IT General

That's no moon... it's the Lego Star Wars Death Star — Ultimate Collector Series, which has been officially announced and is the "largest Lego Star Wars set to date," according to a press release from Lego. Coming to an astonishing 9,023 pieces, this set promises to be quite the undertaking for even the most dedicated of builders. It comes with an equally hefty price tag of $999.99, but you just know this is going to sell out fast.

Fans don't have to wait too long to get their hands on this massive set. The set is expected to be released on Oct. 4, but if you're a Lego Insider, you can get early access from Oct. 1. Time to become a Lego Insider? We think so.

SEE ALSO: The best new Star Wars Lego sets dropping this month

Unfortunately, this gargantuan Death Star is not up for preorder at the moment, so excited fans will have to mark their calendars for release day instead. As a bonus, Lego has stated that those who buy the Death Star set between Oct. 1-7 will also get the Lego Star Wars TIE Fighter with Imperial Hangar Rack for free with their purchase, while supplies last.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Star Wars Death Star — Ultimate Collector Series (75419) Shop Now

This truly is the ultimate Star Wars set, and is packed full of details for serious fans. For starters, the Lego Death Star set comes with 38 Star Wars minifigures. Yes, you read that correctly. Included are two variations of Luke Skywalker (Jedi and Stormtrooper), two variations of Han Solo, Princess Leia, Darth Vader, Emperor Palpatine, Chewbacca, C-3PO, and R2-D2. There's also Stormtroopers, the Royal Guard, and more to build out the rest of the crew on the station. It's a packed house, allowing you to recreate iconic scenes from A New Hope and Return of the Jedi.

Credit: Lego

This set features a variety of unforgettable locations that were the stage for some of the original trilogy's most unforgettable scenes. These include the trash compactor, Emperor Palpatine’s throne room, Princess Leia’s prison cell, the tractor beam control unit, the Imperial shuttle hangar, and many more of your favorites.

Credit: Lego

It has a nice, open design as well, so you can admire each section of the station and the scenes on display once it's fully pieced together. It measures over 20.6 inches (52.3 cm) high, 18.9 inches (48.0 cm) wide, and 15.1 inches (38.3 cm) deep according to Lego, so you'll want to clear plenty of space if you're planning on displaying this beast. And why wouldn't you? It's glorious.

Credit: Lego

This set will be available from Oct. 4 or from Oct. 1 if you're a Lego Insider. Ready to drop $999.99 on Lego? You might need to start saving now.

Looking for more Lego sets before the Death Star is available? Check out our breakdown of our favorite Lego sets or check out Walmart's Bricktember event for excellent deals on just about everything.

I’ve been skeptical of low-profile mechanical keyboards ever since they hit the scene. How could a small mechanical switch ever live up to a regular-sized one? Well, the Razer BlackWidow V4 Low-Profile Tenkeyless HyperSpeed showed me just how wrong I was, though it has a few unrelated issues.

SAVE OVER $3,000: As of Sept. 5, the Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus Kit is on sale for $3,299 at Amazon. That's a 49% saving anf the best-ever price for this model.

Opens in a new window Credit: Jackery Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus Kit $3,299 at Amazon
$6,499 Save $3,200 Get Deal

Whether you’re charging electronics in the wild, keeping essentials running during a blackout, or powering a weekend road trip, the Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus Kit has you covered, and right now it’s going for $3,200 less than usual. As of Sept. 5, this power station is priced at $3,299, a 49% saving on the list price.

This is the record-low price for this model according to price tracker camelcamelcamel, so if you've been waiting for the right moment to upgrade, this could be it. You're unlikely to see anything better until October Prime Day or Black Friday, and we're not promising anything here.

SEE ALSO: The mammoth Jackery Solar Generator 4000 Kit is $2,000 off right now on Amazon

This generator is designed to give you reliable, long-lasting power whether you’re at home or exploring off-grid. With a 6128.4Wh capacity, it can run heavy appliances up to 3,000W, while staying at a comfortable noise level (just 30dB). Charging is quick, reaching 80% in about 1.3 hours via AC or 1.6 hours with the solar panels. It comes with battery packs that are expandable up to 24kWh for more serious power needs, including full home backup.

And for safety, this model is built with advanced lithium technology. That means it has efficient cooling, shock resistance, and fire protection. It's also built to last. It comes with a LiFePo4 battery that promises to go for up to 10 years, so you know you're prepared for any power emergencies in the forseeable future.

This is a limited-time deal, so don't miss out.

Dyson just announced a slew of new gadgets at its Dyson Unveiled event in Berlin, showcasing the latest innovations across its product range. Unsurprisingly, the stars of the show were Dyson's vacuums, the company working hard to maintain its reputation for being at the forefront of suction technology.

Here's a rundown of all new vacuums revealed at Dyson Unveiled.

SEE ALSO: The best vacuums we've tested, from robots to Dyson stick vacs Dyson V16 Piston Animal cordless vacuum Credit: Dyson

If you're looking for the most advanced new cordless vacuum in Dyson's lineup, the V16 Piston Animal is where you should turn your attention. Like previous vacuums in Dyson's range, the V16 Piston Animal is mounted with a green light so you can see the dust you're vacuuming up, and uses air resistance to automatically detect the floor type and adjust its suction accordingly. However, it also introduces several new features designed to make both cleaning and maintenance easier.

One of the most immediately noticeable changes is the V16 Piston Animal's dual conical brush bar, which is designed to suck up long hair measuring up to 60 centimetres without tangling. Instead, the strands are directed to the external ends of the bar so they can be sucked up into the bin.

Featured Video For You Is a $2,599.99 robot vacuum with an arm something anyone should be buying?

The V16 Piston Animal also adds a manual compression system enabling users to push down the contents of its dust bin. This not only means you can go longer without emptying the bin, but it's also less messy to do so, as you can use the same mechanism to push the debris out. Dyson has announced that it will further release a self-emptying dock for the V16 Piston Animal next year.

Switching between vacuum heads is less of a hassle as well, as a new release mechanism on the V16 Piston Animal's stick allows users to detach them without having to bend over. The V16 Piston Animal is further compatible with Dyson's new Submarine 2.0 wet roller, an additional motorised accessory which turns the V16 Piston Animal into a wet and dry vacuum. This head seems impressively lightweight and manoeuvrable in comparison to other dedicated wet and dry vacuums, and is certainly a space saver if you're only handling small areas and don't want to house an entire separate unit.

Though the U.S. release date and pricing have not yet been announced, the V16 Piston Animal is available in Australia and the UK from today.

Dyson Clean+Wash Hygiene wet and dry vacuum Credit: Dyson

For those who do want to pick up a separate wet and dry vacuum, the Dyson Clean+Wash Hygiene is here to fill that void. While the Clean+Wash Hygiene carries its clean water tank on its trunk, it deviates from some of its competitors by mounting its dirty water tank on the vacuum head. According to Dyson, this means the dirty water has less distance to travel through the wet and dry vacuum, minimising the chance of clogging and risk of odor. It also doesn't use a filter, catching everything right in the vacuum head.

The Clean+Wash Hygiene's other features include its microfibre roller with nylon bristles for assisting in stain removal, as well as a self-cleaning function and 185F (85C) hot-air drying dock to reduce the need for manual maintenance. Like the Submarine 2.0 wet roller, the Dyson Clean+Wash Hygiene is also compatible with non-foaming cleaning fluid, for those who want to go the extra mile when cleaning their floor.

While the Dyson Clean+Wash Hygiene will land in Australia and the UK in the first half of 2026, it seems we'll have to wait a bit longer for news of a U.S. release.

Dyson Spot+Scrub Ai robot vacuum Credit: Dyson

Dyson made its long awaited reentry into the robot vacuum market last year, releasing the 360 Vis Nav to curious consumers. Sadly, the 360 Vis Nav was largely underwhelming, particularly compared to competitors in the robot vacuum scene.

Fortunately, Dyson is working to up its game, introducing the Spot+Scrub Ai robot vacuum. The Spot+Scrub Ai appears to be a significant improvement over the 360 Vis Nav, offering features it lacked such as mopping functionality (with a cleaning fluid compartment) and a dock enabling it to empty itself. Arguably the most exciting update is the Spot+Scrub Ai dock's bagless build, meaning users can simply empty the dust bin just like they would on a Dyson stick vacuum.

SEE ALSO: First look at Narwal's new robot vacuum: The Freo Z10 Ultra is millennial gray and makes game-time decisions

Despite these improvements, the Dyson Spot+Scrub Ai does still lag behind the competition. Self-emptying and mopping are already fairly standard features in robot vacuums, which have moved on to improving threshold clearance and experimenting with prehensile arms. Dyson told Mashable that the Spot+Scrub Ai can clear ledges up to 20 millimetres high, which is fairly standard.

Still, bagless robot vacuums remain relatively uncommon, giving the Spot+Scrub Ai an interesting point of difference. It will be interesting to see how Dyson will continue to innovate down this path.

The Dyson Spot+Scrub Ai robot vacuum is scheduled to arrive in Australia and the UK during the first half of 2026, with no word yet on the U.S. launch.

Dyson V8 Cyclone cordless vacuum Credit: Dyson

The Dyson V8 cordless vacuum was originally released back in 2016, and has since been followed by the V10, V11, V12 Slim, and V15 Detect. Even so, the V8 remains one of Dyson's most popular vacuums, thanks in no small part to its comparatively less prohibitive price point. Dyson has now released an upgraded version, so that more people can enjoy improved suction.

Dyson states that the new V8 Cyclone vacuum has 30 percent more suction power than the original V8, and can run for up to 60 minutes on a full charge as opposed to 40. The V8 Cyclone no longer requires users to hold down a trigger either, turning on and off with the press of a button. Fortunately, the V8 Cyclone will be compatible with existing V8 attachments, and like the V16 Piston Animal, it will also get a self-emptying dock next year.

The V8 Cyclone is available in Australia and the UK today, with the U.S. release date and pricing to be announced.

Dyson PencilVac cordless vacuum Credit: Dyson

While the Dyson PencilVac was technically unveiled in May, this ultra slim stick vacuum still received some attention at Dyson Unveiled. Measuring 38 millimetres in diameter, the PencilVac's improbably thin design is achieved by an airflow system which compresses the dust and debris it picks up. The result is a vacuum that looks as though it doesn't have a dust bin at all, with everything stored in the vacuum's handle.

The PencilVac also utilises four fluffy cone-shaped brush bars (all the better to avoid tangled hair) and is equipped with green lights on both its front and back. This enables users to see the dust to pick up, as well as the clean floor left behind. Alongside the PencilVac's lightweight design and considerable manoeuvrability, it seems as though it will be fairly adept at reaching difficult to clean crevices.

The Dyson PencilVac has already been available in Australia and the UK since August, but will arrive in the U.S. next year.

Despite what you might assume, newborn stars aren't dainty, fragile creatures of the cosmos. They terrorize the neighborhood, reshaping space around them and deciding where the next stars can — or can't — be born. 

Using the James Webb Space Telescope, scientists took an infrared image of a young star cluster called Pismis 24, a spot within the Lobster Nebula about 5,500 light-years away in the constellation Scorpius. NASA has described the dazzling scene of gas and dust as resembling glowing mountains, "kissed by wispy clouds." 

But this stellar nursery, according to recent observations, is anything but cute. Astronomers were surprised by how much influence these young, massive stars had on their surroundings. Webb revealed that their super-hot radiation and stellar winds are so intense, they're bulldozing enormous walls of gas and dust that could have otherwise been used to form other stars. 

"This dramatic scene captured by NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope looks like a fantastical tableau from J. R. R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings," said the Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore, which runs the observatory on behalf of NASA. "But truth is even stranger than fiction." 

SEE ALSO: New telescope images deliver sharpest-ever view of powerful solar flare

Webb, a joint partnership of NASA and its European and Canadian counterparts, blasted off on Christmas in 2021 and now circles the sun about 1 million miles from Earth. From the start, NASA said Webb would revolutionize our understanding of the universe. And it delivered: when scientists saw the very first images, one even admitted to having an "ugly cry" because they were so sharp and detailed.

In just a short time, Webb has kicked off what astronomers are calling a golden age of discovery. It’s looking back to less than 300 million years after the Big Bang, when the first stars and galaxies lit up, and it’s also peering into the atmospheres of far-flung planets. Pam Melroy, a former astronaut who served as deputy administrator for NASA during the Biden administration, said the telescope's reign will continue for a long time, carrying enough fuel to run for at least 20 years. 

The James Webb Space Telescope explores star cluster Pismis 24 and finds massive young stars have outsize influence on new star births. Credit: NASA GSFC / CIL / Adriana Manrique Gutierrez illustration

Astronomers didn't fully appreciate how much influence young stars have on their surroundings until Webb peered into this cluster, one of the closest regions to Earth of new massive stars. 

The image shows it clearly: Rather than star birth being a gentle process hidden in a nest of clouds, the massive babies act like tropical storms, violently disrupting their environments by igniting or shutting down star formation. Some of these newborns are nearly eight times hotter than the sun. 

The towering, fingerlike structures of dust and gas extend from the glowing wall of gas, pointing toward the hot, young stars that shaped them. New stars are emerging within. The tallest finger is enormous, with a tip more than 200 times as wide as our solar system, according to NASA. And this image is only a small section of the nebula, which extends far beyond this frame.

The image also reveals thousands of stars ranging in color and size. The ones showcasing six-point spikes — diffraction caused by how light bends around Webb's mirrors — are the most massive stars in the cluster. Perhaps thousands of smaller stars appear as white, yellow, or red, depending on their type and the amount of dust obscuring them. 

At the center of the cluster is Pismis 24-1. Scientists once thought this object was the most massive star they had ever observed. They later realized what appeared to be one mega star was at least two. Still, at 74 and 66 times heavier than the sun each, the two known stars that compose Pismis 24-1 are among the most massive and luminous ever discovered.

TL;DR: Live stream Sinner vs. Auger-Aliassime in the 2025 US Open for free on 9Now. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Félix Auger-Aliassime has never made a Grand Slam final, but he now has his sights set firmly on the showpiece event of the 2025 US Open. Standing in his way is top seed Sinner, which isn't exactly ideal. But if you want to win a Grand Slam, you need to beat the best.

If you want to watch Sinner vs. Auger-Aliassime in the 2025 US Open for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

How to watch Sinner vs. Auger-Aliassime for free

Sinner vs. Auger-Aliassime in the 2025 US Open is available to live stream for free on 9Now.

9Now is geo-restricted to Australia, but anyone from around the world can access this site with a VPN. These handy tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to secure servers in Australia, meaning you can unblock 9Now from anywhere in the world.

Access free live streams of the 2025 US Open by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in Australia

4. Visit 9Now

5. Watch the 2025 US Open for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to free live streams without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you time to watch the 2025 US Open before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for 9Now?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including Australia

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure

• Fast connection speeds

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for $12.95 (with money-back guarantee).

Live stream Sinner vs. Auger-Aliassime for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream Djokovic vs. Alcaraz in the 2025 US Open for free on 9Now. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The 2025 US Open semi finals were always going to be huge, but it really doesn't get much better than Djokovic vs. Alcaraz. Can Djokovic turn back the clock and produce a big performance to secure his spot in the final? He's going to need to be at his best to beat the young Spaniard, but if anyone is capable of doing the impossible, it's Djokovic.

If you want to watch Djokovic vs. Alcaraz in the 2025 US Open for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

How to watch Djokovic vs. Alcaraz for free

Djokovic vs. Alcaraz in the 2025 US Open is available to live stream for free on 9Now.

9Now is geo-restricted to Australia, but anyone from around the world can access this site with a VPN. These handy tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to secure servers in Australia, meaning you can unblock 9Now from anywhere in the world.

Access free live streams of the 2025 US Open by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in Australia

4. Visit 9Now

5. Watch the 2025 US Open for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to free live streams without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you time to watch the 2025 US Open before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for 9Now?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including Australia

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure

• Fast connection speeds

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for $12.95 (with money-back guarantee).

Live stream Djokovic vs. Alcaraz for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Don't be fooled about Twinless. At present, it seems this dark comedy that earned rave reviews out of Sundance is getting lost in the shuffle, as a new wave of festival faves are buzzed about out of Telluride, Venice, and Toronto. Even the hearts of film critics — and certainly whatever remains of Film Twitter — can be fickle. But Twinless deserves better than being glossed over or forgotten. Because this comedy is fucking savage, and I love it for that. 

Written, directed, and starring James Sweeney, Twinless is far from a vanity project. Instead, it recalls Julio Torres' brilliant New York City satire Problemista, wherein the writer/director transforms himself into a cringe-inducing clown opposite a more established actor, who proceeds to make a feast of the film. In this case, rather than Tilda Swinton as a trash-hoarding dragon, Maze Runner's Dylan O'Brien plays a pair of twins who have virtually nothing in common. The results for both are movies that are devastating, hilarious, and unquestionably queer. 

SEE ALSO: Tilda Swinton and Julio Torres reveal 'Problemista's unexpected common ground

But Twinless gets much darker than Problemista, folding into its humor a Fatal Attraction sensibility that is deliciously deranged. 

Twinless delivers a twisted comedy with a dash of psychological thriller.  Credit: Roadside Attractions

On its surface, Twinless is about the unlikely friendship that forms between two guys who meet at a support group for people who've experienced the death of their twin.

Roman (O'Brien) is a brawny bro into sports, video games, and girls, but in his own words, he's "not the brightest tool in the shed." Dennis (Sweeney) is scrawny, cynical, gay, and very witty. For all their differences, the one thing they have in common is a deep loneliness. So, a trip to get groceries turns into a party, which then turns into a holiday trip to see family. But along the way, Sweeney clues the audience in on a lie that lurks between these quickly close friends: Dennis doesn't have a twin.

It's a lie, but not his biggest. Shrewdly, that mysterious, mighty mistruth is teased in the film's very first scene. It's so subtle, some might only catch it on rewatching. Suffice to say, loneliness can drive us to wild decisions, and Twinless delves into this problematic terrain with exuberance. 

Don’t miss out on our latest stories: Add Mashable as a trusted news source in Google.

Because Sweeney lets us in on Dennis' lie during the second act, we're conflicted as we see Roman and Dennis grow closer. In some ways, they're good for each other. Dennis gives Roman a place to talk freely about his twin brother, Rocky (O'Brien). But perhaps most importantly, Dennis is a second chance for Roman to make amends with his brother in an indirect way. See, the twins had a falling out when Rocky came out as gay, and Roman took it the news poorly. But with Dennis, he's able to better understand queerness, and by extension Rocky, and even himself. Meanwhile, Dennis burns with a desire he can't confess.

All this to say, that is a story of lies, love, loss, and lust. Sweeney deftly balances the shocking turns, twisted punchlines, and earnest heart by playing these two lonely men off each other with a masterful hand. 

Twinless is brilliantly, brutally funny.  Credit: Roadside Attractions

It begins at Rocky's funeral, where his friends burst into tears as they tell Roman to his face, "It's like seeing a ghost!" Their self-indulgence spurs laughter from us, even as we see how it crushes the surviving twin. Later, when Roman and Dennis meet, it's over a joke about the taste of balls that plays as homophobic at first, then playfully kinky. 

Through Dennis, Sweeney is able to craft jokes that are prickly and smart, like a good and nasty read. Through Roman, he is able to set up jokes that are sweeter and frankly a bit stupid. Like when Roman explains he's been paying rent to live in his mother's basement, and Dennis asks, "How's she taking it?" He means Rocky's death, but Roman misses the change in topic, replying sincerely, "Mostly in cash." 

Sure, such punchlines urge the audience to laugh at Roman. But Dennis' arc gives plenty of reasons to laugh at him too, mostly for a cringe-worthy neediness. Yet, such jokes invite us to understand these flawed men, warts and all, and maybe even embrace them, even as they turn on each other.  

Dylan O'Brien delivers a knockout performance as a pair of twins.  Credit: Roadside Attractions

An unexpected trend in 2025 is leading men playing dual roles. So far, we've had Robert De Niro in Alto Knights, Robert Pattinson in Mickey 17, and Michael B. Jordan in Sinners. O'Brien's performance stands out even among these heavy hitters, because the contrast between Rocky and Roman is clear and so crucial to understanding not only who they are as characters, but also how they got into their respective predicaments. 

As Roman, O'Brien is a lovable himbo. Heartbroken but open-hearted, he is like a kicked puppy as he explores Portland, the city that his twin made home. He's lost, shrunken by hurt. Yet, there's a charm to his simplicity, even when he's simply awkward. But as Rocky, he's another beast altogether. 

Rocky is a swaggering stud. In flashbacks, he's powerful, seductive, and breezy, somehow all at once. He's the kind of guy who can pick up a stranger in a diner and have him in his bed minutes later. Rocky has the kind of easy confidence and enviable openness that makes us fall for him almost instantly, even though we know where he'll end up. By creating such a brief but blazing portrait of Rocky, O'Brien makes us relate to Roman's loss as if it were ours too. 

All of this builds to a climax that is smartly stressful and defiantly outrageous. True to queer culture, Twinless is transgressive in its humor and ultimately humane in its storytelling. So, as deeply deranged as Sweeney's thriller gets, there's still room to laugh and love these tragically twisted characters. 

So much more than a Sundance movie, Twinless is a jewel of queer cinema, rough, radiant, and beguiling. Seek it out. Then watch it again. 

Twinless opens in theaters on Sept. 5.

HULU BUNDLES: Hulu is offering a range of bundle deals so you can stream from its impressive library without breaking the bank.

The best Hulu deals and bundles in September 2025: Best ESPN Bundle Deal Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN Unlimited Bundle $29.99/month for a year, then $35.99/month Get Deal Best HBO Max Bundle Deal Disney+, Hulu, and HBO Max Bundle $16.99/month with ads, $29.99/month ad-free Get Deal Best Hulu Bundle Deal Disney+ and Hulu Bundle $10.99/month with ads Get Deal Best Student Deal Hulu Student Deal Hulu with ads for $1.99/month Get Deal

There's a wide range of excellent shows and films to watch on Hulu. From A Complete Unknown to season four of The Bear, it's a library that's full of options to keep you entertained through these darker months. The new Alien: Earth series is also streaming on Hulu. You can check out our review here, where we said streamers should "come for the Xenomorph, but stay for all the exquisite nightmares Hawley is cooking up."

If any of these shows have caught your eye and have you itching to sign up for Hulu, we're here to help you get the best deal. Outside of the standard ad-supported and ad free plans, there are quite a few bundle deals available with Hulu that are worth exploring if you're looking to save some cash. This includes a great limited time offer on the new Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN Unlimited Bundle. If you're a sports fan, you can sign up for this plan for $29.99 per month for a year right now.

SEE ALSO: How to watch the entire 'Alien' franchise — from the 1979 classic to the new 'Alien: Earth' series

With streaming prices on the rise (Hulu even increased its prices just last year), there's no better time than now to find a way to save on streaming services like this one. Below you can find details on Hulu's best bundles at the moment — alongside information on both its ad-supported and ad free plan, if you just want the basics — offering you a way to save on the service without going overboard on spending. It's also worth keeping in mind that it was recently announced Hulu will soon be fully integrated into the Disney+ app, making this the best time to check out bundles.

You can get additional streaming services thrown in at a lower cost, and what's better than that?

Best ESPN bundle deal Opens in a new window Credit: Hulu Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN Unlimited Bundle $29.99/month for a year, then $35.99/month Get Deal

Alongside the big Hulu, Disney+, and HBO Max bundle, Hulu also has plans for sports fans that throw in ESPN Select or ESPN Unlimited. According to ESPN, "ESPN Select includes ESPN+ content only. Fans who want ESPN+ exclusively may subscribe to the ESPN Select plan. ESPN Unlimited includes all of the ESPN networks and services, including ESPN+." For those interested in the latter, the good news is there's a promotion going on right now.

The Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN Unlimited Bundle, which has ads, is currently available for $29.99 per month for a year. The Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN Unlimited premium bundle without ads is available for $38.99 per month for a year.

These discounted bundles are only available for new and eligible returning subscribers through Jan. 5, 2026. Once the year is up, they'll go back to their full prices of $35.99 per month with ads and $44.99 per month without.

• Disney+, Hulu, ESPN Unlimited Bundle — $29.99 per month for a year (then $35.99 per month)

• Disney+, Hulu, ESPN Unlimited Bundle Premium — $38.99 per month for a year (then $44.99 per month)

• Disney+, Hulu, ESPN Select Bundle — $16.99 per month

• Disney+, Hulu, ESPN Select Bundle Premium — $26.99 per month

Best HBO Max bundle deal Opens in a new window Credit: Hulu Disney+, Hulu, and HBO Max Bundle $16.99/month with ads, $29.99/month ad-free Get Deal Why we like it

Released last July, this is one of the best Hulu bundles available at the moment. Starting at $16.99 per month, this bundle grants you access to Hulu, Disney+, and HBO Max's streaming services for a much lower price than what you'd pay for the three of them separately. It's an incredible deal to take advantage of, especially if you've already got Disney+ and HBO Max subscriptions. There are two plans to choose from with this bundle, and they are:

• Disney+, Hulu, HBO Max Bundle (with ads) — $16.99 per month (save 43%)

• Disney+, Hulu, HBO Max Bundle (no ads) — $29.99 per month (save 42%)

Best Disney+ bundle deal Opens in a new window Credit: Hulu Disney+ and Hulu Bundle $10.99/month with ads Get Deal Why we like it

If you don't want to splash out on the full Hulu, Disney+, and HBO Max bundle, the next best thing is the Disney+ and Hulu Bundle. This comes with just Disney+ alongside Hulu, giving you access to each of their ad-supported streaming platforms for as low as $10.99 per month. If you're already subscribed to Disney+ or have been hoping to jump into its library, this is well worth investing in.

• Disney+, Hulu Bundle — $10.99 per month

This isn't the only Disney+ plan available with Hulu, though. For those looking to jump into an ad-free tier for the Disney+ and Hulu bundle, there's the Disney+, Hulu Bundle Premium plan that'll cost you $19.99 per month instead.

• Disney+, Hulu Bundle Premium — $19.99 per month

Best student deal Opens in a new window Credit: Hulu Hulu Student Deal Hulu with ads for $1.99/month Get Deal Why we like it

If you're a student enrolled at a university, you can score a Hulu (with ads) plan for even lower than the above bundles. Hulu's Student Deal gives eligible college students the ability to buy a Hulu (with ads) plan for just $1.99 per month. Hulu notes that the deal lasts "so long as student enrollment status remains verified," then it goes back up to the standard monthly price.

• Hulu Student Deal — $1.99 per month

Hulu's monthly plans

If you're just looking to jump straight into Hulu's library without any fancy bundles, there are a couple of subscription options to consider. The ad-supported tier comes in at $9.99 per month, but you'll get your first month free, which is a great way to test the waters and see if it's the right fit for you. If you want to go ad free, that'll cost you $18.99 per month. Unfortunately, this plan does not offer a free trial like its ad-supported sibling.

• Hulu (with ads) — $9.99 per month (get first month free), $99.99 per year

• Hulu Premium (no ads) — $18.99 per month

If you really want to go big on a streaming investment, there's the Hulu + Live TV plan. This costs a whopping $82.99 per month for its ad-supported plan, but comes with plenty to keep you busy. Hulu + Live TV (with ads) gets you access to 95+ channels, unlimited DVR, Disney+ (with ads), ESPN Select (with ads), and Hulu (with ads). If you want to go even bigger with the ad-free plan — which offers Hulu (no ads), Disney+ (no ads), and ESPN Select (with ads) alongside Live TV — it'll cost you $95.99 per month. The ad-supported plan also offers a free trial, but for just three days instead.

• Hulu + Live TV, Disney+, and ESPN Select (with ads) — $82.99 per month (three day free trial)

• Hulu Premium + Live TV, Disney+ Premium, and ESPN Select (no ads) — $95.99 per month

• Hulu + Live TV, Disney+ Premium, and ESPN Select — $87.99 per month

• Live TV Only — $81.99 per month

Wondering what to watch once you get set up with a Hulu plan or bundle? We're here to help with that as well. Have a look at our roundups of the 30 best comedies on Hulu, the 25 best sci-fi movies on Hulu, and the 26 best horror movies on Hulu to start building your watchlist. And if you're in the mood to binge-watch a show, check out our breakdown of the 25 best shows on Hulu.

As a spinoff of The Office, it was inevitable that Peacock's The Paper would be making its fair share of Office references. Creators Greg Daniels and Michael Koman even brought back an entire character from The Office with Oscar (Oscar Nuñez), intertwining the show's worlds for good.

SEE ALSO: 'The Paper' review: How does 'The Office' spinoff measure up?

Thankfully, The Paper doesn't beat you over the head with The Office fan service. Instead, it peppers in a few choice references over its first 10 episodes, but never so many that they distract from the new world of the Toledo Truth Teller.

Still, these references are more than worth shouting out. From cameos to memorable quotes, here are the three best Office callbacks in The Paper.

Bob Vance, Vance Refrigeration is still going strong.

The Paper kicks off with The Office's documentary crew returning to the Scranton Business Park. It feels just like coming home... if home was a corporate block, that is.

There, the documentary crew discovers that Dunder Mifflin is long gone, now replaced by a laser hair removal business. (Apparently, they cause less drama than Dunder Mifflin.) But you know who isn't gone? Bob Vance (Robert Ray Shafer), Vance Refrigeration. Good to know that Scranton still appreciates quality fridges, years down the line.

SEE ALSO: 23 things on 'The Office' you've never noticed before

Aside from Oscar, Bob is the only returning character from The Office. He makes his quick cameo count, pointing the documentary crew to Dunder Mifflin's buyer Enervate. That, in turn, brings them to the Toledo Truth Teller.

Bob also drops some sweet news about what's going on in other Dunder Mifflin characters' lives, revealing that Phyllis (Phyllis Smith) and Stanley (Leslie David Baker) still keep in touch about their Schnoodle dogs. Sweet, gets the main story going, and doesn't overstay its welcome — now that's a good cameo.

Stanley and Oscar bond over Oscar's puzzles.

Phyllis isn't the only Dunder Mifflin employee Stanley keeps in touch with! In episode 2 of The Paper, the show reveals that he and Oscar are still close.

The reveal comes towards the end of the episode, when Oscar is admiring the sudoku he's published in the latest edition of the Toledo Truth Teller. He's texted it to Stanley, because who better to judge the quality of puzzles than The Office's resident sudoku and crossword expert?

SEE ALSO: All 185 episodes of 'The Office,' ranked

The two share a phone call about the puzzle, and while we never hear Stanley's voice, it's clear he thinks the sudoku was too easy. Maybe he'll have a tougher time with Oscar's Ohio Journalism Award–winning Mr. Digit game? Either way, just that phone call is enough to warm the heart of any Office fan.

Wayne Gretzky's "You miss 100 percent of the shots you don't take" makes a comeback.

One of the most iconic jokes from all of The Office is Michael Scott (Steve Carell) staking his claim over a famed Wayne Gretzky quote, writing on a whiteboard: "'You miss 100 percent of the shots you don't take' — Wayne Gretzky — Michael Scott."

The Paper brings that joke back in its Season 1 finale, when Oscar encourages editor-in-chief Ned (Domhnall Gleeson) to pursue reporter Mare (Chelsea Frei).

As Oscar tells Ned, "A great man once said, 'You miss 100 percent of the jokes you don't take.' Also an idiot I used to know."

That idiot is obviously Michael, whom Oscar has alluded to at other points in the season as being a bad boss. But this shout-out (really, more of a call-out) takes the cake, not only paying tribute to a great joke but also using said joke to propel one of the show's romances. Perfect multitasking, Oscar! And a perfect Office reference to end the season on.

The Paper Season 1 is now streaming on Peacock.

There are some days that start off bland and then spin strangely and sensationally to change your life forever — for the better.

Jay Duplass' The Baltimorons is about such an extraordinary day. Co-writing this comedy with leading man Michael Strassner, director Duplass crafts a journey that is an absolute side-tickling and soul-enriching delight — and it all begins with a broken tooth. 

After a robust slate of productions with his brother Mark Duplass — recently including Penelope and The Creep Tapes — this is Jay's first solo venture. Yet he stays true to the Duplass' mumblecore roots. The Baltimorons is proudly a low-budget, character-driven comedy starring actors who look less like movie stars and more like the folks you see at any given grocery store. However, the humor blooms more broadly than the mumblecore of their Puffy Chair and Baghead origins, with leads Michael Strassner and Liz Larsen, who are absolutely enchanting as an unlikely but undeniably dynamic duo brought together by happenstance and held together by good fun. Together, they craft a chemistry that steadily bubbles into an eruption of shenanigans and joy. 

The Baltimorons is a classic comedy out of the gate.  Credit: Jon Bregel / IFC Films

Duplass has found a top-notch collaborator in Strassner, whose comedic timing and scruffy charisma are absolutely extraordinary as outgoing Baltimore local Cliff Cashen. A thirtysomething former improv comedian — who was once on the brink of breaking through on a certain New York sketch show — Cliff is six months sober on Christmas Eve, with his fiancée (Olivia Luccardi) urging him to attend a family dinner and his old troupe begging him to come back to the stage for a show that night. Both possibilities for festive fun are threatened when Cliff accidentally breaks a tooth, forcing him to embark upon a side quest for a dentist who'll see to his emergency on a holiday. 

Enter Dr. Didi Dahl (Liz Larsen), a sixtysomething, no-nonsense divorcee with a sharp sensibility and a tender heart. Doped up on laughing gas, an unguarded Cliff can't help but remark on how pretty Didi is and how nice she smells. Dr. Dahl has little patience for this teddy bear of a younger man — at least until his car gets towed. Then her cool exterior cracks into a warm grin as she plays Good Samaritan with some well-meaning mischief. Didi's plans for the holiday have been ruined by her selfish ex-husband, but following Cliff's lead takes her down an unexpected path of discovery, low-level crimes, juicy payback, and second chances. 

At first glance, these characters seem to have nothing in common. He's a sweet and funny but lost millennial, who's left his comedy dreams behind to become — maybe — a mortgage broker. She's a boomer, hardened by a soured marriage and a demanding career, but can't deny the charms of this beguiling goofball — even if she says he's a "real Eddie Haskell … full of shit!" There's a tantalizing chemistry in the way they banter, not letting each other get away with anything. And as tempted as I am to give an example by laying out a punchline about holiday weight, it's just too good in context to spoil. Let's just say it's thrilling to watch two strangers truly see each other, and mutually delight in that discovery.

Michael Strassner is a comedy star in the making.  Credit: Jon Bregel / IFC Films

There's a jolly gameness to Strassner's comedic persona that is instantly charming, making even an early joke about a failed suicide attempt joltingly funny in his hands. Strassner has a vaguely Bill Murray-ish quality about his humor, whether in moments of buffoonery or taboo subject matter. Yet he doesn't carry the smug self-assurance of '80s Murray, instead brandishing a cherry-cheeked vulnerability that makes The Baltimorons feel deeply of this moment. Cliff is a modern man, grappling with thwarted dreams, personal failures, and a confounding path to the future. But he does so with an open heart and a smart mouth that makes for brightly hilarious scenes, whether Cliff's doing schtick with a thick Baltimore accent or trying to impress some rude Ravens fans. 

Liz Larsen is his perfect scene partner. There are shades of Edie Falco's Carmela Soprano in her "don't mess with me" energy, signaling that Didi has been burned before and isn't looking to get hurt again. But when Larsen smiles, you can see the hopeless romantic who still yearns in Didi's heart. She becomes radiant, whether pressing Cliff to take a big risk or barking orders from a crabbing boat. Their adventure takes them all over Baltimore, from quiet residential streets to sketchy parking lots, bustling holiday parties, and a spot offering a serene view of the water. Along the way, we feel lucky to be along for the ride, nestled in by Duplass' subtle but strong world-building of his characters' Baltimore.

Essentially, The Baltimorons is a celebration of those moments when — despite all the reasons to shield ourselves from a cruel world — we open up to a new friend. It's about the magic in being vulnerable, not out of naiveté but out of hope.

The screenplay by Duplass and Strassner neatly captures the excitement and tension of such a social gamble, balancing moments of heartache and comic elation. Strassner and Larsen bring this theme to vivid life with portrayals that play similarly to Duplass' odd-couple comedies like Somebody Somewhere and Biosphere. Which is all to say, The Baltimorons is an absolute gem. Deftly modern and smartly self-aware, it's not only one of the best things I saw out of SXSW, but assuredly one of the best films of 2025. 

The Baltimorons opens in NYC Sept. 5 before expanding to theaters nationwide Sept. 12.

UPDATE: Sep. 4, 2025, 1:32 p.m. This review was first published on March 14, 2025, as part of Mashable's SXSW festival coverage. It has been updated for its theatrical premiere.

At his best, Spike Lee keeps his audience on their toes, never totally sure where he might go next. In Highest 2 Lowest, his latest collaboration with Denzel Washington (Mo' Better Blues, Malcolm X, He Got Game, Inside Man), Lee is having an absolute blast keeping us off-balance. 

Washington headlines this New York City-set thriller as record exec David King, whose wealth, company, family, and legacy are thrown into spin when his son is kidnapped for ransom. Washington has especially been delivering smashing performances as of late in everything from The Tragedy of Macbeth to Gladiator II, but there's something special here. You can feel the trust between him and Lee as the always-exploring filmmaker plays with tone, frequency, film stocks, and continuity to grant Washington the space to experiment and thrive. 

Rather than a cold ransom drama built on the shoulders of a glowering leading man, Lee trusts Washington to brandish that signature smile as freely as his Academy Award–winning snarl. But the movie star also gets to flex some less tested moves and emotions. This makes for some sequences that play peculiarly on a first watch. But on reflection, what Lee and Washington set up in a discomforting first act lays the groundwork for a climax that hits like a subway train. 

Highest 2 Lowest delivers a tale of mistaken identity and hard-won justice with Spike Lee flair. Aubrey Joseph and Elijah Wright plays friends in "Highest 2 Lowest." Credit: A24

Screenwriter Alan Fox adapted Highest 2 Lowest from Ed McBain's 1959 novel King's Ransom, which was previously translated to the screen by legendary Japanese filmmaker Akira Kurosawa in 1963 with High or Low. In the opening credits to Lee's film, both are cited as source material. All three versions present a wealthy businessman on the brink of a major professional gamble, who is forced to pivot his focus — and funds — when a kidnapper abducts his son. However, Fox making his businessman a record exec who focuses on developing Black artists gives new dimension to this story.

By making King's business one of preserving Black culture and uplifting Black voices, Fox's script gives richer texture to his conflict. Surrendering the money means his business deal is dead, so to save his son, he risks sacrificing his professional legacy — if the cops can't catch the kidnappers. Of course, his son is also his legacy. But what will David do when it turns out that the kidnappers grabbed the wrong kid? Will he pay $17.5 million, potentially going broke and handing over his company in the process, for his godson Kyle (Elijah Wright)?

While David, his wife Pam (Ilfenesh Hadera), and his rattled son Trey (Aubrey Joseph) discuss this matter in their lavish high-rise apartment — which suddenly seems less untouchable — they speak with an eerie calm. Speaking in stilted delivery, David and his family seem numb to the gravity of their situation. Maybe they are shocked that something so low and criminal can touch them all the way up here. Or perhaps this composure, strange as it is, is constructed, a presentation for the public — the police — who've invaded their home. Maybe the social pressure to keep cool has even impacted how they react in front of each other.

There's little yelling. In fact, when Trey shouts at his father, demanding the ransom be paid for his friend, the teen is scolded for the tone he's taken toward his father. As this goes on, a campaign poster for Kamala Harris hangs on the wall behind them. The reminder to be excellent and smiling even in the face of defeat and indignity is everywhere. Their apartment is elegantly decorated with icons of Black culture, framed copies of books by Maya Angelou and Zora Neale Hurston, paintings, including some of Black pro athletes, and photographs of Stevie Wonder, James Brown, and Aretha Franklin, alongside cover photos of David King himself.

The Kings celebrate and represent Black excellence in their work, their charity, and their home. But is that all just talk if David won't risk his wealth to save Kyle? To answer that question, Lee — as the title suggests — will leave the high-rise to go down, down, down, to the subways of New York City. Naturally, the 4 train to the Bronx is where the handoff is supposed to happen. 

When Highest 2 Lowest cuts to the chase, Lee has us by the throat.  Denzel Washington rides the subway in "Highest 2 Lowest." Credit: A24

The film starts slow, purposefully so. The first act drama is all about contracts and high-minded debates about purpose. But once David straps on a backpack full of millions to pay off the abductors, Lee hits his rhythm with purpose, delivering a street-smart, character-driven journey through New York City. 

Washington sheds the high-priced suits for an almost incognito look of all-black casual wear topped with a ball cap. As the train fills with Yankees fans, rowdy for game day, the soundtrack becomes diegetic, through the rousing music from the Puerto Rican Day Parade (with a cameo from Do the Right Thing's Rosie Perez as herself!) happening below the now-elevated train. The energy of all this activity is propulsive, driving not only the plot forward, but also pulling audiences to the edge of their seats. When all the carefully laid plans of the Kings and the cops go south, my audience rippled with gasps and even a handful of shouts. Lee had effectively made us bystanders on that train, invested in the drama like it was our own. And everything that comes after is Lee relishing the absolute chokehold he has on his audience — even after the kidnapped teen is recovered.

Rather than returning King to business as usual, King is on a quest to reclaim what he lost, and understand why he lost it to begin with. This pulls him out of the facade of control that was his offices, and plunges him onto his old stomping grounds in the Boogie Down Bronx, alongside his friend/driver (a simmering Jeffrey Wright) with a gun on his hip and a showdown with a mysterious rapper called Yung Felon (played by A$AP Rocky) ahead of him. 

A$AP Rocky and Denzel Washington are fire together.  A$AP Rocky plays Yung Felon in "Highest 2 Lowest." Credit: A24

Without giving too much of the plot away, King and Felon are destined to come face to face. Where one came from the heights of a high-rise, the other's recording in a grimy basement studio. But both are gamblers who made music their biggest risk, and it's ultimately put them at odds. Rocky, who also has a role in this year's If I had Legs I Would Kick You, is mesmerizing as this ferocious rapper, spitting bars with the same confidence he exhibits while slinging insults at Washington's King. Washington meets his intensity, but not his energy. The power dynamic favors the older man, and so Washington leans into a condescending calm, a king on a throne staring down at a fool.

Rocky and Washington are extraordinary, channeling passion, rage, and self-righteousness into explosive exchanges both personal and political. These two deliver some of the best scene work in a movie this year. But it wouldn't hit as hard as it does if it weren't for Lee's careful construction of the film's first act. To appreciate where David ends up, you have to understand where he was when we first met him.

See, beyond his business, his family, and his legacy, David is at his core struggling to recapture his passion for the music. It's a problem his wife identifies during a scolding on the balcony in act one. But it's a dissonance that Lee sets up with the opening song. Though King's whole career has been dedicated to Black artists in rap and R&B, the song that plays over the movie's first moments — when we first see King high up on his Brooklyn balcony overlooking the Manhattan skyline —  is "Oh, What A Beautiful Mornin'," the cheerful farmer tune from Rodgers and Hammerstein's Oklahoma! 

Its folksy attitude clashes with the iconic views of New York City's urban landscape of glass and steel. The jaunty singing of cowboy-hatted Gordon MacRae is willfully jarring against the stony expression of David King in his sharply tailored suit. It's genuinely funny — though not as funny in the deeply NY way as Lee's later swipes at the Celtics and charming dad jokes about "Jake from State Farm."

Lee begins by pushing the viewer off-balance with this earnest, out-of-place song, because music mogul David King is so out of touch with his own musical inspirations at this moment. It's not until King is back on the streets that he can reconnect with that passion, that energy of New York that Lee captures so well. And there's a twisted pleasure in Washington's performance, recognizing this thrill even as the hunger for it could ruin King's whole realm. 

Lee is incredible. With Highest 2 Lowest, he richly reimagines Kurosawa's film within his own lens, showcasing Black pride and New York pride with great joy. With this, Lee grants Washington the room to move, taking big swings as his character does, and delivering one of his best performances in a decade. To that, Rocky and the ensemble bring an intoxicating vibrancy, especially in the film's second half. All of this builds to create an ending that will make you want to stand up and cheer. 

This is a journey. This is a ride. Highest 2 Lowest is Lee and Washington, reunited and good as ever. 

Highest 2 Lowest opens in theaters on Aug. 15, debuting on Apple TV+ Sept. 5. 

Dangerous Animals has a killer hook: Jai Courtney stars as a deranged serial killer who uses sharks as his weapon of choice.

It sounds bonkers, like something you'd see in an old Batman comic, in an Austin Powers movie, or on late-night TV, back when the ads were all 1-900 numbers. But props to screenwriter Nick Lepard and director Sean Byrne. They bring blood and bite to this funky premise, delivering a movie that's deep in dread, sweat, thrills, and chills. 

Sure, when sharks swim into horror, things can get pretty gnarly. The all-time classic is Jaws, where the gore of chewed-up human remains is balanced with an engaging character-driven drama. Splashier slaughters came from that seminal film's more vicious offspring, ranging from the shark slasher Deep Blue Sea to more realistic thrillers like The Shallows and 47 Meters Down, with the over-the-top Jason Statham adventure The Meg and the proudly trashy Sharknado film series taking a more gonzo approach to the subgenre.

SEE ALSO: Summer Movie Preview: What's coming to theaters and streaming?

Yet, Dangerous Animals isn't of this breed. Instead, sharks in this movie are sort of a bait and switch for something more surprising and far more sinister. 

Dangerous Animals is more serial killer horror than shark creature feature.  Hassie Harrison plays Zephyr in "Dangerous Animals." Credit: IFC Films

Those familiar with Sean Byrne's previous films may not be surprised to discover the sharks aren't the scariest things in Dangerous Animals. No shade to these kings of the ocean. Cinematographer Shelley Farthing-Dawe and editor Kasra Rassoulzadegan masterfully capture and edit shots of sharks swimming with a delicious sense of menace. Some such scenes are so striking in the way they portray the power and size of these creatures that it literally took my breath away. But sharks are not the monsters in this movie. They're just being sharks!

The monster here is Tucker (Courtney), a sun-cooked Aussie who makes a living on the Gold Coast by taking tourists out on his boat to go on shark dives. Sure, many come and go with nothing but a brush with nature and happy memories. But from the film's frightening opening sequence, audiences are made aware of Tucker's dark side. It's not just chum this rugged fellow tosses overboard to the sharks. He feeds them ritualistically, feeling a deep connection to the beasts and taking special pleasure in watching them feast  — on young women, specifically.

SEE ALSO: The angry Australian animal Australians are actually scared of

This is in line with Byrne's brand of horror, which tends to center the terrible things mankind does to its own. The Aussie filmmaker made his debut with 2009's The Loved Ones, which centered on a teen girl taking out her most twisted desires on a kidnapped crush. Then in 2015 came The Devil's Candy, starring Ethan Embry as a family man (and metalhead) who strives to protect his teen daughter from the homicidal urges of a mentally ill (or arguably possessed) old man.

Dangerous Animals feels a natural progression for Byrne, containing the heavy-metal energy of his sophomore film with the sadistic glee of his first. And Courtney proves his pitch-perfect collaborator in making a movie that's unrelentingly twisted and rousingly entertaining. 

Jai Courtney is a rip-roaring force of nature in Dangerous Animals.  Jai Courtney plays a serial killer who uses sharks as a weapon in "Dangerous Animals." Credit: IFC Films

The Australian actor has had a fascinating career, having been floated as a possible predecessor for Bruce Willis in the universally panned A Good Day to Die Hard in 2013. He's appeared in several action franchise movies since then, from Divergent to Terminator: Genisys to 2016's Suicide Squad and its odd 2021 pseudo-sequel. But only the last of these — where he played the wild card DC supervillain Captain Boomerang — gave a sense of the unique dichotomy of Courtney's abilities. 

SEE ALSO: 34 bloody excellent Australian horror movies that'll mess you up (and where to watch them)

Broad-shouldered and handsome, he's a natural fit for the action hero mold. But his performance in David Ayer's Suicide Squad showed Courtney could be funny and get weird with it. It was an exhilarating rush to watch him do just that. In Dangerous Animals, he is unleashed. Forget the serious brooding or dashing swagger of bog-standard leading men. Courtney has something more rare and beguiling, a crooked smile that promises trouble and a wild eye that threatens carnage.

In Dangerous Animals, Tucker's sheer brute force makes him scary. But Courtney, finding the fun in playing such a monster, makes the character instantly iconic. He is so undeniably charming in tourist-pleasing mode that it's easy to see how his prey is lured in. For the free-spirited surfer named Zephyr (Hassie Harrison), the heroine at the heart of Dangerous Animals, he disarms her by offering her a favor — no strings attached. But just as quickly as he can flash his teeth in a smile, he can bite. And this makes Byrne's movie more than just a torrid thriller. 

Dangerous Animals is a mesmerizing horror story about toxic masculinity. 

Tucker loves the sound of his own voice. While keeping women locked away in an effectively sound-proofed cell on his boat, he delivers unwelcomed speeches about the nature of animals. Courtney captures the snarling bravado heard on countless macho podcasts, dropping fun facts about sharks, snakes, and marlins, applying a philosophical varnish to his violence against women. But the visual details of Tucker's ritual, which involves vintage VHS tapes and DIY lures, suggest a more psychological motive rooted in misogyny. And this psychology is just as disturbing as the scenes of violence and slaughter by shark. 

In Dangerous Animals, Byrne and Courtney give us a mesmerizing portrait of toxic masculinity. Tucker compares himself to sharks, because as a man he feels insufficient, especially in the face of women like Zephyr. There's even an implication of impotence that evokes Luis Buñuel's The Criminal Life of Archibaldo de la Cruz, where a man aspires to murder women but never does so by his own hand. Similarly, Tucker uses sharks to commit his crimes.

Terrifying in a real-world sense, Tucker has mastered hiding his rage until he's out on the sea, where there's nowhere to run. The way he can switch from an affable bogan to a snarling beast is riveting, not only for Courtney's quickness but also because this terrible transformation reflects a common fear women have that any random smiling guy on the street might be a monster just beneath the surface. (See the man versus bear debate of 2024.) 

Remarkably, as thematically dark as Dangerous Animals is, watching it is electrifying and wickedly fun. Whether small-talking with a scruffy local, rigging up a victim for feeding time, or dancing around ritualistically to rock music in red underwear, Courtney is a live wire, sparking so intensely that his villain seems capable of anything.

Cheers to Harrison, who matches his energy with a solid disgust as Zephyr. Together, they build a cat-and-mouse tale that is jolting in the way of Byrne's previous films. Just when you think you know where Dangerous Animals is going, it dives even deeper and darker, and you're left catching your breath.

Simply put, Dangerous Animals is a satisfying, sick, and devilishly smart thriller that will excite you in theaters and stalk you on the way home. 

Dangerous Animals is now streaming on Shudder.

UPDATE: Sep. 4, 2025, 4:19 p.m. EDT "Dangerous Animals" was reviewed out of its World Premiere at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival. This review, originally published on May 17, 2025, has been updated to include the latest viewing information.

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 Friday, Sept. 5, 2025:

AcrossSlumber party attire, casually

• The answer is PJs.

Surplus

• The answer is Glut.

Bobby ___, co-founder of the Black Panthers

• The answer is Seale.

Soccer announcer's cry after a goal

• The answer is It's in (no apostrophe).

Famous star-crossed lover

• The answer is Romeo.

D.C. baseball player

• The answer is Nat.

DownSubstance inside early flat-screen TVs

• The answer is Plasma.

Famous star-crossed lover

• The answer is Juliet.

Recorder in a courtroom

• The answer is Steno.

"Hop aboard!"

• The answer is Get on.

"___, yes, ___!"

• The answer is Sir.

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 the latest Mini Crossword.

SAVE $2,000: As of Sept. 5, the Jackery Solar Generator 4000 Kit is on sale for $2,999 at Amazon. That's a 40% saving on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Jackery Jackery Solar Generator 4000 Kit $2,999 at Amazon
$4,999 Save $2,000 Get Deal

A power generator is always helpful to have on hand. Whether it's for power cuts, emergencies, or camping trips when you don't want to switch off completely, portable power stations are essential items.

If you've been in the market for a solar generator or you're seeking an upgrade, there's a great deal at Amazon right now on the Jackery Solar Generator 4000 Kit. As of Sept. 5, this beast of a power station is $2,000 off, now priced at $2,999 for a limited time.

SEE ALSO: The DJI Power 2000 portable power station means business, and it’s great for DJI drone owners

It has a huge 4085.6Wh capacity, so it can handle heavy-duty devices up to 3,000W. Think about air conditioners, RVs, and more. And it does this quietly, running at just 30dB.

Charging is quick and flexible, just like you'd want with something you may have to use last minute. It can reach 80% in about 1.3 hours via AC or 1.6 hours with the solar panels. The system can also expand from 2kWh to 24kWh, making it adaptable for everything from weekend camping trips to whole-home backup.

And you're getting your money's worth with this kit. This robust generator is designed to last up to 10 years, and it comes with a five-year warranty.

Head to Amazon to score this great power station deal.

Ugreen has released its new MagFlow Series of magnetic wireless chargers. These chargers will come with Qi2 25W charging, are built to work easily with both Apple and Android devices, including the latest iPhone 16 series and the upcoming Google Pixel 10 Pro XL.

It's September, which means it's new iPhone season.

Apple's annual flagship launch extravaganza is just a few days away, so we should probably stop, catch our breath, and review what we know so far. As always, there have been plenty of leaks and rumors surrounding the iPhone 17 launch over the past year. Some of them will undoubtedly be true, while others seem pretty sketchy. That's just how these launches go.

Don’t miss out on our latest stories: Add Mashable as a trusted news source in Google.

Let's not waste any more time. Here is everything we know, everything we think we know, and everything we know we don't know about the iPhone 17 so far.

What iPhone 17 models will we get?

First up, let's establish exactly which iPhones we're expecting in September:

• iPhone 17

• iPhone 17 Pro

• iPhone 17 Pro Max

• iPhone 17 Air

Naturally, there will be a base iPhone 17 model. That's a given, as predictable as the sun setting at night. All indications point to the iPhone 17 getting Pro and Pro Max models, as well, which would be in line with previous Apple mobile releases from the past few years. It would be a real shock if Apple pivoted away from that.

SEE ALSO: iPhones, Macs, and iPads will get GPT-5 via Apple Intelligence. Here’s when it happens.

That said, that doesn't mean this year is bereft of surprises or big changes. Numerous leaks and rumors point to an ultra-thin model, potentially called the iPhone 17 Air. The Air could replace the Plus model that used to grace the iPhone lineup for the past few years, so instead of getting a bigger version of the base model, we'll get something that has an identity of its own.

We don't know exactly how big the Air will be, but leaks suggest it will measure in somewhere between 5 and 6mm of thickness. That would make it Apple's slimmest iPhone yet, putting it in competition with the recently released Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge, a 5.8mm thick device.

iPhone 17 release date

The rumors were correct: Apple's big reveal will happen on Tuesday, Sept. 9., starting at 10:00 Pacific time.

9to5Mac also pointed out that Apple always places the official release date of each new iPhone on the Friday of the week after the launch event, so keep an eye on Friday, Sept. 19 for the phone's official release date.

Over at Forbes, reporter David Phelan predicts the new iOS 26 update will officially arrive on Monday, Sept. 15 or Tuesday, Sept. 16.

iPhone 17 lineup: The specs

Obviously, we won't see the full spec sheet for these phones until the second week of September, so none of this is certain. But we have a rough idea of what to expect from these phones.

Let's start with the displays. Prolific leaker Ice Universe (via 9to5Mac) reported all the way back in July 2024 that these would be the approximate display sizes for each new iPhone:

• iPhone 17: 6.3-inch

• iPhone 17 Pro: 6.3-inch

• iPhone 17 Pro Max: 6.7-inch

• iPhone 17 Air: 6.65-inch

Perhaps the most exciting rumor that's emerged about these new phones is that both the iPhone 17 and 17 Air will reportedly feature 120Hz displays, per MacRumors. Apple has frustratingly limited high refresh rates to its Pro phones for a few years now, even as budget Android phones like the Pixel 9a have had that feature for years. This would be a massive upgrade for Apple and would make the base and Air models even more appealing.

It's also expected that the new iPhones will have new A19 chips inside them. As in previous years, the base model will likely have a regular A19 chip, while the Pro and Pro Max models will have a more powerful A19 Pro chip powering them. Leaker Fixed focus digital on Weibo suggested the Air model will have a slightly downgraded version of the A19 Pro chip instead of a base A19, potentially giving it some additional juice over the base iPhone 17.

What about the cameras? Credit: Zain bin Awais / Mashable

Again, we won't know the full, precise camera specs for the new iPhones until September, but there are some leaks to go off of for now.

Perhaps the biggest potential development this year is a selfie cam upgrade for the new iPhones. It sounds like they'll have 24MP selfie lenses, up from 12MP on previous models. We'll have to wait and see how that actually manifests in practice, but hey, a larger number is nice.

It also sounds like the Pro models will have a trio of 48MP lenses this time. Last year, the telephoto lens was only 12MP, so that could potentially be a big step up. One last thing to note is that the Air model will supposedly only have one rear camera, similar to the old iPhone SE and iPhone 16e models. No ultra-wide or telephoto shots for Air users, unfortunately.

The iPhone 17 colors

Leaker Sonny Dixon recently posted some photos of iPhone 17 dummy models that purported to show the color options for this year's new models.

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Perhaps the most striking one is a new orange color for the Pro models, which is definitely eye-catching, if nothing else. The Pro models also appear to have regular black, white, and dark blue options for people who want something a little less exciting.

Weirdly, the base model and Air seem to have less exciting color options this year than the Pro phones. In the photos, the base model appears in black, white, light blue, and pink. The Air, meanwhile, comes in black, white, beige, and light blue.

What about the iPhone Fold?

The as-yet-unnamed foldable iPhone, which tech reporters simply call the iPhone Fold, is rumored to be ready to enter production soon, but not for a 2025 release date. The most recent rumors point to a 2026 launch for Apple's long-awaited foldable phone, which will reportedly be made with Samsung display technology.

So, unless Apple has a huge surprise up its sleeve, we won't see a foldable iPhone until the launch of the iPhone 18 in 2026.

As for the specs, the iPhone Fold is shaping up to be exactly what you thought it'd be: An iPhone that transforms into a sort of an iPad mini. As of Aug. 25, the latest rumors say the iPhone Fold will have four cameras. In addition, leakers say it will have Touch ID instead of Face ID, and no SIM card.

Apple iOS 26: How will it change the way we use the iPhone? Apple shared this prevew of Liquid Glass earlier this year. Credit: Apple

Here's something we do know a lot about: Apple's iOS 26. It's not officially out yet for the wider public, as it's scheduled to launch alongside new iPhones in September, but we've tried and tested a number of different beta versions, both developer and public ones.

One thing is certain: Apple didn't change the naming scheme by accident. It's the nineteenth major release of Apple's mobile platform, and as it follows iOS 18, it should logically be called iOS 19. But Apple decided to switch to naming its iOS releases by year, and since this one covers a big chunk of 2026, it was thus named iOS 26.

There's more to it, though. Apple's iOS 26 brings a number of major changes to the platform, including the new, Liquid Glass design, a big overhaul of the Photos app, and various Apple Intelligence updates, including Live Translation and a smarter Siri. It's not a radical departure from the previous iOS (Apple doesn't really do radical departures), but it is a very notable upgrade.

Currently, iOS 26 is in its beta 7 iteration, meaning it's quite mature and likely very similar to what we'll see when the final version launches in September. Still, we'll be on the lookout for any new features and upgrades once that happens.

What else could we get at the Apple event in September?

In addition to the iPhone 17, we fully expect Apple to drop new versions of the AirPods Pro and Apple Watch. But there could also be some surprises in store, as Apple is reportedly working on a new HomePod and Apple TV devices for 2025 as well. Finally, expect a ton of announcements related to Apple Intelligence, the name for Apple's artificial intelligence features.

SEE ALSO: Apple’s iPhone 17 event looms: Every new product we expect to see

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