 124 million subscribers

The Music YouTube channel is fairly self-explanatory in its content, but has surprisingly shared only posts and no videos. Content is not frequent and often features recent releases and promos of Shorts.

With billions of users worldwide, TikTok is one of the most popular social media platforms on the planet. Viral trends, trending sounds, and popular dances, there's no limit to what can kick off on TikTok.

TikTok has been with us through a lot, from the lockdown dance days to the recent threats of a ban. But throughout all the ups and downs, some creators have managed to rack up millions of loyal followers, carving out new and exciting careers by sharing their content. Check out our list of the top TikTok content creators with the most followers, according to Social Blade.

1. Khaby Lame – 161.5 million followers

TikTok's most followed account is none other than the king of the deadpan facial expression, Khaby Lame. His video content primarily involves duets and stitches to over-complicated life "hacks."

2. Charli D'Amelio – 156.4 million followers

Charli D’Amelio rose to TikTok fame during lockdown for her viral dance videos. She very quickly became one of the platform’s most-followed creators and is still holding strong today.

3. MrBeast – 119.3 million followers

Also one of the most subscribed YouTube accounts, MrBeast holds the number three position for TikTok. His content is full of crazy challenges and huge giveaways. His over-the-top generosity has amassed him millions of followers. He also recently went viral for offering to buy TikTok amid the recent ban in America.

4. Bella Poarch – 93.3 million followers

Bella Poarch skyrocketed to TikTok fame during the 2020 lockdown when her lip-sync video to M to the B became the platform’s most-liked video. Since then, she has remained popular on the app, even releasing her own single in 2021, Build A B****.

5. TikTok – 90.9 million followers

Taking the 5th spot on the most followed accounts is TikTok's own account. It posts celeb interviews, tips and tricks and updates from the CEO, Shou.

6. Addison Rae – 88.3 million followers

Addison Rae is another TikToker who blew up during the 2020 lockdown. Her viral dance videos made her one of the platform's biggest stars, a position she still holds strong today. She's now better known for her hit songs, releasing her debut single, Obsessed, in 2021.

7. Kimberly Loaiza – 83.7 million followers

Kimberly Loaiza is a popular Mexican influencer with tens of millions of followers across not just TikTok, but also YouTube and Instagram. Loaiza has also branched out into music, releasing multiple singles and touring.

8. Zach King – 82 million followers

Zach King's content is a must-watch if you love magic tricks, optical illusions and clever editing. One of his videos even became the most viewed. The video made it appear as if he was flying on a broomstick. It became the most-viewed TikTok video in 2019.

9. domelipa - 76.6 million followers

Number nine on the list of most-followed content creators is domelipa. She mostly shares content of choreographed dances, lip-sync videos, and other snippets of her lifestyle.

10. cznburak - 74.6 million followers

Chef Burak is known for his videos preparing giant pans of Turkish and Middle Eastern foods. He often uses his cooking platform for generous acts like feeding the poor and advocating for humanitarian causes.

​With billions of users worldwide, Twitch is one of the world's most popular live streaming platforms, particularly beloved by gamers and creators. Launched in 2011, Twitch has evolved into a massive community where individuals share everything from gaming to general live broadcasts.

And the site's popularity is only highlighted through the follower counts, with the platform's most-followed channels boasting tens of millions, but who holds the top spot? Here are the 10 most-followed Twitch channels, according to Social Blade.

1. ibai – 19.76 million followers

Ibai Llanos is a prominent Spanish streamer and content creator. In June 2022, he set a Twitch record with a peak of over 3.3 million concurrent viewers during his "La Velada del Año II" boxing event. ​

2. Ninja – 19.23 million followers

Tyler "Ninja" Blevins is a well-known American gamer and streamer. He initially gained recognition through his exceptional skills in games like Halo 3 and later achieved immense popularity with Fortnite: Battle Royale.

3. KaiCenat – 19.11 million followers

Kai Cenant is an American streamer known for comedic content and his month-long November 2024 "Mafiathon " subathon.

4. auronplay – 16.9 million followers

Raúl Álvarez Genes, also known online as auronplay, is another Spanish streamer and YouTuber. His content focuses mostly on gaming streams and interactive content, amassing almost 17 million followers on the platform.

5. Rubius – 15.88 million followers

Rubius is a Spanish-Norwegian creator who joined Twitch in 2019 after immense success from his YouTube channel, elrubiusOMG. He has since amassed over 15 million followers for his gaming and interactive content.

6. jadoreshayne – 12.32 million followers

The jadoreshayne account has a whopping 12.24 million followers, however, it has minimal streaming activity, with no videos on the account.

7. TheGrefg – 12.21 million followers

Another Spanish content creator, TheGrefg is a popular content creator who primarily revolves around games like Fortnite and Minecraft, as well as interactive "Just Chatting" sessions. In January 2021, he set a Twitch record by attracting over 2 million viewers during the reveal of his personalized Fortnite skin.

8. xQc – 12.16 million followers

Félix Lengyel, better known as xQc, is a Canadian content creator and former professional esports player. His content includes a variety of games and "Just Chatting" sessions.

9. juansguarnizo – 11.58 million followers

Juan Sebastián Guarnizo, known as juansguarnizo, is a prominent Colombian content creator and streamer. Juan's content includes a variety of types, including "Just Chatting" sessions and gameplay streams.

10. Tfue – 11.29 million followers

Turner Ellis Tenney, known online as Tfue, is an American streamer and former professional esports player. Tfue gained popularity in the gaming community through his skills in titles like Destiny, Call of Duty, and, notably, Fortnite.

Each evening, a little less of the Moon is visible, marking the natural progression toward the New Moon.

The New Moon is a phase in the lunar cycle, a series of eight unique phases of the moon's visibility. The whole cycle takes about 29.5 days, according to NASA, and these different phases happen as the Sun lights up different parts of the moon whilst it orbits Earth. 

Let's find out what's happening with the moon tonight, Sept. 10.

What is today’s moon phase?

As of Wednesday, Sept. 10, the moon phase is Waning Gibbous, and it is 90% lit up to us on Earth, according to NASA's Daily Moon Observation.

The moon is becoming less visible each night, but for now, there's still so much to spot on the surface, With just the naked eye, enjoy a glimpse of the Oceanus Procellarum, the Kepler Crater, and the Mare Serenitatis.

If you have binoculars, you'll also see the Grimaldi Basin, Gassendi Crater, and the Alps Mountains. Add a telescope to your line up and you'll see the Schiller Crater, Apollo 11 landing spot, and Fra Mauro Highlands.

When is the next full moon?

The next full moon will be on Oct. 6. The last full moon was on Sept. 7.

What are moon phases?

According to NASA, moon phases are caused by the 29.5-day cycle of the moon’s orbit, which changes the angles between the Sun, Moon, and Earth. Moon phases are how the moon looks from Earth as it goes around us. We always see the same side of the moon, but how much of it is lit up by the Sun changes depending on where it is in its orbit. This is how we get full moons, half moons, and moons that appear completely invisible. There are eight main moon phases, and they follow a repeating cycle:

New Moon - The moon is between Earth and the sun, so the side we see is dark (in other words, it's invisible to the eye).

Waxing Crescent - A small sliver of light appears on the right side (Northern Hemisphere).

First Quarter - Half of the moon is lit on the right side. It looks like a half-moon.

Waxing Gibbous - More than half is lit up, but it’s not quite full yet.

Full Moon - The whole face of the moon is illuminated and fully visible.

Waning Gibbous - The moon starts losing light on the right side.

Last Quarter (or Third Quarter) - Another half-moon, but now the left side is lit.

Waning Crescent - A thin sliver of light remains on the left side before going dark again.

The iPhone 17, 17 Pro, and 17 Air are officially in the wild, and the whole Internet is wondering about how they stack up against the competition. Apple spent a decent amount of time on the camera system of each tier of iPhone 17 during its "Awe Dropping" event, and there is a lot of information to unpack.  

Generally speaking, the camera is a pretty big deal. Apple said that iPhones took over five billion selfies over the last year, and an estimated 5-6 billion photos get taken by smartphones every day. Thus, when a tech giant like Apple or Google releases a new phone, people are naturally curious as to what kind of camera hardware they’re rocking. 

We won’t bury the lede too much with this one. Let’s take a look at how the iPhone’s camera systems stack up against arguably the best camera system for Android phones, the Google Pixel 10 series of phones. 

iPhone 17 camera specs

Here are the iPhone 17’s camera specs in full. They change depending on the model, so not every version has the same camera. 

iPhone 17 and 17 Plus

The iPhone 17 and 17 Plus have the same camera setup, which includes Apple’s new Dual Fusion camera system. The system sports a pair of 48MP sensors, including a 48MP main shooter and a 48MP ultra wide sensor. Around the front is an 18MP Center Stage selfie camera. 

For these lenses, the optical zoom options are 0.5x, 1x, and 2x. By default, the iPhone 17 and 17 Plus take cropped photos at 24MP, which Apple says has the best trade-off between size and quality, but the user can increase it to 48MP whenever they want to. 

Both rear cameras also have multiple focal lengths. The main camera has a 26mm focal length with an f/1.6 aperture. This can be changed to a 52mm focal length with the same aperture. The ultra wide lens is similar, sporting a 13mm and 26mm focal length with an f/2.2 aperture.  This effectively gives the user four options for the rear cameras. So, if you see any marketing where Apple says the iPhone 17 and 17 Plus have four "lenses," this is what they’re referring to. 

The Center Stage front camera uses AI to intelligently widen the screen to accommodate more people without the user having to touch anything, and Apple was quite proud of the square censor, which gives people a variety of aspect ratios to work with. It also has optical image stabilization.

The iPhone 17 Air only has one camera and it appears to be identical to the main shooter on the iPhone 17, with 26mm and 52mm focal length options and 2x telephoto functionality at f/1.6. 

iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max

Just like the iPhone 17 and 17 Plus, the Pro models have the same camera specs between them. This includes a 48MP main shooter, a 48MP ultra wide shooter, and a 48MP telephoto lens. Just like with the regular iPhone 17, the Pro models come with the 18MP Center Stage selfie camera. 

The three cameras around back have the same neat trick as the regular iPhone 17: They can be used with varying focal length to give the illusion of having more "lenses." Between the three lenses, Apple boasts focal lengths of 13mm, 24mm, 28mm, 35mm, 48mm, 100mm, and 200mm with a macro mode. This gives the illusion of having multiple camera lenses without actually having the hardware there. 

For apertures, the main shooter is f/1.78 with 24mm and 48mm, the ultra wide is f/2.2, and the telephoto is f/2.8. 

SEE ALSO: Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max vs. iPhone 16 Pro Max: What are the differences? Google Pixel 10 camera specs

Next up are the Google Pixel 10’s camera specs for the regular, Pro, and Fold models. It’s a much shorter list of lenses and Google keeps it pretty simple here. 

Google Pixel 10 and Pixel 10 Pro Fold

The Google Pixel 10 comes with four total cameras, including three on the back and one on the front. They are the 48MP main shooter with an f/1.7 aperture, a 13MP ultra wide sensor with an f/2.2 aperture, and the 10.8MP telephoto with an f/3.1 aperture and a 5x optical zoom. 

Circling around to the front, the Pixel 10 has a 10.5MP selfie camera with an f/2.2 aperture. The Pixel 10 Pro Fold has an identical camera setup as the regular Pixel 10.

Google omits the extras like multiple focal lengths, so the cameras above are what you get. Google makes up for its camera simplicity by having some excellent software and post processing. 

Google Pixel 10 Pro

Google steps it up quite a bit with the Pixel 10 Pro. It comes with four cameras just like its less expensive sibling, but three of those cameras receive significant upgrades. 

The main 48MP shooter is the same as on the Pixel 10, but it’s the only one that’s the same. Google increases the ultra wide lens to a 48MP, f/1.7, and the telephoto steps up to a 48MP with an f/2.8 aperture and the same 5x optical zoom. Around the front, the selfie camera is a 42MP wide angle lens with an f/2.2. 

Combined, the camera system here has most of the same features as the regular Pixel 10, including things like Night Sight, Auto Unblur, Panorama, and Frequent Faces. The big differences is a high-res mode that shoots up to 50MP and a Pro Res Zoom feature that goes up to x100 on the Pro models and only x20 on the regular model. 

Which phone has the better hardware?

It’s difficult to gauge, since post processing plays such a big role with both tech giants. Both Apple and Google have a laundry list of photo modes like Apple’s Center Stage where the selfie camera keeps you in the middle of the frame at all times, and Google’s Camera Coach, which instructs users on how to take optimal pictures using AI. Both have night photography modes and AI tools to improve photo quality. 

On paper, it’s quite tough to call. The Pixel 10 has more camera lenses than the base iPhone 17. However, Apple’s trick with the focal lengths gives it just as many options. The Pixel has more telephoto range (up to 20x with Google’s Super Pro Res Zoom) whereas the iPhone 17 only goes up to 2x. In terms of overall versatility, the Pixel 10 simply has more physical camera options, but the iPhone 17 has the edge when counting megapixels and aperture sizes.

For the Pro models of both phones, it’s much harder. The megapixel counts are on par as are the apertures. Apple brings the "multiple lenses" idea with a bunch of focal lengths while Google’s Pro Res Zoom can go up to 100x. Google has the higher megapixel count on its front shooter while the iPhone has its neat square censor, allowing for the Center Stage feature to work. 

Overall, there aren’t any wrong choices and until the iPhone 17 comes out, we won’t be able to see how it performs in the real world, where the Pixel 10 has already been shown to be one of the best cameras on a smartphone to date. 

After months of rumors and leaks, Apple's iPhone 17 series is finally here. It brings with it a series of upgrades and improvements that, depending on the phone model you currently have, might make the new phones worth upgrading to.

All of the models in the iPhone 17 lineup get big improvements over their predecessors, and the base models even get some features that were previously only available on Pro devices. In other words, while you may not be due for an upgrade if you have an iPhone 16, if you have anything older than that, an iPhone 17 model might be tempting.

SEE ALSO: Everything announced at the Apple Event, including iPhone Air

Curious about the features on offer in the iPhone 17 series, and whether or not they’re big enough to convince you to upgrade? Here’s a look.

A thinner design Introducing the iPhone Air. Credit: Apple

It turns out the rumors were true. While the new iPhone Air technically isn't part of the "iPhone 17 series" in name, it is being released at the same time and has many of the same features. The iPhone Air has a much thinner build than previous-generation iPhone models (only 5.6mm), but it still has a 6.5-inch ProMotion display, Apple’s new A19 Pro processor, and more.

However, the thinner build has some trade-offs. The battery life is likely to be lower than that of the models in the iPhone 17 lineup, though Apple says it has redesigned the battery and introduced new efficiency features in iOS 26 to help offset this. There’s only one camera on the back — though it is a pretty capable camera that still has two-times lossless zoom. If you don't care about those trade-offs and want something thin and light, then the iPhone Air might be for you.

A better screen The full iPhone 17 lineup. Credit: Apple

The base iPhone 17 is getting features that many consider to be long overdue, including a high refresh rate screen. Previously, ProMotion displays that can reach 120Hz were reserved for Pro iPhone models only, despite the fact that plenty of cheaper Android phones have started getting these features for a number of years now.

On the iPhone 17, the ProMotion display can range from 1Hz to 120Hz. That means that when content on the screen is static, the refresh rate can be lower to save battery life, and when animations are on the screen or you’re scrolling, it can range up to 120Hz to make the software feel nice and smooth.

Faster performance The iPhone 17 Pro, featuring faster performance and a vibrant new color. Credit: Apple

Like every year, Apple has launched a new processor for the iPhone 17 series. The iPhone 17 gets the A19 chip, which Apple says offers 20 percent better graphics performance for the ProMotion screen. This will also impact things like gaming and Apple Intelligence performance. 

As always, there's an even better chip for the new Pro iPhones. The Apple A19 Pro chip is Apple's most powerful iPhone chip to date. Apple says it delivers up to 40 percent faster sustained performance. It has a six-core CPU, along with a six-core GPU, that works in tandem with a new 16-core Neural Engine for AI performance. iPhone 17 Pro devices have other performance upgrades, too. Notably, they have a new vapor chamber that's designed to better cool the A19 Pro, which should help it perform better for longer periods of time.

A better camera The iPhone 17 Pro boasts iPhone's best camera yet. Credit: Apple

All of the iPhone 17 models have better cameras, and, as usual, the Pro model gets the best updates. 

The base iPhone 17's biggest camera upgrade is perhaps on the front rather than the back. On the iPhone 17, there's now a Center Stage front-facing camera. On the iPhone 17, the camera is also a Center Stage, which has a square sensor that allows the phone to better frame a shot when the image is cropped. That square sensor also allows users to take landscape selfies without having to rotate their phone, plus there's a new Dual Capture feature that lets users take a photo on both the front-facing and rear-facing cameras at the same time. On the back, you'll get a 48 megapixel main camera along with a 48 megapixel ultrawide camera that Apple says can capture up to four times the resolution compared to the ultrawide camera on the iPhone 16.

Even better are the upgrades to the iPhone 17 Pro. Like before, there are three cameras on the back of the iPhone 17 Pro, but that includes a new telephoto camera that can capture eight-times optical quality zoom. Apple says that the telephoto camera is 56 percent larger than the previous generation telephoto camera on the iPhone 16 Pro, which means it can capture sharper photos in good lighting and more detail in low lighting. The iPhone 17 Pro also gets the new square front-facing sensor.

Better durability All of the devices in the new iPhone lineup use Apple's new Ceramic Shield 2 glass. Credit: Apple

We've all had the experience of accidentally smashing a screen or other glass on a phone, but the iPhone 17 series and new iPhone Air are more durable than before.

All of the devices in the lineup use Apple's new Ceramic Shield 2 glass, which it says can deliver three times better scratch resistance. The fronts will have the new Ceramic Shield 2 glass, while the backs will have the previous generation Ceramic Shield glass, but that still should make for solid durability overall.

iOS 26 is coming on September 15, and it brings with it a huge number of upgrades and features. The big change to the new operating system is its all-new design language, which Apple dubs Liquid Glass, unifying many design aspects of all of Apple’s major operating systems. 

A big part of the Liquid Glass redesign, however, is customization. Plenty of settings are worth experimenting with, and many of them will help you make your iPhone feel more specific to you.

Curious about what you should change when you get the iOS 26 update? Here’s a look. 

Customize your lock screen

Liquid Glass design elements can be found throughout iOS 26, but few of them look as great as they do on the lock screen. Widgets, the clock, and more can all show up with Liquid Glass transparency. Even things like notifications have transparency.

There are a few things you can do to customize your lock screen. To do so, unlock your phone and hold down on the lock screen, then tap the “Customize” button. From there, you can tap on one of the aspects of your lock screen, like the clock — and you’ll be able to change font, color, and transparency, with a new “Glass” and “Solid” toggle on the bottom of the screen. Notably, you can have Liquid Glass designs that still have color, which is a nice touch.

Try out the new Home Screen icons

It’s not just the lock screen you can customize — it’s the Home Screen icons too. Like previous versions of iOS, you can unify the color scheme of your Home Screen. Unlike previous versions, however, the color scheme can now be Liquid Glass-based.

To use new Home Screen icons, hold down on the Home Screen and tap on the Edit button on the top left of the screen. Then, tap on “Customize.” From there, you’ll be able to select what style of icon you want, including a new Clear option. The Clear option can be used in Light or Dark mode, or set to Auto, where it will switch based on the status of your system. 

Add a background to your iMessage chats

Part of the appeal of Liquid Glass isn’t just the Liquid Glass design elements themselves — it’s how you can see content behind them. A perfect example of this is in the Messages app, which now lets you set backgrounds for your chats. Keep in mind that backgrounds are set not just for you, but for anyone else in the chat, too.

To set backgrounds in chats, open the Messages app and then select the chat you want to set a background for. Then, tap on the name of the contact or group chat at the top of the screen, and select the “Backgrounds” tab. From there, you’ll be able to choose from a number of pre-set options, or choose from a photo in your library. It’s a great way to give your chats a little more character.

Turn on call screening

Ok, maybe Call Screening isn’t quite a Liquid Glass feature, but it is a new iOS 26 feature that could seriously come in handy. 

To turn on Call Screening, open the Settings app, then scroll down to Apps, then select the Phone app. Scroll down to the section labelled “Screen Unknown Callers,” which has three different options. When it’s set to “Never,” your phone will ring any time you get a call, no matter who it’s from. The second option is “Ask Reason For Calling,” and when it’s set, your phone will use AI to ask the caller why they’re calling, and let you decide based on that transcribed answer whether you want to answer or not. Last is “Silence,” which simply sends unknown numbers straight to voicemail.

For more Live Apple Event coverage, follow Mashable's live blog and get real-time updates on the iPhone 17, Apple Watch Series 11, and AirPods Pro 3 launch.

TL;DR: Give your kids the gift of gentle, safe screentime with this lifetime subscription to Pok Pok, now only $49.99 (reg. $250) with code TAKE10 through Oct. 5.

Opens in a new window Credit: Pok Pok Pok Pok: Lifetime Subscription $49.99
$250 Save $200.01 Get Deal

Not all screen time is bad. If you’ve been looking for a calmer screen time option for your little ones, look no further than Pok Pok. This app offers low-stimulation content that not only entertains but also educates kids in STEM, numbers, cause-and-effect, problem-solving, and language.

Right now, you can secure a lifetime subscription for calm, educational play with Pok Pok for just $49.99 (reg. $250) with code TAKE10 through Oct. 5.

Meet Pok Pok: a calmer way to do screen time

There are enough things to worry about as a parent — don’t make screen time one of them. Pok Pok gives you a safe and educational option for your kids, complete with hand-drawn animation and calm, low-stimulation sound effects made in-house. It was made by parents to give kids a healthy introduction to technology, and that’s what it delivers.

Pok Pok’s award-winning educational games cover a wide range of topics, from STEM to numbers and language. These Montessori-inspired, child-centered lessons are self-paced and geared toward children ages 2 to 8. The app emphasizes problem-solving and exploration through open-ended play, and has been designed to grow with your children.

You can rest easy while your kids play on Pok Pok. It’s COPPA-certified, so there won’t be any ads that trick them into making purchases. You can also keep them off the internet completely thanks to an offline play option.

This lifetime subscription gives your kids access to unlimited games, and they won’t run out of content thanks to regular updates. New seasonal and cultural additions are constantly added, so things stay fresh. You’ll also receive an exclusive gift mailed to your home with your purchase.

Let your kids enjoy guilt-free, educational screen time with this lifetime subscription to Pok Pok, now only $49.99 (reg. $250) with code TAKE10 through Oct. 5.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Bryan Fuller has carved his career out of blending whimsy with the macabre.

In 2003, he offered Dead Like Me, a sensationally funny and heart-wrenching tale of a young adult whose untimely death turns her into a hapless grim reaper. Four years later, he charmed us again with Pushing Daisies, a murder-mystery show centered around the romance between a pie maker who can resurrect the dead and the girl-next-door he's risen, but can never touch (lest she die again). From there, he went into darker adaptations, like TV's Hannibal and American Gods.

Now, he's offering a fairytale in Dust Bunny, so you better believe it's winsome and deeply fucked up.

From the logline, Dust Bunny intrigues: A young girl hires a hitman to kill the monster under her bed. But what instantly takes this from promising to must-see is the casting, with Mads Mikkelsen as the hitman.

Yes! Dust Bunny reunites Hannibal's creator and eponymous killer for a twisted tale of terror and tenderness. While fitting in solidly with what we've come to expect from Fuller's sensibilities, Dust Bunny feels like what might happen if Léon: The Professional had a baby with Amélie and Tremors. Don't think too hard on how that would work. Focus on this — this movie rocks.

Dust Bunny has a sweet yet rotten sensibility.

Written and directed by Fuller, Dust Bunny seems to pull from the French romantic sensibilities of Luc Besson and Jean-Pierre Jeunet. Like Besson's Léon, Dust Bunny's plot follows an orphaned little girl who calls upon the hitman down the hall of her cruddy apartment building to save her from a vicious monster. Like Jeunet's Amélie, Dust Bunny offers a color palette and magical realism reminiscent of a charming postcard, weathered by neglect.

Young Aurora (Sophie Sloan) lives in a world festooned with patterns so ornate and intrusive that they border on suffocating. Practically every wall and piece of furniture piece is laced with curlicues, flowers, or stripes. Aurora's bedroom is swathed in pinks and greens, but less cheerful and more the shades of putrid Pepto-Bismol and a smoky night sky.

The wider metropolis — where she stalks "the intriguing neighbor" (Mikkelsen) that she suspects can help her — is colored in deep crimson, teal, and mustard, less vibrant and more caked with shadow and dust. Every resident in this murky metropolis has an affinity for bold prints, including a gang dressed as if they are all currently modeling Thom Browne's latest line of plaid kilt suits.

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Everything around Aurora exudes beauty and decay. So when her parents are gobbled up by the monstrous dust bunny that lurks under her bedroom floors, much like the shark does the waters of Amity Island in Jaws, she looks for hope in the one man who seems invincible to the ravenous rot.

Demanding his help, she sits before him with whatever money she can gather (how she does so is an irreverent treat too good to spoil). But he insists monsters are not real, hence it was not a monster that killed her parents.

A battle of wills and perspectives ensues, as the unnamed neighbor takes this curious situation back to his femme fatale handler (Sigourney Weaver), who believes Aurora's parents have been axed by another assassin. However, if you've ever gotten sucked into one of Fuller's fantasy worlds, where outrageous twists, earnest heart, and dark jokes bloom together, you might well guess the truth is complicated.

Dust Bunny is surprising, gnarly, and genuinely scary.

Fuller has created a fairy tale that starts off feeling like it could be for kids, but steadily grows into something too mature and deliciously unhinged for them. The first act leans away from dialogue, allowing the visuals and the performances of Sloan and Mikkelsen to communicate curiosity and connection before they even meet. A battle scene, where Aurora spies the neighbor's special set of skills, offers whiz-bang action, brought to life with inventive fight choreography, shadow puppetry, and a tinny, greenscreened world that recalls once-groundbreaking actioners like Sin City and Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow.

Admittedly, such obvious CGI is frowned upon nowadays. But Dust Bunny's use of the technology fits the film's general aesthetic of a world made up of the unbelievable, the beguiling, and the marred. Basically, these less than photorealistic effects invite us to abandon reality and embrace Aurora's world, encouraging us to believe in the monster under her bed. And what a monster!

The character design of this creature is unique and disturbing. Made up of fluff, teeth, and bulk, the titular beast is a thrill to witness as it rises from under the floorboards. The sound design enhances this scare, the cracking of the boards giving a sense of might even when the dust bunny is unseen. At first, his kills are offscreen. But as Dust Bunny builds the bond between girl and hitman, the stakes rise, as does the violence onscreen. Baddies will be gobbled up with clear relish from Fuller, who makes the demise of a stylish fleet of killers into mounting punchlines.

Mads Mikkelsen is pitch-perfect as a little girl's hitman bestie.

A premise this dark might urge some filmmakers to balance with a goofy or even kind-eyed male lead. (Think Jean Reno in The Professional, who had a soft-hearted love of movies and potted plants.) Bless Fuller for rejecting both.

Mikkelsen plays the role of this hitman seriously, mostly stoically. It makes sense for a man whose profession and life demand that he stay cool under pressure. And why it works so splendidly here is that Aurora is similarly stern. Watching a grown man and a pigtailed little girl glare at each other from across a table, a chicken-shaped lamp perched between them, is the kind of classic comedy that dates back to Charlie Chaplin and The Kid.

Sloan and Mikkelsen work as a duo because they operate on the same wavelength: life or death, no kids' stuff. Fuller brings some more lively and outlandish figures to life around them, like Weaver, who has killer fashion sense and a deliciously mean directness, whether discussing could-be hits or child-rearing. David Dastmalchian is a standout as a sensitive goon who can squeal like an alarm bell. Rebecca Henderson brings cool snarls as another foe, while Sheila Atim (The Woman King) plays a social service worker so precise and quirky that it seems she strolled over in her perfectly fitted, patterned suit from Pushing Daisies.

Truly, those still aching over that show's abrupt cancellation might find solace in the tone and humor here.

Dust Bunny is exactly the kind of movie fans should expect from Fuller, but it's also wildly surprising. As soon as it ended, I wanted to watch it again — not just for the fun of it, but to assure myself it was real and not some strange dream sparked from too much sour candy.

Dust Bunny was reviewed out of its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival.

Pips is the newest game in the New York Times catalogue. Released in August 2025, the new game puts a unique spin on dominoes, creating a fun single-player experience that could become your next daily gaming habit.

Currently, if you're stuck, the game only offers to reveal the entire puzzle, forcing you to move onto the next difficulty level and start over. However, we have you covered! Below are piecemeal answers that will serve as hints so that you can find your way through each difficulty level.

How to play Pips

If you've ever played dominoes, you'll have a passing familiarity for how Pips is played. Like dominoes, the tiles are placed vertically or horizontally and connect with each other. The main difference between a traditional game of dominoes and Pips is the color-coded conditions you have to address. The touching tiles don't necessarily have to match.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for September 10, 2025

The conditions you have to meet are specific to the color-coded spaces. For example, if it provides a single number, every side of a tile in that space must add up to the number provided. It is possible – and common – for only half a tile to be within a color-coded space.

Here are common examples you'll run into across the difficulty levels:

• Number: All the pips in this space must add up to the number.

• Equal: Every domino half in this space must be the same number of pips.

• Not Equal: Every domino half in this space must have a completely different number of pips.

• Less than: Every domino half in this space must add up to less than the number.

• Greater than: Every domino half in this space must add up to more than the number.

If an area does not have any color coding, it means there are no conditions on the portions of dominoes within those spaces.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for September 10, 2025 Easy difficulty hints, answers for Sept. 10 Pips

Number (6): Everything in this space must add to 6. The answer is 2-3, placed horizontally; 4-1, placed vertically.

Equal (3): Everything in this space must be equal to 3. The answer is 2-3, placed horizontally; 3-3, placed vertically.

Number (3): Everything in this space must add to 3. The answer is 6-3, placed vertically.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for Sept. 10 Pips

Greater than (3): Everything in this space must be greater than 3. The answer is 6-1, placed horizontally.

Equal (1): Everything in this space must be equal to 1. The answer is 1-2, placed horizontally; 6-1, placed horizontally.

Number (2): Everything in this light blue space must add to 2. The answer is 1-1, placed vertically; 0-1, placed vertically.

Number (2): Everything in this space must add to 2. The answer is 0-1, placed vertically; 1-4, placed vertically.

Less than (3): Everything in this space must be less than 3. The answer is 1-3, placed horizontally.

Number (8): Everything in this space must add to 8. The answer is 1-3, placed horizontally; 1-4, placed vertically; 1-5, placed horizontally.

Greater than (4): Everything in this space must be greater than 4. The answer is 1-5, placed horizontally.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for Sept. 10 Pips

Less than (3): Everything in this space must be less than 3. The answer is 1-3, placed horizontally.

Equal (3): Everything in this space must be equal to 3. The answer is 1-3, placed horizontally; 3-5, placed horizontally

Equal (4): Everything in this light blue space must be equal to 4. The answer is 4-3, placed horizontally; 4-4, placed horizontally.

Equal (6): Everything in this yellow space must be equal to 6. The answer is 6-5, placed horizontally; 6-3, placed vertically.

Less than (6): Everything in this space must be less than 6. The answer is 6-5, placed horizontally.

Equal (2): Everything in this green space must be equal to 2. The answer is 2-2, placed horizontally; 2-6, placed vertically.

Number (3): Everything in this space must add to 3. The answer is 6-3, placed vertically.

Greater than (3): Everything in this space must be greater than 3. The answer is 2-6, placed vertically.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

SAVE $70: As of Sept. 10, Beats Studio Buds+ are on sale for $99.95 at Amazon. That's a saving of 41% on list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Beats Beats Studio Buds+ $99.95 at Amazon
$169.95 Save $70.00 Get Deal

The Beats Studio Buds+ are back on sale at Amazon, and right now you can get them for under $100. As of Sept. 10, they are priced at $99.95, a $70 saving on list price.

The sound quality is unmatched, and so is the noise cancellation. This includes two listening modes: Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) and Transparency mode. Transparency mode allows you to listen to your music or podcasts while still being able to hear noise around you, such as cars, bikes, or other loud noises. Good for runners who want music without tuning out what’s around them.

SEE ALSO: Apple AirPods Pro 3 vs. AirPods Pro 2: What's different this time?

For comfort, they come with three soft ear tip sizes for a secure and comfortable fit. They also boast a nine-hour battery life, with an additional 36 hours provided by the charging case.

The battery life is also impressive, offering up to nine hours of listening time in one go, plus 36 hours with the charging case. And when the battery does run out, a quick five-minute charge will give you another full hour of listening.

Ready to upgrade your earbuds? Get this Beats deal from Amazon.

Connections: Sports Edition is a new version of the popular New York Times word game that seeks to test the knowledge of sports fans.

Like the original Connections, the game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for the latest Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections Sports Edition?

The NYT's latest daily word game has launched in association with The Athletic, the New York Times property that provides the publication's sports coverage. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

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Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.

If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.

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Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.

SEE ALSO: NYT Mini crossword answers, hints for September 10, 2025 Here's a hint for today's Connections Sports Edition categories

Want a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:

• Yellow: Game administrators

• Green: Regionally specific

• Blue: Recent winners

• Purple: Same second word

Featured Video For You Connections: How to play and how to win Here are today's Connections Sports Edition categories

Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:

• Yellow: Baseball-related

• Green: Type of scoring

• Blue: Sneakers

• Purple: Actors

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections Sports Edition #352 is...

What is the answer to Connections Sports Edition today

• NL East teams - ATLANTA, MIAMI, NEW YORK, PHILADELPHIA

• Synonyms of slam, in basketball - DUNK, FLUSH, JAM, STUFF

• Nike Shoes - BLAZER, CORTEZ, PEGASUS, SHOX

• Actors who played football coaches - PACINO, THORNTON, WASHINGTON, WINKLER

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to today's Connections.

SAVE $70: As of Sept. 10, the Apple Watch 10 is on sale for $359 at Amazon. That's a saving of 16% on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Watch 10 $359 at Amazon
$429 Save $70 Get Deal

The 2025 Apple Event brought about lots of newness, including a new iPhone 17 and new AirPods Pro 3. Among the announcements was the Apple Watch Series 11, which is now available to preorder. But if you've been eyeing up the Series 10 for some time, you'll be pleased to know that it has just gone on sale at Amazon.

As of Sept. 10, this model is reduced by $70, now priced at $359. This deal is for the 46mm case with a medium/large band, and applies to several colorways, including rose gold and jet black.

SEE ALSO: Apple Watch Ultra 3 battery life gets massive boost over Ultra 2

If you're looking for a watch that does a bit of everything, the Apple Watch 10 is a great choice, especially if you don't care about owning the newest model.

For health and fitness metrics, you'll get advanced health tracking including ECG readings, heart rate notifications, and ovulation estimates. In the Vitals app, you'll find detailed overnight metrics such as heart and respiratory rates, and sleep tracking. It even includes alerts for possible sleep apnea. And the workout app lets you track a whole load of activities, along with tools to monitor workout intensity and aquatic tracking with depth and water temperature sensors. And with 18 hours of normal use (and fast charging that gives you 80% in 30 minutes), the watch is perfect for all lengths of activity.

Display-wise, this model has the biggest and most readable display. It also introduced Apple's first-ever wide-angle OLED display, meaning the watch remains clear and sharp when glancing at it quickly or from different angles.

Some other notable features concern safety. Users get Fall Detection, Crash Detection, Emergency SOS, and a Check-In feature that automatically updates loved ones when you reach your destination.

Get this Apple Watch deal from Amazon.

The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.

With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.

So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: How to play Pips, the newest NYT game

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025:

AcrossIn alphabetical order, the five letters each worth at least five points in Scrabble

• The answer is JKQXZ.

Largest airport in the Midwest

• The answer is OHare.

The Devil

• The answer is Satan.

"Every Kiss Begins With ___" (longtime jewelry slogan)

• The answer is Kay.

Busy org. on April 15th

• The answer is IRS.

Down___ A. Bank (menswear retailer)

• The answer is Jos.

Yellowish-brown pants material

• The answer is Khaki.

Tiny neighbor of Saudi Arabia

• The answer is Qatar.

Pictures of fractures, perhaps

• The answer is Xrays.

In a chill state of mind

• The answer is Zen.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Featured Video For You The Wordle Strategy used by the New York Times' Head of Games

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to today's Mini Crossword.

SAVE $70: As of Sept 10, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE is on sale for $429.99 at Amazon. That's a 14% saving on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE $429.99 at Amazon
$499.99 Save $70 Get Deal

Sitting on the couch with a coffee in the morning, or multitasking while watching TV in the evening, a tablet is the perfect companion. Amazon regularly offers great discounts on tablets, but this latest deal on the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE is something that really caught our eye.

As of Sept. 10, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE is priced at $429.99 (down from $499.99). According to price tracker camelcamelcamel, it has never been cheaper than this.

SEE ALSO: How the new iPhone 17 Pro cameras compare to Pixel and Samsung Galaxy

The Galaxy Tab S10 FE is a great all-rounder tablet. Whether you're looking for something to stream, work, or take on the go, it's a great choice. It has a large, bright display with a 90Hz refresh rate (so no annoying lag) and dual speakers. It also comes with several AI features to improve usability, including Circle to Search, which allows you to quickly look up anything on your screen. Handwriting Assist keeps your notes neat, and Math Solver converts handwritten equations into text.

The tablet is water-resistant and powered by a fast processor, so if you want it for gaming, multitasking, or everyday use, it ticks all the boxes. The battery is a strong selling point too, and provides up to 20 hours of use with Super Fast Charging support.

Get this Samsung tablet deal from Amazon.

Jimmy Kimmel has already made his feelings clear about the very creepy letter and drawing Donald Trump allegedly sent to convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein for his 50th birthday, which was recently made public by the House Oversight Committee — and now he's turned his attention to the Republicans scrambling to defend the president.

In the Jimmy Kimmel Live! clip above from Tuesday night's show, the host plays footage of Tennessee Rep. Tim Burchett suggesting the signature on the letter is fake, before saying he's "never known Trump to be much of an artist."

"Oh well, then he couldn't have done it, right?" says Kimmel. "Not much of an artist, what are you talking about? He's an amazing artist, he's a con artist, he's a bulls**t artist...he paints his whole face orange every day."

SEE ALSO: Stephen Colbert reacts to Trump's creepy alleged birthday drawing for Epstein

Kimmel then moves on to the signature, which some Trump allies are claiming is either fake or the product of an autopen.

"They're saying it doesn't look like his signature and it could've been an autopen, which is a device that makes an exact replica of your signature," says Kimmel. "Which one is it? Is it exactly his signature or is it not his signature at all? It can't be both. And here's the other thing — this book is 22 years old. Who would've been faking Donald Trump's signature in a private birthday book in January of 2003? The Apprentice wasn't even on the air yet. This would've required an extraordinary amount of planning."

If you like playing daily word games like Wordle, then Hurdle is a great game to add to your routine.

There are five rounds to the game. The first round sees you trying to guess the word, with correct, misplaced, and incorrect letters shown in each guess. If you guess the correct answer, it'll take you to the next hurdle, providing the answer to the last hurdle as your first guess. This can give you several clues or none, depending on the words. For the final hurdle, every correct answer from previous hurdles is shown, with correct and misplaced letters clearly shown.

An important note is that the number of times a letter is highlighted from previous guesses does necessarily indicate the number of times that letter appears in the final hurdle.

If you find yourself stuck at any step of today's Hurdle, don't worry! We have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Hurdle: Everything you need to know to find the answers Hurdle Word 1 hint

Nemesis.

SEE ALSO: Apple’s new M3 MacBook Air is $300 off at Amazon. And yes, I’m tempted. Hurdle Word 1 answer

ENEMY

Hurdle Word 2 hint

To glorify.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for August 4, 2025 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

EXHALT

Hurdle Word 3 hint

To cut a sheep's wool.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for August 4 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for August 4, 2025 Hurdle Word 3 answer

SHEAR

Hurdle Word 4 hint

To mess up.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for August 4 Hurdle Word 4 answer

BOTCH

Final Hurdle hint

A steep ravine.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Games available on Mashable Hurdle Word 5 answer

GULCH

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

South Korean filmmaker Yeon Sang-ho first caught international attention in 2016, when he unleashed the unique zombie horror of Train to Busan upon the world. From there, he built out his zombie-infested franchise with the animated prequel Seoul Station and the souped-up action movie Peninsula. For his latest, The Ugly, Yeon leaves the monsters behind, but he's created a chilling thriller all the same. 

Like Train to Busan, his latest centers on a father and child. But rather than the workaholic businessman learning to dedicate himself to his love-starved young daughter (specifically so she won't be turned into a literal ankle-biter), The Ugly explores the relationship between another single, hardworking father and the grown son following in his footsteps. However, the lessons learned from this family story are less hopeful than those from Train to Busan.

So, brace yourself.

What's The Ugly about? 

Yeon adapted his own debut graphic novel, Face, for the screenplay, which centers on Dong-hwan (Park Jeong-min), a fortysomething Korean man who works with his blind father, Yeong-gyu (Kwon Hae-hyo), a renowned engraver. His whole life, Dong-hwan has been at his father's side, watching how he overcame adversity and the mockery of others to become not just a success in his business but also a celebrity, heralded by newspapers as a "living miracle" for his engraving skills. 

Actually, Dong-hwan is pretty over all this fawning, which is where The Ugly begins. A TV producer named Su-jin (Han Ji-hyeon), seemingly the latest in a long line, is pestering Yeong-gyu for an interview and B-roll footage, when Dong-hwan gets a very strange phone call. The authorities have found a pile of bones buried on a mountainside. The ID card found with them suggests they belong to his mother, Young-hee, who ran off four decades ago. 

With the help of the story-hungry Su-jin, Dong-hwan seeks to understand not just what befell his mother, but also who she was — and if she was ugly.

The Ugly calls into question what "ugly" means. 

All Dong-hwan knows about his mother is that she left him and his father. Whatever else might have been shared has been unspoken between them. But with the confirmation of her death, others in her life have plenty to say. Long-lost family members, former co-workers at a clothing factory, and her old boss are all quick to agree on one thing: She was ugly. 

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Masquerading as a writer for the TV documentary, Dong-hwan is able to get an unfiltered view from these strangers, who readily compare his mom to a monster in her appearance and giggle over her nickname, Dung Ogre. They recount stories meant to illustrate what a mess of a person she was. But with each one, Dong-hwan instead sees a woman who pointed out the ugly truth, even when it made her unpopular. 

Yeon Sang-ho withholds a key detail to keep viewers on their toes. Credit: Well Go USA

In seeking to know his mother, one thing Dong-hwan wants deeply is to see her. He was so young when she died that he has no memory of her. His father, being a blind man, has no photos of her. And even her family insists she was camera-shy because "she was ugly." A photo of her would be a way to properly remember her at her funeral, where her remains are just bones. But more than that, it would be a way for her to become real to Dong-hwan. 

Yeon illustrates Dong-hwan's journey to understand his mother by presenting flashback scenes that reflect his perspective, not that of the story's teller. What I mean by this is, even when stories are told from those who despise her and call her "ugly," Yeon never shows her face. Either it's obstructed by the long, lanky dark hair that hangs down from her head and onto her shoulders, or it's just out of frame. Whether or not she is ugly is not a question we are invited to answer in these scenes. Instead, we are urged to judge her by her actions — as her son does. 

Yeon Sang-ho delivers a twisted crime tale. 

The answers to the murder mystery are not wildly surprising. But to Yeon's credit, they are well charted. With each interview, Dong-hwan plays detective, piecing together who could have possibly wanted his mother dead. The reveals are satisfyingly gut-wrenching. 

Beyond that, however, in seeking her, he comes to better understand his father too. Through old stories unearthed, he sees how his father and mother responded differently to challenges. And so, now more than ever before, Dong-hwan is left to wonder who he resembles. It's a point brought up by the TV producer Su-jin, who says early on that Dong-hwan looks like his dad. But "resembles" takes on a deeper meaning as he learns ugly truths. In what ways is he like his dad and like his mom? This question becomes the one that will stick with you. 

In the end, The Ugly is a stirring thriller, bolstered by dark twists, and paid off with a final scene that plays like a monkey's paw curling. What if what you want is ultimately what you get? Can you handle it? 

The Ugly was reviewed out of its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival. 

We all like to think we wouldn't fall into a cult. But Wayward, the Netflix original mini-series, boldly asks, "What if it were run by Toni Collette?" 

Admit it, you'd be tempted to follow her anywhere, if only for the plot. 

The Australian actor is a chameleon, able to play the offbeat but lovable heroine of Muriel's Wedding, the emotional mum of About a Boy, the fiercely protective Philly mom in The Sixth Sense, and the full-on "I am your mother" of Hereditary. In Wayward, she's a mother figure, inviting yet intimidating and utterly addictive.

Evelyn Wade has long, flowing blonde hair, large eyeglasses, and a tendency toward cardigans that suggest she's a mix of earnest intellectual and crunchy hippie. She is the leader of Tall Pines Academy, a reform school for teenagers who need to "solve the problem of adolescence." 

However, from the intense opening sequence of Wayward, show creator/co-star Mae Martin lets us in on a sinister secret: This promising reform program in a picturesque town is not what it seems. 

Wayward begins with a big leap.  Credit: Michael Gibson / Netflix

On a dark night, a teen boy races recklessly through trees, fleeing something or someone. He's so desperate to escape that he plunges himself into a lake, but what he sees at the bottom of it is impossible: a glowing door. Swimming around him are the cryptic words of an unseen woman. She speaks of his mother, a bell, and a door. What could it all mean? 

Martin takes their time untangling the mystery of Wayward. Across the eight episodes of this mini-series, much of the action will be set in Tall Pines, Vermont, a cozy place where boundaries are so nonexistent that houses there have no doors between rooms. This lack of privacy comes as a shock to Alex (Martin), a cop joining the local police force at the behest of his wife, Laura (Sarah Gadon), who is a graduate of Tall Pines Academy. After facing some professional problems, this married couple is looking for a fresh start, and where better than the place once problem child Laura found hers as a teen?

Evelyn is positively giddy to welcome them to town, but less forthcoming when it comes to the Academy. Not long after they've arrived, Alex is drawn toward the place — or more specifically, to its troubled youths. Hailing from Canada, Abbie (Sydney Topliffe) fell in with a bad influence, her bestie, Leila (Alyvia Alyn Lind), who's coping with grief through drugs, partying, and a 26-year-old boyfriend who's as bright as a burnt-out bulb. The girls' parents hope Tall Pines will be a turning point for both. But Evelyn's promises are so enchanting that few grown-ups are looking into her methods — except Alex.

Mae Martin has crafted a compelling teen drama with grown-up twists.  Credit: Netflix

Often in teen dramas, grown-ups are lazy caricatures of smothering moms or abusive dads, or parents that are absolutely absent so as not to be an obstacle to the plot. Wayward handles this potential pitfall by writing the boring parents out pretty swiftly; they're all left behind as the kids enter Tall Pines. And yet, parenthood is a major theme of the series, as Laura is pregnant. 

A trans man eager to embrace the role of dad, Alex wants to support his wife in any way possible. But he's bewildered by her apparent disinterest in all things baby, even as her belly grows. Alex finds an outlet to test his fatherhood abilities in protecting the Academy kids, even if it defies Evelyn's rules.

Through a smuggled walkie-talkie, Alex communicates with Abbie about what's going on behind the cheery exterior of the Academy. But Evelyn, a mother figure not only to Laura but also to much of the town, has a power that even the police can't compete with. Plus, she seems so nice. And she's helping kids! So even doubting her feels wrong, like questioning your mother or God. (A very YA predicament!)

Beyond creating the series, Martin shoulders much of the story as an actor, taking on scenes of frenzied teen confessions, steely stare-downs with his partner on the police force, uneasy confrontations with Evelyn, and scenes of seduction with his wife. Gadon, a stalwart in Canadian television like Letterkenny and Alias Grace, lends support and delivers an unnerving arc of her own. Each of their stories slowly unravels the mystery of Evelyn Wade through flashbacks and investigation. Lovers of crime dramas will relish every tense moment. And yet, Wayward has more to offer. 

Wayward offers a fresh perspective. Credit: Netflix

While Laura and Alex try to make Tall Pines a home (or at least less scary) before their baby arrives, Abbie and Leila are fighting to survive the Academy. It's shades of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's nest as the kids are treated like inmates, stripped of their clothes and personal effects as a means of erasing their identities. They must all fit into the box made up of Evelyn's rigid rules. And as you might expect, the residents of the Academy range from rebels — like Abbie and Leila — to bootlickers, like counselors nicknamed Mule (Tricia Black) and Rabbit (Tattiawna Jones). 

Snitching on your fellow kids is rewarded at Tall Pines Academy, where Evelyn sits and smiles as her wards tear one another apart with judgment and snarling name-calling. Basically, imagine the shittiest thing someone said to you in high school being said in front of everyone in your grade, with your teacher nodding in approval. With the Academy, Martin heightens the stakes of high school drama — from embarrassment to cliques to crushes — by putting them all under the unblinking eye of Evelyn, who treats normal human urges like a disease that can only be defeated by a rigorous regimen of shame and submission. 

Within this, Topliffe and Lind have the most screentime, and make a meal of it. Together, they are authentic in capturing the chaotic chemistry of girlhood best friends. They are at times childish, challenging, caring, and even caustic. So you can't help but root for them, even if their paths seem to be pulling them away from each other.

Martin smartly builds a curious cast of misfits around their heroines, including a chronic liar who is also a sweetheart (John Daniel), a gleeful snitch (Isolde Ardies), and a volatile bad boy (Milton Torres Lara). Rather than fitting neatly into The Breakfast Club clichés of John Hughes–styled teen drama, Martin carves out fresh ideas of what it means to be young and acting out. And to drive home the high stakes of the Academy's brutal rehabilitation process, Martin offers Colette as a vengeful god. 

Toni Colette is electrifying in Wayward.  Credit: Michael Gibson / Netflix

Naturally. With enviable ease, Colette musters a gravitas that instantly establishes Evelyn as not only powerful, but also beguiling. From the first time you see her smiling face — in a promotional video for the Academy —you might know she can't be trusted. Perhaps because her whole schtick feels too familiar to the various true-crime exposés about pretty blonde white women who've led well-meaning people into twisted cults that profit from followers' shame. Maybe because you don't cast Toni Colette to play just some nice helper of children. That would be a waste of her depth and just how bone-chilling she can be. And Wayward wastes neither.

There's a sense in this show that Colette knows what the audience wants from her. On some level, maybe we're watching and waiting for a Hereditary-style monologue, so scathing that it's devastating and delicious. Every scene with Evelyn seems to peel back another layer of her smiling exterior, so that those glinting white teeth seem less a welcome and more a warning. What will be revealed becomes like a twisted striptease as the series goes on.

Colette grounds the horror of Wayward, which, despite hints at the paranormal, is terrifyingly human in its horror. Martin's series renders a world familiar, current, and even disarmingly progressive. LGBTQ+ characters live in Tall Pines, and they might be judged for all kinds of infractions against the town's unwritten rules of conduct. But no one will condemn them for their sexuality or misgender them. In this way, Martin lays a sophisticated message into the mini-series. 

Horror set in small towns can often come from a fear of conservative politics. In those movies, breaking from old-fashioned ways can get you cursed or killed. But Wayward offers a twist on this.

Tall Pines is not some Stepford Wives setup of brainwashed white wives obeying stodgy gender roles. It's a diverse Vermont town, in terms of race, sexual orientation, gender — just not belief. In that, Martin scratches at the troubling, smug isolation that can happen within liberal enclaves. These spaces aren't immune to the abusive tactics of a charismatic figure. And yet, both through casting Colette and building rich character arcs, Martin shows how damned hard resisting such an influence can be, especially when you are in desperate need of community. 

In the end, Wayward becomes about what we're willing to surrender. Like great Netflix series like Orange Is the New Black, Stranger Things, and Bridgerton, this mini-series gives audiences an ensemble of fascinating characters with intriguing arcs, so the story feels rich, no matter what thread a sequence follows.

All this makes for a show that's very easy to binge-watch. So now a warning: Don't hit play on Wayward unless you're ready to surrender yourself to 8 hours of this sensational series. Like the town at its center, it's hard to walk away from. 

Wayward was reviewed out of the Toronto International Film Festival; it will debut on Netflix on Sept. 25.