IT General

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Here's a hint for today's Connections Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: Thrown by a pitcher

• Green: Where baseball teams play

• Blue: Most championships in baseball

• Purple: Share a first word

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

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

• Yellow: Baseball pitches

• Green: MLB stadium names

• Blue: Teams with the most World Series titles

• Purple: Batting _________

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

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

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections Sports Edition #185 is...

What is the answer to Connections Sports Edition today

• Baseball pitches - CHANGEUP, EEPHUS, SLIDER, SPLITTER

• MLB stadium names - ANGEL, CHASE, TARGET, WRIGLEY

• Teams with the most World Series titles - ATHLETICS, CARDINAS, RED SOX, YANKEES

• Batting _________ - AVERAGE, CAGE, ORDER, PRACTICE

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for March 27 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for March 27 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Playing the field

The words are baseball-related.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words are singular versions of MLB team names in the same league.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is NationalLeague.

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for March 27

• Brewer

• Pirate

• Giant

• Brave

• Dodger

• Marlin

• NationalLeague

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

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: Hints and answers for March 27 Where did Wordle come from?

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

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

What's the best Wordle starting word?

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

What happened to the Wordle archive?

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

Is Wordle getting harder?

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

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for March 27, 2025 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

A cover for a mattress.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

The letter E appears twice.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter S.

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

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

Drumroll please!

The solution to today's Wordle is...

SHEET.

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for March 27

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

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

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

Connections is a game from the New York Times that challenges you to find the association between words. It sounds easy, but it isn't—Connections categories can be almost anything, and they're usually quite specific. If you need a hand getting the answers, we've got you covered.

Scientists are still unraveling the mysteries behind our torrid star.

The European Space Agency's Solar Orbiter — which makes a relatively close approach to the sun every six months — has captured an unparalleled view of the solar wind, a stream of charged particles the sun constantly streams into space. The solar wind has great implications for how solar storms impact Earth and our technologies, so researchers seek to understand how it forms and accelerates to speeds exceeding 1 million miles per hour.

"Watch particles whirl out from the Sun in giant, million-km twisters," ESA posted online.

SEE ALSO: NASA dropped a new report. It's a wake-up call.

The clip below, which zooms in on this stream of particles from an event in October 2022, was made possible by the spacecraft's coronagraph, called Metis. As you can see, a chronograph blocks the overpowering, luminous sun, allowing the Solar Orbiter to capture the whirling solar wind.

"Metis is currently the only instrument able to see the solar wind's twisting dance," the space agency explained. "No other imaging instrument can see — with a high-enough resolution in both space and time — the sun's inner corona where this dance takes place." The research has been published online in The Astrophysical Journal.

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The Solar Orbiter's close observations of the sun also seek to reveal what drives its 11-year-cycle of activity, and why its outer atmosphere, or corona, heats up to some 2 million degrees Fahrenheit, while its surface is dramatically "cooler" at 10,000 F.

Improving our understanding of the solar wind will help scientists better forecast when and where a potent coronal mass ejection (an eruption of a mass of super hot gas) or solar flare may hit Earth and threaten our power grids, satellites, and communications infrastructure. For example, when a CME erupts from the sun's surface, it must travel over 92 million miles to reach Earth. Along the way, this hot gas will "pile up" the solar wind ahead of it, impacting its arrival time at Earth.

Knowledge about these space dynamics is critical: A good space weather forecast would allow power utilities to temporarily shut off power to avoid conducting a power surge from a CME, and potentially blowing out power to millions.

Thankfully, when these events do inevitably impact Earth, our planet's atmosphere and magnetic field protect our bodies from such dangerous radiation.

Looking for something great to watch at home? Streaming subscribers are spoiled for choice between Hulu, Netflix, Max, Disney+, Apple TV+, Prime Video, Shudder, Paramount+, Peacock, and more. And that's before you even look at the vast libraries of movies and television programs within each one!

Don't be overwhelmed or waste an hour scrolling through your services to determine what to watch. We've got your back, whatever your mood. Mashable offers watch guides for all of the above, broken down by genre: comedy, thriller, horror, documentary, and animation, among others.

But if you're seeking something brand-new (or just new to streaming), we've got you covered there, too.

Mashable's entertainment team has scoured the streaming services to highlight the most buzzed-about releases of this week and ranked them from worst to best — or least worth your time to most watchable. Whether you're looking for star-studded new movies, Oscar–nominated drama, wild tales of romance, unmatched true crime stories, or the funniest show Apple TV has yet to offer, we've got something just for you.

Here's what's new on streaming, from worst to best.

6. Holland

In the follow-up to her psychological thriller Fresh, director Mimi Cave offers a Nicole Kidman-fronted mystery set in a picture-perfect American town called Holland.

Kidman stars as a wife, mother, and home-ec teacher who has a sneaking suspicion something dark is lurking under the surface of her suburban utopia. Could it be that her husband (Matthew Macfadyen) is having an affair? To find the truth, she enlists her co-worker/crush (Gael García Bernal). But what they discover is far more disturbing than even this paranoid wife could imagine.

While Holland boasts a great cast and an intriguing premise, its mystery has been done to death before it even begins. In my review out of SXSW, I cheered the seeming metaphor for the movie, but found myself alarmingly bored despite its scandalous elements. I concluded, "Like a postcard, Holland is intriguing and pretty, but ultimately flat."

Starring:  Nicole Kidman, Gael García Bernal, Matthew Macfadyen, Jude Hill, and Rachel Sennott

How to watch: Holland premieres on Prime Video March 27.

5. Dark Side of the Ring, Season 6

Whether you're a wrestling fan who wants to know this form of ferocious entertainment inside and out, or a true crime fan looking for a fresh series to binge-watch, Dark Side of the Ring is for you.

SEE ALSO: 'Dark Side of the Ring' and 'The Iron Claw' make a slammin' doubleheader

Now entering its sixth season, this documentary series thoughtfully unfolds stories of wrestling tragedy, like the curse of the Von Erich clan, life-altering injuries, and truly shocking crimes. Interviewing the people who lived through these events — be they wrestlers, promoters, friends, or experts on the sport — Dark Side of the Ring offers a complex and intimate portrait that doesn't allow the roles of "face" and "heel" to be so easily assigned outside the ring.

We haven't seen what Season 6 has in store. But it if it's anything like the previous seasons, it's going to be a wild ride. — K.P.

How to watch: Dark Side of the Ring Season 6 premieres on Vice TV March 26.

4. Survival of the Thickest, Season 2

Forget Emily in Paris and embrace the romance and fashion of Survival of the Thickest Season 2!

Where Season 1 of Michelle Buteau's hilarious sitcom was set in the hubbub of New York City, its second season has emerging stylist Mavis Beaumont (played by Buteau) taking her plans for a plus-sized high fashion line to Rome. And naturally, her fiercely loyal and always funny friends will have her back, through sexual mishaps, cheeky protests, or whatever else living large throws her way! — K.P.

Starring:  Michelle Buteau, Tone Bell, Tasha Smith, Deon Cole, Marouane Zotti, and Dan Amboyer

How to watch: Survival of the Thickest is now streaming Netflix.

4. Queer

Celebrated filmmaker Luca Guadagnino has bestowed upon cinema an audacious array of tales of lust and love, gnarly and magnificent. There was the tender summer love story of Call Me by Your Name, the cannibal coming-of-age adventure Bones and All, and the high-tension love triangle of Challengers. Then came Queer, Guadagnino's daring adaptation of William S. Burroughs' semi-autobiographical novella.

SEE ALSO: How Daniel Craig and Drew Starkey filmed the ayahuasca scene in 'Queer'

Daniel Craig stars as a drug-fueled American ex-pat, cutting a reckless path through Mexico's bars and into its deepest wilderness. Along the way, he becomes intoxicated with a dashing young Navy man (Drew Starkey), sparking a relationship that's as confounding as it is white-hot. Less adored than Guadagnino's previous films, Queer nonetheless awed some critics. In my review for Mashable, I waded through my qualms with the film, ultimately declaring, "Queer is both visually lush, sexually explosive, and emotionally infuriating. It is not a journey that leaves our hearts full, but open and aching."* — K.P.

Starring: Daniel Craig, Drew Starkey, Jason Schwartzman, Henry Zaga, Omar Apollo, and Lesley Manville

How to watch: Queer premieres on Max March 28.

3. A Complete Unknown

James Mangold's eight-time Academy Award–nominated biopic about the enigmatic Bob Dylan is now streaming, so you can enjoy Timothée Chalamet's SAG Award–winning performance from the comfort of home. But turn up the volume to truly allow the '60s soundtrack of rebellion and heartache wash over you.

In my review for A Complete Unknown, I praised Chalamet's "irritating" performance, as well as how writer/director Mangold held space for other major figures in folk, like Pete Seeger (Edward Norton) and Joan Baez (Monica Barbaro). I wrote, "Each of these performances masterfully fleshes out these figures so they exist beyond their connection to Dylan. You can see how they tie together, how it hurts when he cuts that tie, but also that each is a tapestry even without him. This, above all else, makes A Complete Unknown remarkable, setting it apart from countless dramas about an abusive (and always male) creative genius whose bad behavior is effectively shrugged off as the cost of art." — K.P.

Starring: Timothée Chalamet, Edward Norton, Elle Fanning, Monica Barbaro, Boyd Holbrook, and Scoot McNairy

How to watch: A Complete Unknown is now streaming on Hulu.

2. Bring Them Down

You hear the phrase "Irish sheep-herding drama," and you might anticipate co-writer/helmer Chris Andrews' directorial debut to be restrained, even quaint. You'd be wrong.

In her review for Mashable, Entertainment Reporter Belen Edwards called Bring Them Down a "brutal must-watch," spelling out how a riveting opening sequence sets up an expectation of abrupt and grim violence. Barry Keoghan and Christopher Abbott star as rival farmers whose family feud sends them into a heinous downward spiral of rage and toxic masculinity. Belen writes, "Abbott and Keoghan have both carved out space for themselves as daring actors unafraid of stranger roles, so it's a pleasure to watch them square off in the intense pressure cooker of Bring Them Down." — K.P.

Starring: Barry Keoghan, Christopher Abbott, Nora-Jane Noone, Colm Meaney, Paul Ready, and Aaron Heffernan

How to watch: Bring Them Down debuts on MUBI March 28.

1. The Studio

Seth Rogen and a jaw-dropping cast of big stars give Hollywood the takedown it so richly deserves with the "must-watch satire" The Studio.

The battle of art versus commerce takes center stage as Rogen plays a newly minted studio exec who has to make an endless series of wild decisions. If you ever wonder how the blockbuster sausage gets made, the first episode of this stellar comedy series gives you a juicy and revolting taste.

The writing on this satirical series is so sharp that Rogen practically bleeds as he plays the fool across an array of comical conflicts. And he's bolstered by a supporting cast that is blisteringly funny, spitting barbs, allusions, and one-liners with a dizzying intensity.* — K.P.

Starring: Seth Rogen, Catherine O’Hara, Kathryn Hahn, Ike Barinholtz, Chase Sui Wonders, and Bryan Cranston

How to watch: The Studio debuts on Apple TV+ March 26.

* denotes that this blurb appeared in a previous Mashable list.

TL;DR: This Microsoft Visual Studio Professional 2022 and The Premium Learn to Code Certification Bundle teaches you how to code and gives you the software to do it for just $55.97 (reg. $1,999). 

Still don't know how to code? It's time, and you can consider this well-rounded bundle to be your sign.

This Microsoft Visual Studio Professional 2022 and The Premium Learn to Code Certification Bundle not only gives you the tools you need right from tech giant Microsoft but also offers an education in coding geared toward total beginners — all for $55.97. 

Teach yourself how to code for $56

Who doesn't love a one-stop shop? If you're finally ready to conquer coding, this bundle gives you the tools you'll need to make a career change. You can take the first step toward being a front-end or back-end developer, a data scientist, a DevOps engineer, or an app developer; the possibilities are nearly endless. 

First things first, you're going to need to learn how to code. The Premium Learn to Code Certification bundle of classes offers 15 online courses geared toward doing just that.

These courses are great for beginners and cover building websites with Python, JavaScript, HTML, CSS, C++, and more. If you're hoping to build an app, there are courses for that, too, and you have access to all of them for life so that you can go at your own pace. 

Once you've built a foundation in coding, it's time to boot up Microsoft Visual Studio Pro. This trusted platform helps you write, edit, and debug code with ease. Plus, you can work across multiple languages to put your new skills to the test.

With data storytelling on the rise, be at the forefront with your coding background and help from Microsoft Visual Studio Pro, which lets you build data-driven apps or dashboards to bring stories to life so you can thrive in this field. 

Start your coding journey today with the Microsoft Visual Studio Professional 2022 and The Premium Learn to Code Certification Bundle, now only $55.97 (a $1,999 value). 

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TL;DR: Relive your childhood by grabbing the Kinhank Super Console X2 Pro for $89.97 (reg. $159) — it comes preloaded with 70,000+ classic games.

Opens in a new window Credit: Kinhank Kinhank Super Console X2 Pro Retro Gaming Emulator & Streaming Console $89.97
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Have the winter blues got you down? You could try to entertain yourself by doomscrolling yet again on Instagram or TikTok. Or, you could relive some of your best childhood memories with this retro-inspired gaming console.

The Kinhank comes with over 70,000 classic games from the ’80s, ’90s, and early 2000s, letting you relive your childhood or college gaming days, and it even doubles as a streaming console. Grab it while it's available for $89.97 (reg. $159) with free shipping.

Rather than spend another night doomscrolling your social media feed, end your workday (or start the weekend) with classics like Super Mario, Street Fighter, and Pac-Man. All you need to do to set up the Kinhank is plug it into your TV, grab a controller, and dive right into the action. No extra installation or hardware is necessary.

Have a solo game night to decompress and relive your childhood by racing or completing puzzles. Or, invite your siblings or friends over to enjoy the console's multiplayer mode. It comes with two wireless controllers, letting you duke it out with your brother or best friend in Super Smash Bros. 

When you need a quick break from gaming, this retro gaming powerhouse lets you stream a movie or your favorite shows. Rewatch Severance season 2 or old cartoons in between gaming sessions.

Your new entertainment setup awaits. Indulge in some childhood nostalgia by yourself or with your favorite people by grabbing the Kinhank Super Console X2 Pro for just $89.97 with free shipping while supplies are still available.

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TL;DR: Tackle work, play, and everything in between with this refurbished Apple MacBook Pro (i5 2.4GHz, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD), now just $424.97 (reg. $1,499) through April 27 while supplies last. 

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Refurbished Apple MacBook Pro (i5 2.4GHz, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $424.97
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Want to save over $1,000 on a laptop? If you're in the market for a powerful and portable device to help you get through the workday and then unwind with some streaming or gaming, this MacBook Pro could be it. 

This feature-packed, 2019 refurbished Apple MacBook Pro (i5 2.4GHz, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) can be yours for only $424.97 (reg. $1,499) through April 27 (or until supplies run out). 

This affordable MacBook Pro doesn't skimp on features

Spring is here, warmer weather is just around the corner, and work motivation is at an all-time low. If you need some help summoning the drive to tackle your 9-to-5, let this MacBook Pro help. 

Even your work emails will look a little prettier on this 13.3-inch stunning Retina display that offers 2560-by-1600 resolution and True Tone technology to go a little easier on your eyes. 

You can improve your efficiency with help from the Touch Bar. It not only features an integrated Touch ID to make logging in faster and safer, but also offers shortcuts and customizable controls depending on the app you have open. 

The 2.4GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i5 Processor lets you multitask as you go — so go ahead and answer that text with 12 tabs open and your favorite playlist playing. 8GB of RAM keeps performance efficient, and 256GB of SSD storage lets you keep important data at your fingertips. 

Four Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) ports are available for connecting anything you need, whether it be your charger, data transfer tools, or external displays. And don't worry about hunting down an electrical outlet midday — this model offers an impressive 10-hour battery life to last all day. 

This model comes with a grade A refurbished rating, which means it will arrive on your doorstep in near-mint condition with virtually no signs of use. 

Get your own Apple MacBook Pro for just $424.97 (reg. $1,499) while supplies last.

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TL;DR: Get access to ChatGPT, Gemini, Meta AI, and more with a lifetime subscription to 1min.AI, now only $79.97 through 30 March at the Mashable Shop. 

Juggling a bunch of different AI tools for a single task is frustrating. It's also expensive if you have to pay for the premium subscriptions. 1min.AI changes that by giving you a single platform where all your favorite AI tools live. That includes popular models like ChatGPT-4.0 and Meta AI, along with tools that can generate images, edit videos, and more. And a lifetime subscription just went on sale for $79.97 (reg. $540). 

What's included?

The appeal of 1min.AI is that you get the same AI tools you're used to (plus a few extras) without needing to pay for them every month. That includes multiple versions of ChatGPT along with Gemini, Claude, Midjourney, and a lot more. 

These AI models let you do everything from drafting articles to fine-tuning visuals and handling complex document editing. 

Every month, you'll get a set amount of credits to use with the various AI tools, but don't worry, you get a lot. This subscription gives you 4,000,000 credits every month. That corresponds to over 100,000 words to generate, nearly 6,000 SEO keywords, over 1,000 images,  and even transcribing up to 14,833 minutes of audio. 

Plus, when you don't use all your credits, they roll over. And you can get 450,000 additional credits every month just for logging in. 

You don't have to pay every month for your productivity anymore.

Through March 30 at 11:59 p.m. PT, it's only $79.97 to get a lifetime subscription to 1min.AI's Advanced Business Plan. 

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Nicole Kidman headlines the trippy mystery Holland, Mimi Cave's follow-up to the psychological thriller Fresh. Named for the picture-perfect town in which it is set, the movie aims to recapture an era of American innocence before tossing its characters into a downward spiral of disillusionment and violence. 

Watching Kidman play a happy homemaker in a pretty suburban town might swiftly recall Frank Oz's underrated 2004 comedy remake of The Stepford Wives, which Kidman starred in. Or perhaps seeing Kidman surrender her body to a hot husband who sexually bores her might recall Halina Reijn's erotic thriller Babygirl.

Unfortunately, while Holland is constructed with interesting pieces, Cave's vision is murky and her pacing is agonizingly slow. Amid an intriguing world with a Lynchian threat of villainy lurking under a serene suburban surface, Holland struggles to come together to become greater than the sum of its parts.

But admittedly, the parts on their own are intriguing. 

Holland plays as a pre-9/11 allegory.  Matthew Macfadyen and Jude Hill play with model trains in "Holland." Credit: Prime Video / Amazon Studios

At first glance — or from the trailer — you might think Holland is set in the heyday of American conservative nostalgia, the 1950s, a time when housewives wore prim dresses while tending to their pretty homes and their men brought home the bacon to 2.5 well-behaved cherry-cheeked children. However, screenwriter Andrew Sodroski pivots from this expected setting to the year 2000. 

The cozy town of Holland still looks '50s idyllic in many ways, like the charming Tulip Time festival celebrating its Dutch roots with wooden clog dancing and traditional costumes. Happy homemaker Nancy Vandergroot (Kidman) routinely makes meatloaf for her optometrist husband Fred (Succession's Matthew Macfadyen) and her blonde grade-schooler Harry (Jude Hill). And for added saccharine, the shared hobby between father and son is building a model train set, complete with tiny houses, teeny figures of people, a towering windmill, and the teeniest tulips. 

However, elements of a more modern world creep in, like the use of cellphones, the mall rat hairstyle of tutor Candy (Rachel Sennott), and the comedy classic Mrs. Doubtfire playing on television. These elements cleverly tug at the central tension of the film — a perceived "classic" way of American living and the messy modern elements that threaten to ruin this perfect facade. In that vein, the first action Nancy takes in the film is to accuse Candy of stealing from her, tossing the girl into a panic before being cast out of the house (and, sadly for Sennott fans, out of the movie). In response, young Harry curses his mother out, a jarring reaction from a little boy who looks like the Precious Moments figurines on the glass shelving behind him. 

Like in Olivia Wilde's underwhelming Don't Worry Darling, Holland's heroine tries to ignore the fact there's something wrong with her seemingly ideal life. But she is plagued by bad dreams, images of her son slipping away from her as strangers fall dead at her feet. These visions are not blatantly tied to 9/11, and yet the chronological setting of the film plays as another clue that something big and traumatic is around the corner, ready to smash this cozy yet fragile sense of American safety to smithereens.

Nicole Kidman and Gael García Bernal are a mismatched comedy duo.  Nicole Kidman and Gael García Bernal meet up in "Holland." Credit: Prime Video / Amazon Studios

Occasionally, Holland asserts that Nancy does have a job outside the home, teaching home economics at the local high school. There, she befriends fellow teacher Dave Delgado (Gael García Bernal), a caring newcomer to Holland, who — unlike her husband — hears out her suspicions. Could Fred be cheating on her? In her quest for answers, she grows closer to Dave and a truth that will change her family forever. 

While the mystery element aims for tension, Cave and Sodroski paint Holland as a satire, mocking the glossy American concept of idyllic small-town life with a vibrant color palette and beaming, oblivious locals. However, while you can see Blue Velvet influences in Cave's approach to unearthing the bloody underbelly of such a seemingly quaint place, her visual style isn't heightened enough to keep us entranced. Likewise, the quirky comedy of Kidman and Bernal never quite lands, as their dynamic isn't that of a clown and a straight man, but rather two awkward people trying to repress their lust for each other. Odder still, their attraction — while inevitable — feels inert. 

This disconnect is particularly clear in a sequence where Dave is attacked by a local drunk, who hurls racial slurs at him. While Ben confronts his attacker, Nancy hides, not wanting to be seen with a man who is not her husband. As such, the scene not only reveals once again how Holland is not the friendly Eden that Nancy imagined, but also that she is craven. And yet the scene comes and goes so fast with no consequence that it ultimately feels like an afterthought.

In general, there's an agonizing lifelessness to Holland, which means by the time Cave actually gets to her juicy reveals, the film is already dead in the water. Everything that follows, whether it gets gory, weird, or tragic, doesn't shock or awe. Perhaps part of the problem is that the big twist is so obvious that its reveal is disappointing. More than anything else, the reveal exposes Holland to be little more than a cliched Lifetime movie led by A-listers — and not in the fun way of Will Ferrell's A Deadly Adoption.

Holland just isn't strange or shocking enough to live up to its influences. The jokes don't land. The horror doesn't penetrate, and the twists don't thrill. Like a postcard, Holland is intriguing and pretty, but ultimately flat. 

Holland is now streaming on Prime Video on March 27.

UPDATE: Mar. 26, 2025, 9:18 a.m. Holland was reviewed out of its premiere at the 2025 SXSW Film Festival on March 14, 2025. The streaming accessibility has been updated to mark the movie's premiere on Prime Video.

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It's tough to feel excited over yet another biopic, but if its eight Oscar nominations are any indication, A Complete Unknown is not to be missed. Not only does Timothée Chalamet embrace his inner Bob Dylan, but the film sees several others take on iconic personas as well. It also stars Monica Barbaro as Joan Baez, Edward Norton as Pete Seeger, and Elle Fanning as Sylvie Russo, a character based on Dylan's real-life former flame Suze Rotolo.

The film has been floating around on digital since Feb. 25, but as of March 27, it is also available to stream. Here's everything you need to know.

What is A Complete Unknown about?

A Complete Unknown follows Bob Dylan's (Chalamet) rise to fame in the early '60s, charting his beginnings as a folk singer in the New York music scene. "But once Dylan hits his groove, the film launches forward several years to 1965, when he's an established megastar whose emerging interest in electric guitar threatens to outrage his fanbase at the Newport Folk Festival, and his early allies," writes Mashable's film editor, Kristy Puchko.

Check out the official trailer for a sneak peek:

Is A Complete Unknown worth watching?

In a world that's burnt out on biopics, the reviews of A Complete Unknown have been surprisingly positive. Currently, on Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an 82 percent critic rating and a 95 percent audience rating. Not to mention, it nabbed eight different Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Costume Design, and Best Sound. James Mangold was also nominated for Best Director, Chalamet for Best Lead Actor, and Norton and Barbaro for their supporting roles. While none of them took home the gold, it doesn't detract from the fact that it was one of the most nominated films of the year.

"A Complete Unknown is a rare and wonderful musician biopic," Mashable's reviewer writes, crediting Chalamet's performance, the storytelling outside of the subject, and the character-building most of all.

Read our full review of A Complete Unknown.

How to watch A Complete Unknown at home Credit: Searchlight Pictures

A Complete Unknown officially made its at-home debut on digital retailers like Prime Video and Apple TV on Feb. 25. You can purchase it for your digital collection for $29.99 or rent it for 30 days (though, once you start watching, you'll only have 48 hours to finish). It's also made its streaming debut on March 27. Keep scrolling for more information.

Here are some of the platforms where you can purchase or rent the film online:

• Prime Video — $29.99 to buy, $24.99 to rent

• Apple TV+ — $29.99 to buy, $24.99 to rent

• Fandango at Home (Vudu) — $29.99 to buy, $24.99 to rent

• YouTube — $29.99 to buy, $24.99 to rent

When is A Complete Unknown streaming?

Chalamet made his streaming debut as Dylan when A Complete Unknown hit Hulu on March 27. It joins other Searchlight Pictures films on the streamer, including Poor Things, A Real Pain, Nightbitch, and Kinds of Kindness.

Hulu is surprisingly one of the most generous streamers for newbies, offering a free 30-day trial. Subscriptions then start at $9.99 per month. Don't want to pay full price? We've also rounded up a few different ways you can save on your subscription below.

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Limited time deal: If you sign up before March 30, you can score four months of both Disney+ and Hulu for just $2.99 per month, saving you 72%.

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Note: After your initial 12-month promotional period, you'll also have to take action in order to keep your subscription alive.

Walking out of A Complete Unknown and into the streets of New York City, not far from where Bob Dylan tramped about in his vagabond days of the 1960s, I felt empty and unsatisfied. Far from unlocking the secrets of the widely heralded singer-songwriter's heart, co-writer/director James Mangold's biographical drama keeps the man behind the legend and lyrics a mystery. But as I've gotten distance from that night, I've come to appreciate in reflection that this was precisely Mangold's purpose.

Dylan's lyrics in songs like "The Times They Are A-Changin'" and "Blowin' in the Wind" spoke to his generation and generations to follow. Now 83, he is still a massive influence, not just on folk music but also rock and American music as a whole. Because so many relate to his lyrics, we like to think we could relate to him. As we do with all celebrities whose work we admire or whose personas we envy, we yearn to confirm that they are who we imagine, and in some way are like us. And yet, they don't owe us this interiority. Dylan, even in his decades of fame, even as he chaotically tweets, is still — after 60 years in the spotlight — an unknown in many ways. 

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

Featured Video For You

The title of this film, pulled from Dylan's lyrics for "Like a Rolling Stone," warns audiences at the outset. A Complete Unknown, despite its immersive and rigorous re-creation of the 1960s folk era and a star-studded cast committed to capturing the specifics of luminaries like Dylan, Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger, Johnny Cash, and Joan Baez, refuses to play by the expectations of a standard Hollywood biopic by demystifying its subject. From the first scene to the finale, Dylan (as portrayed by Timothée Chalamet) is a man who is of the people and yet apart from them. He refuses to be held down by social norms, romantic obligations, genre conventions, or community pressures. Perhaps he is sincere. Perhaps his mystique is a pose. Perhaps we don’t really want to know.

A Complete Unknown travels from Dylan's beginnings in music to the jolt of him going electric.  Timothée Chalamet plays Bob Dylan in "A Complete Unknown." Credit: Searchlight Pictures

Adapted from Elijah Wald's book Dylan Goes Electric! Newport, Seeger, Dylan, and the Night That Split the Sixties, Mangold's movie begins in 1961 New York City, where a scrawny, scraggly man struts through Manhattan's downtown streets, a newspaper clipping in his hand. Bob Dylan (Chalamet) is seeking out the hospice where his idol, Woody Guthrie (Scoot McNairy), idles, partially paralyzed and voiceless but not alone. Tracing him to Jersey, Dylan comes upon another folk star, Pete Seeger (Edward Norton), who not only walks the walk of singing political songs but also defends them against a government terrified of the voice of its people. 

The three become fast friends, the thrumming of their connection as instant and enchanting as the song Dylan plays to impress his heroes. Soon, he'll find not only his place in the folk scene and Greenwich Village but also in the bed of a beautiful artist and activist called Sylvie Russo (Elle Fanning). (She is based on Dylan's ex Suze Rotolo, who is pictured along the musician on 1963's album cover for The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan.) But once Dylan hits his groove, the film launches forward several years to 1965, when he's an established megastar whose emerging interest in electric guitar threatens to outrage his fanbase at the Newport Folk Festival, and his early allies. 

Timothée Chalamet is perfectly earnest yet irritating as Bob Dylan.  Timothée Chalamet plays Bob Dylan in "A Complete Unknown." Credit: Searchlight Pictures

This, too, is the point. Whether flirting with Sylvie or playing for Woody, young Bob is devotedly constructing his own mythology. To his fellow male musicians, this is easily accepted; the construction of his stage persona is as valid as his scribbling lyrics or building his band. However, Dylan's female lovers suffer the friction where fiction meets real life. 

While among his boys, he is cool and charmingly chaotic, to the women in his life he is a charismatic terror. His tales of carnival origins collide with personal mementos that lay bare his real name (Robert Zimmerman) and banal middle-class background. Though they live together, Sylvie demands to know the "real" Bob. Meanwhile, Dylan's sometimes-lover, sometimes-rival Joan Baez (Monica Barbaro) confronts the creative genius at his most desperate and selfish as he crashes into her hotel room to insult her craftsmanship while disturbing her peace, casually snatching her guitar. 

Simply put, this Dylan is a fuckboy, thinking chiefly of himself with great esteem, despite the heavy reliance he has on others to house him, make the coffee, and give him the support his early career demands. Chalamet effortlessly flits about from stage to motorcycle ride to crummy hotel room, embracing the rogue poet and his indulgences at every turn. Chalamet's movie star charm smooths some of the rough edges, but his performance smartly allows Dylan's tenacious self-centeredness to sting. 

This portrayal sings that this is a man who dances to the beat of his own drum, whatever the costs. But what drives the beating of that drum is left undiscovered. Maybe the audience is invited to psychoanalyze Bob's motivations behind his sometimes impulsive, often reckless actions. But after 60 years, no one has been able to succinctly distill Dylan. (Coming close may have been Todd Haynes with I'm Not There, the surreal biopic that had a slate of actors play the singer through various guises in settings fictional, factual, and parable.) 

Edward Norton, Elle Fanning, and Monica Barbaro are the heart of A Complete Unknown.  Ed Norton plays Pete Seeger in "A Complete Unknown." Credit: Searchlight Pictures

Because Mangold's script binds his audience to a protagonist who willfully distances himself from everyone, it's essential that the supporting players erupt with the emotions Bob could never dare express. Norton, Fanning, and Barbaro do so in a symphony of feelings, which carry the film. 

For his part, Norton plays a warm father figure. The edge of the actor's early career, when he played harrowing killers in Primal Fear and American History X, has been softened by the gentle sag of middle age, as well as an elegant mellowing of spirit. As Pete stands before a scowling government official, playing Guthrie's "This Land is Your Land" sweetly but defiantly, the eloquence and wisdom of rebelling with a genuine smile is made clear. This enchanting scene also sets the stage for how drastically different Dylan's brand of raspy, mumbled, and disillusioned folk was from his icons. 

SEE ALSO: Ed Norton compares Pete Seeger in 'A Complete Unknown' to his 'Death to Smoochy' character

Sunny, sophisticated, and street-smart, Sylvie is a dream girl for a starving artist new to the city. Far from some doting hanger-on, Fanning brings a sturdy intellect to Sylvie's every knowing stare, raised eyebrow, and patient reply. If anyone should have been easy to open yourself to, it should have been her. That Bob can't is his tragedy, not hers. 

Monica Barbaro plays Joan Baez in "A Complete Unknown." Credit: Searchlight Pictures

Last but not least, Barbaro is a revelation as Joan Baez. Her voice is pretty, where Bob's is rough. He is swift to mock her publicly and privately for her beauty, and for trying too hard. It's a critique that's distinctly misogynistic, ignoring the unforgiving double standards women face, and Joan doesn't let him get away with it. She calls him an asshole to his face, but — notably — after a night in bed together. 

Baez famously wrote the heartbreaking song "Diamonds and Rust" about their rocky romance. ("My poetry is lousy, you said.") In A Complete Unknown, their chemistry is undeniable; the jealousy that cuts both ways, and the ache they share as artists and lovers is breathtaking, cutting to the core, even as she smiles sharply. 

Each of these performances masterfully fleshes out these figures so they exist beyond their connection to Dylan. You can see how they tie together, how it hurts when he cuts that tie, but also that each is a tapestry even without him. This, above all else, makes A Complete Unknown remarkable, setting it apart from countless dramas about an abusive (and always male) creative genius whose bad behavior is effectively shrugged off as the cost of art. 

Here, Mangold doesn't criticize Bob's behavior but lays it bare, showing how it isn't separate from why he was embraced. He was the creative nomad we admired and maybe at times wished to be. But this rolling stone's relentless motion has its costs, and this movie makes that clear too. 

A Complete Unknown is a rare and wonderful musician biopic.  Timothée Chalamet plays Bob Dylan in "A Complete Unknown." Credit: Searchlight Pictures

In the end, A Complete Unknown will be praised for many of its elements. Chief among them will be Chalamet's performance, which has already won public praise from filmmaker Paul Schrader and Bob Dylan himself. The 28-year-old actor deserves such accolades, simultaneously conveying a wisdom beyond his years and a waifish daring that muddles to make a distinct yet elusive portrait of Bob Dylan. Beyond that, he keenly imitates Dylan's signature singing style, allowing the performance to have a fluidity and urgency that might have been lost in lip-syncing to old tracks. 

And yet, what awes me most about A Complete Unknown is the storytelling outside of its subject. By thoughtfully establishing Pete Seeger, Joan Baez, and Sylvie/Suze, Mangold shows subtly yet powerfully how an artist is shaped by their surroundings. Bob may not let us into his innermost workings, but we are witness to who he pretends to be, depending on who he's trying to impress, bewilder, or enrage. And yet, Mangold refuses to treat these supporting characters as if they are slim stakes meant to pin down his larger-than-life talent. Like the rigorous and immersive production design that ushers audiences into 1960s Greenwich Village, the character-building Mangold and his ensemble deliver allows us to walk into this defining era with ease, turning A Complete Unknown almost into a hangout movie. And that in itself is pretty outstanding. 

A Complete Unknown is now streaming on Hulu.

UPDATE: Mar. 26, 2025, 9:23 a.m. A Complete Unknown was reviewed on December 10, 2024 for its theatrical release. This article has been updated with the film's latest streaming availability.

Trump officials are scrambling to respond to the Signal group chat scandal, claiming that no classified information was actually shared in the group. In response, The Atlantic has published more of the messages, since apparently that's fine.

SEE ALSO: The Trump administration accidentally texted military plans to a journalist. The White House says it's fine.

On Monday, Atlantic editor-in-chief Jeffery Goldberg reported that he had been accidentally added to a Signal group chat full of U.S. officials, who were using the encrypted messaging app to plan a military attack in Yemen. This made the reporter privy to sensitive information he claimed "could conceivably have been used to harm American military and intelligence personnel."

As such, one might expect that the U.S. government would like to keep such information under wraps. This is apparently not the case.

Speaking before the House Intelligence Committee on Tuesday, Director of National Intelligence and likely chat participant Tulsi Gabbard denied that the information shared in the Signal group chat was classified, though it was unclear how Gabbard came to this conclusion considering that she also refused to confirm that she was even in the chat. In his article, Goldberg asserted that a chat participant named "TG" appeared to be Gabbard.

"There was no classified material that was shared in that Signal chat," said Gabbard.

"If there was no classified material, share it with the Committee," Senator Mark Warner responded. "You can't have it both ways."

Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) director John Ratcliffe did admit to being in the Signal chat, however maintained that it was all perfectly by the book.

"One of the first things that happened when I was confirmed as CIA director was Signal was loaded onto my computer at the CIA, as it is for most CIA officers," Ratcliffe told the Committee. "It is permissible to use [Signal] to communicate and coordinate for work purposes, provided… that any decisions that are made are also recorded through formal channels."

Of course, coordinating an office meeting and planning a military bombing on a foreign nation are two entirely different beasts.

Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Ill., references a copy of the Signal chat during the House Select Intelligence Committee hearing on Wednesday. Credit: Tom Williams / CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images

Ratcliffe, President Donald Trump, and confirmed chat participants Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth and national security advisor Michael Waltz also asserted that the Signal chat didn't include classified information.

The Atlantic apparently took them at their word, and on Wednesday morning published further messages sent in the Signal chat. This included a detailed, minute-by-minute operation plan detailing Saturday's bombing of Yemen, sent by Hegseth before the attack took place.

"There is a clear public interest in disclosing the sort of information that Trump advisers included in non-secure communications channels, especially because senior administration figures are attempting to downplay the significance of the messages that were shared," wrote Goldberg and fellow Atlantic reporter Shane Harris.

When the Committee questioned Gabbard about these newly released messages later on Wednesday, particularly in light of her previous testimony, she confirmed that she was in the Signal chat but now stated that she "did not recall the exact details of what was included there." Quoting from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence Classification Guide, Rep. Jason Crow noted that "information providing indication or advance warning that the U.S. or its allies are preparing an attack" is classified as top secret.

Interestingly, Rep. Jim Himes also questioned Gabbard on her behaviour on X, asking whether she believed it was "responsible for [her] as head of the intelligence community and the principal presidential intelligence advisor to retweet posts from individuals affiliated with Russian state media." In response, Gabbard stated that she had done so from her personal account, and that she was exercising her First Amendment right to free speech.

Waltz blames technical issues for adding Goldberg to Signal chat Credit: Jaap Arriens / NurPhoto via Getty Images

Speaking to Fox News on Tuesday, Waltz admitted that the Signal incident is "embarrassing" and said he took "full responsibility" for the security breach, but claimed that the messages weren't classified information. He also continued to attack Goldberg's credibility, accusing him of regularly lying and claiming that he couldn't recall if he'd ever met the reporter. The National Security Council (NSC) and other U.S. officials have already confirmed that the Signal chat was authentic.

Waltz stated that an investigation was underway to find out how the security breach had happened, apparently assisted by the Department of Government Efficiency's (DOGE) head and Trump's close advisor Elon Musk.

"I just talked to Elon on the way here, we've got the best technical minds looking at how this happened," Waltz said.

The former Fox News host further denied having added Goldberg's contact information to his phone at all, stating that how it got there would be part of the investigation. Waltz alleged that Goldberg's number had been saved in his phone under somebody else's name, though he declined to say who he thought he had added to the Signal chat.

"Well if you have somebody else's contact, and then it, and then somehow it gets sucked in," said Waltz, speculating as to how he came to have Goldberg's number.

Signal's support page states that the app's contact list will show Signal users who are in your phone's contact list, as well as those who you share a group with, have previously messaged, or have explicitly approved.

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

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

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

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

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Thursday, March 27, 2025:

AcrossSomething from pumping

• The answer is Gas.

Journey's "___ Stop Believin'"

• The answer is Dont.

ith 7-Across, it often falls to pieces

• The answer is Jenga.

Bacterium that can prompt a food recall

• The answer is Ecoli.

See 5-Across

• The answer is Tower.

Down"Leave this instant!"

• The answer is GoNow.

Perspective

• The answer is Angle.

One of 354 to reach the crown inside the Statue of Liberty

• The answer is Stair.

Art ___ (architectural style)

• The answer is Deco.

Boeing 757 or Airbus A350

• The answer is Stair.

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.

There's rarely a moment in The White Lotus that isn't filled with music. Beyond composer Cristobal Tapia de Veer's iconic theme song and its seasonal variations (he worked with Brisbane-based Thai composer Peranya Visitchantaragoon for Season 3), Mike White's HBO series is never really silent, moving between its signature "something is afoot" percussive score and a treasure trove of needle drops.

Music supervisor Gabe Hilfer returns for Season 3, pivoting from the Italian finesse he brought to Season 2 to a bounty of Thai pop, disco, and rock songs ranging from the '60s to the present, music you may have grown up with or perhaps have never heard before.

SEE ALSO: 'The White Lotus' Season 3 review: Juicy drama, great performances, still underwhelming

"There's a ton of music in this show," Hilfer tells Mashable, describing music as "fundamentally built into the DNA of the show." 

"I was looking at episode 4 which has 12 songs and then probably another 20 minutes of score," he says. "It is just so much music, wall-to-wall, and to have that work seamlessly and cohesively in a way where it all feels like you're in Thailand. You're also definitely in The White Lotus and you're hitting the emotional beats of each of the characters and the different story arcs that we're going through."

Iconic Thai singer Lek Patravadi in "The White Lotus." Credit: Fabio Lovino / HBO Crate-digging for the sound of The White Lotus: Thailand edition

As soon as The White Lotus Season 3 was confirmed for Thailand, Hilfer says he immediately began the search for the show's catalogue of music. 

"I went through my Rolodex and was looking for anybody who I have ever licensed Thai music from or who has pitched me Thai music, and I reverse engineered it to see who would be a good resource to utilize in that regard," he says. "I also did some digging into some popular songs in Thailand, historically and currently. I had the very fortunate experience of working on a film about two years ago called The Creator, which took place in an amorphous, non-specific part of Southeast Asia. We did a little bit of the same crate-digging [Editor's note: the art of tracking down or discovering rare and obscure records through mostly secondhand sources] at that time for vintage, cool, interesting Thai music. So I had a couple resources from there and then I expanded the search outward."

The very first song we hear in Season 3 after the theme song is Thai rock group Carabao's iconic 1985 single "เมดอินไทยแลนด์ (Made in Thailand)" — which is now sitting at almost 30 million views on YouTube. According to Hilfer, The White Lotus editor John M. Valerio pitched the song for inclusion in the series after hearing it absolutely everywhere while filming the series in Thailand. 

"He had the pleasure and privilege of being in Thailand for shooting, and he was like, 'There's this one song. I hear it everywhere. I feel like it's big. Can we look into this one song 'Made in Thailand?'" says Hilfer. "After doing some digging and researching, 'Made in Thailand' was a huge hit song and is a cultural touchpoint for many people from Thailand. And so it all worked out well."

Everyone's Shazamming The White Lotus soundtrack

If you watch The White Lotus like I do (and many do), you spend half the episode holding your phone out and hitting "listen" on Shazam. "A lot of Shazamming going on," Hilfer agrees. "I would love to know what some of these Shazams are getting on these songs, because I feel like it's having a cultural impact." Such is the fame and popularity of The White Lotus that needle drops like Season 2, episode 6's "Ciao Ciao" moment saw subreddits ablaze around for the 2022 La Rappresentante di Lista song.

The soundtrack brims with Thai artists (and artists who draw from Thai influences) including Paradise Bangkok Molam International Band, Sroeng Santi, Viparat Piengsuwan, Hongthong Dao-udon, Rewat "Ter" Buddhinan, Carabao, Charan Manophet, Nantida Kaewbuasai, Khruangbin, and more, with each song tailored to specific scenes.

If you haven't already found it, Hilfer has been working with HBO to update The White Lotus' official Spotify playlist, which you'll notice isn't exactly complete for a reason — the songs are often owned and distributed by independent local labels. "Unfortunately, a lot of the songs are not on Spotify because they're under the radar and with smaller Thai labels that haven't uploaded them. For the ones that are, we've been putting as many on Spotify as we can to help shine a light on this awesome music."

This zoom. Credit: Fabio Lovino / HBO

One song I madly Shazammed as the show played arrives in episode 4. Before the guests board Greg's yacht, there's an outrageous zoom shot on the Ratliffe family (Jason Isaacs, Parker Posey, Patrick Schwarzenegger, Sarah Catherine Hook, and Sam Nivola) strutting in slow motion down the dock, paired with the outstanding use of The Impossibles founder Rewat "Ter" Buddhinan's 1985 track "มันแปลกดีนะ".

"They had that shot and edited, and that was one that John Valerio and I really went back and forth a lot on," says Hilfer. We talked about and tried a bunch of different things here, until we landed on this. And this was clearly the winner." 

Achieving authenticity with Thai music in The White Lotus

Notably, Hilfer recognised the challenge of achieving authenticity and the right vibe within The White Lotus' soundtrack as someone who didn't specialise in Thai music.

"Similarly with Italian music, I would not consider myself an expert in those things before the project, but then the nature of the job is you immerse yourself in the culture and the music and figure out what resources you need. There's some phrase that's like, 'knowing what you don't know is half the battle,' so figuring out where I could plug the gaps in my knowledge of that region's music was important from the beginning."

During the course of Season 3, many Thai users of social media have praised the music choices, something deeply important to Hilfer. 

"We want to make it cool, for sure, and the resources that we've used, we've found really great stuff. But, I mean, I do not speak Thai and so I'm not always 100 percent sure what these songs are about. I just know that creatively they work, and they fit, and they embody the mood and the vibes that we're going for. So that's my priority within the framework of making them authentic and real. So when I hear that people from Thailand are also agreeing with me, that's like the biggest compliment I could get."

If you're not an expert in Thai music yourself (hello), some of the songs you might have recognised immediately are the covers in the show. In episode 1, Chelsea (Aimee Lou Wood) makes her first appearance at the pool to a gawking Saxon (Patrick Schwarzenegger) to Sroeng Santi's "Kuen Kuen Lueng Lueng," an absolutely killer cover of Black Sabbath's 1970 classic "Iron Man."

Ignore the man in the pool, Chelsea. Credit: Fabio Lovino / HBO

"At the very beginning when we were putting together a big pool of music to choose from, we were thinking, should we do some covers?" says Hilfer. "John [M. Valerio] and I had a conversation and that one came up. There's another one in episode 1, it's a little less obvious, there's a Thai cover of 'Black Magic Woman.' We were like, let's lean into that, because to the Western audience the Thai songs are not particularly familiar so if we can do a couple very strategic touchpoints that the musicality and the songs are big enough where a Western, English-speaking or non-Thai speaking audience is familiar with the songs and the melodies but not necessarily with the covers it would be cool. It would be cool to bring it home and make people feel a connection to the music with a little bit more familiarity."

There's another cover in episode 4; as Greg's (Jon Gries) $18,800,000 Spacecat yacht cruises around the islands in the same episode, Molam and Luk Thung singer Hongthong Dao-udon's "ฮ่วยอะบานิบี" plays — it's a cover of Izhar Cohen and the Alphabeta's "A-Ba-Ni-Bi," which was Israel's winning entry to Eurovision in 1978.

"That song was in one of the big batches of music that we had culled early on and we loved it," says Hilfer. "They edited to it and as we were getting into the clearances of it, the people who own it were like, 'Great news, we're happy to approve. But just so you know, this is a cover.' We were like, it is? Because I wasn't familiar with the source material."

The real music icons in The White Lotus Season 3

Not contained to the soundtrack, however, The White Lotus Season 3 is also brimming with real music stars including Blackpink's Lisa (credited on the show as Lalisa Manoban), who performs a gorgeous Ram Thai dance as Mook in episode 5.

Lek Patravadi's song gets two renditions in "The White Lotus." Credit: Courtesy of HBO

And one of the musical highlights of the season, iconic Thai singer Lek Patravadi (who also goes by Patravadi "Lek" Mejudhon) plays glamourous hotel owner Sritala. Through conversations with Patravadi in pre-production, Hilfer and The White Lotus team managed a pretty special plan with the artist, a performance of a song Patravadi performed on her own TV show in 1992, which appears in episode 2.

"She re-recorded that song for us in episode 2," says Hilfer. "We had her do a couple other songs, and she recorded them for us, but we didn't end up using them…They were great, her versions were incredible, but the way that that whole sequence got edited down, it lent itself to only having that one song in there."

But it's not the last time you'll hear the song this season. "I'm not really spoiling much, but later on that same song, we hear it at another point in the show from the original performance that she did on TV," Hilfer says.

The White Lotus score includes samples and repeated instrumentals

Throughout the series, Hilfer and his team also repeat small segments of songs they've found in their music sourcing as emotional markers. A sample of Imade Saputra's "A Thai Wedding" is used a few times in Season 3: in episode 2, when Rick (Walton Goggins) finally finds weed, and in episode 4, when Laurie (Carrie Coon), Jaclyn (Michelle Monaghan) and Kate (Leslie Bibb) pile into the car for an adventure with Valentin (Arnas Fedaravičius). 

"We would never want to repeat ourselves with a lyrical song, but an instrumental song is different, because it's almost intentionally supposed to remind you of the emotion you felt when you last heard it in the show," says Hilfer.

Texas band Khruangbin, who draw significant influence from Thai pop, see their 2018 banger "Maria También" used twice in the show in episodes 1 and 2, almost functioning as an unofficial theme for the show's early chapters. It underlies the first moments we get a tour through the White Lotus and the Ratliff family's sprawling villa, and as we join the guests for breakfast in episode 2.

"Those are two different versions of that song too," says Hilfer. "In episode 1, it's from their Tiny Desk show on NPR, and on episode 2, it's the album version. Khruangbin obviously brings a lot of their influences from Thai music, although they are not a Thai band. We had messed with it, tried with it, and it felt great."

Hilfer describes The White Lotus as a show that treats music "like a character in the show, not a secondary afterthought." Notably, he praises The White Lotus creator White, explaining how involved the writer-director is with music selection for the series during the edit.

"The genius of Mike White is just unparalleled in the way that he is able to, every season, replicate the same level of tension and the same level of intrigue without repeating himself, and without it feeling like well treaded territory," he says.

"I've been doing this long enough to know how much of a privilege it is to work with somebody who knows what they want, has great taste, and has overseen something from its inception to its completion, and to just be a small part of that musically is honestly a real gift."

The White Lotus Season 3 is now streaming on Max with new episodes weekly at 9 p.m. ET Sundays on HBO.

Connections is the one of the most popular New York Times word games that's captured the public's attention. The game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

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

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

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for March 27 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Impact

• Green: Accurate

• Blue: Bread or cheddar

• Purple: Same prefix

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

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

• Yellow: Affect

• Green: You got it!

• Blue: Slang for money

• Purple: Objects with the prefix "micro-"

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

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

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections #648 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Affect: MOVE, REACH, SWAY, TOUCH

• You Got It!: BINGO, CORRECT, DING, RIGHT

• Slang for money: CHANGE, GREEN, PAPER, SCRATCH

• Objects with the prefix "micro-": CHIP, PHONE, SCOPE, WAVE

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for March 27

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

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

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

Vivaldi is a browser that constantly tries to break out of the "regular browser" mold with unique features and additions. An in-browser VPN isn't exactly a new concept, but Proton VPN is one of the most reputable VPNs out there, and now, it's coming to Vivaldi.

On Wednesday, April 2, Nintendo is going to blow the doors off the Nintendo Switch 2 console. But what does that mean, exactly?

Back in January, Nintendo already gave us a brief glimpse at the device and an even more brief glimpse at a new Mario Kart game running on it, but that was all we got. Well, that and a promise that we'd hear more on April 2 at 9 a.m. ET. After three agonizing months, that date is almost upon us. Let's talk about what to expect from the upcoming Nintendo Direct livestream.

SEE ALSO: 'Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition' review: A forgotten classic is back with a vengeance What to expect from the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct livestream

You can watch the Nintendo Direct stream on Nintendo's YouTube channel when the time comes. Here's what we think will be included.

Switch 2 price and release date

The only thing that's a virtual certainty to be in this stream, aside from one game we'll get to a minute, is information about the Switch 2's launch. Nintendo will most definitely tell us when the console is coming out and how much it will cost.

It's hard to be more specific than that until we hear it from the horse's mouth, but we do have some information to work with right now. Insider Gaming reported this week that Nintendo is planning to launch the console in June with a smattering of first-party games right away, with more third-party titles to come in the months to follow.

As for price, a recent Bloomberg report indicated that the console will cost at least $400. This is one of the harder aspects of the Switch 2 to nail down prior to the Direct because of the shifting economic realities of the Trump administration's tariff policies. My bet, personally, is that the console is exactly $399.99, that's just an educated guess.

Switch 2 controllers, new console features

Right now, the main things we know about the Switch 2 hardware that distinguish it from the original Switch are that it's bigger and has more horsepower inside. The widespread expectation is that it will be roughly as powerful as a PlayStation 4 Pro or maybe even a Steam Deck, possibly with the ability to upscale games to 4K using DLSS technology.

Of course, there will probably be more to it than that. The January teaser video teased the ability to use a Joy-Con controller like you'd use a computer mouse, and recently filed patents from Nintendo back this up. It's not really clear what this will be used for yet, but that's what the Direct is for. I would also expect to see a look at the console-level operating system and maybe some glimpses of additional online features, if there are any. There's also a still-unexplained "C" button on the new Joy-Con controller, and it's anyone's guess what the heck that is used for.

Switch 2 launch games

If you've never seen a Nintendo Direct before, they tend to be ruthlessly efficient. When there isn't new hardware to show, they're usually just a series of game trailers with the occasional interstitial bit where a stately looking man in a suit talks to you for a minute or two. Given that this one is dedicated to new hardware, there will almost certainly be a little more "men in suits talking" than the average Direct, but I would still expect this stream to heavily focus on new games for the Switch 2.

Unfortunately, there's only one game we know for certain will be at this event, and that's an unnamed new Mario Kart title. This game was briefly shown during the Switch 2 teaser video in January, and the only thing you can really get from the few seconds of footage in that video is that there are now 24 racers in a race instead of 12. Anything beyond that is speculation. I would expect this to be a launch title for the system.

That's about all we have to work with right now, sadly. All I can do is guess as to what else will be shown during this Direct. There probably won't be a new The Legend of Zelda game because Tears of the Kingdom and Echoes of Wisdom just came out over the past two years, though I wouldn't rule out an enhanced port of an older Zelda title. Metroid Prime 4 is a distinct possibility, perhaps even as a launch title, given its long development history and the fact that we haven't seen it since Nintendo re-revealed it last summer.

Xenoblade series developer Monolith Soft could potentially give us a brief glimpse of its next project for Switch 2, as well. I would also expect to see the next proper 3D Mario game at some point in this Direct, and it wouldn't surprise me if that were a launch title, too. If not, it could still be out in time for this holiday season.

Other than those things, it's really hard to guess what Nintendo will show. There's always the possibility (however slight) that a dormant series like Star Fox or F-Zero gets revived, and it's possible we may hear about the next Fire Emblem and Animal Crossing games, but none of those are guaranteed to be in this Direct.

I wish I could just sleep until Wednesday morning.

U.S. security officials' private contact information and passwords have been found online within days of the Signal scandal. If I had a nickel for every time a breach of tech security involving the Trump administration was revealed this week, I'd have two nickels. Which isn't a lot, but it's weird that it happened twice.

SEE ALSO: The Trump administration accidentally texted military plans to a journalist. The White House says it's fine.

German publication DER SPIEGEL reports that it has uncovered U.S. officials' private contact details exposed on the internet, specifically information belonging to Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, and national security advisor Michael Waltz.

All three officials were also reportedly part of the now infamous Yemen bombing Signal group chat revealed earlier this week, the latter two being central figures in the security incident. On Monday, Atlantic editor-in-chief Jeffery Goldberg reported that he had mistakenly been added to a Signal group chat in which U.S. officials planned to bomb Yemen, becoming convinced of its authenticity when the described attack actually transpired.

DER SPIEGEL notes that it's unclear whether the Signal accounts used in the U.S. officials' group chat were linked to private phone numbers. However, its reporters did confirm that the private phone numbers it uncovered belonging to Gabbard and Waltz were linked to Signal accounts.

"It is thus conceivable that foreign agents were privy to the Signal chat group in which Gabbard, Waltz and Hegseth discussed a military strike," wrote DER SPIEGEL.

How did reporters find U.S. officials' passwords?

DER SPIEGEL's reporters found the information on Waltz and Hegseth by first submitting a request to a contact information service, receiving email addresses and phone numbers for both officials. They then used Hegseth's phone number to locate a linked WhatsApp account that had been recently deleted, and used Waltz's email address to find associated passwords from previous leaks. They further used this information to find Waltz's apparent Microsoft Teams, WhatsApp, and Signal accounts.

While Gabbard's information was blocked in the contact information services DER SPIEGEL tries, its reporters were still able to find her email address on both Reddit and WikiLeaks. They were also able to locate a partial phone number from a previous leak, using it to find linked WhatsApp and Signal accounts.

"Most of these numbers and email addresses are apparently still in use, with some of them linked to profiles on social media platforms like Instagram and LinkedIn," DER SPIEGEL reported. "They were used to create Dropbox accounts and profiles in apps that track running data."

DER SPIEGEL stated that Waltz, Hegseth, and Gabbard did not respond to its request for comment. The National Security Council reportedly since stated that Waltz's relevant accounts and passwords were changed in 2019.

Considering the massive number, size, and frequency of cybersecurity breaches in general — as well as people's habitually terrible password habits — it isn't entirely surprising that U.S. officials' private accounts have been among those impacted in the past. Even so, it isn't entirely reassuring, particularly as these individuals are responsible for U.S. national defence.

The fallout from the Signal chat scandal is still ongoing, with the Trump administration now claiming that no classified information was actually shared in the group. This is despite Goldberg's report that messages included the name of an active CIA official, operational details about planned military attacks, and other information he claimed "could conceivably have been used to harm American military and intelligence personnel."

In response to U.S. officials' statements that none of these messages were classified, The Atlantic has since released further messages from the Signal group chat.

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