IT General

Of course The Running Man was going to have some kind of Arnold Schwarzenegger cameo. But how does the film pull it off?

In Edgar Wright's new adaptation of Stephen King's 1982 novel, Glen Powell leads the dystopian action thriller as Ben Richards, a desperate man who signs up for a deathly TV show in which he's hunted for entertainment across America. It's not the only film version of King's novel, with Paul Michael Glaser's 1987 film starring Schwarzenegger arguably the most famous.

So, how does Wright give a nod to Powell's protagonist predecessor?

SEE ALSO: Stephen King shares his 11-word review of 'The Running Man'

While Schwarzenegger doesn't make a personal appearance in The Running Man (2025), his face appears quite early on in the film. In fact, in a TV show run by the all-powerful, state-controlled Network, you'll see Schwarzenegger's visage printed on money, as if he's a big deal in this totalitarian United States.

When Powell's Richards is watching TV at home, he's tuned into a game show called Speed the Wheel, in which contestants run for their lives in a giant hamster wheel while answering trivia questions like "who invented pepperoni" (or fall to their deaths). When prizes of $100 and $1,000 flash on screen, you can see Schwarzenegger's face on the bills.

We're not sure whether Schwarzenegger's Ben Richards would be happy to see his face on the currency of the very police state he had to outrun in the '80s, but it's nonetheless on there.

The Running Man hits cinemas on Nov. 14.

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Comedy is tragedy plus time. There may be a day when critics look back on Ari Aster's COVID-19 comedy Eddington with kinder eyes. However, just five years after this virus threw the world into lockdown, we are still living in the brutal realities created not only by the pandemic that killed millions but also further polarized American politics to horrifying results. So, watching movie stars crack wise about face masks, conspiracy theories, and political rivalries? Right now, it's not funny. It's mostly irritating. 

Props to Aster for his continued fearlessness. The writer/director broke through with his daring debut feature Hereditary, then cemented his reputation as an American filmmaker to watch with its chilling follow-up Midsommar, which in turn helped launch Florence Pugh to stardom. Then, he threw his fans (and critics) for a loop with Beau Is Afraid, which starred Academy Award–winner Joaquin Phoenix in a prolonged anxiety attack of a movie that skewed genre and concluded with the epic revelation of a giant penis monster. 

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For Eddington, Aster reteams with Phoenix, who once more plays an anti-hero gripped by his failings instead of his virtues. But this time, the punchline isn't one of mommy issues or social anxiety. Instead, the New Mexico-set Eddington pokes fun of both sides of the political divide. But far from being even-handed or even all that funny, the result is a movie that might be seen as a wild ride if it nailed the landing. Instead, it's a wonky head-scratcher that feels more smug than sharp. 

Joaquin Phoenix is a right-wing clown in Eddington.  Joaquin Phoenix plays Sheriff Joe Cross in "Eddington." Credit: A24

At a glance, Joe Cross (Phoenix) is a familiar American archetype, with his white hat, cowboy boots, and sheriff's badge. He's a lawman who fights against the injustices of a wild world that knows no decency. In Westerns, he'd be the good guy, except Aster steadily undercuts this American icon, both visually and contextually in this Western/thriller/comedy. For instance, Joe is introduced patrolling an area that's outside his jurisdiction on tribal ground, sparking a confrontation with the Native American police, who chastise Joe for trespassing and for breaking the mandate by not wearing a face mask (both tribal officers are masked). 

On one hand, Joe's sitting alone in a car. So, yeah, wearing a face mask is unnecessary, even absurd. But Joe will continue to push the masking issue, knowingly making his neighbors uncomfortable as he strides into a grocery store where everyone is masked and keeping a six-foot distance from each other. His frustration over what he sees as an attack on his freedom even sparks him to begin a haphazard campaign against the beloved Eddington mayor, Ted Garcia (Pedro Pascal). But the more Aster reveals about Joe, the more it's clear the mask is not about freedom, but about Joe asserting dominance wherever he can, so he can feel like a man. 

At home, Joe is emasculated by his vicious mother-in-law (Deirdre O'Connell) and barely acknowledged by his depressed wife, Louise (Emma Stone). At work, he cowers in the shadow of the admired sheriff who came before, who happens to have been his late father-in-law. Unable to live up to the ghost of the man who haunts him figuratively in his personal and professional life, Joe picks another target for his wrath: Ted Garcia.

Joe chooses Ted not only because the mayor is more well-liked than he, but also because Ted is Louise's ex. Joe burns with jealousy over their shared past, which he imagines as scandalous. All of this leads Joe down a path that feels vaguely Coen Bros.-esque in its rancid Americana and self-destruction. But whether he makes hasty campaign posters with embarrassing misspellings or dives into the violent fantasy of being an American action hero through bonkers and abrupt battle scenes, Joe is unquestionably a clown.

Though the protagonists of Hereditary, Midsommar, and Beau Is Afraid were deeply flawed, Aster also found room for us to relate to their heartache and anxieties. We were as scared as they were, or even more scared for them than they could be for themselves. Joe, however, is not richly developed or relatable. He's a vexing sketch of the anti-masker movement and all its toxic masculinity and privilege. Pushing this symbolism past its breaking point, Aster also wedges in subplots where Joe must deal with the online conspiracy theories about child exploitation and a flurry of Black Lives Matters protests organized by a local white girl (Amélie Hoeferle), who is often on the verge of tears. 

The criticism is uneven and shallow in Eddington.  Emma Stone and Deirdre O'Connell play daughter and mother in "Eddington." Credit: A24

In a Q&A for press following a screening of Eddington, Aster expressed his hope that the film would speak to both sides of the political divide. He further noted the final act — which features a prolonged shootout — could read totally differently depending on what side of the divide you're on. But frankly, he misreads his audience. The film is not that textured. The climax, chaotic and grisly, is shocking, but not awing. 

Joe and his family offers plenty of opportunities to mock the right for their anti-masking attitudes, Pizzagate conspiracies, and general "fuck your feelings" MAGA attitude — though Aster tries to have it both ways by not using such explicit buzzwords. By contrast, Mayor Garcia is a gentle lampoon of liberal politicians. Where Joe is stern, speaking like he's spitting, Ted is determinedly soft-spoken, and listens to Katy Perry while entertaining. ("Firework," naturally.) In a promotional video for his campaign, Ted reenacts a tragic personal memory to win sympathy, then inexplicably plays piano in the middle of Eddington's dirt roads. It's a gentle ribbing of quirky political ads. But even as Aster mocks the virtue signaling of the left through a subplot about Ted's son (Matt Gomez Hidaka) using political patter to impress the aforementioned female protester, the barbs feel like a nudge instead of a punchline. 

Perhaps this is because both sides of the argument, as Aster presents them here, just aren't equally worth mocking. Maybe that's because the foibles of one side lead to cringe moments, while the other might lead to death and disaster. But for a runtime of two hours and 28 minutes, Aster doesn't uncover anything all that deep or surprising about this divide beyond how dangerous it can be. Neither side will learn much new about themselves or their perceived opponents by watching Eddington. It's hard to say if more time would make a difference.

While the cast is committed to Aster's vision of this New Mexico town, the depth is lacking. That a cop has a thirst for control, that a smiling politician has a dark side, that a depressed woman has a hidden heartache — none of this is a surprise. Yet Eddington treats each reveal with a ghoulish giddiness, as if they're all deeply transgressive. The result is a movie that feels passionate, but is ultimately shallow and messy.

Far from the thriller its trailers suggest, Eddington is a cynical dark comedy that mistakes empathy for weakness, offering plenty to react to but little to provoke thought.

Eddington is now streaming on HBO Max.

UPDATE: Nov. 12, 2025, 5:17 p.m. This review was first published on July 18, 2025, to coincide with the film's theatrical premiere. It has since been updated to reflect at-home viewing options.

If Netflix's In Your Dreams feels reminiscent of Pixar's fantastical worlds and heartfelt life lessons, that's no accident.

The film is the feature debut from director Alex Woo, who served as a story artist on Ratatouille, WALL-E, and more before departing Pixar and founding Kuku Studios. In Your Dreams is Kuku's first film, and if it's anything to go by, there's a promising new animation studio in town.

What's In Your Dreams about? Stevie, Baloney Tony, and Elliot embark on a new adventure. Credit: Netflix

In Your Dreams begins with a scene so sweet it'll make your teeth ache. A young girl named Stevie (voiced by Jolie Hoang-Rappaport) makes French toast in the kitchen with her parents (voiced by Simu Liu and Cristin Milioti). They dance, crack inside jokes, and are all together too cloyingly cute to be true. That's because they aren't. All of this is a dream sequence, and it's about to become a nightmare.

The nightmare manifests in the form of Stevie's younger brother Elliot (voiced by Elias Janssen). His in-dream sobbing prompts pacifiers to rain down from the sky, triggering an argument between their parents.

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Like most dreams, Stevie's nightmare reflects her current anxieties. She, a consummate perfectionist, shares a room with the human tornado (and amateur magician) that is Elliot. But his messiness is only one part of her stress. She's also picking up on tension between her parents, and all she wants is for their family dynamic to go back to the idyllic, French toast-making days of the past.

She gets a surprising opportunity to make that dream come true when she and Elliot stumble on an enchanted book named The Legend of the Sandman. The book transports her and Elliot into their dream worlds. There, they hope to find the Sandman (voiced by Omid Djalili) so he can grant their wish for a happy family.

In Your Dreams delivers cute dreams and spooky nightmares. Welcome to Breakfast Town. Credit: Netflix

In Your Dreams' dreamscapes are sweet childhood fantasies. At one point, Stevie and Elliot venture down a river that can only be described as Disney's It's A Small World ride crossed with Chuck E. Cheese. At another, they arrive in the mouth-watering world of Breakfast Town, a feudal kingdom populated by sentient muffins and bacon. It's there that they cross paths with Elliot's treasured stuffed giraffe Baloney Tony (voiced by Craig Robinson), who becomes a delightful wisecracking (and laser-farting) guide to the siblings as they undertake their quest.

SEE ALSO: 'Death by Lightning' review: Matthew Macfadyen and Michael Shannon weave a gripping tale of political assassination

These worlds come to vivid, colorful life, a nice contrast from In Your Dreams' more muted take on Stevie and Elliot's waking world. But what truly makes them pop is how In Your Dreams turns them from dream to nightmare. Every time Stevie and Elliot panic on their journey, a storm of nightmare energy blows in and taints their dreams. Breakfast Town, for instance, slowly molds over in a neat visual trick, turning its citizens from cute treats to nasty food zombies.

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It's clear that Woo and the In Your Dreams team had a fun time crafting the film's nightmares, showcased in a madcap montage that explores both classic nightmare scenarios, like being naked in public, and some wilder ones, like being eaten by a giant hot dog. The dream-centric conceit allows the film's animators to go wild, with shipwrecks and riffs on The Shining and Sailor Moon thrown in the mix. The result is a blast of an animated adventure, but it also carries a deep weight when it comes to exploring Stevie and Elliot's worries about their family life.

In Your Dreams doesn't shy away from parental conflict. Get ready for a moving family tale. Credit: Netflix

None of In Your Dreams' dreamland chaos would mean anything if it wasn't rooted in Stevie and Elliot's anxieties about their parents' marriage, which the film portrays with unflinching honesty. There are no overwrought screaming matches, no demonizing of either the kids' mother or father. Instead, there are quiet conversations about whether the two need to spend some time apart, and how they've changed since the beginning of their marriage. It's a thoughtful, mature portrayal of how parents can grow distant yet still love each other.

In Your Dreams also acknowledges that kids are more than capable of noticing marital tensions, and that that can cause them stress. Take Stevie's tries to play peacemaker — not just in the dream world, but in real life, too. They're hopeful attempts to recreate the good old days, but they're also proof that she's putting undue pressure on herself over something she can't control. In Your Dreams meets young people going through something similar at their level, telling them it will be okay. In a film full of magic and imaginary creatures, it's this thoughtful messaging that keeps In Your Dreams feeling closer to a dream come true.

In Your Dreams is now in select theaters. It premieres Nov. 14 on Netflix.

After Hours. Do the Right Thing. In the Heights. When Harry Met Sally. They're movies with very different plots and vibes, and yet all are definitively New York. Now the canon of exceptionally New York movies has grown, thanks to Bunny. 

The directorial debut of Ben Jacobson, Bunny centers on an East Village tenement resident whose very bad birthday is a tapestry of chaos, community, and characters that are undeniably the fabric of New York City. Like the iconic cinema listed above, Bunny channels the energy of this great city, while also embracing its funkier elements. This fantastic, funny, and surprising indie is also an unapologetic and unsentimental love letter to New York. 

But what's it about? 

Bunny is a story of a hustler and the motley community that loves him. 

Co-writer Mo Stark stars a Bunny, an East Village resident whose life — and tenement apartment — is very, very hectic. "Today I fucked up," Bunny explains in a voiceover over home movies of his wife Bobbie (a sizzling Liza Colby), his best friend Dino (co-writer/director Ben Jacobson), and their maternal landlady Linda (Linda Rong Mei Chen). "I upended the lives of the people I love most, my family." 

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At the start of the day, this eponymous protagonist is racing down the street. His long, dirty-blond hair whips behind him as blood dribbles from his chin and goatee, down his neck, and onto a cream-colored knitted top. We won't learn what he's running from until later. But it relates to his job, being a "gigolo, like Richard Gere, but not that fancy." 

Bunny won't slow down to explain what's going on. Instead, no sooner has he washed the blood from his body than Bobbie — wearing translucent lingerie and a big smile — introduces him to his birthday present, a threesome with her friend Daphne (Eleonore Hendricks) and "the best Molly that can be found in the tri-state area." But Bunny's in no mood to party. There's business to attend to. 

For starters, an Airbnb guest named Happy Chana — never just "Chana" — is coming to rent their spare room. As an Orthodox Jew, she (Genevieve Hudson-Price) has specific needs that Bunny must meet or else lose the needed rental fee. Then, while Bobbie's out, her estranged father (Tony Drazan) drops by, only to be swept up by Dino's influence — and his edibles. Before Bunny can catch his breath, there are a couple of corpses to deal with and a murder to cover up. It's a real bad birthday, but at least he has his family to help him through. 

Chaotic comedy makes Bunny brilliant. 

This East Village tenement is stocked floor to ceiling with colorful characters who have little in common but their love for each other. Bunny and Bobbie are adored by real-talking Linda, impulsive but protective Dino, an elderly neighbor with moxie named Ian (Richard Price), and a trio of twentysomething party girls, all of whom will have a part to play in helping Bunny through the worst birthday of his life. Far from hiding a homicide from them, Bunny drops a corpse of a "bad man" on the linoleum floor for a brainstorming session. How do they dump a body in this bustling neighborhood — especially when there's a pair of chummy cops (Liz Caribel Sierra and Ajay Naidu) hanging around outside? 

Stark, Jacobson, and co-writer Stefan Marolachakis create a script that is joltingly alive. Cultures collide from scene to scene with the enthralling melting pot energy of hundreds of NYC neighborhoods. As a character-driven film, there's a panoply of minor conflicts, about birthday plans, roommate etiquette, and the best way to fold a corpse into a rolling suitcase. But when it comes to helping one of their own, these free spirits, neurotics, and weirdos all come together as the family they are, bound by years of shared space and energy. 

The superb casting of this film lends authenticity, avoiding famous faces and leaning into an effusive and even volatile chemistry amid the ensemble. Watching Bunny, New Yorkers might not only recognize figures from their own neighborhoods, but will also feel a part of this tenement, tangled in the intoxicating energy of excitement, gossip, and community. New York is a city of strangers who form families, and Bunny explores those bonds through a funny and unpredictable family drama. Because what's a corpse between friends?

Mo Stark is a star in Bunny. 

Too often, when filmmakers write and star in their movies, the result can be a bloated vanity project (Belfast) or a treacly bit of fluff that paints their character as an underappreciated genius (Cha Cha Real Smooth). Bunny avoids these pitfalls as Stark and Jacobson firmly commit to the goofball core of their characters. 

Bunny is a himbo with a heart of gold but a much messier past than Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman. Dino is ride-or-die, but also dangerously impulsive. Together, they are a duo I'd watch go on a bodega run, just because they are so vivid and fun. Every moment together vibrates with their deep love for each other, and a broader, radiant interest in those around them. This is the New York I know and love, and it's a pleasure to see it captured, warts and all. Because yeah, for every hot baddie stomping down the sidewalk to the beat of her own drum, there's a mercurial oddball looking to fart into a cop car window or otherwise quirk up your day. 

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Yet within this swirl of eccentrics, Stark keeps his head above water, maintaining a focus and direction as Bunny forges ahead. Far from taking control of a situation like some stodgy suit or cop might, Bunny is more wrangling alley cats as he leaps from problems personal, professional, and criminal with the agility of an Alvin Ailey dancer. He's a rock to his tenement mates. And the joyful reveal of this crime-comedy is that when he needs a rock, they will be that for him, too. Stark so beautifully grounds the film in its unconventional opening of voiceover and unexplained blood that for the whole film, whatever wild shit goes down, we are bound to Bunny, rooting for him just like the rest of his circle does. We truly feel like one of them, caught up in the warmth and ferocity of their bond. 

Simply put, Bunny is a quirky, gritty indie crime-comedy/New York family drama that achieves a lot with a little. Primarily set in one location, with no major stars in its charismatic ensemble, it's an underdog story both on and off screen. You feel the hustle of Bunny in every frame. Alive, exciting, funny, and original, Bunny is gem not to be overlooked. 

Bunny opens in select theaters and will be available to purchase on Apple TV on Nov. 14. Early access screenings in New York begin on Nov. 7.

George Clooney delivers one of the best comedic performances of his career in Jay Kelly. As a long-time devotee of his Coen Bros' comedy O Brother, Where Art Thou?, I don't say that lightly. However, Noah Baumbach has created a role that feels tailored to Clooney's particular brand of star power. And Clooney struts, takes pratfalls, and soars with grace, goofiness, and pathos.

Clooney has built a career on his ability to pivot from swaggering dreamboat (Out of Sight, Ocean's Eleven through Thirteen) to rugged action star (From Dusk Till Dawn, The Peacemaker, Three Kings) to arrogant buffoon (O Brother, Burn After Reading, Hail, Caesar!). In Jay Kelly, he does all three. But more than that, he does all three to interrogate what it means to be a movie star. When you're a public figure known for playing larger-than-life action heroes, what's reality to you? Who are you to your family and friends when your career is dependent on presentation, and you're more focused on that than parenting or loyalty? 

Directed and co-written by Baumbach, who previously channeled his own life into the explosive divorce drama Marriage Story, Jay Kelly is more cutting than its bouncy name and beguiling leading man might suggest. With a supporting cast that includes Adam Sandler, Laura Dern, Billy Crudup, Patrick Wilson, Riley Keough, and Jay Kelly co-writer Emily Mortimer, this showbiz comedy brilliantly displays the highs and lows of working in movies, without losing sight of exactly how high those highs are. 

Far from a woe-is-me movie, Jay Kelly is a shrewdly winsome affair that shows many of the ways stars aren't just like us — and several crucial ways they are. 

Jay Kelly is all about that work-life balance, puppy. 

For decades, Jay Kelly (Clooney) has been a star, collecting fans, building his filmography, growing his entourage, and even having a couple of daughters and ex-wives along the way. You might think that with all the success and wealth he's attained, he'd welcome some time away from the sets and shooting schedules. But what would he do with that? 

Let alone, Jay must face that he's estranged from his eldest, Jessica (Keough), while his college-bound youngest, Daisy (Grace Edwards), is eager to bounce from his house to be on her own. He has no wife. His friends — including his manager, Ron (Sandler), and his publicist, Liz (Dern) — are all on his payroll. So when a run-in with an old friend (Crudup) sends him into an identity crisis, Jay joyously bullies his whole entourage into an impromptu trip across Europe, starting in Paris and ending up in an Italian film festival, where he'll get a lifetime achievement honor. 

Along the way, he'll encounter awestruck fans, ride in transit that has no first class, and be forced to look back on his life, whether he likes it or not. 

George Clooney is absolutely excellent as Jay Kelly. 

The film begins onset, with Jay playing out a death scene that naturally involves a mournful monologue, a fatal gunshot wound, and an adorable dog actor. Immediately, Mortimer and Baumbach gives us a taste of Jay's talent, onscreen and off. As soon as the camera cuts, he's quick to glad-hand and cheer individual members of the crew by name, and they all light up as he looks at them. He's that kind of star. 

Back home; however, he's a doofy dad to Daisy, who eye rolls as he whines he's lonely. "You're never alone," she chides as his security guard hands him a fresh, icy beverage. 

Even in accepting the glass, Clooney has a keen sense of comedic timing. He's long been brilliant at playing the dope. Here, he plays a man who's never been deep, but who has been able to fake it onscreen. So, when he's actually having this crisis of self-reflection, he throws himself into action — including being involved in a chaotic and comedic chase scene. However, nothing in this movie will unfold like the movies. Jay's sweeping gestures, carried off with Clooney's booming charisma, fall flat to those closest to him because they are all show, no substance. And in this, he's forced to face how he pursued his work — which is very image-oriented — over his family and friends, failing to foster deep bonds. And he's not alone in this. 

Adam Sandler and Laura Dern are shockingly well-matched in Jay Kelly. 

Having to wrangle Jay like he's a child (or a swarm of cats), Ron and Liz take on near-parental roles as they prep everything to guide and protect him. Where Ron's the gentle father, always cajoling and calling Jay by the loving nickname "puppy," Liz is the tough-love mom, forced to be frank because someone has got to be when the tabloids are circling. Far from archetypes, however, these characters exhibit complexity in scenes beyond their interactions with Jay. 

As the trip through Europe goes increasingly off the rails, Jay's entourage sheds one member after another as they make choices that aren't him — a bigger client, a sick dog, a child back home, and so on. There's a sense of a party coming to a close, and a question about who will be the last one standing.

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Dern vibrates with frustration at every bump in the road, while Sandler is her foil, ever jovial, maybe even delusionally optimistic. They're a comedic duo who bounce off each other with an ardent emotional understanding. For all Academy Award winner Dern's drama chops, Emmy nominee Sandler's able to keep pace in a role that could get him some Best Supporting nominations. Imagine Uncut Gems with the intensity turned down and the facade of jolly calm cranked way up. Ron is a man desperate to make everything OK, even to the point where he himself is deeply not. And in that, Baumbach grows comedy and agony. Dern is the cherry on top, giving a cool sense of regret that lingers even after her character has gone. 

Jay Kelly is a showbiz comedy with heart.

Incredibly, Jay Kelly becomes an odd love letter to the industry, one that recognizes its warts and still declares devotion. Through this story, Baumbach explores how everyone involved, from movie stars to make-up artists and security guards, struggles to draw the line between their professional and personal lives. Sure, you love your family, but what if you love your job and the people who are a part of it? The line gets blurrier and blurrier. And what kind of life does that build? 

The answer Jay Kelly gives is unexpected and heartwarming rather than pat and sentimental. Clooney, Sandler, and Baumbach come to a conclusion that is both deeply Hollywood and yet sincere. In the end, Jay Kelly is a clever crowd-pleaser, guaranteed to amuse and make you think. 

Jay Kelly was reviewed out of the New York Film Festival. The movie opens in select theaters on Nov. 14, then comes to Netflix on Dec. 5. 

Richard Linklater is having a very busy 2025.

The Boyhood and Before Sunrise director has not one but two projects on the film festival circuit. Both are playing the New York Film Festival, and both pay tribute to real-life artists of song and screen.

Blue Moon, the first of the pair to hit theaters, is a biopic of American lyricist Lorenz Hart, the former creative partner of Richard Rodgers. Linklater's second film of the year, Nouvelle Vague, follows suit, paying loving tribute to the French New Wave movement and to Jean-Luc Godard's debut feature, Breathless (À bout de souffle).

Linklater's reverence for Breathless and the entire French New Wave are evident in each frame. But can that love sometimes get in Nouvelle Vague's own way?

What is Nouvelle Vague about? Guillaume Marbeck and Aubry Dullin in "Nouvelle Vague." Credit: Jean-Louis Fernandez / Courtesy of Netflix

The year is 1959, the place is Paris, and the French New Wave movement is in full swing. Cahiers du Cinéma film critics like François Truffaut (Adrien Rouyard) and Claude Chabrol (Antoine Besson) have made their directorial debuts, focusing on auteur-driven movies above all else. One of their fellow critics, Jean-Luc Godard (Guillaume Marbeck), is champing at the bit to make his first feature film. After all, in his own words, the only way to critique a movie is to make one yourself.

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Godard finally gets the chance with Breathless, the story of criminal Michel Poiccard and Patricia, the American woman he loves. While the film became one of the French New Wave's most influential works, its production was fairly chaotic. Working on a low budget, and filming over just 23 days (Nouvelle Vague cuts that number to 20), Godard basically improvised the film as he went, much to the consternation of producer Georges de Beauregard (Bruno Dreyfürst) and American star Jean Seberg (Zoey Deutch). Linklater reimagines that chaos in its entirety, charting the film's journey from development to post-production.

Nouvelle Vague formally pays tribute to the French New Wave, but isn't an outright copy. Matthieu Penchinat, Guillaume Marbeck, Aubry Dullin, and Zoey Deutch in "Nouvelle Vague." Credit: Courtesy of Netflix

In order to submerge audiences in the world of the French New Wave, Linklater adopts some elements of its style. Told almost entirely in French, Nouvelle Vague is shot in black and white with a 4:3 ratio, complete with film grain to give it an older feel.

However, Linklater doesn't totally ape the filmmaking techniques Godard pioneered during the making of Breathless, such as jump cuts. Instead, he focuses more on clueing the audience into how Godard came to these techniques. For the guerilla-style shooting on the streets of Paris, Linklater introduces the false mail cart that hid Breathless' handheld camera, along with cinematographer Raoul Coutard (Matthieu Penchinat). For Breathless' long walk-and-talk sequences, Linklater dutifully follows stars Seberg and Jean-Paul Belmondo (Aubry Dullin) as they stroll the Champs-Élysées. His prime focus here isn't Godard's filming, but rather his plan to dub over whatever Seberg and Belmondo are saying in post. Instead of speaking in character, the two actors wonder aloud just what the rest of the shoot has in store for them.

SEE ALSO: 'Blue Moon' review: Andrew Scott burns, Ethan Hawke clowns in grating biopic

The focus on process propels Nouvelle Vague, offering up a loving look at the ups and downs of the film's production. But the film's true strengths lie not in Linklater's take on Godard's style, but rather in Linklater's own strength as the master of the hangout movie. Yes, watching Godard choreograph a scene in real time is compelling. But if you've seen Breathless, you've already seen these scenes. You know how they play out!

Instead, what's more compelling is the downtime between filming: the crew hanging out in a café, Seberg teaching Belmondo American dance moves, Godard playing pinball. These scenes allow us to understand the characters better as people, as opposed to the pillars of the French New Wave they'd become.

Marbeck's Godard is the standout here. Eyes perpetually hidden behind sunglasses and a lit cigarette always at his lips, Marbeck plays Godard as part genius, part petulant child. As a result, Nouvelle Vague seems both reverent of and humored by Godard's many, many, many philosophical tirades on the subject of filmmaking. The mix lets Linklater bring a lightness to Nouvelle Vague's numerous production scenes, while also paying respect to the man who made Breathless possible.

At times, Linklater's reverence can overpower Nouvelle Vague. Aubry Dullin and Zoey Deutch in "Nouvelle Vague." Credit: Jean-Louis Fernandez / Courtesy of Netflix

Occasionally, though, the reverence for Breathless can take over Nouvelle Vague, for the worse. Linklater and screenwriters Holly Gent and Vincent Palmo, whose script Michèle Halberstadt and Laetitia Masson adapted into French, dutifully catalog the entire 20-day Breathless shoot. They hit major beats quickly. Here's how Godard filmed Michel's shootout with a policeman! Here's how he got the shot of the Paris streetlamps turning on behind Michel!

Yet after a while, these brief vignettes can begin to seem like Nouvelle Vague going through the motions, as if Linklater has a checklist of every piece of Breathless behind-the-scenes trivia he needs to account for. At these points, Nouvelle Vague loses the improvisational sense of play that its own muse strove so hard for while shooting Breathless.

Overall, though, Nouvelle Vague proves a sweet tribute to an influential film movement, one that doesn't take itself too seriously. If you're a French New Wave fan, come for the Breathless tributes, but stay for the hangout vibes.

Nouvelle Vague was reviewed out of the New York Film Festival. Nouvelle Vague hits select theaters Oct. 31 before coming to Netflix Nov. 14.

SAVE OVER $200: As of Nov. 14, the 2025 Apple MacBook Air M4 is on sale for $749.99 at Amazon. That's a 25% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple 2025 Apple MacBook Air M4 $749.99 at Amazon
$999 Save $249.01   Get Deal

MacBook deals have been the stars of recent sales. During October's Prime Day, we saw several significant price drops, some record breaking. And with Black Friday fast approaching, it seems like we're heading in the same direction.

The 2025 Apple MacBook Air M4 is dropping in price once again. As of Nov. 14, you can find this MacBook priced at just $749.99. That's a $249.01 saving, and its lowest-ever price according to camelcamelcamel. This deal is specific to the 13-inch model that comes with 16GB of memory. It's available in all colors, so you can choose from starlight, midnight, silver, or sky blue.

SEE ALSO: Walmart just dropped a huge Black Friday deal on the Apple AirPods Pro 2 — save $100 right now

This MacBook is super powerful thanks to the M4 chip. It handles tasks like working across multiple apps, editing videos, and running heavy software, and does so seamlessly. The 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display supports one billion colors, so everything looks sharp and bright, with colors that pop off the screen.

This MacBook offers a 12MP Center Stage camera, three microphones, and four speakers with Spatial Audio, so video calls look and sound great.

Get this MacBook deal from Amazon ahead of Black Friday.

SAVE OVER $200: As of Nov. 14, the iRobot Roomba Plus 405 is on sale for $398.99 at Amazon. That's a 36% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: iRobot iRobot Roomba Plus 405 $398.99 at Amazon
$626.49 Save $227.50   Get Deal

If you're waiting until Black Friday to buy a robot vacuum, there's no need. A

The iRobot Roomba Plus 405 just dropped to its lowest-ever price at Amazon. The retailer's Black Friday sale hasn't officially got underway yet (Nov. 20 is when you can expect that), but deals like this are already live. As of Nov. 14, you can find the iRobot Roomba Plus 405 reduced by $227.50, bringing the price down to $398.99.

Mashable's robot vacuum expert said this model offers "solid bang for your buck." At this new low price? It's a steal.

SEE ALSO: The best vacuums we've tested at home, from robots to Dyson stick vacs

If you've been shopping around for a robot vacuum, you'll have come across Roomba. They're one of the most popular brands (despite their struggles), and not without reason. This model offers dual vacuum and mopping features. It has seriously powerful suction, strong enough to lift dirt of all kinds. You also get four suction levels, repeat-pass options, SmartScrub deep scrubbing, Clean Zones for targeted areas, and Keep Out Zones for restricted spaces, so you can clean exactly the way you want.

This model uses DualClean spinning mop pads and SmartScrub to apply pressure and tackle tough stains much more easily. It can mop with either water or a cleaning solution, and the pads automatically lift when the vacuum detects carpet. The AutoWash dock then washes, dries, and refreshes the mop pads so they’re ready for the next use, with nothing for you to do.

This robot vacuum deal has a limited-time stamp, so grab it from Amazon now.

SAVE $100: As of Nov. 14, Apple AirPods Pro 2 are on sale for $139 at Walmart. This limited-time offer saves you $100 on list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Apple AirPods Pro 2 $139 at Walmart
$239 Save $100   Get Deal

Leading retailers like Amazon, Walmart, and Target are in a constant battle at this time of year. It's all about offering the best deals on the most popular products, thereby gaining the greatest following from all those greedy shoppers and winning Black Friday.

But how do we judge which retailer lands on top over Black Friday? It's tricky to assess the landscape, because there are quite literally thousands of deals to consider right now. But if we're looking for easy ways to make a call, Apple deals are usually the most significant savings on offer. And Walmart has stolen a lead on the competition with its stunning Apple AirPods Pro 2 discount.

SEE ALSO: Apple's new M5 iPad Pro keeps getting cheaper — score it for its best price yet

As of Nov. 14, Apple AirPods Pro 2 are on sale for $139 at Walmart. This limited-time offer saves you $100 on list price. We're going to go out on a limb here and say that this might be the best early Black Friday deal we've seen. There's still plenty of time for other retailers to offer something better, but Apple AirPods Pro 2 are sitting at over $200 on Amazon right now. That's a pretty significant price difference.

In our review, Stan Schroeder said they "sound great and the noise cancelation is stellar." They are look iconic. That's not the most important thing, but its matters, OK?

Score the best early Black Friday AirPods deal at Walmart.

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, Nov. 14, 2025:

AcrossEwe said it, not me!

• The answer is Baa.

"Shucks!"

• The answer is Aw Man.

Overly talkative ... or 1-Down with its consonants inverted

• The answer is Gabby.

Say hello to

• The answer is Greet.

"___ out!" (ump's cry)

• The answer is Yer.

DownOverly loose ... or 7-Across with its consonants inverted

• The answer is Baggy.

In the know

• The answer is Aware.

Honey-colored resin

• The answer is Amber.

Civil War prez, familiarly

• The answer is Abe.

W.S.J. competitor

• The answer is NYT.

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

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.

Getting proper sleep can help improve nearly every aspect of your health, but over a third of adults in the United States don't get enough of it, according to the CDC.

If a noisy environment is what's keeping you up at night, you've likely considered foam earplugs, but those are no longer the only option available, with reusable earplugs and sleep earbuds offering a more convenient alternative.

SEE ALSO: Dodow review: A simple sleep gadget that's best for back sleepers

I spent many nights of sleep over a few months trying out earplugs and earbuds ranging from $50 to $349 to find the best of what's out on the market — and to see if getting earbuds just for sleep is actually worth it.

With Black Friday fast approaching, this is an especially great time to pick up sleep earbuds. As the early stages of sales begin, we've already seen the Soundcore A30 earbuds, our upgrade pick, drop under $200. Our former upgrade pick, the Ozlo Sleepbuds, is also $50 off at $299.

As a note, we generally no longer recommend the Ozlo Sleepbuds as their price point isn't on par with the features offered by their competitors. At their full price point, I'd say to skip them. However, if you're especially intrigued by their design (and have no qualms with the lack of ANC), grabbing them for $299 instead of their usual $349 is the absolute most we'd recommend paying for these earbuds to get true value.

The best earbuds for sleeping

Below, I pulled three of the best sleep earbuds on the market. Between the overall best, upgrade, and earplug picks, there's a wide range of price points, but as with any product, the most expensive of the bunch isn't necessarily the best overall. With that in mind, I highlighted where each earbud excelled, whether that be in comfort, noise cancellation, or ease of use, to help you pick the best sleep earbud possible.

UPDATE: Aug. 18, 2025, 9:45 a.m. EDT As of April 2024, the Ozlo Sleepbuds increased in price from $299 to $349 on Ozlo's website and Amazon in the United States due to tariffs. While we initially scaled back our recommendation to only grabbing them on sale, since testing the Soundcore Sleep A30s, which offer similar feature sets for far less, we no longer recommend the Ozlo Sleepbuds as one of our top pick sleep earbuds.

How are sleep earbuds different than normal earbuds?

First, a confession: I used to wear AirPods nearly every night to sleep. More accurately, I used to wear a single AirPod so I could actually sleep on my side.

After testing earbuds designed for sleeping, I can tell you that everyday earbuds don't match up to the sleep earbud experience. For starters, standard earbuds aren't designed to be worn while you're lying on your side, so they often stick out of your ears and put hard plastic in contact with your ear. Not to mention, earbuds typically cap out at six to seven hours of battery life per charge, so if you're getting at least eight hours of sleep, you run the risk of interrupting it with the sound of your earbuds powering off.

Sleep earbuds, like the Soundcore A20 ones pictured in the middle, have a much thinner profile than traditional earbuds. Credit: Bethany Allard / Mashable

Sleep earbuds, on the other hand, can offer white noise options, better battery life, and significantly more comfort (that actually allows you to wear more than one earbud at a time). The pairs I tested came without microphones and with touch controls that worked but were less sensitive than traditional earbuds, so you can lie on your side without activating them. When I initially tested options for this guide, there weren't really any with active noise cancellation, but that has since changed thanks to the Soundcore Sleep A30 earbuds. Still, you'd be surprised at how well passive noise cancellation, a good fit, and white noise work.

SEE ALSO: The 7 best earbuds to buy in 2025 from Bose, Sony, and more Is it safe to wear earbuds to sleep every night?

First and foremost, it's important to consider that sleep earbuds aren't the only way to approach nighttime noises that might be keeping you up.

I consulted Dr. Ashley Kita, an otolaryngologist and assistant professor in the Department of Head and Neck Surgery at UCLA, to discuss any risks associated with wearing earbuds all night. While she didn't warn against using earbuds, she suggested that if what's keeping you up is a partner's snoring, you start looking for solutions there.

SEE ALSO: Loop earplugs are actually worth it — here's how to choose the right pair

"If you're doing all of this to avoid a partner who is snoring, sometimes gently encouraging that person to investigate why they're snoring is kind of an important consideration," Kita said. "Because we find that obstructive sleep apnea is really underdiagnosed, and snoring, for some people, is the only sign of it."

If, however, what's keeping you up is less in your control, then you do want to be aware of three main aspects of using earbuds all night: proper hygiene, safe noise levels, and your ear comfort.

Proper hygiene

When I started testing these earbuds, I realized I was now wearing earbuds uninterrupted for longer than I typically would in the course of a day, even as someone who tests headphones for a living. When I asked Dr. Kita how that wear time might raise someone's risk for infection, she drew a comparison to the wear time of hearing aids:

"Many individuals wear hearing aids for longer hours during the day than they sleep at night," she said. And yet, folks who wear hearing aids don't often have ear infections, though long wear times may increase their risk.

SEE ALSO: How to set up Hearing Aid mode on your AirPods

With the long wear times, Kita said the main concern she could anticipate was wax buildup since the natural path for wax to exit the ear canal would be blocked. However, she said it's not necessarily a cause for concern, as wax can typically exit the ear canal at other points during the day when you're not wearing earbuds (or blocking your ear canal in any other way).

As for any heightened infection risk, Kita shared that it can increase when there's greater wax buildup that can then trap bacteria. She recommended cleaning the buds with isopropyl alcohol and a cotton pad after each use, if possible. (One of the brands we tested, Ozlo, recommends a weekly cleaning.) With all that said, someone's risk for infection really comes down to personal susceptibility — some people are more prone to ear infections than others. If you fall into that category, being more proactive about cleaning your earbuds is a good practice.

Noise levels

Noise-induced hearing loss is the second most common type of hearing loss (behind age-related hearing loss), so it's important to be aware of the level of noise you expose yourself to. Kita pointed me in the direction of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) chart for how long people can be exposed to certain decibel levels safely.

In its FAQ, Ozlo also cites OSHA's recommendation, as well as the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health's recommendations, which top out at 90 decibels and 85 decibels for eight hours, respectively. We reached out to a rep from Soundcore to see if its earbuds have specific upper decibel limits, and will update this guide when we hear back. In general, though, Kita said the less noise, the better, recommending that you always try to use the lowest volume possible.

SEE ALSO: Video game industry makes it easier to find accessible games for disabled players

"While I don't necessarily love the idea of extra noise when you're not even conscious to appreciate it, if it's the thing that's keeping you asleep or letting you sleep, it just comes in this category of risks and benefits," Kita said. "Just make sure that it's quiet enough, then it really isn't that much different than using a white noise machine on your nightstand."

Comfort

Earbuds fitting comfortably is important for you to be able to fall asleep, but also for your ear health.

"Everyone's ear canal is shaped differently," Kita said. "And so something that might be really comfortable for your ears might really cause my ears to ache."

In other words, giving yourself earbuds-induced earaches every night can actually impact your ear health. If one of the below recommendations really isn't sitting right, even with adjustments to the ear tip sizes, don't be afraid to return them.

Other sleep earbuds we tested

At the end of the initial testing period, the one product that didn't make the cut was the 1More Sleeping Earbuds Z30, which, at $89.99, were the least expensive earbuds I tested. While significantly cheaper than the earbuds that did make the cut, their battery life, app features, and fit didn't quite match up to the other options on my list. However, if you're looking for very barebones low-profile earbuds (and don't mind hearing them die in the early hours of the morning), these aren't a bad option under $100.

1More Sleeping Earbuds Z30 $59.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now at Amazon

In keeping up with my value criteria, I decided to ultimately pull the Ozlo Sleepbuds as our best upgrade pick. After their price jumped up from $299 to $349 — far outpricing our existing picks (and most premium standard ANC earbuds, for that matter) — I determined their features didn't justify their price tag. The addition of sleep tracking (which is in the works) or ANC would make these earbuds much more competitive. On that note, the newly-released Soundcore Sleep A30 took their spot, as the only sleep earbuds with ANC on the market at the time of writing.

Ozlo Sleepbuds $299 at Amazon
$349 Save $50   Shop Now at Amazon Shop Now at Ozlo

Google has announced several AI-powered updates to its shopping features, helping to make your mindless consumerism even more mindless. 

First, Google has updated Search's AI Mode so that users can describe what they're shopping for in a conversational manner. For example, Google states that a person could search for "cozy sweaters for happy hour in warm autumn colors," and be served with shoppable images, prices, reviews, and information on whether the suggested items are in stock. Further, weighing up multiple product options will generate a comparison table that references other peoples' reviews.

Such changes also extend to Gemini app, with Google's AI chatbot now capable of providing ideas for what to add to your shopping list. Users can tell Gemini that they're looking for products to fit a certain purpose, such as practical gifts for students or ideas for what to buy during Black Friday sales. Gemini will then create a list of suggested products, which can be purchased directly in-app.

Google adds automated calls to businesses Credit: Google

Another interesting shopping update is Google's new ability to call stores and make inquiries on your behalf, a feature which may be helpful to people with disabilities, social anxiety, or who just hate phone calls.

Users will see the option to "let Google call" nearby stores when they use Search to look for certain products "near me." Google will then ask a few questions about what you're after, call the store, then send the answers to you via email or text. Currently, Google's automated calls are restricted to booking appointments, checking restaurant wait times, and confirming the pricing and availability of products and services. 

Google's automated calls are also rolling out in the U.S. for toy, electronic, and health and beauty categories, however not all states will be receiving it. Google states that its automated shopping calls will not be rolling out in Indiana, Louisiana, Minnesota, Montana, and Nebraska. Businesses can also opt out if they'd rather not receive these automated calls, either by calling Google themselves or changing the settings on their Business Profile.

Google's AI automatically purchases products Credit: Google

Finally, Google has begun rolling out the agentic AI checkout feature it teased at Google I/O 2025 in May. With this feature, users can have Google's AI shopping agent monitor a product's availability and send them a notification when its price drops below a set target. Users can tailor these notifications to specifically track product variations according to size, colour, and the number of items they wish to buy. 

Significantly, Google can also autonomously purchase the item for you using Google Pay. Google states that it will ask your permission before buying anything, and will only proceed once you've confirmed purchase and shipping details. Even so, it seems wise to think long and hard before granting AI the power to spend your money.

This feature is rolling out across Google Search and AI Mode, though will be available in the U.S. for now, and only for some vendors such as Wayfair, Chewy, Quince, and select Shopify stores.

Google's latest AI-powered shopping features join its virtual fitting room, which has been available to U.S. users via the Search Labs testing platform since May. This feature allows users to upload a photo of themselves to Google, then use AI to generate an image of themselves in clothes they're considering buying. 

These features use Google's Shopping Graph, a data set of products and vendors from around the globe. Google states that its real-time Shopping Graph contains over 50 billion product listings, many of which are updated hourly.

Google's updates arrive amidst a dispute between Amazon and Perplexity over similar AI shopping technology. The online retail giant sued Perplexity last week, objecting to the AI firm's own automated AI-powered shopping assistant enabling one-click purchasing from Amazon. According to Amazon, Perplexity has ignored repeated requests not to include it in this tool. 

Fortunately for Google, its AI shopping assistant seems unlikely to face similar turmoil for now, as its gradual rollout to select stores currently excludes Amazon.

The moon is shrinking each night as we move toward the New Moon, and tonight it’s showing just a slim crescent, a nod to the current phase, Waning Crescent. However, we're early in this stage, so there's still plenty to spot on its surface if you look closely.

What is today’s moon phase?

As of Friday, Nov. 14, the moon phase is Waning Crescent. This means 27% of the moon is lit up tonight, according to NASA's Daily Moon Observation.

What can you see when you look up? Well, specifically, without any visual aids you can see the Kepler Cater and the Oceanus Procellarum. If you have binoculars, to the bottom left you'll also see the Grimaldi Basin. If you have a telescope, you'll see more towards the bottom left (top right, if you're in the Southern Hemisphere), including the Schiller Crater and Apollo 12 landing spot.

When is the next full moon?

The next full moon will be on Dec. 4.

What are moon phases?

Moon phases are part of a 29.5-day lunar cycle, according to NASA. These phases are how the moon looks from Earth as it goes around us. We always see the same side of the moon, but how much of it is lit up by the Sun changes depending on where it is in its orbit. So, sometimes it looks full, sometimes half, and sometimes not there at all (aka, the New Moon). There are eight main moon phases, and they follow a repeating cycle:

The eight main moon phases are:

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

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

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

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

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

Waning Gibbous - The moon starts losing light on the right side. (Northern Hemisphere)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Astute.

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

SAVVY

Hurdle Word 2 hint

A soup made when drinking liquids.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for November 14, 2025 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

SLURP

Hurdle Word 3 hint

A basketball move.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for November 14 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for November 14, 2025 Hurdle Word 3 answer

LAYUP

Hurdle Word 4 hint

Poor.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for November 14 Hurdle Word 4 answer

BROKE

Final Hurdle hint

A legal violation.

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

CRIME

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

Connie Francis’ “Pretty Little Baby” is more than 60 years old. And though it was never even released as a single, this 1962 song became a global sensation in 2025, coming in at number 5 on TikTok’s global Songs of the summer list. Other ‘catalogue’ tracks have reemerged lately, becoming trending hits decades after their release. But it’s not just music from the archives. New and emerging artists now have a new way to reach global audiences and become stars overnight. All of this because someone heard their song and got a TikTok video idea.

But is TikTok changing the ways we listen to music? And, more importantly, does it now have influence on how music is made?

Read the full Trending Now article by Christianna Silva.

Would you play Boggle or Pictionary on your TV? Netflix thinks so.

On Thursday, Netflix introduced a new feature called Game Night, which lets customers play a handful of video games with just their TV, using their phones as controllers. Launching today, Game Night includes Boggle Party, Lego Party!, Pictionary: Game Night, Tetris Time Warp, and Party Crashers: Fool Your Friends. Game Night is available now without any additional subscription or fees.

A Netflix press release states, "Netflix just made game night a whole lot easier. Now you can play games on your TV. All you need is Netflix and your phone. That’s it. Just like that, everything you need to start playing with your friends and family is in the palm of your hands."

Game Night represents a pivot for Netflix's video game strategy. The streaming app first experimented with video games in 2021, but the platform has never become a hub for gamers in the United States. Since 2021, Netflix has launched more than 100 mobile games, per the New York Times, with its most successful title, Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, reaching almost 40 million downloads.

However, the word download is key. Playing Netflix games required users to head to an app store and download an app, an awkward and counterintuitive approach for a streaming app. But with Netflix Game Night, users can play games directly in the Netflix app itself.

Netflix customers with a compatible device will have access to Game Night right away, and it's also accessible in web browsers. Per a Netflix announcement, "To play a game on your TV using your mobile device, select a game, then scan the game’s QR code with your phone’s camera." And in a press release, Netflix said it will be launching a "stack of new titles" for the holiday season.

“Starting today, you can play games on your TV, using your phone as a controller — no setup needed, it’s as easy as streaming your favorite shows,” said Alain Tascan, president of games at Netflix, in a press release. “You can now go from watching KPop Demon Hunters to playing Pictionary: Game Night without ever leaving Netflix. And for those who love to play anywhere and everywhere, we're bringing even more games to your phone with our own special Netflix touch.”

If you're in the market for a new pair of earbuds, we have good news: You have a lot of options. The bad news? You have a lot of options, and your decision can get overwhelming, fast. Wasn't life easier when iPhones came with a free pair of earbuds?

While you can still find wired earbuds that plug in and go (you'll even find a pair on this list), the market is flooded with wireless options. Now, you'll find models with advanced noise cancellation to block out the sounds of busy coffee shops and commutes. Plus, a good pair should have a quality microphone so you can take calls on the go.

SEE ALSO: I replaced my $249 AirPods Pro with $19 wired EarPods

Prices on earbuds range anywhere from $10 to $1,000, especially if you're going for professional-grade studio earphones. And if you care about noise cancellation, you can easily spend $300 — that's the price of peace and quiet. These days, you can even get hyperspecialized models like sleep earbuds. Our guide also includes our picks for the best earbuds for working out and the best open earbuds.

Our top picks for earbuds are the Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd gen) and Panasonic Technics AZ100s, which provide outstanding sound quality — but keep in mind, both of these models cost $299. While we stand by the value of everything on this list, we know that spending $300 on a pair of headphones is a lot to stomach. That's also why we recommend shopping for earbuds during Black Friday season. As sales start to kick off, the QC Ultra earbuds are down $50 (their lowest price since their September release date). As we approach the actual day of Black Friday on Nov. 28, we expect to see even more markdowns on our favorite earbuds.

Ready to start shopping now? Here are our top earbud picks of 2025.

Types of earbuds

There are two types of earbuds: wireless and wired. While those descriptors are self-explanatory, let's get into the specifics of both.

Wireless

Wireless earbuds connect to devices via Bluetooth for cordless usage. These earbuds range from $20 budget models to high-end models with active noise cancellation. While they don't require a wire to connect to a device, some wireless earbuds still have a wire that might go around the back of the neck to connect the buds.

While earbuds traditionally don't provide the passive noise cancellation of over-the-ear headphones, wireless models often feature ANC, which electronically blocks out background noise. With wireless headphones, you need to consider the battery life. Most models should have an eight-hour or more battery life before they need to be recharged.

Wired

Wired earbuds are the original model: two buds connected by a wire to your audio source. While they once felt high tech, they're pretty basic now. Wired earbuds with active noise cancellation are basically non-existent, and you won't find any on our list.

The biggest positive to wired headphones is that they don't need to be charged. They're a great backup option to keep in your bag in case your usual wireless headphones or earbuds run out of charge.

New additions to this guide

After extensive testing, Mashable Lead Shopping Reporter Bethany Allard rounded up the best sleep earbuds. You can read her full guide, but as of May 2025, we've added the Anker Soundcore Sleep A20 to this guide, which Allard says are the best sleep earbuds for most people.

As of August 2025, we also updated the best earbuds for working out to the Powerbeats Pro 2 and added the Shokz OpenDots One as the best open earbuds.

What are the best wireless Bluetooth earbuds?

If you're just looking for a pair of everyday wireless earbuds, all but one of the models in this guide will check that box. (We also included the Marshall Mode wired earbuds as an option for folks who don't want to worry about battery.) If you're looking for the highest quality wireless earbuds, you can't go wrong with the Bose QuietComfort Ultra and Panasonic Technics EAH-AZ100 earbuds, our most recent recommendation in 2025. Both of these wireless earbuds feature elite noise-cancellation, stellar sound, long battery life, and a comfortable fit for extended wear.

Still, this guide includes several other earbuds we stand behind. Apple users may prefer the AirPods Pro, while shoppers on a budget may prefer buds from Marshall or Anker Soundcore. If you need help picking the perfect pair, read on.

SAVE $1,002: The 100-inch Hisense Class QD6 QLED 4K TV is on sale for $1,497.99 at Amazon, down from the list price of $2,499.99. That's a 40% discount and the lowest we've seen at Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: Hisense 100-inch Hisense Class QD6 QLED 4K TV $1,497.99 at Amazon
$2,499.99 Save $1,002.00   Get Deal

Holiday hosting season is right around the corner. If you're busy prepping the menu, finding recipes, and delegating cleaning tasks, it's also worth considering entertainment. If you like to host with holiday gatherings with the ambiance of Christmas music in the background and a snowy scene on TV, check out this monster of a deal at Amazon.

As of Nov. 13, the 100-inch Hisense Class QD6 QLED 4K TV is on sale for $1,497.99 at Amazon, down from the list price of $2,499.99. That's a massive 40% discount that shaves $1,002 off the standard price. This sale happens to be the lowest we've seen at Amazon.

Black Friday is still a few weeks away but we're already seeing major deals and that includes this 100-inch Hisense. The brand consistently offers some of the best affordable TVs that don't slack when it comes to display quality.

SEE ALSO: 45 early Black Friday deals at Best Buy that aren't cheaper anywhere else

This 100-inch model could be great for larger living rooms or rec rooms, and its 144Hz refresh rate means it could be awesome for winter gaming. Since we're spending more time inside these days, consider your winter activities sorted with this 100-inch upgrade. Stream you favorite shows, movies, holiday parades, and footballs games like never before.

QLED displays excel in offering bright colors and great contrast, even during the daytime. It's also equipped with Fire TV which will put all your favorite streaming apps neatly into one menu. The Fire TV integration also means you can check in with Alexa or use the picture-in-picture feature to continue watching your show while also checking on the video doorbell.

As an early Black Friday treat, upgrade to the 100-inch Hisense Class QD6 QLED 4K TV while it's on sale for $1,497.99 at Amazon. Today's price marks the lowest we've seen and buying today will mean it'll arrive before Thanksgiving entertaining starts.

Russian engineers ran their new humanoid robot on stage, Rocky Balboa-style, in what was supposed to be the beginning of a new era in robotics for the nation They then proceeded to watch it epically face-plant in front of the Moscow audience.

Known as AIdol, the AI-powered, anthropomorphic tech was making its public debut at a press event on Nov. 10, advertised as an example of the country's domestic robotics capabilities.

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After briefly waving to the audience, rife with journalists, the robot tottered forward and simply tumbled over — not so light on its feet. A large chunk of its outer body carriage rolled away, and organizers quickly covered him up using a black cloth while they tried to fix it. They later said the fall was due to calibration issues with its balance systems and control software.

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AIdol was developed by Russian robotics startup Idol, led by CEO Vladimir Vitukhin. Vitukhin is part of Russia's charge into the international robotics market, an industry that garnered $1.6 billion in investments in 2024, the New York Times reported. Companies like Elon Musk's Tesla and Amazon have ventured into the humanoid robot (or "physical agentforce") market, too, including Tesla's highly touted Optimus robot. Catch Optimus rigs working at Musk's Tesla Diner in Los Angeles soon, if Musk's dreams come true.

“I hope that this mistake will turn into an experience,” Vitukhin told Russian state news agencies. "This is real-time learning, when a good mistake turns into knowledge, and a bad mistake turns into experience."

It's sometimes easy to fall into the trap that a bigger number on something means that it's subjectively better, when really it's just objectively "more" on some measurable axis.