IT General

Sex in cinema is back, baby. 2024 has been a banging year at the movies thanks to steamy fare like Rose Glass's neo-noir thriller Love Lies Bleeding, Luca Guadagnino's love-triangle drama Challengers, Sean Baker's sex-worker-centered comedy Anora, and last, but certainly not least, Halina Reijn's May-December drama Babygirl.

Written and directed by Bodies Bodies Bodies helmer Reijn, Babygirl has earned dynamic buzz out of its Venice Film Festival premiere, from which Nicole Kidman was awarded the Volpi Cup for her riveting performance as the female lead. As she has in daring productions like Eyes Wide Shut, The Paperboy, and Big Little Lies, Kidman rejects her polished persona as a megawatt star (and AMC advocate), embracing a messy journey of sex and danger.

Featured Video For You SEE ALSO: The 25 best movies of 2024, and where to watch them

Yet Babygirl stands out among these other sexy films and series by keeping the playfulness of fucking fiercely at the center of its willfully problematic romance. In that, even the seediest sequence has a bit of sweetness ground in. 

Babygirl genderswaps a common May-December dynamic.  Director Halina Reijn and Nicole Kidman. Credit: A24

At first blush, Babygirl's premise sounds almost tediously familiar: A high-powered CEO's family and job are threatened, thanks to a torrid affair with a lusty young intern.

Except Reijn genderswaps these roles, so the mighty CEO isn't a snarling Michael Douglas type; she's played by a crisp, cool Kidman. And rather than a curvy nymph swanning into their new workplace in a snug pencil skirt, Triangle of Sadness' Harris Dickinson strolls in with a blazer and a bored expression. And just like that, the expectations of this erotic tale are thrown off-kilter. 

Romy Mathis (Kidman) seems to have it all: a posh Hamptons home; a luxury Manhattan apartment; a handsome, doting husband (Antonio Banderas); two lovely teen daughters, Isabel (Esther McGregor) and Nora (Vaughan Reilly); and a high-power job, where she's not only respected but also a role model for women in male-dominated fields. However, deep down Romy desires to be disrespected, debased, and made to beg. It's a wish so dark she can't even share it with her longtime partner. So when this beautiful and blasé hunk talks to her as casually as he might a barista, she's uncomfortably aroused. And he knows it. 

Samuel (Harris) is a new take on the problematic Lolita trope: a young person (typically a girl, often a minor) who is portrayed as sexually precocious and self-aware way beyond their years. Early on, he can sense that what Romy is missing in her life is a place where she can play at being submissive. Tough but tender, Samuel is ready to be her dominant, expecting her to grovel on a dirty hotel room floor or drink a tall glass of milk just because he said so. Romy's desire is one often associated with male execs, especially in BDSM circles. The genderswapping of this May-December dom-sub relationship (the opposite of, say, Steven Shainberg's office-set BDSM rom-com The Secretary), makes for a thrillingly transgressive narrative.

SEE ALSO: A beginner's guide to understanding Dom/sub dynamics

Romy and Samuel's relationship is undeniably hot, thanks to the intense chemistry between Kidman and Harris. Yet it's an onscreen romance that might well make its audience squirm, because of the power dynamics, the age difference, the non-conforming gender roles, and the kinky sex. This relationship is deeply fucked up even before Romy suggests their safe word be "Jacob" — the name of her husband. And all of this works toward a lusty and liberating message that sex should be about aching emotional honesty and fun discoveries. 

Babygirl revels in sexual experimentation and consent.  Nicole Kidman and Harris Dickinson in "Babygirl." Credit: A24

BDSM gets a bad rap in the media, often because it's mischaracterized as abusive or bullying. Reijn and her cast embrace a version of Dom/sub sex where consent is not just essential but also exciting. In a husky voice, Samuel tells Romy to do certain things. She might blush or refuse him, and he'll urge her tell him why. It's not pressuring, it's communication. And notably, it's the kind of dialogue — awkward and exhilarating — that she can't manage with her sweet husband. 

Far from the "zipless fucks" dreamed of by Erica Jong or idealized in erotic thrillers of the '90s, Babygirl uses these moments of clumsy conversation and fumbling foreplay not only to ground sexual fantasy in a more realistic setting, but also, because there's a freedom in seeing the process here. We see the pair's chosen cheap hotel room as a sexual sandbox, where both feel liberated as playmates. The power dynamic is in effect, but pleasure is the goal both seek to find together. And perhaps because it's Kidman in the lead, Babygirl urges its audience to take themselves less seriously in the bedroom, and be a bit like Romy and Samuel. 

Nicole Kidman delivers a hot-blooded and vulnerable performance that could make her an Oscars frontrunner.  Antonio Banderas and Nicole Kidman in "Babygirl." Credit: A24

Some will likely balk at or criticize Kidman for taking such a sexually raw role. (She faced similar critiques over The Paperboy.) As Romy, Kidman is given a level of power few women in the world will ever have. And so there’s a knowing discomfort in watching her surrender that power to some reverent dude in a necktie. As the stakes of this drama heighten through the possibility of Romy losing her job or her husband or the respect of her assistant (Talk to Me's Sophie Wilde) and daughters, there are plenty of reasons to judge this relationship. Yet within those scenes, Kidman lets loose a version of this character who is so radiantly human, so beautifully flawed, full of yearning and shame, that she is comprehendible. Even as we know she’s making "bad choices," we might be relieved to watch someone dare to do that. By living vicariously through Babygirl's dizzying highs and gut-churning lows, you might feel inspired to embrace the truth of yourself, as Romy does over the course of this movie. 

Kidman thoughtfully knocks herself off of the high pedestal of glamour girl movie stardom to give us this gift. While the scenes of sexual discovery can feel downright juvenile with their laughter and awkward conversations around consent and kink, Babygirl has a profound maturity in its psychological understanding and empathy for unconventional desires. 

As to the Oscars, Kidman’s win in Venice suggests she’s in good standing this award season. Sexual liberation and unapologetic nudity certainly didn’t hurt Emma Stone last year in the best actress race; she won for Poor Things. However, Kidman's age might prove a challenge. Even as there is a rise in May-December romances featuring an older woman and younger man (including Kidman's summer release A Family Affair), there can be a backlash against older women lusting for a younger man, as we’ve seen in the mixed reception of The Idea of You, a rom-com about a middle-aged single mom hooking up with a 20-something boyband member.

Kidman is helped, however, by being surrounded by strong performances. Harris is finely tuned at the cross-section of lusty fantasy and irksome reality, playing a character who maintains a sultry mystique, justified by his place in Romy’s conflicted perspective. Banderas warmly portrays a loving partner/father, edging the fun of the affair with the pain of his inevitable discovery of it. Wilde withers as a keen assistant. McGregor brings a free-spirited Gen Z sense of sexual liberation as Romy’s queer daughter with a love triangle of her own, while Reilly succinctly captures the sweet innocence of a child that might well be shattered by the cracking of her mother’s all-mighty facade. 

Altogether, the cast makes Babygirl a stunner, landing silly moments as well as sexy ones. Emotionally naked, unapologetically provocative, and defiantly playful, Reijn's film joyfully explores the complicated ties that bind. Amid stiff competition, she delivers one of the sexiest, most thrilling films of the year. 

Babygirl is now on VOD and digital platforms.

UPDATE: Jan. 27, 2025, 4:31 p.m. EST "Babygirl" was reviewed out of its North American premiere at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival in this article, originally published Oct. 1, 2024. It has been updated to include current viewing information.

The German word "schadenfreude" basically means "deriving pleasure from someone else's pain," and that has to be part of the magic behind First We Feast's uber popular YouTube show Hot Ones. Since 2015, host Sean Evans has put celebs in the literal hot seat, challenging them to eat increasingly spicy wings and answer probing questions meticulously crafted by his research team.

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After more than 300 episodes, 25 seasons, and 1 billion views, guests ranging from Olivia Rodrigo and Matt Damon to Malcolm Gladwell and Joel Embiid have taken on the hot wing gauntlet. And while many have failed (DJ Khaled only made it to three wings, proving that all he does is quit), others have triumphed like champs.

We gathered some of the most memorable episodes to watch back-to-back, notable for their animated reactions, memorable conversations, or legendary performances.

In no particular order, here are the greatest Hot Ones episodes to binge.

1. Pedro Pascal

"I really actually got to the point that I thought that this might not happen." These are the words of a struggling Pedro Pascal as he grapples with Da Bomb. Like the rest of the interview though, the Gladiator II star manages to joke and laugh his way through the pain, making a Hot Ones episode that is easily one of the show's most delightful.

2. Shaq

Shaquille O'Neal brings his own milk, apologizes to the entire state of Kansas, and desperately asks for "ice cube chapstick" to soothe his burning lips. But can he finish all 10 wings without tapping out?

3. Jennifer Lawrence

Lawrence is not just a lovely guest, but an iconic one. Her horrified expression and nonsensical blabbering ("What do you mean? What do you mean?") as Evans picks up and shakes the final bottle of hot sauce became one of the most popular memes of 2023.

4. Conan O'Brien

Conan O'Brien brings his own doctor along to the Hot Ones studio, declares "I don't think there's a wing on this table that I cannot devour like it's cool whip cream on an August afternoon," and inevitably succumbs to spice-induced delusion.

5. Ariana Grande

There's an almost eerie calm in this one, with Ariana Grande proving herself to be a hall of fame Hot Ones contender by barely even raising an eyebrow at Da Bomb. Impressive.

6. Paul Rudd

Paul Rudd opts for vegan cauliflower wings and utters the words that launched a thousand memes: "Hey, look at us." In an incredible display of mental and physical fortitude, he also completes the 10-wing gauntlet without a single sip of water or milk.

7. Lorde

Watch as Lorde waxes poetic about the virtues of the perfect onion ring and wipes the floor with every single Hot Ones celeb who preceded her by eating all 10 wings without so much as breaking a sweat.

8. Sabrina Carpenter

"I'm a snotty girl, by the way." Sabrina Carpenter lays all her cards on the table as the wings get spicier, and for the most part she takes them in her stride — at least right up until she gets to Da' Bomb, and the suffering starts in earnest. The most memorable question the Short n' Sweet singer asks Sean as she desperately tries to ward off the pain? "Has anyone ever sued you?" Still, she makes it through in the end.

9. Idris Elba

Idris Elba shows up a bit cocky ("I'm pretty confident, I fear no one," he assures Evans), but the wings soon put him in his place. It's all smooth sailing until he tries Da' Bomb and is overcome by a dry cough and confusion.

10. Tom Holland

Bubbly Brit Tom Holland muscles his way through a difficult meal to conquer the wings of death, all while charming Evans with stories from the set and his failed audition for Star Wars.

11. Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman

This one featuring the Deadpool & Wolverine co-stars descends into glorious mayhem around the halfway point, when Hugh Jackman suddenly can't stop himself from giggling, sweating and crying at the same time.

12. Millie Bobby Brown

Millie Bobby Brown saunters through seven wings like a champ, but everything breaks down in the fourteenth minute when she flips Da' Bomb the bird and starts talking a mile a minute.

13. Billie Eilish

Billie Eilish gets so heated she shoves handfuls of ice cubes into her mouth.

14. Desus and Mero

Comedy duo Desus and Mero wipe literal nose sweat away as they stare down the wings of death.

15. Lil Yachty

In his first-ever experience with hot wings, the rapper delivers some of the best reactions the show has ever seen. 🔥

16. Gordon Ramsay

Karma is spicy for chef Gordon Ramsay, who pops open a bottle of Pepto-Bismol mid-challenge.

17. Margot Robbie

Margot Robbie truly struggles to take on the wings of death ("I think I might die," she says at one point) but makes it through thanks to special cameos from her Birds of Prey costars.

18. Pete Davidson

Pete Davidson fights his way to an impressive finish while asking Evans through tears, "Am I the worst!?" No worries, Pete, DJ Khaled was definitely the worst.

19. Post Malone

Posty returns to the show and provides cartoon-level reactions, from a Wile E. Coyote scream to a respectable repertoire of dance moves.

UPDATE: Jan. 27, 2025, 3:02 p.m. UTC This story was originally published on April 21, 2024 by Elizabeth de Luna and has been updated by Sam Haysom with more of the best 'Hot Ones' episodes you should binge, ones that were released after the initial publish date.

One day, you’re an all-powerful CEO, star wife, and mother, and the next day you're eating out of your young intern’s hand, quite literally. How is this contradiction possible, if it is a contradiction at all? The answer for both Nicole Kidman’s character in Halina Reijn’s film Babygirl and for many others who identify as BDSM submissives lies in the elusive concept of subspace: a metaphorical space and altered state one submits to during a kink scene, thanks to arousal and exchange of consent.

SEE ALSO: 'Babygirl' review: Nicole Kidman to 'Challengers': Hold my beer

The notion is very new to Romy Mathis (Kidman, whose performance won her the Volpi Cup for Best Actress at this year's Venice Film Festival). She's the sharply dressed big boss with her hair always pinned up, until she meets Samuel (Harris Dickinson): a much younger, cocky, and borderline rude intern wearing a suit twice his size, filling it with ego. Romy finds herself trembling when Samuel controls a stray dog about to jump on her in the street with a mere whistle and a nod. From this seemingly passing interaction, the flows of her desire steer the narrative into the unknown waters of ambivalent wants and surrender, as Romy and Samuel begin an affair based on the exploration of dominance and submission.

"Scene" and its double meaning  Nicole Kidman and Harris Dickinson in "Babygirl." Credit: A24

According to Lina Dune, kink educator and host of the Ask a Sub podcast, a Dominant/submissive (D/s) relationship affords "a ritual space," where equal, consenting adults negotiate, establish boundaries and safe words, and create "a container where things can transform and alchemize." The set-up is called a "scene" and within the kink scene, the submissive can experience subspace. In theatre, cinema, or kink, we associate the word "scene" with a curated experience and performance. 

Speaking to Mashable, director Halina Reijn champions this dual meaning, adding that for her, Babygirl is about performing. "Of course, in a BDSM setting, there’s a lot of performing," she says, "but sex in general can also be very performative." As a result, this theme informed the script and conversations with Kidman, becoming an instrument to explore the character's authentic self. "Romy thinks she has to perform the perfect mother, lover, wife, leader," says Reijn, "and we are all a little bit like that — what we forget to do is be ourselves and accept whoever we are."

Featured Video For You Halina Reijn explains 'Babygirl’s' trojan horse of sexual tension

But what makes Babygirl stand out is that it shows dominance and submission as a process of negotiation, trial and error, rather than a textbook example or a polished act. Babygirl’s kink scenes feel real and inviting because they lay bare the mechanisms in the inner workings of control exchange. In each scene, Samuel umms and ahhs, trails off, laughs in the middle of his commands, while Romy is shown to resist, back out, and change her mind. For the actors, this means an extra layer of performance that incorporates flippancy and respect for consent; for the viewer it means relatability.

Not every scene is a "scene" but subspace is a space Credit: A24

Subspace is a term used within the D/s and BDSM communities, according to Dune, to talk about "the altered state that comes about through the experience of submission." She insists that it is a wide category that encompasses individual experiences that may differ from one another, like that of intoxication or alcohol intake, for example. Scientifically, the state is a reaction to adrenaline, oxytocin, and endorphins rushing into the brain, but what does subspace feel like? 

Dune explains that for some people it may be "a floaty, dreamy, quiet disconnected feeling," while others might giggle or cry. "I like to refer to it as 'getting high on your own supply,'" she says, "because you're not on anything, but the experience of crossing over a taboo."

Thinking of cinematic representations of liminal states — hallucinations (Enter the Void), drug-induced trips (Queer), or drunkenness (Another Round) — perhaps film is the most suitable medium to portray a subjective, heightened state of mind. The key is in the spatial metaphor: one "goes into" or "inhabits" a space. Unlike other films, Babygirl doesn’t rely on classical point-of-view shots showing a dizzy, spell-binding world seen through the protagonist's eyes. Instead, the handheld work of Reijn’s long-time collaborator, cinematographer Jasper Wolf is more subtle. 

Lights, camera, submission! Credit: A24

Halfway through the film, Romy and Samuel decide to meet at a cheap hotel. No wonder, their affair belongs to clandestine spaces, the four walls of every office, bathroom stall, and hired bedroom swelling with desire. When it’s just the two of them, they can be free from the outside world’s demands. In that sequence, Romy storms out and comes back, Samuel wrestles her to the ground, and their power dynamics become a source of play: a scene begins. The camera sinks down with her, framing her face in a close-up, while Samuel becomes a blur in the background: where he touches her and how is not as important as Romy’s reactions. 

Discussing that part of the film, Wolf tells Mashable that the camera is like a third character in the room with them. Instead of story-boarding the shots, he would film long, single takes to capture the erotic flow of power exchange. The camera often remains still and fixed on Romy, letting the viewer accompany her throughout the cascade of emotions coloring her face with arousal: from surprise through shame to blissful release, we partake in her surrender. 

"It's like an honest and sometimes relentless gaze on what is going to happen between the two," he says. 

Coordinating subspace Credit: A24

Why can’t words accurately describe subspace? "If we lived in a matriarchal utopia, perhaps we would have more words for it," jokes Dune. But in today’s individualistic Western world, she points out that people "are expected to actualize themselves in a way that’s masculine-coded. Submission, in contrast, is understood to be very vulnerable which is more female-coded." 

In cinema, pop culture, or daily life, the derogatory stereotype for men in power who want to be dominated and/or humiliated is often presented as a point of humor. Admitting a submissive desire costs a lot: "I'll receive at least one phone call per week from someone who says they want to be a sub, but stress on the fact that they are not submissive in their day-to-day life," says Dune. 

What’s novel about Babygirl is that not only does it show the characters’ vulnerability, but also how much they are willing to reveal to one another. In cinematographic terms, this exchange of consent is translated by panning movements linking Romy and Samuel's faces as they look at each other. "Put simply," says Wolf, "the camera is often a representation of her inner world: it becomes more free and fearless alongside Romy."

On set, the cast and production team worked with intimacy coordinator Lizzy Talbot (No Hard Feelings, Dead Ringers) to ensure there were no surprises. Dickinson, who had previously worked with Talbot on the TV series A Murder at the End of the World, underscored the importance of clear communication. "If you approach [sex] scenes with too much trepidation and sensitivity, it can be anxiety inducing; you need an intimacy coordinator to be very direct and pragmatic about it," he tells Mashable's Anna Iovine. Reijn also brainstormed with Talbot when writing the intimacy scenes, saying that the work with a coordinator "goes much further than just being on set with her."

Facing subspace Credit: A24

Later in the film, there is a second hotel room scene, where Samuel "directs" Romy from across the lavish suite. He commands her to strip, tells her where to put her hands and how to pose. Even when both are naked, the camera doesn’t linger on the nudity of their bodies, but their faces. When sharing subspace, they see each other anew, and their newfound intimacy translates into the visuals. To channel the ebb and flow, Wolf used a mix of camera lenses, shifting between spherical and anamorphic. As for the visible effect, "it’s not in your face and it shouldn’t be," he says, "but a slight change of perspective [makes you] suddenly see them with different eyes." The game of letting your guard down plays out on their faces.

Unlike films like Steven Shainberg's Secretary, which relates submissive kink to trauma, Babygirl succeeds in telegraphing to a wider audience the message that these are real people, and their desires — even when dangerous to their status quo — don’t have to be as destructive or severely punished. "The BDSM community,” says Dune in relation to Secretary, "wants to see more empowered people portrayed as submissive and break that stereotype." 

But she is optimistic: "I think we’re getting closer to better representation of BDSM on screen. Obviously, I would be a lot more excited about films that hire sex workers as consultants, but for example, a film like Sanctuary had less research done into the BDSM community, but what I saw on screen rang true to me." Dune admits that she doesn’t expect education from cinema, or at least not the kind that sex and kink educators like herself offer, adding that "film should be about fantasy."

By setting Babygirl’s subspace explorations against a corporate, hetero-mono-normative backdrop, Reijn also makes a political point. However ephemeral, subspace is a consent-bound altered state that resists categorization. Perhaps a way for some of us to survive the capitalist hell is to surrender — to desires or to films like Babygirl — and take Dune’s advice: "Let the film dominate you."

Babygirl is now on VOD and digital platforms.

UPDATE: Jan. 27, 2025, 4:19 p.m. EST This article, originally published on Dec. 29, 2024, has been updated to include the latest viewing information.

A little over an hour into Babygirl, something magical happens.

SEE ALSO: 'Babygirl' review: Nicole Kidman to 'Challengers': Hold my beer

CEO Romy (Nicole Kidman) and intern Samuel (Harris Dickinson) meet in an opulent hotel room to rekindle their BDSM-tinged affair. Right as they reconnect — with Samuel finally calling Romy his "babygirl," no less — you hear them. The telltale snare drums and synths of George Michael's "Father Figure," ushering us into a montage where Romy and Samuel explore their sexual boundaries, complete with a shirtless dance scene from Samuel.

It's a needle drop that is at once sensual and playful, as Romy and Samuel search for the "something special, something sacred" Michael sings about wanting in the song. It's also just one of many reasons Babygirl is a feast for the ears. Immaculate needle drops and the growling wolves and operatic vocals of Cristobal Tapia de Veer's (The White Lotus) score prove to be the perfect accompaniment to Romy and Samuel's exploration. However, Babygirl's soundscape also charts Romy's own journey of self-discovery, following her from her initial repression and shame about her desires to being unafraid to share what she wants.

To learn more, Mashable spoke with music supervisor Meghan Currier (Past Lives) and de Veer about their work on the film, including why "Father Figure" is Babygirl's anthem, and how Nicole Kidman's voice ended up on the soundtrack in an unexpected way.

"Father Figure" by George Michael is Babygirl's musical centerpiece. Nicole Kidman and Harris Dickinson in "Babygirl." Credit: A24

"Father Figure" was written into the first draft of Babygirl's script that Currier received from writer/director Halina Reijn. "It was always in her mind," Currier told Mashable over Zoom. "She was like, 'As I was writing this script, I played this constantly.'"

(Outside of the song, the word "fatherly" does pop up a few times in the Babygirl screenplay, twice being used to describe Samuel's tone with Romy.)

Because of Reijn's connection to "Father Figure," Currier knew there was no alternative song for the scene and made it a priority to secure it. She also used it to build a musical mood board for Babygirl, which included gabber dance music for the film's rave scene and Christmas songs to match the film's time period as well. While these help flesh out the music of Babygirl's wider world, "Father Figure" remained the guiding sound for Romy and Samuel's relationship. It led Currier to use INXS's "Never Tear Us Apart" in the film as well.

SEE ALSO: The 25 best movies of 2024, and where to watch them

"Almost in a generational context between Romy's character and Samuel's character, [Reijn and I] felt that leaning into some of these timeless songs that were created in the '80s felt really right," Currier said. "INXS also emerged from that same root."

"Never Tear Us Apart" plays during the first montage of Romy and Samuel's affair, speaking to the early days of their relationship. "Even though it's a beautiful love song, there's a darkness that cuts through it as well, and I think that really underscores the naughtiness of what they're engaging in," Currier explained. "At the same time, we see them figuring out the roles of the game, so to speak, so there is this push-and-pull quality sonically that beautifully takes us through that montage of them figuring out their roles."

By the time we get to the "Father Figure" montage, Samuel and Romy's relationship has shifted. Now they have a better sense of their roles in their sexual escapades. But there's also more of a willingness to be vulnerable with one another, highlighted in George Michael's lyrics about wanting to understand and be there for his lover. To paraphrase "Father Figure," Romy and Samuel can finally "be bold and naked" at each other's sides.

"The song has a much more grounded, soft quality to it that really supports what we're seeing in the dynamics of the two in this beautiful hotel room," Currier said. "It feels more cocooned and safe."

Babygirl's score tells a "werewolf" story. Harris Dickinson and Nicole Kidman in "Babygirl." Credit: A24

In the time between the "Never Tear Us Apart" montage and the "Father Figure" montage, Romy has grown to further embrace and understand her own desires, yet she still finds it difficult to verbalize what she wants, something Babygirl mirrors in de Veer's score.

De Veer plays with two main themes throughout. The first, titled "Mommy's Dollhouse," is our gateway into Romy's manicured, polished world. Strings, operatic vocals, and a lilting piano guide us through Romy's seemingly picture-perfect life – yet thumping drums hint at an underlying darkness and stress within. That inner conflict also comes through in the theme's piano line.

"I wrote this with my partner, Kim [Neundorf]. She was playing the right hand, which is this waltz-y melody, and I was playing the left hand. In my head, I was playing a military march," de Veer explained to Mashable over Zoom. "A waltz would be in three time, while what I'm playing is in four time. So there's kind of a fight going on. There's two things going on, which is unusual for a waltz, and I like the fact that there is something militaristic about her professional life."

The "militaristic" nature of "Mommy's Dollhouse" couldn't be farther from de Veer's second theme, "Wolves." Here, distorted vocals, animalistic breathing, and growling wolves blur together. It's part survival instinct, part distilled desire. For de Veer, the emphasis on the wolf sounds is also representative of Romy's personal transformation.

"There's almost a werewolf situation going on in this movie," de Veer said. "The theme transforms throughout until it becomes this kind of atonal music. It's rhythm, it's pulse — that's pretty much it."

Somewhere among the layers of rhythm and pulse that represent Romy's desire lies some of Kidman's own voice. In one iteration of "Wolves," de Veer samples a surprised noise Kidman made when she almost tripped on set during one of the dailies de Veer saw. (This isn't the first time de Veer has sampled Kidman's voice in his work. During his time in Canadian band One Ton, he sampled part of Kidman's argument with Tom Cruise in Eyes Wide Shut.)

"This 'woo' sound [from Kidman] was spontaneous, so I took that," de Veer said. "I pretty much used anything I had."

While "Wolves" and "Mommy's Dollhouse" represent the two very different sides of Romy — her hidden desires and her outward perfectionism — de Veer manages to meld them together in the film's final scene, when Romy's husband, Jacob (Antonio Banderas), helps bring her fantasies to life. The organization and harmony of "Mommy's Dollhouse" mix with the primal, animalistic sounds of "Wolves," until Romy gets exactly what she wants.

As de Veer put it, "It feels like an explosion."

Babygirl is now on VOD and digital platforms.

UPDATE: Jan. 27, 2025, 4:42 p.m. EST This article was originally published on Dec. 26, 2024. It has been updated to include the latest viewing information.

Writer/director Halina Reijn and actor Harris Dickinson discuss the layers of Babygirl, an erotic thriller that subverts genre norms. Reijn delves into the film’s metaphorical death, and how sexuality wraps around deeper narratives. Dickinson shares insights on working with an intimacy coordinator and the importance of clarity in such scenes.

Babygirl is now on VOD and digital platforms.

UPDATE: Jan. 27, 2025, 4:50 p.m. EST This article was originally published on Dec. 24, 2024, and has been updated to include the latest viewing information.

Moana has introduced many of us to the idea of the "never-ending chain." The directors of Moana 2, Dana Ledoux Miller, David G. Derrick Jr., and Jason Hand, break it down for us and explain how that idea is explored in the hit Disney films.

Star Auliʻi Cravalho and songwriters Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear also talked to Mashable about the film's music.

Moana 2 is now available to rent or buy on Apple TV, Prime Video, and more.

UPDATE: Jan. 28, 2025, 9:03 a.m. UTC This interview for "Moana 2" was was originally published on Dec. 2, 2024 around the film's cinematic release. It has since been updated to include the most recent viewing options.

Moana is back with brand new songs including hype song "Can I Get a Chee Hoo?" and big ballad "Beyond" — the successor to the Oscar-winning "How Far I'll Go."

UK editor Shannon Connellan talked to star Auliʻi Cravalho and songwriters Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear about the making of the film, and how music helped explore Moana's personal growth.

Mashable also spoke to Moana 2 directors Dana Ledoux Miller, David G. Derrick Jr., and Jason Hand about the world of Moana and the meaning of the "never-ending chain."

Moana 2 is now available to rent or buy on Apple TV, Prime Video, and more.

UPDATE: Jan. 28, 2025, 9:02 a.m. UTC This interview for "Moana 2" was was originally published on Nov. 26, 2024 for the film's cinematic release. It has since been updated to include the most recent viewing options.

When Disney first announced Moana 2 in February 2024, I was apprehensive. Here was a surprise announcement, mere months out from a November release, that a Moana TV show had been reworked into a feature film. Did that mean Moana 2 was a rush job for Disney to recover from some of its 2023 box office disappointments, like The Marvels and Wish? And if so, would that mean sacrificing quality for a swift turnaround?

SEE ALSO: Disney's 'Moana 2' trailer expands on the lore of the original

Thankfully, Moana 2 soothed my worries and then some, thanks to its blend of epic adventure and its deeply felt story about family ties. Yes, there are elements that don't hit as hard, including a cookie cutter villain and some songs that just don't pass muster when compared to Moana's. But most of Moana 2 measures up to (and occasionally even surpasses) what came before — and that's due in no small part to the growth of its incredible heroine.

Moana 2 reminds you that Moana is a certified star Credit: Disney

Even if you haven't rewatched Moana since 2016, Moana 2 wastes no time in reminding you that Moana (voiced by Auliʻi Cravalho, Mean Girls) is a total badass. In the film's opening sequence, she runs through a dense rainforest, leaps across a ravine, and climbs a steep rock face with her trusty pig Pua on her back. Seconds later, we get a classic hero shot: Moana, hair streaming in the wind, atop an island mountain, surveying the vast ocean around her. She takes a deep breath, blows a welcoming call into her conch... and no one answers. Turns out, despite Moana's expert wayfinding skills, she hasn't been able to find any other humans who live in the ocean.

Moana's island home of Motunui is thriving, though — and Moana is nothing less than a "living legend" there. Young girls dress and do their hair like her, going as far as to find their own version of Pua. (The film dubs them "Moanabes.") Everyone calls her "the future of Motunui." Her father Tui (Temuera Morrison, The Book of Boba Fett), Motunui's chief, even wishes to bestow the title of Tautai upon her, an honor for a skilled navigator and leader that hasn't been held for many, many years.

Featured Video For You The music of ‘Moana 2’: Auliʻi Cravalho goes ‘Beyond’

But when Moana gets a desolate vision of Motunui's future should they not reconnect with other humans, she faces a difficult choice. She could strike out for the legendary island of Motufetu, which used to connect all the ocean's pathways and peoples. Yet it's farther than Moana or any of her ancestors have ever gotten (not to mention cursed by the human-hating god Nalo). If she goes, she risks not coming back to her family or her beloved island.

Here's where Moana 2 really shows us how far Moana has grown. With age and greater status in Motunui, she's become far more aware of the stakes of her potential failure. Plus, she's terrified to lose her family — especially her scene-stealing little sister Simea (Khaleesi Lambert-Tsuda). With the weight of the world on her shoulders, Moana sets a course for Motufetu, along with an upgraded canoe and a new crew.

Moana 2's new characters make an exciting adventure even better. Credit: Disney

Moana may be used to wayfinding by herself, but in Moana 2, she's got to share a canoe with three newbies. Keen-eyed inventor Loto (Starstruck's Rose Matafeo) brings an endearing enthusiasm to the squad, even if her tendency to take apart the canoe in her efforts to improve it is concerning. As the oldest member of the crew, you might expect farmer Kele (David Fane, Our Flag Means Death) to bring elder wisdom to the journey, but he's more the crotchety complainer type. Rounding things out is Motunui legend expert Moni (Hualālai Chung), who doubles as the canoe's resident Maui (Dwayne Johnson) fanboy. (Yes, he paints "fanfic" of him and Maui being best friends.)

So imagine Moni's sadness when he realizes Maui isn't along for the ride. While Moana could desperately use his help, Maui's actually in a pickle of his own. He's trapped by Nalo's accomplice, the goddess Matangi (Awhimai Fraser), whom I can only describe as a "bat diva." Constantly surrounded by a cloud of the winged creatures, and even sporting bat fangs herself, Matangi exudes vampiric aura. She almost gives Moana's shiny crab Tamatoa (Jemaine Clement) a run for his money.

SEE ALSO: 'Spellbound' review: Netflix's animated adventure finds its magic right at the end

But Matangi isn't the only foe Moana and co. will have to conquer. The coconut pirates known as the Kakamora are back to wreak havoc, while a giant, island-sized clam risks swallowing our heroes whole. With so many colorful creatures to face, it's a shame that Moana 2's Big Bad Nalo is basically a nonentity, reducing the (otherwise very cool) final set piece to a faceless confrontation with inclement weather. Contrast Moana 2's magical waterspouts with Moana's expressive lava monster Te Kā to get a sense of how detached the sequel is from its villain. (Except for a mid-credit scene that somehow implies he's Moana Thanos.)

Luckily, Moana 2 finds plenty of connection elsewhere, from Moana's friendships with Maui and her crewmates to her continued relationship with her ancestors. Gramma Tala (Thor: Ragnarok's Rachel House) is back to pass along some wisdom — and give us a good hard cry along the way. Elsewhere, Moana's steadfast belief in bringing the people of the ocean back together makes for a necessary counterpoint to Nalo's hopes to sow discord and isolation. (At least, what little we learn of it through exposition.) Moana's optimism and determination proves there's power in connection, which we get to see firsthand as her crew begins to gel at sea.

Moana 2's songs are fine, but they're no match for Moana's. Credit: Disney

With its beautiful, textured animation and its propulsive adventure to the far ends of the ocean, Moana 2 is another win for Disney animation. The only major letdown? The film's songs, which are totally OK, but certainly nothing special compared to Moana's greatest hits.

Moana composers and songwriters Mark Mancina and Opetaia Foa'i have returned for Moana 2, but one key member of the first film's team is missing: songwriter Lin-Manuel Miranda. Taking his place are Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear, the Grammy-winning team behind The Unofficial Bridgerton Musical. Even so, Miranda's presence is greatly missed, with songs often feeling like lackluster rehashes of the first film's songs.

Take "Beyond," essentially a toned-down evolution of "How Far I'll Go," where Moana readies herself to go back out into the ocean. Cravalho's delivery is gorgeous, and I could listen to her sing for hours, but do I remember a single line of that song beyond "I'll go beyond"? Then there's Maui's "Can I Get A Chee Hoo?," a patter song that will make you miss the fast-paced wordplay of "You're Welcome." (A flaming conch solo does lend it some extra flair.) The patter extends to travel song "What Could Be Better Than This?" While I adore Matafeo's lightning-fast delivery of Loto's science-themed rap, it all feels like imitation Miranda. Awkward rhythmic moments and some obvious rhymes further highlight how much of an asset he was on Moana.

Even the funky "Get Lost," my beloved bat diva Matangi's big number, is a letdown. Based on her character introduction, you might expect something in the vein of a dark Bond theme. Instead, you get a pop tune that, despite Fraser's serious pipes, feels fairly generic. (The slowed-down piano beginning also can't help but remind me of The Princess and the Frog's "Almost There," although I'm sure other similarities abound.) All I'm saying is, if the previous film's villain song featured a giant coconut crab doing a David Bowie tribute, you've got to aim higher.

At least Moana 2's less-than inspired songs get a boost from their accompanying animated sequences. "Can I Get A Chee Hoo?" drops us into a god-tier obstacle course, while "Get Lost" features some pretty rad bat choreography. "What Could Be Better Than This?" also scores laughs from Kele's annoyance at Moana, Moni, and Loto's increasingly excited dances, which low-key read like they're trying to get him to join their ocean-loving cult. That's the magic of Moana 2: Even when the songs aren't hitting, something else will elevate them, turning a decent number into a great experience.

Moana 2 is now available to rent or buy on Apple TV, Prime Video, and more.

UPDATE: Jan. 28, 2025, 8:58 a.m. UTC "Moana 2" was reviewed with its cinematic release. This review was originally published on Nov. 26, 2024. It has since been updated to include the most recent viewing options.

SAVE $440: As of Jan. 28, iRobot Roomba j7+ robot vacuum is available at Best Buy for $359, a massive $440 discount off its regular $799 price tag.

Opens in a new window Credit: iRobot iRobot Roomba j7+ $359.00 at Best Buy
$799.00 Save $440.00 Get Deal

No one loves vacuuming, and with the iRobot Roomba j7+, you’ll never have to think about it again. Right now, it’s down to $359 in Best Buy’s 48-hour flash sale, saving you a jaw-dropping $440. This is a game-changing deal for a robot vacuum that not only cleans but empties itself.

The Roomba j7+ takes cleaning to the next level with 10x the power-lifting suction compared to the Roomba 600 series, making it perfect for tackling stubborn messes. Got pets? It’s a lifesaver. iRobot guarantees its P.O.O.P. (Pet Owner Official Promise, fantastic), meaning the j7+ can identify and avoid pet waste. If it fails, they’ll replace it for free.

SEE ALSO: Where to preorder Samsung's new Galaxy S25, S25+, and S25 Ultra smartphones

Say goodbye to pre-cleaning rituals. With PrecisionVision Navigation, this vacuum can dodge obstacles like cables, shoes, and even socks. Set it loose, and it’ll navigate your home like a pro. With Imprint Smart Mapping, you can customize its cleaning schedule by room and time, store multiple floor plans, and create “Keep Out Zones” for areas you’d rather skip.

One of the best features is the self-emptying base. The Roomba j7+ empties itself into an enclosed dirt disposal bag, meaning you don’t have to deal with the dust for months. It even knows when to clean without bothering you, starting its rounds when you leave the house and wrapping up before you return.

From rugs to hardwood, the Dual Multi-Surface Rubber Brushes adjust automatically to different floor types, so every surface gets the attention it deserves. It’s also equipped with Cliff Detect, which prevents it from falling down the stairs, and advanced sensors that glide under furniture with ease.

At $359, this deal is a no-brainer for anyone tired of dragging out the old vacuum. With features like voice control through Alexa or Google Assistant and personalized cleaning suggestions, the Roomba j7+ doesn’t just clean your home — it changes how you think about cleaning altogether. But hurry — this deal disappears after today, and so should your old vacuum.

SAVE $560: As of Jan. 28, the Alienware m16 16-inch gaming laptop is on sale for $2,239.99 at Best Buy, a massive $560 discount off its regular price of $2,799.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Alienware Alienware m16 16-inch gaming laptop $2,239.99 at Best Buy
$2,799.99 Save $560.00 Get Deal

Here’s the deal: Best Buy’s clearance sale is offering a monster gaming laptop at a price that’s hard to ignore. Alienware m16, armed with the AMD Ryzen 9 7845HX processor and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 GPU, is down to $2,239.99 from $2,799.99. That’s $560 in savings for one of the most stacked rigs on the market.

The m16’s 16-inch QHD+ display isn’t just big. It’s loaded. With a 240Hz refresh rate and 3ms response time, it’s designed to handle fast-paced games with buttery-smooth visuals. Dolby Vision support means you get cinematic color and contrast, from hectic moments in DooM to exploring in Skyrim. Add Dolby Atmos audio to the mix, and you’ll feel like you’re in the middle of the action.

SEE ALSO: Where to preorder Samsung's new Galaxy S25, S25+, and S25 Ultra smartphones

Performance-wise, the 12-core Ryzen 9 7845HX CPU and 16GB of DDR5 RAM are built for serious multitasking and intense gaming sessions. Pair that with the RTX 4080 GPU, featuring 12GB of GDDR6 video memory, and this machine isn’t just ready for modern games. It’s prepared to dominate them on ultra settings. Thanks to the 1TB NVMe SSD, you’ll have plenty of space for your growing game library and near-instant load times.

Alienware didn’t skimp on cooling, either. The Cryo-tech cooling system combines a vapor chamber, quad fans, seven heat pipes, and Alienware’s proprietary Element 31 thermal material to keep temperatures in check, even during demanding sessions. The redesigned chassis and Legend 3 aesthetics make this machine look as premium as it performs.

This is a complete package for gamers who want top-tier specs, and at this clearance price, it’s a solid investment. This is your green light if you’ve been holding out for a major upgrade. Just don’t wait too long. Clearance deals don’t last, and someone else might claim this beast while you’re still deciding.

SAVE $170: As of Jan. 28, the Insignia 75-inch F50 4K UHD Smart Fire TV is on sale for $429.99 at Best Buy, saving you $170 off its regular $599.99 price during the 48-hour flash sale.

Opens in a new window Credit: Insignia Insignia 75-inch F50 4K UHD Smart Fire TV $429.99 at Best Buy
$599.99 Save $170.00 Get Deal

When was the last time you upgraded your TV? Because this Insignia F50 Series 75-inch 4K Fire TV deal at Best Buy is calling your name. Right now, it's slashed down to $429.99 from its usual $599.99, and trust me, that's a lot of screen for not a lot of money. At this size, everything from Sunday football games to your favorite Netflix dramas feels like a front-row experience. Plus, it's got 4K Ultra HD resolution, so those stunning visuals will leave you wondering why you waited so long to ditch your old TV.

This deal is even sweeter because it's a complete entertainment hub. With Fire TV built-in, you can immediately stream everything from Prime Video to Disney+. The Alexa voice remote also comes in handy. You can ask her to launch apps, find a specific movie, or even change inputs without lifting more than a finger. And if you're an Apple fan, it supports AirPlay, so sharing photos or videos from your phone is a breeze.

SEE ALSO: Where to preorder Samsung's new Galaxy S25, S25+, and S25 Ultra smartphones

Now let's talk sound. The DTS Studio Sound technology might not replace your home theater system. Still, for built-in speakers, it delivers some surprisingly immersive audio. And if you've got a soundbar, the TV's HDMI ARC and eARC support make hooking it up hassle-free.

On the tech side, you're getting features that make this more than just a budget TV. The HDR10 support ensures colors pop with vibrant contrast. At the same time, the LED-backlit LCD panel offers sharp clarity for those Netflix binges or gaming marathons. Plus, it has three HDMI ports, so no one's unplugging the PS5 to watch cable.

At just $429.99, this Insignia 75-inch F50 Fire TV is a rare find, especially during Best Buy's 48-hour flash sale. If you're serious about leveling up your home theater without draining your bank account, this deal is one you'll regret passing up.

A decapitated train conductor is said to prowl a section of railroad in Maco Station, North Carolina, illuminating the tracks with a lantern.

But this ghost is far from the only reported rail sighting in the U.S. "There's a recurring theme. There are ghosts reported along railroad tracks holding lanterns," U.S. Geological Survey seismologist Susan Hough told Mashable.

While investigating the 1886 quake in Charleston, South Carolina — a potent 7.0 temblor that collapsed buildings and killed some 60 people — the legendary haunting of the nearby abandoned Summerville rail captured Hough's attention. As the viral shaking in New York City in 2024 illustrated, earthquakes stoked by shifting faults do rattle the Eastern U.S. from time to time. Perhaps, thought Hough, the Summerville ghost's lantern is actually a radiant earthquake phenomenon reported globally called "earthquake lights," commonly described as balls of light or steady glows.

"Maybe these ghosts are showing us where you have shallow, active faults in these [eastern] areas," said Hough, who recently published a research article on the phenomenon in the journal Seismological Research Letters.

SEE ALSO: Scientists reveal why the mighty Yellowstone isn't ready to blow

While visiting the Charleston area, Hough dug up old book records from the 1950s and 1960s, which documented residents' attempts to spy light from the Summerville ghost (the lantern was supposedly carried by an apparition waiting for her husband to return). One such account reported that, during a Summerville ghost outing, their car shook violently.

"To a seismologist, that screams a shallow earthquake," Hough said.

"There are ghosts reported along railroad tracks holding lanterns."

Hough suggests that many of these sightings can be explained by quaking activity or earthquake faults. Summerville, after all, is thought to be the epicenter of the 1886 quake, and smaller 3.5 to 4.4 temblors hit there in 1959 and 1960. Even milder quakes, too small to be felt, but able to potentially produce earthquake lights, almost certainly affect the region, too.

A locomotive derailed by the Aug. 31, 1886, earthquake in South Carolina. Credit: CORBIS / Getty Images Damage on East Bay Street in Charleston from the 1886 earthquake. Credit: Bettmann / Contributor

If the supernatural isn't responsible for the radiance, how might quakes naturally create such brilliant lights?

Hough thinks that most quake experts accept that earthquake lights do occur, though there's still some skepticism. It's unclear, however, what causes them — but there are compelling seismic ideas. In the case of the "railroad ghosts," the process may begin with gases, like methane or radon, escaping to the surface through underground fractures in a shallow fault zone. Once on the surface, the gases can become trapped in water vapor and pool, igniting when they're exposed to oxygen. Then, the trains come into play. Trains create static electricity on steel tracks; even abandoned lines or heaps of steel rail can create the static spark, ultimately producing the eerie light.

Of course, not every railroad ghost is stoked by fault phenomena, Hough cautions. Sometimes, they're headlight reflections from nearby highways. But many could be caused by faults. And Hough says this could be tested, for example, by purchasing radon kits and placing them where the lights are, or have been, reportedly seen. Scientists could also look for shallow faults in these areas.

Tweet may have been deleted An old illustration of two people ghost-hunting on railroad tracks with a lantern. Credit: PennyLens / Getty Images

The Eastern U.S. certainly doesn't have the robust quaking activity seen on the West Coast — as there are no well-defined faults or major earthquake zones like California's infamous San Andreas Fault. But quakes do happen there, as illustrated by a recent 3.8 magnitude temblor in Maine on Jan. 27. It'd behoove us to understand where these shallow faults are, and to better grasp their risk.

In 2011, a magnitude 5.8 earthquake hit near Mineral, Virginia, with significant shaking reaching some 80 miles away, to Washington, D.C. The temblor damaged the Washington National Cathedral and Washington Monument. Fortunately, no one was killed.

But what if such a relatively rare quake hit much nearer to the nation's capital?

"If it was closer, it could have had a serious impact," Hough said.

This story has been updated with information about earthquakes in the Eastern U.S.

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.

Tweet may have been deleted

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.

Tweet may have been deleted

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.

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: Lingo Serena Williams would use

• Green: Football team abbreviations

• Blue: Points awarded on a single play in NFL

• Purple: Two

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: Tennis lingo

• Green: NFL teams on scoreboards

• Blue: Possible points on a football play

• Purple: No. 2

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 #127 is...

What is the answer to Connections Sports Edition today

• Tennis lingo - ACE, FAULT, LET, WINNER

• NFL teams on scoreboards - NOR, PIT, SEA, TEN

• Possible points on a football play - ONE, SIX, THREE, TWO

• No. 2 - JETER, PLACE, RUNNER-UP, SILVER MEDAL

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.

Oh hey there! If you're here, it must be time for Wordle. As always, we're serving up our daily hints and tips to help you figure out today's answer.

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

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: Hints and answers for January 28 Where did Wordle come from?

Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once. 

Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.

What's the best Wordle starting word?

The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.

What happened to the Wordle archive?

The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.

Is Wordle getting harder?

It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for January 28, 2025 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

High body temperature due to illness.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

The letter E appears twice.

Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...

Today's Wordle starts with the letter F.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. The Wordle answer today is...

Get your last guesses in now, because it's your final chance to solve today's Wordle before we reveal the solution.

Drumroll please!

The solution to today's Wordle is...

FEVER.

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for January 28

Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.

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 Wordle.

Connections is the one of the most popular New York Times word games that's captured the public's attention. 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 today's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

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

The NYT's latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications' Games section. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

Tweet may have been deleted

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.

Tweet may have been deleted

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's The Mini crossword answers for January 28 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Someone who entertains

• Green: Used for strength training

• Blue: Candy bar, singular

• Purple: Associated with "speed"

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

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

• Yellow: Funny Person

• Green: Resistance Training Equipment

• Blue: Candy Bar Minus "S"

• Purple: Speed___

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 #597 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Funny Person: CARD, CHARACTER, JOKER, LAUGH

• Resistance Training Equipment: BAND, BENCH, DUMBBELL, MAT

• Candy Bar Minus "S": AIRHEAD, MAR, MOUND, SNICKER

• Speed___: BUMP, CHESS, DEMON, DIAL

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.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for January 28

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.

If you're reading this, you're looking for a little help playing Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game.

Strands requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns. Every single letter in the grid will be part of an answer. There's always a theme linking every solution, along with the "spangram," a special, word or phrase that sums up that day's theme, and spans the entire grid horizontally or vertically.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable

By providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.

If you're feeling stuck or just don't have 10 or more minutes to figure out today's puzzle, we've got all the NYT Strands hints for today's puzzle you need to progress at your preferred pace.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for January 28 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for January 28 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Stable supply

These words are things a cowboy might need.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

Words are related to horses in a stable.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is HorsebackRiding.

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for January 28

• Reins

• Harness

• Spurs

• Saddle

• Crop

• Bridle

• HorsebackRiding

Looking for other daily online games? Mashable's Games page has more hints, and if you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now!

Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

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

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

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Tuesday, January 28, 2025:

AcrossMagic accessory for Gandalf the Grey

• The answer is Staff.

Item often cut with a pocket-sized guillotine cutter

• The answer is Cigar.

Fill with awe

• The answer is Amaze.

Flood stopper

• The answer is Levee.

Word repeated in "Any ___ is good ___"

• The answer is Press.

DownTop of the head

• The answer is Scalp.

Track meet official

• The answer is Timer.

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One of President Donald Trump's first actions after last week's inauguration was to sign an executive order renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, as well as Denali to Mount McKinley. Now Google has announced it will follow Trump's directive, changing how these landmarks are labelled in Google Maps.

While Trump's order alters the U.S. government's official position regarding the Gulf of Mexico and Denali's names, it does not specifically direct companies to follow suit. Even so, Google confirmed that its Maps app will be renaming the Gulf of Mexico and Denali in an X post on Monday.

"We’ve received a few questions about naming within Google Maps," Google wrote (with at least a few of those questions coming from Mashable). "We have a longstanding practice of applying name changes when they have been updated in official government sources."

SEE ALSO: Google and Apple Maps still list Gulf of Mexico, not America, per Trump's order Tweet may have been deleted

The Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) is the U.S. government's official source for geographic features' names, maintaining records and standardising information across the country. As of Monday, the GNIS has not yet been updated to reflect Trump's executive order, and still lists the sea and mountain in question as the Gulf of Mexico and Denali respectively.

However, Trump's directive included a 30-day deadline for the name changes to be completed and all references to the Gulf of Mexico removed. Google has thus stated that it will wait until the GNIS amends its records before switching over to the new Trump-mandated names.

"When that happens, we will update Google Maps in the U.S. quickly to show Mount McKinley and Gulf of America," wrote Google.

I never ever under any circumstances install chrome plugins, but I will install one that makes it display Gulf of Mexico instead of Gulf of America on Google maps.

— MC Frontalot (@mc.frontalot.com) January 28, 2025 at 11:56 AM

The tech giant also confirmed that Google Map's name changes won't only be visible to U.S. users. Rather, the "Gulf of America" and "Mount McKinley" labels will be visible to everyone who uses Google Maps regardless of the country they're in. This is due to Google's "longstanding practice" of handling labelling inconsistencies by deferring to a landmark's official name in the country where it's located. 

"When official names vary between countries, Maps users see their official local name," said Google. "Everyone in the rest of the world sees both names. That applies here too."

As such, we can reasonably expect Google Maps to change its label for Denali to Mount McKinley across the globe in the near future, as the mountain is located entirely within U.S. borders.

In contrast, the U.S. does not own the Gulf of Mexico/America, which is also bordered by Mexico and Cuba. It therefore appears likely that while U.S. Google Maps users will see the gulf completely renamed to "Gulf of America," international users may see the new name alongside its internationally recognised label "Gulf of Mexico."

Mashable has reached out to Google for comment.

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There are lots of reasons to equip your outdoor area with speakers: Maybe you like to dine outside, throw garden parties, or simply kick your feet up and relax when the sun is out. You could always just blast a playlist from your smartphone's speaker, of course, but it never sounds great. If you're serious about music, treat those with the respect they deserve. Invest in a purpose-made outdoor speaker.

You can think beyond your own outdoor space, too. In the Bluetooth-connected world, you can pair your smart device and play music just about anywhere. So, if you're a regular picnicker or traveller, it's good to have a portable Bluetooth speaker that you can use in just about any outdoor space — the park, the beach, the poolside, wherever.

Finding a good pair of speakers is straightforward when you're building a sound system for inside your home, but finding the same kind of high-quality audio for the outdoors can be tricky. You can't use the same speakers for your living room as you do in your garden. Not only can they not withstand the weather, but indoor speakers just aren't built to carry audio in wide-open spaces. Read on for a guide on sweet-sounding outdoor speakers, plus a selection of the best options in 2025.

Are wired or wireless speakers best for outdoors?

Ultimately, it depends how, when, and where you use them. Wireless speakers are great for their portability, which makes them super convenient, but wired outdoor speakers are likely to be more powerful, more dependable, and less susceptible to interference. And with wired speakers, you'll never have to worry about recharging the battery or walking too far out of Bluetooth range. Those are definite perks when you’re throwing an all-day, all-night party and want to mingle with your guests. Outdoor wired speakers also tend to be better at filling large spaces with an even distribution of sound, especially since you can hook up several around the garden.

Wireless speakers — which usually work via Bluetooth — have their plus points, too. Bluetooth speakers can stream audio content from your smartphone, tablet, laptop, or other Bluetooth-capable device. Sometimes, these speakers will also allow for hands-free capabilities through voice assistants like Alexa or Google Assistant. The other bonus is that you can take them to the party, so you're not bound by one location. You can also take a portable Bluetooth speaker to the park, the pool, or on holiday.

But — because of where we are with speaker technology technology right now — there are speakers that effectively fill both roles, delivering massive sound more typical of wired speakers while also offering Bluetooth and streaming technology.

Can you mount outdoor speakers?

Mounting wired speakers around your outdoor living area is an ideal choice when you have the space to place them on walls or under decks. Often, these speakers are sold in pairs and have a stereo configuration with left and right inputs to help fill your space with more complex audio. The only downside is that they have a more limited range of projecting sound as they can only be tilted so far without literally hitting a wall.

If your outdoor space is further away from mountable opportunities, however, you could opt to hide your setup in your landscaping with some in-ground speakers instead. It will involve the careful burying of some wires, but it's a great choice for dispersing audio more evenly as many ground-level speakers boast 360° sound. The only caveat? Whichever option you choose for your outdoor listening, you'll want to ensure that they are actually designed to be used outside.

Are outdoor speakers waterproof?

While on your search for outdoors speakers, look out for keywords like "weatherproof" and "water-resistant". Most outdoor speakers will clearly let you know that all the electrical stuff is safely housed inside a weather-resistant shell. This means it can withstand the elements, including rain, snow, and extreme temperatures. 

A high waterproof rating is standard with portable Bluetooth speakers, but less common on mountable wired speakers. That said, it's common for wired outdoor speakers to be labelled as weather-resistant rather than waterproof. If you are concerned about wild weather, you might opt to place your speakers under some sort of cover to offer them more protection.

What is the best outdoor speaker?

We've tried to narrow down your options and compiled a roundup of top speakers for a wide range of people, budgets, and activities. We’re pretty confident you’ll find what you need to enjoy the outdoors without missing a beat. We've tracked down impressive devices from top brands like Bose, JBL, and Sonos. Just pick a favourite.

These are the best outdoor speakers in 2025.