Technology
Lady Gaga reacts to Stephen Colbert recreating some of her looks
Stephen Colbert's Late Show interview with Lady Gaga may contain plenty of deep discussion about the nature of the Mayhem artist's onstage alter ego and how it relates to the real Stefani Germanotta underneath, but that doesn't mean there isn't also time for more light-hearted moments.
"You're known for your iconic looks, and I'm wondering whether you think I could pull off any of them?" asks Colbert in the clip above, before handing Gaga two striking photoshopped images of himself as her, one in designer Maximilian Gedra's spiked "Abracadabra" hat.
"This is excellent," confirms a laughing Gaga. "I really like this look. It's pretty great."
The Daily Show cringes through the government shutdown meme war
In Ronny Chieng's Daily Show monologue from Thursday night, the host valiantly breaks down the meme war running on both sides of U.S. government during the ongoing shutdown.
"For the Republicans and Democrats, the most important part of the shutdown is coming together and blaming the other side for it," says Chieng in the video above. "President Trump has been posting AI videos of Hakeem Jeffries in a sombrero, and now, unfortunately, Democrats are hitting back with their own videos."
Cue a montage of social posts by Sen. Chuck Schumer, Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Rep. Steven Horsford, and Rep. Sarah McBride, the latter "searching" for Republicans in the empty Capitol.
"No Republicans here, because they all died from secondhand embarrassment," says Chieng.
SEE ALSO: Stephen Colbert reacts to Trump's AI-generated sombrero video, counters with JD Vance and a couchThe Daily Show host then examines the "Kitty Explains" meme posted by Democrats in which kittens, superimposed in front of the Capitol and the White House, blame the GOP for the shutdown.
"Wow, that was also not good," says Chieng.
Ultimately, this meme war is a distraction from the government's very real continuing shutdown and the roll-on effects beyond the Capitol, which Chieng also gets into with a cameo from The Daily Show's Michael Kosta — you should watch the whole segment, not just the memes.
Govee’s Newest TV Backlight Produces Vivid Colors in the Light and the Dark
I'm not a big LED person, but the idea of a backlight that reacts to what I'm watching and playing was too cool to ignore. I wasn't sure how well the Govee TV Backlight 3 Pro would perform, but I came away very impressed.
Jon Stewart crashes Jimmy Kimmels monologue, slaps the host twice
Jon Stewart may host The Daily Show on Monday, but on every other day of the week he apparently works part-time to make ends meet.
Thursdays he's a delivery driver, which just so happens to result in him being onstage to deliver a sandwich and some margaritas to Jimmy Kimmel Live! 2IC Guillermo partway through Jimmy Kimmel's monologue.
SEE ALSO: Seth Meyers crashes Jimmy Kimmel's monologue for a glorious cameoThe end result is an amusing exchange which features two cheek slaps for Kimmel, some unexpected improv from Guillermo, and Stewart deciding to sit on a random audience member so he can stay to watch the rest of the show.
How to watch Honey Dont!: Now streaming
The dynamic duo that brought us Drive-Away Dolls is back with another lesbian crime tale starring Margaret Qualley. Honey Don't!, from Ethan Coen and Tricia Cooke, is a dark comedy involving a mysterious church and a small-town detective in click-clacking heels. It also stars Charlie Day, Aubrey Plaza, and Chris Evans.
One of our most anticipated films of the summer, Honey Don't! is now officially available to stream as of Oct. 3. If you missed it on the big screen, here's everything you need to know to tune in from home.
What is Honey Don't! about?Honey Don't! follows Honey O'Donahue, a small-town private investigator, as she digs into a suspicious car crash. Over the course of the investigation, she crosses paths with a crumpled police detective (Charlie Day), a surly local cop (Aubrey Plaza), and a vain cult leader (Chris Evans). "It's a wild ride with twists, sex, and murder!" Mashable film critic, Kristy Puchko, writes in her review.
Check out the official trailer below.
Is Honey Don't! worth watching?Honey Don't! has earned just over $7 million at the global box office against a reported budget of $20 million. In other words, it's far from a box office hit. Reviews have been considerably negative, with critics and audiences alike scoring it at less than 50 percent on Rotten Tomatoes. It's not all bad, though.
The star-studded cast of Honey Don't! is reason enough to tune in. Mashable's reviewer called out Qualley's "dynamite" and Evans' hilarious performances in particular. She also writes that the screenplay is "a raw and refreshing caper."
"Honey Don't! offers a taste of something sweet and wild, with the potential for more. And I'm not mad at that," Puchko writes in her review.
Check out our full review of Honey Don't!.
How to watch Honey Don't! at home Credit: Focus FeaturesThere are a couple of different ways you can watch Honey Don't! at home. You can buy it or rent it at digital-on-demand retailers for as low as $19.99, or you can stream it on Peacock. See the details below.
Buy or rent it on digitalHoney Don't! is available as of Sept. 9 to buy or rent at digital-on-demand retailers. If you choose to rent, you'll get 30 days to watch the film and just 48 hours to finish it once you start. If you choose to buy it instead, then it's yours to keep with no watch limits.
Here are some quick links to rent or purchase the film:
Prime Video — buy for $24.99, rent for $19.99
Apple TV — buy for $24.99, rent for $19.99
Fandango at Home — buy for $24.99, rent for $19.99
Google Play — buy for $24.99, rent for $19.99
YouTube — buy for $24.99, rent for $19.99
As a Focus Features film, Honey Don't! made its streaming debut on Peacock on Oct. 3. This follows the digital-to-streaming arc of other recent Focus Features films (The Phoenician Scheme, The Ballad of Wallis Island, Black Bag).
Don't have a Peacock subscription? You can sign up for $10.99 per month with ads or $16.99 per month without (thanks to a recent price hike). Before you get ahead of yourself, though, be sure to check out the best ways to save some money on a subscription below.
The best Peacock streaming dealsBest Peacock deal: Save 17% on an annual subscription Opens in a new window Credit: Peacock Peacock Premium annual subscription $109.99 per year or $169.99 per year (save 17%) Get DealIf Peacock isn't running any sort of special (which it does a few times per year), the best Peacock deal for most people on any given day is the annual subscription deal. You'll get 12 months of streaming for the price of 10 by paying for a year upfront. A monthly subscription with ads costs $10.99 per month (which adds up to $131.88), but a yearly subscription will only run you $109.99 (which breaks down to about $9.17 per month). That's about 17% in total savings. For those who prefer watching without ads, you'll pay $169.99 per year (which breaks down to about $14.16 per month instead of $16.99).
Best Peacock deal for Xfinity customers: free Peacock Premium for eligible accounts Opens in a new window Credit: Peacock / Xfinity Peacock Premium Free for select Xfinity customers Learn MoreIf you're an Xfinity customer, you should check the eligibility details below before signing up for Peacock, as you might be able to score a subscription without paying a cent. Here's a breakdown of who is eligible to get Peacock for free through Xfinity. You can also head to Xfinity.com for more details.
Xfinity Internet customers who are Diamond or Platinum Xfinity Rewards members can get Peacock Premium for free by redeeming a reward for it. Sign in at xfinity.com/rewards and choose Peacock as a reward. Then, wait for your email (it may take a few hours) with instructions on activating the offer.
NOW TV customers can also receive Peacock Premium as part of their service.
New customers with Xfinity Internet and an X1 TV Box, Flex streaming TV Box, or a Xumo Stream Box from Xfinity can get Peacock Premium for free for six months.
Students can save $8 per month on a Peacock Premium subscription all year long — that's a total of $96 in savings. You'll need to verify your student status via SheerID and retrieve the unique promo code to knock the cost down to just $2.99 instead of $10.99. Just note that after the promo year is up, you'll be charged full price again unless you cancel.
Best for first responders, medical professionals, military, and teachers: Save $7/month Opens in a new window Credit: Peacock Peacock Premium for First Responders and Medical Professionals $3.99 per month (save $7 per month) Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Peacock Peacock Premium for Military $3.99 per month (save $7 per month) Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Peacock Peacock Premium for Teachers $3.99/month for 12 months (save $7 per month) Get DealFirst responders, medical professionals, military personnel, and teachers can all secure a Peacock Premium subscription at a discounted rate of $3.99 per month by verifying their professional status via SheerID. Unlike the student deal, however, it's not limited to a year. If you continue to meet verification qualifications, you can renew your subscription at the discounted rate each year — although you may have to go through the verification process each time and receive a new promo code.
Best for Instacart users: free Peacock Premium for Instacart+ subscribers Opens in a new window Credit: Instacart / Peacock Peacock Premium annual subscription Free for Instacart+ subscribers (save $109.99/year) Get DealInstacart+ membership ($99.99 per year) unlocks a free Peacock Premium subscription ($109.99 per year value). That's on top of free grocery delivery, lower fees, and credit back on eligible pickup orders. Plus, if you're new to Instacart+, you'll get a free two-week trial to test the waters. That means you can watch Honey Don't! and plenty more for free. Just be sure to cancel before you're charged.
Best for Mastercard holders: Get up to $5 back per month Opens in a new window Credit: Peacock / Mastercard Peacock Premium Get $3 or $5 cashback per month with World or World Elite Mastercard Get DealThrough Dec. 31, if you sign up for Peacock using an eligible World or World Elite Mastercard, you'll automatically receive a monthly statement credit of $3 for Peacock Premium or $5 for Peacock Premium Plus. That ultimately drops the price of the Premium tier back to $7.99 (its former price before the most recent price hike) and Premium Plus down to $11.99 per month. Learn more about eligibility requirements on the promotional page.
Best for Walmart shoppers: free Peacock Premium for Walmart+ members Opens in a new window Credit: Walmart+ Walmart+ $98 per year Get DealIn an effort to compete with Amazon Prime, Walmart is now offering Walmart+ members the ability to choose Peacock Premium as a free perk. A $109.99 value, your $98 Walmart+ membership is already a better deal than paying for Peacock on its own. Add in free shipping (with no order minimums), fuel discounts, a Scan & Go checkout tool, and early access to deals during Walmart's Black Friday sale and other major shopping events, and you've got yourself a winning subscription.
UPDATE: Oct. 3, 2025, 5:00 a.m. EDT This article has been updated to include the latest streaming information for "Honey Don't!"
NYT Mini crossword answers, hints for October 3, 2025
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 gameHere are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Friday, Oct. 3, 2025:
AcrossThe fitting missing letters in _OOGLE MA __The answer is GPS.
The answer is Acela.
The answer is Clean.
The answer is Lusts.
The answer is Bee.
The answer is Geese.
The answer is Plate.
The answer is Sans.
The answer is ACL.
The answer is Club.
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 GamesAre you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to today's Mini Crossword.
NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for October 3, 2025
Today's Connections: Sports Edition will challenge your knowledge of a popular winter sport.
As we've shared in previous hints stories, this is a 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.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.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.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.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: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. Here's a hint for today's Connections: Sports Edition categoriesWant a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:
Yellow: Now streaming
Green: #goals
Blue: Fancy footwork
Purple: I pledge allegiance...
Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:
Yellow: Sports TV shows
Green: Pro soccer leagues
Blue: Football trick plays
Purple: Contains surname of a U.S. president
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 #375 is...
What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?Sports TV shows - EASTBOUND AND DOWN, FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS, RUNNING POINT, TED LASSO
Pro soccer leagues - BUNDESLIGA, MLS, PREMIER LEAGUE, SERIE A
Football trick plays - FLEA FLICKER, HOOK AND LATERAL, PHILLY SPECIAL, STATUE OF LIBERTY
Contains surname of a U.S. president - A'JA WILSON, CLEVELAND BROWNS, JUSTIN JEFFERSON, WASHINGTON WIZARDS
Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new sports 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.
Enjoy lifetime language learning at its finest with this exclusive Babbel offer
TL;DR: Get lifetime access to all 14 Babbel languages for $134.99 (MSRP $299) with code LEARN through Oct. 6 at 11:59 p.m. PT, exclusively via StackSocial.
Learning a new language doesn’t have to be overwhelming — or rushed. With Babbel, you can take your time and learn at your own pace across 14 languages, all with one lifetime subscription. No pressure. No juggling multiple apps. Just clear, well-structured lessons created by professional linguists.
Through Oct. 6 at 11:59 p.m. PT, StackSocial is offering lifetime access to Babbel’s full language platform for $134.99 (MSRP $299) when you use coupon code LEARN at checkout. This deal is valid for new Babbel users in the U.S. only.
Babbel isn’t just another gamified app that leaves you guessing. You can use it on desktop or mobile, and your progress stays synced across devices.
Learn for real — not just for streaks• All 14 languages included — Learn one, or tackle them all over time.
• Bite-sized lessons — 10–15 minute sessions fit into your day.
• Real-life topics — From travel essentials to business conversations.
• AI conversation partner + speech recognition — Practice pronunciation and dialogue naturally.
• Multi-device + offline access — Learn anywhere, with or without Wi-Fi.
With more than 10,000 hours of language education and 14 languages to choose from (including Spanish, French, German, Italian, Swedish, and more), Babbel lets you dip in and out as life allows. Lessons are just 10–15 minutes long, so you can squeeze them in between meetings, on your commute, or over coffee.
Developed by a team of over 100 linguists, Babbel’s curriculum focuses on practical, real-life conversation skills, not endless drills. The platform uses speech recognition technology to help you fine-tune pronunciation and avoid awkward tourist faux pas when you’re out in the world.
Stop messing around with those free platforms and enjoy learning cultivated with experts.
Get a lifetime of Babbel for just $134.99, thanks to StackSocial, with code LEARN when you order through Oct. 6.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
Opens in a new window Credit: Babbel Babbel Language Learning: Lifetime Subscription (All Languages) $134.99$299 Save $164.01 Get Deal
This $430 MacBook Pro is cheaper than some iPads
TL;DR: This MacBook Pro is packed with features and 1TB of storage for just $429.97 (MSRP $1,999) through October 12.
If you’re looking to cut the cord on cloud storage or say goodbye to clunky hard drives, a device with ample space for your files can help. If you’re looking for a dependable laptop with plenty of storage, you may want to jump on this amazing offer on a MacBook Pro. You’ll get the usual Apple bells and whistles, plus a 1TB SSD, all for only $429.97 (MSRP $1,999) through October 12.
This MacBook Pro packs power, portability, and a huge discountThe MacBook Pro is Apple’s most powerful and portable laptop. Its only drawback? It usually comes with a sky-high price tag. That’s where this model sets itself apart — it can currently be yours for under $450.
This 13.3-inch MacBook Pro features vibrant colors and sharp details in a 2560×1600 native resolution, with Apple’s True Tone Technology that adjusts to your lighting to help reduce eye strain. The 10th Gen Intel Core i5 processor offers a 2GHz base speed, making it ready to handle all your multitasking needs.
Unlike most laptops, which typically offer limited storage, this MacBook Pro features a massive 1TB SSD, allowing you to save your files locally. This model features Apple’s Magic Keyboard with Touch Bar, providing a comfortable typing experience with easy access to shortcuts.
Touch ID makes sure your device stays safe, while four Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) ports offer easy connectivity. You’ll also enjoy an impressive 10 hours of battery life on a single charge.
If you’re curious why you’re getting such a giant discount, it’s due to this model’s grade A refurbished rating. That means this laptop will arrive on your doorstep in near-mint condition, with minimal to zero amounts of scuffing on the case.
Act fast to get a MacBook Pro for only $429.97 (MSRP $1,999) through October 12, while supplies last.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Pro 13" i5 2GHz (2020) 4 Thunderbolt 3 Ports 16GB RAM 1TB SSD Space Gray (Refurbished) $429.97$1,999 Save $1,569.03 Get Deal
No talent? No problem. Let AI create your masterpiece with this handy tool
TL;DR: There are no artistic skills required to make incredible designs with this lifetime subscription to Imagiyo AI Image Generator, on sale now for $39.97 (reg. $495) through October 19.
Ready to create some art? Imagiyo AI Image Generator lets you whip up anything your imagination can come up with — and all you have to do is input a prompt. And right now, you can get a lifetime subscription to this art generator’s standard plan for only $39.97 (reg. $495) until October 19.
Turn your imagination into art with this AI image generatorThere’s no need to take a graphic design or drawing class to make your artistic dreams come true. Imagiyo AI Image Generator lets you create all the AI-generated art you can think of, turning words into stunning images in your exact preferred pixel size.
You don’t need to have any prior AI knowledge to make magic with Imagiyo. Just give it a prompt and see your idea brought to life. It will be high-quality and print-ready, making it a great option for designing home decor or a gift for a loved one.
Need art for marketing purposes? That’s no problem too — you have complete ownership over your creations and you can do whatever you’d like with them. There are never any watermarks or ads, either.
Unlike other image generators, Imagiyo AI Image Generator can generate NSFW images for you, too. Just make sure your privacy settings are set to private for that kind of content.
This lifetime subscription to the Imagiyo AI Image Generator Standard Plan lets you create 500 images a month, and two images per request.
Keep making art forever with this lifetime subscription to Imagiyo AI Image Generator, on sale now for $39.97 (reg. $495) through October 19.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
Opens in a new window Credit: Imagiyo Imagiyo AI Image Generator: Lifetime Subscription (Standard Plan) $39.97$495 Save $455.03 Get Deal
Viral TikTok porn analyst Devanteyaps lives with no shame
Devante is not one to mince words. The 32-year-old Las Vegas-based TikTok creator, known online as @devanteyaps, has built an unlikely career out of narrating the porn industry like it's the NBA. (Devante asked us not to use his actual first and last name for privacy reasons.)
His clips — fast-talking, stat-laden, equal parts barbershop banter and SportsCenter highlight reel — have drawn millions of views across Instagram and TikTok (with over 97,000 and 100,000 followers respectively), a rabid comment section, and even the ears of the performers themselves. And it all started with a list of which performers are the cream of the crop.
SEE ALSO: Pornhub copies TikTok with a feature fit for goonscrolling"Someone [on TikTok] said [adult actor] Pinky wasn't even top 20," Devante recalls in an interview with Mashable. "I was like, what?!" So, in April, he made a video correcting the record. Over a 100 videos later, he has stumbled into a niche that is equal parts absurd and undeniable.
The 'GSPN' of TikTokOnce an intern at a recording studio, Devante has amassed a fanbase that "lovingly" calls him Gooner A. Smith (nameplay of the sports commentator Stephen A. Smith and "gooning," which means watching porn for hours while edging). His TikTok bio declares him a "GSPN" (gooning ESPN) analyst.
What makes Devante stand out isn't just the gimmick, but the authority he's managed to command. Performers DM him, companies offer him free subscriptions, and fans flood his rankings with debates about who really belongs in the porn hall of fame. "I try to stay grounded," he says. "At the end of the day, I'm just opinions. But I know my words have weight now."
In an era when many still whisper about adult content in hushed tones, Devante has unexpectedly become one of its first unabashed public analysts — a sort of pioneer in bringing porn commentary into mainstream digital culture. His SportsCenter-meets-porn breakdowns are somewhat the end result of TikTok's obsession with sex work as both spectacle and subject (judging from the debate that preceded his account), but he now occupies a rarified space that a few others are also approaching.
That boldness is especially striking against a political backdrop where porn is under fresh attack: Project 2025, the conservative blueprint for Donald Trump's second presidential term, explicitly calls for criminalizing pornography and prosecuting those who produce and distribute it. This year, lawmakers introduced several bills to ban porn.
In that sense, Devante's work isn't just about grabbing attention — it's about reframing porn as an industry worth analyzing rather than a guilty pleasure to be hidden away. However, at the end of the day, he's still an entertainer.
Even the label of "entertainer" brings pressure, though. Early on, he roasted a performer's plastic surgery and found himself on the receiving end of weeks of clapback. "It doesn't matter if I was right," he opines now. "I shouldn't have said it like that." These days, he toes the line between critique and cruelty, aware that performers — real people with real feelings — are listening. "I want to be factual, fair. I don't want to hurt feelings, even when I'm being honest."
The irony is that, while Devante's whole brand is porn talk, his videos are often less salacious than they are sociological. He thinks about eras, evolutions, the racial "two leagues" divide in porn's history, and the economics of OnlyFans. He rails against poor camerawork — "Tripod, ten feet away, and you're still charging $40?"— with the same exasperation as a coach watching sloppy defense. And he worries about the darker undercurrents of the industry: potential exploitation, unsafe meetups with anonymous male creators, and the mental health of women who are highly visible online.
"People have told me the most vile things online," he says. "But I know the girls are getting worse than me. The mental health side of this needs to be talked about way more."
The stigma of talking about adult content onlineFor someone whose persona is built on shamelessness, stigma is never far away. Devante's been called "the goonfather" at work and brushed off concerns from friends about hanging out with porn stars. But he shrugs. "If you're gonna judge me for what I do, I don't care," he says. "I'm doing things people would love to do. Why have shame about it?"
If anything, he sees his platform as a way to push back against stigma — both for himself and for the performers. Long-term, he wants to launch a podcast that humanizes porn performers rather than baiting them into viral clips. "Other shows, they'll ask them wild questions just for clicks. I want to ask, 'How'd you start? What are your goals after this? How does your family accept it?'"
Devante's videos now take three to four hours a day to create: researching scenes across subscription sites, double- and triple-checking facts, then recording into TikTok's 10-minute time cap. Consistency beats perfection, he insists. "Some days I'm locked in, some days I'm not. But showing up every day matters more than being perfect."
His "greatest hits" remain the rankings — Top 10 lists that reliably ignite the comments section, with fans arguing stats like sports fans screaming about Jordan vs. LeBron. (For him, it's Gianna Michaels as Jordan and Angela White as LeBron, in case you're wondering.)
Whether you find his shtick brilliant or ridiculous, Devante is well on his way to reshaping the way people talk about porn online. He's not naïve about it. He knows the ridicule, the contradictions, and the fact that some will always see him as unserious. But he also believes he's building something bigger from his "15 minutes of fame."
"I want to give performers a platform where they're seen as humans," he says. "That's the goal. That's where all this is heading."
How to watch Bring Her Back: One of our top movies of 2025 is now streaming
Kick off spooky season with Bring Her Back — one of Mashable's favorite movies of 2025. The "gnarly psycho-biddy horror offering" is finally coming to streaming after a five-month wait, so you can tune into the deeply deranged tale from the comfort of your couch.
As the sophomore follow-up to box-office hit Talk To Me, directors Danny Philippou and Michael Philippou had a lot to live up to. And they certainly succeeded. Bring Her Back stars two-time Academy Award–nominee Sally Hawkins alongside Billy Barratt, Sora Wong, Jonah Wren Phillips, and Sally-Anne Upton.
If you missed the A24 horror flick in theaters, there are now a few different ways to tune in from your couch. Here's everything you need to know to watch Bring Her Back at home.
What is Bring Her Back about?In Bring Her Back, Hawkins stars as former social worker and now foster mom Laura, who takes in siblings Andy (Barratt) and Piper (Wong). Despite her chipper demeanor, there's something off about Laura. While the siblings are looking for stability and a happy home, they find something much more sinister.
Check out the trailer for a sneak peek:
Is Bring Her Back worth watching?In Mashable's review, Film Editor Kristy Puchko writes, "Bring Her Back is extraordinary. For those who found Talk to Me sensationally scary, this follow-up will thrill with its deeply deranged tale of heartache and body horror. But the Philippous went deeper, presenting a character-driven drama with flares of psycho-biddy and religious horror. That heady combination not only makes for a satisfyingly scary as hell movie, but also a profound one."
Other critics and audiences agree — the film currently holds an 89 percent critics rating and 79 percent audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes. As one of Mashable's favorite films of 2025 (so far), we wholeheartedly think it's worth watching, especially to kick off spooky season.
Read our full review of Bring Her Back.
How to watch Bring Her Back at home Credit: A24Bring Her Back hit theaters way back on May 30, 2025. If you missed out on the full theater experience or if you can't wait to watch it again, there are now a few different ways to watch it at home: purchasing or renting via digital video-on-demand or, of course, streaming. See all the details below.
Buy or rent Bring Her Back on digitalAs of July 1, the A24 horror thriller is available to purchase or rent on digital video-on-demand platforms like Prime Video. You can buy the movie for your digital library or rent it for a limited time. If you choose to rent, you'll have 30 days to watch, but only 48 hours to finish once you begin. While it's the most limited option, renting is the cheapest way to watch Bring Her Back unless you qualify for a free or discounted HBO Max subscription (more on that below).
You can purchase and rent the film at the following retailers:
Prime Video — buy for $12.99, rent for $5.99
Apple TV — buy for $12.99, rent for $5.99
Fandango at Home — buy for $12.99, rent for $5.99
Google Play — buy for $12.99, rent for $5.99
YouTube — buy for $12.99, rent for $5.99
Thanks to A24's multi-year output deal, new theatrical releases exclusively head to HBO Max before anywhere else. After a long wait, Bring Her Back is officially streaming on HBO Max as of Oct. 3, 2025 — just in time for spooky season.
HBO Max subscriptions start at $9.99 per month, but there are a few different ways to shave a few bucks off your plan. Check out the best HBO Max streaming deals below.
The best HBO Max streaming dealsBest for most people: Save 16% on HBO Max Basic annual subscription Opens in a new window Credit: HBO Max HBO Max Basic with ads yearly subscription $99.99 per year (save $19.89) Get DealA yearly HBO Max plan can save you about 16% compared to a monthly plan. While the Basic plan with ads typically costs $9.99 per month, that cost drops to about $8.33 per month for the annual plan — a yearly total of just $99.99. We think this is the best HBO Max streaming deal for most people.
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Good Boy review: What if a dog were a horror movie hero?
You ever get the feeling that your pet can sense something you don't? Maybe it's the way they hard stare at an empty corner. Maybe it's that abrupt bark in the middle of the night, or the skittering paws propelling them out of a room at a moment's notice. Whatever the quirk, it leaves you feeling shaken and wishing they could just talk and spill the spooky tea. Good Boy drops audiences into this scary terrain, centering its haunted house story on a dedicated dog who is desperately trying to warn his human bestie about the supernatural threats closing in.
Focusing on a dog in danger is a bold move. There's a general unspoken rule in Hollywood that though you can kill scads of humans in movies, you'll outrage your audience if you kill the dog. Our empathy might not extend to every slasher victim or a nameless gang of gun-toting minions, but our hearts immediately go out to a dog in danger. There's a whole website dedicated to warning tenderhearted dog lovers if a canine will die in a movie. Hell, the wildly popular action series John Wick is predicated on this very idea, knowing we will watch a man kill hordes to avenge his beloved puppy.
Good Boy's independent director/co-writer/cinematographer/producer Ben Leonberg realizes this, and puts his viewers through the wringer by casting his sweet family pet, a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever named Indy, to be tormented by ghosts and vicious visions of doom and death. The resulting horror movie had me yelping like I was a kid seeing her first scary movie. Props to you, Ben and Indy.
With one clever gimmick, Good Boy brings fresh life to horror cliches. Indy, the dog star, behind the scenes of "Good Boy." Credit: What's Wrong with Your Dog? LLCPenned by Leonberg and Alex Cannon, the scares of Good Boy do start standard: flickering lights, a creepy sound coming from an unlit basement, a dark figure lurking in the shadows, and glowing eyes in a black night. Yet by putting a dog in these scenarios, the filmmakers play on a delicious knowledge imbalance that fuels suspense. We, as humans who've watched (arguably too many) horror movies, can clock these conventions from their first appearance. We immediately understand there's a malevolent supernatural force toying with Indy and his human, Todd (Shane Jensen). But Indy, much like the little girl in Poltergeist, he has no context for what's happening around him, so we fear for him even before he fears for himself.
The plot of Good Boy is simple. Feeling ill, Todd decides to escape his cramped city apartment for an cabin upstate, where his late grandfather (Larry Fessenden) lived. But long abandoned, the vibe is far from cozy. Indy, which is both the character's name and his dog actor's name, doesn't like it from first sniff. While Todd gets to the arduous task of starting up the electric generator and ducking calls from his concerned sister, Vera (Arielle Friedman), Indy is immediately alert to strange energies.
While we might realize the threat before Indy — or at least more keenly — there's a mystery in what these spirits want and a mounting stress in how oblivious Todd is to all of it. While Todd has the ability to take them away from this creepy space, Indy is trapped because he's not being heard!
Good Boy's dog star Indy gives an impeccable performance. Indy and his plush stunt double, "Findy." Credit: What's Wrong with Your Dog? LLCBeyond being a scary-as-hell watch for dog lovers, Good Boy has a built-in allure as Indy is just a star from his first frame. His dark eyes, floppy ears, and sweet expression make him instantly lovable. But more than that, he is so game for whatever Leonberg directs him to do. Staying and staring into an eerie abyss? Jumping into action? Reacting to a burst of blood? Racing to Todd to protect him? Indy is a good boy, through and through.
Leonberg's personal connection with his star/pet surely plays a crucial role here, as Indy's comfort with him allows for an ambitious array of sequences with specific asks. To be clear, it never appears the dog was put in any real danger, and the end credits promise, "No animals were harmed in the making of this film." Shot over three years, it seems Leonberg had the time, patience, and appreciation for his animal companion/collaborator to nurture a truly moving performance.
On top of Indy's screen presence, Leonberg balances the film with smart cinematography that plays on horror lovers' expectations. The out-of-focus background, flanked by shadows, draws our eye behind the lovable dog, because slashers and haunted house movies have taught us to look where our heroes are not. Moreover, a wealth of close-ups of Indy draw us again and again into his softness and his trusting gaze, pinning us to the ground in fear for him.
Good Boy is basically about how we don't deserve dogs. Director Ben Leonberg and Indy, behind the scenes of "Good Boy." Credit: What's Wrong with Your Dog? LLCMore than an internet meme, that sentiment feels like the thesis of Good Boy. Todd is far from a bad pet caregiver, but he is so caught up in his own problems that he's blind to everything Indy is experiencing. From a long-distance phone call, sister Vera introduces the very real way dogs can smell things we can't, not just bombs or drugs but incoming death. Indy is an oracle ignored by the one he wants to protect most.
Forget complex heroes. Good Boy offers the goodest of boys, putting its viewers in a vice grip of suspense. When clamoring gray hands reach out for him in a jump scare, I screamed so loud I shocked myself. And I did it again and again as this haunted house story ramped up. Leonberg's pacing is fitful, pitching Indy into new scenes of tension in basements, bedrooms, dog houses, and the wider woods. And then after a spiking scare, the narrative jumps to some time later. How long is unclear, giving the film that surreal passing of time that happens when your schedule is out of your control. We, like Indy, are a prisoner to the whims of Todd. Within this whirl, it's impossible to get your footing. Clues drop about what this supernatural force is and what it wants, but the mystery is secondary to the suffocating fear that Indy might not survive.
I won't answer that for you. But I will say that Leonberg understands the power of his leading dog and what his audience wants. That understanding allows him to tighten the chokehold he has on us through a climax both chilling and satisfying. In the end, Good Boy is a deceptively simple horror movie that hits hard. You'll gasp. You'll scream. You'll pull your hands over your eyes and hope desperately for the best. It's a ruthless blast.
UPDATE: Oct. 2, 2025, 3:23 p.m. Good Boy was reviewed out of its World Premiere at 2025 SXSW film festival in the Midnighter section. This article was published on March 8, 2025. It has been updated to include the movie's theatrical release.
The Smashing Machine review: Dwayne Johnson delivers a career-changing performance, but theres one big problem
American cinema has long been fascinated by professional fighters. Rocky, Raging Bull, The Fighter, The Wrestler, Cinderella Man, Creed, Million Dollar Baby, Girlfight, Ali, The Hurricane, Warrior — the list goes on and on. Within this sports subgenre, actors like Sylvester Stallone, Robert De Niro, Russell Crowe, Will Smith, Hilary Swank, Michael B. Jordan, and many more have made their mark, with rave reviews, big box office, award nominations, and big wins. So, it's a shrewd move for Dwayne Johnson to prove he's ready to leap from smoldering action-comedy star to dramatic heavyweight with The Smashing Machine.
The pro wrestler formerly known as The Rock has spent decades building broad appeal as a movie star, ranging from the lip-curling machismo in the Fast and Furious franchise to the bouncy bravado of his voicework as Maui in Moana to a swath of half-baked action movies that coast on his broad shoulders and signature smile. But with The Smashing Machine, Johnson sheds his larger-than-life persona to disappear into the role of UFC fighter Mark Kerr.
The ways he does this are laudable, but the results are mixed because of writer/director Benny Safdie's challenging choices in constructing this narrative and reconstructing his leading man's face.
The Smashing Machine reveals the out-of-the-ring struggles of Mark Kerr. Dwayne Johnson plays Mark Kerr in "The Smashing Machine." Credit: A24Picking up in 1997, the Safdie-scripted drama follows the beginning of Kerr's MMA (mixed martial arts) career within the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Set across several years, The Smashing Machine ushers audiences to Japan, where Kerr would compete in Pride FC, then back to the U.S., where he trained while carrying on a tumultuous romantic relationship with Dawn Staples (played here by Johnson's Jungle Cruise co-star Emily Blunt).
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Rather than centering his narrative around a particular goal — like winning a belt or defeating a particular nemesis — Safdie chooses a more scattershot approach. A smattering of scenes across Kerr's highs and lows aim to capture the contrast of "The Smashing Machine" in the ring, where he was mighty and intimidating, to the man behind the persona, who was gentle, even when battling his own demons. However, without a driving narrative, the film feels meandering, lacking momentum.
The Smashing Machine shies away from sports drama cliches, with mixed results. Benny Safdie, writer/director of "The Smashing Machine," holds a camera in the film's final sequence. Credit: A24Elements of Kerr's story are pretty common within the pro fighting industry. Take a look at Dark Side of the Ring for many examples. The incredible demand put on a fighter's body and the ruthless training regimen can encourage abuse of painkillers and other drugs to cope with the physical strain. However, Safdie's so matter-of-fact about Kerr's intravenous drug use that it almost seems harmless. There's a casualness to how Mark is shown readying an injection, doing so while getting dressed and carrying on a conversation, that almost suggests his drug use is not a problem, but part of a routine. But a vague but vicious argument with Dawn shortly after suggests Kerr's losing his grip.
It might be lauded that Safdie and Johnson (who is also a producer on The Smashing Machine) aren't interested in making Kerr's real-life low points into a gaudy spectacle. But little is given to otherwise illustrate his battle here. Safdie's script reveals a near-fatal overdose through a phone call between Dawn and Mark's friend/colleague Mark Coleman (Ryan Bader). His time in rehab happens entirely offscreen. Thus, much of his struggle with addiction is limited to strained jokes about doctors who offer him over-the-counter painkillers and his passive-aggressive comments to Dawn, when she returns from a boozy meal with friends. Essentially, the punches feel pulled, outside the ring and inside too.
The Smashing Machine won't let audiences get close to Mark Kerr. Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt embrace in "The Smashing Machine." Credit: A24Safdie rejects the standard of Hollywood boxing movies by keeping his cameras firmly outside of the ring. A cavalcade of other directors have used close-ups to give audiences an unblinking look at everything from the fear or confidence flashing on the fighter's face to the sweat and blood streaming down their muscles. But Safdie won't let us any closer than the fans in the film, stuck behind the ropes. It's a choice that echoes his aim of authenticity over Hollywood razzle-dazzle. But it literally and emotionally keeps us at a distance.
Other forms of authenticity work better. Handheld camera lends energy and a hazy excitement to everything from Mark striding to the arena to his grappling with a hysterical Dawn. A soundtrack of late '90s/early '00s songs (like Sublime's "Santeria" and Sugar Ray's "Every Morning") played in the background help audiences time-travel back to his heyday. But most impactful is Safdie's unconventional casting choices.
As he's done in past films like Uncut Gems, he peoples The Smashing Machine with nonactors. In this case, to play Mark's friends and rivals, the director brought in fighters Ryan Bader, Oleksandr Usyk, Satoshi Ishii, James Moontasril, Cyborg Abreu, and Marcus Aurélio, many making their acting debuts. They bring an earthiness and earnestness to the film, with Bader being a terrific standout, seemingly effortless in scenes of professional drama and domestic bliss.
In terms of Johnson's performance, authenticity meant asking the actor to bulk up and to wear facial prosthetics and meticulously detailed wigs to resemble Kerr. And here's where Safdie's choices hurt Johnson most.
Dwayne Johnson is incredible in The Smashing Machine, but the prosthetics are a problem. Dwayne Johnson plays Mark Kerr in "The Smashing Machine." Credit: A24Props to the make-up team — the prosthetics are seamless and do the job of erasing the familiar face of The Rock. This transformation gives Johnson the space to create a performance that is distinctly separate from his own personas in pro-wrestling and as the leading man of many an action franchise. Do they make him look like Mark Kerr? I'm less convinced. But we've seen plenty of thespians get Oscar gold for hiding their famous features to better inhabit a character. (That includes Charlize Theron in Monster, Brendan Fraser in The Whale, and Nicole Kidman in The Hours, just to name a few.)
The problem is that while these prosthetics erase The Rock, they also inhibit Johnson's face. Sure, his performance here is more nuanced than in his splashy blockbusters. An early scene where Kerr, bruised and battered, gently explains his work to a little boy and a judgmental grandmother is gracefully done. The softness in his tone is reflected in a gentle physicality as he insists there's camaraderie outside the ring. Later, this gentleness reemerges as he talks to his fellow fighters and as he pleads with a spiraling Dawn. (Blunt gives her best to a role that is achingly archetypal, painting Dawn as a volatile drunk with a Jersey Shore thirst for fashion and fighting). However, this performance is often cut off by the brow bone of the prosthetic.
Creating a ledge that throws a dark shadow, the make-up too often makes it hard to see Johnson's eyes. So, much like being pushed out of the ring in the fight scenes, we're pushed out of Mark's experience by not being able to see how he's feeling. In a showier Johnson performance, this might not be an issue, as he can ooze emotion out of big gestures and bellowing line delivery. But here, nearly every aspect of the film is aiming for subtlety, to better explore the shades of gray of Kerr. And without seeing his eyes, we're too often left in the dark.
In the end, Johnson gives a career-defining performance that should well prove he can handle meatier, even artier fare. Blunt gives her all in a thankless role, and Safdie, in his feature-length directorial debut without his brother/Uncut Gems co-helmer Josh Safdie, takes some big swings. It's a shame he didn't have a sharper eye on what was hitting, and what was leaving his audience needing more.
The Smashing Machine is now in theaters.
UPDATE: Oct. 2, 2025, 2:41 p.m. EDT "The Smashing Machine" was reviewed out of its North American Premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in this article, originally published on Sept. 20, 2025. It has been updated to include its theatrical release.
Steve review: Cillian Murphy leads a stirring reform school drama
Steve may not be the movie you'd expect, as it certainly wasn't what I anticipated.
An exciting element of film festivals is seeing movies before the barrage of trailers, talk show appearances, character posters, and all other manner of spoiler-y promotions. So, for a critic planning their screening schedule, you're piecing together few clues.
Not familiar with the best-selling novella on which Steve is based, I expected a tearjerking drama that might leave me rattled and heart-aching, like RaMell Ross' soul-scorching Nickel Boys. After all, Steve is not only a drama set a reform school, but also a film starring Murphy, who has played a long line of intense characters facing horrid circumstances, from zombies (26 Days Later) to a dying sun (Sunshine) to a world at war (Oppenheimer). Plus, Murphy and Mielants' last movie together was Small Things Like These, a harrowing tale of the sins committed and covered up by an Irish convent.
SEE ALSO: 'Steve' trailer: Cillian Murphy is a 'very, very tired' headmaster at an English reform schoolFor all of these reasons, I braced for violence, trauma, and abuse. But while there are dark moments in Steve, it's chiefly an energetic and even at times joyful film about hope and community.
Novelist Max Porter adapted his novella Shy into the screenplay for Steve, which offers complicated portraits of the troubled youth in a reform school and the grown-ups assigned to their care. The resulting film is an emotional roller coaster and a call to action, demanding its audience rethink their views of such schools and those within them.
Steve is set over one very bad day at work. Students gather around Steve in "Steve." Credit: Robert Viglasky / NeflixA propulsive energy drives Steve forward, from a mellow opening scene in which the titular lead teacher is dictating notes into a recorder, mapping out his strategy to help each of the boys in his care. Then, Steve (Murphy) is driving into a rural area on a long, winding dirt road, when he sees a teen boy smoking and dancing with headphones on in a field. Here, Porter's script introduces us to Shy (Jay Lycurgo), a mercurial young man capable of joy, anger, depression, and compassion. In this moment, he is giddy, playing with Steve and gossiping about the news crew set to arrive on campus this very day.
By setting the film over the course of this day, Porter smartly condenses the action to make every choice feel urgent. By introducing a camera crew to the mix, he adds additional conflict and stress for Steve and his team to put forth a good face to a public all too willing to misunderstand their spirited students. So, Steve's battered vehicle pulls up to the school, a hundred-year old estate called Stanton Wood that's steadily falling into disrepair. A well chosen location begins to tell the story even before a newscaster's scripted introduction confirms it.
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This grand building once had money flowing to it for upkeep of the place itself and its students. But as giving a second chance to impoverished young men with criminal records became politically unfashionable, funding has dried up. Stanton Wood now operates with a skeleton crew, caring for one class of very rowdy boys who are all too willing to act up in front of the cameras.
Steve must not only manage his staff, counsel the boys fired up by the arrival of an audience, and keep an eye on the nosy news crew (who is too eager to invade the boys' privacy for good B-roll), but also fawn over a visiting politician in hopes of securing some more funding. He's being pulled in every direction, and yet the film is more of an ensemble than the title might suggest.
Steve delivers a walloping group performance. Jay Lycurgo as Shy and Simbi Ajikawo as Shola in "Steve." Credit: Robert Viglasky / NeflixMurphy is the eye of the storm of Steve, exuding an intense focus whether talking to students or venting with his colleagues. His sharp blue eyes ache with the awareness of his responsibilities and the powerlessness an apathetic government gives teachers like him in place of support.
His frustrations are echoed by fellow educators, like his second in command, the outspoken Amanda (Tracey Ullman in a rare dramatic turn), a very patient therapist called Jenny (Emily Watson), and new teacher Shola (Simbi Ajikawo, aka rapper Little Simz). Each of these women brings a different energy to Stanton Wood. Amanda, vibrant and frank, has a grandmotherly tough-love approach, telling the camera crew about how each of these boys is complex and that she "fucking loves" them for it. Jenny has a cool facade, but once the boys leave — sometimes after vandalizing her wood-paneled office — she shrinks into a pose of radiating disappointment. Shola, as the youngest and the only Black woman working there, faces the additional challenge of receiving unwanted sexual attention from some of the boys, and having to preserve a professional front even in such uncomfortable and unfair predicaments. While each of these roles is slimly written, they're given proper depth from these sensational actresses.
Then there's the boys: Shy (a mesmerizing Lycurgo), Riley (a chaotic Joshua J. Parker), Jamie (a brash Luke Ayres), Ash (Joshua Barry), Nabz (Ahmed Ismail), and Tarone (Tut Nyuot), to name a few. In a clever device by Porter, the youths are introduced in interviews with the news crew, who ask their names and three words they'd use to describe themselves. Among the batch are braggarts, button-pushers, aspiring moguls, and heartsick lost boys. The sharp contrast between one interview and the next not only sets up the dynamic between this group, but also suggests the highs and lows that each of them are experiencing in the challenge of growing up and succeeding in reform school.
The staff here doesn't beat or abuse them. In a number of scenes, Steve carefully approaches heart-to-hearts with a mix of psychological tools and frank slang. ("This is the thing, you can't just casually call me a dick," he patiently explains to one student.) It's clear the boys are given patience, understanding, and second chances. But still, there are explosions, because within these boys is both brilliance and pain, kindness and rage. It's a constant dance that erupts into fights, shouting, impromptu soccer matches, and a suicide attempt.
Steve grapples with teen suicide. Tracey Ullman as Amanda and Cillian Murphy as Steve in "Steve." Credit: Robert Viglasky / NeflixNot so much a spoiler as a warning, Steve involves one student's suicidal ideation playing out into a prolonged and painful sequence. His eyes are wide and scared as he considers his next move. Sitting at the center of the theater, I was looking directly into his eyes, and the boy seemed to look directly into mine. He didn't cry, but I did. I wept, worried for him as my thoughts wandered to those in my own life who've had such moments. In reflection, I'm awed that Steve doesn't make a spectacle of a suicide attempt, but instead dwells on the decision, not the act.
Making this sequence even more impactful is the film's cinematography. Much of the movie's sequences are shot in handheld, allowing for fluid, even frantic movement as cinematographer Robrecht Heyvaert chases the boys as they barrel down hallways, throw punches against steel lockers, bound over countertops, and race through a soccer pitch. But in this moment, quiet and dark, a boy alone with his thoughts and this big choice, the camera is still and unblinking. Through this simple framing, head-on and unmoving, we are with him, waiting for his decision and feeling powerless (like Steve, who is in a frenzied search for the boy), as we can't make it for him.
That brings us back to Steve. The film named for him might seem preachy or sentimental to some. But Porter's earnest script and Mielants' kinetic approach urges audiences to look beyond the outraged op-eds about tax dollars being wasted on bad eggs (a sentiment spoken directly by the cynical news crew). With each young actor throwing himself full-bodied and furious into the roles of these students, a tableaux is painted of a moment in time, where they full of life, trouble, and possibility. Then, beyond that, Steve looks to the people who are underpaid and underappreciated as they do the work to make such youth feel truly heard, respected, and loved. They aren't saints anymore than their charges are devils.
Steve talks with a Stanton Wood student in "Steve." Credit: Robert Viglasky / NeflixIn this mindful and dynamic portrait, Steve presents a message deeply humane, that all of these folks, from the students to the teachers to the news crew and even the smug politician looking for a good photo op are just people — people helping people. It might seem an obscenely simple message. Yet, as the film's climax makes clear, it's one worth repeating, even if it seems cringe or simplistic. "Why do you fucking give a shit?" one boy challenges the Stanton Wood staff. And the answer to that is not simple, but it is powerful.
Steve is now streaming on Netflix.
If you're feeling suicidal or experiencing a mental health crisis, please talk to somebody. You can call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org. You can reach the Trans Lifeline by calling 877-565-8860 or the Trevor Project at 866-488-7386. Text "START" to Crisis Text Line at 741-741. Contact the NAMI HelpLine at 1-800-950-NAMI, Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. ET, or email info@nami.org. If you don't like the phone, consider using the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Chat. Here is a list of international resources
UPDATE: Oct. 2, 2025, 2:20 p.m. EDT "Steve" was reviewed out of its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, in this article, originally published Sept. 15, 2025. The article has been updated to include current viewing options.
The Lost Bus review: Matthew McConaughey brings movie star swagger to real-life disaster drama
The true story behind The Lost Bus is stranger than fiction. More specifically, its premise feels like something dreamed up by a screenwriter in the late '90s, when disaster movies like Twister, Volcano, and Deep Impact were all the rage. An average Joe with problems of his own heroically uses his blue-collar skills and homegrown gumption to rescue a bus full of children stranded by a ravenous wildfire. And the cherry on top? This community that's ablaze is called Paradise.
Yet The Lost Bus is based on the true story of school bus driver Kevin McKay, who on Nov. 8, 2018, rescued 22 grade school students from the Camp Fire, the deadliest and most destructive wildfire in California history to date. In the movie version of McKay's life, details will be tweaked for dramatic effect. And this brave everyman gets the Hollywood glow-up, being played by Matthew McConaughey. However, director Paul Greengrass, who co-wrote the screenplay with Brad Ingelsby, battles back against a full-fledged glossy disaster movie.
So, what might have been a spectacle, channeling real-world heroism into the dynamic derring-do of an American action hero, instead becomes a rocky ride, taking turns into the maudlin one moment and the theatrically threatening the next. The result is a movie that is gripping, but only in gasps.
The Lost Bus cherry-picks grit and glamor. Credit: Apple TV+When a wildfire spreads faster than the firefighters can handle, school evacuations are called so quickly that some parents can't get to their kids in time. So the bus depot sends in Kevin (McConaughey), who's got open seats and determination to get these kids — and Mary Ludwig (America Ferrera), the teacher looking after them — to safety, whether that means traversing troubled routes or carving out daring detours.
When it comes to the film's depiction of fire, Greengrass is devoted to instilling terror. Scenes of a California town burning are depicted like a war zone. Smoke turns a sunny day dark as night. Fire rages, making a once cozy street unrecognizable. Civilians flee, screaming and even trying to hijack vehicles through violence. This same attention to the gravity and griminess of wildfires extends to the faces of the children on Kevin's bus. While Mary and Kevin warn them to stay away from the windows, their cheeks are smudged with soot. Their eyes are weary from tears and exhaustion.
Most effective in getting across the fear fire should instill is cinematographer Pal Ulvik Rokseth's use of POV shots for the fire. Beginning low to the ground in brush, these initially recall the POV shots of slashers like Michael Myers, peeping on their unaware victims. But as the intensity grows, so does the height and speed, suggesting the rushing of the wind and how it carries the flames farther and farther. Until finally, the fire's POV soars into the air, swooping down like a descending dragon. It's a flourish well used, as this device establishes the position of power the fire possesses over people, who can only run or burn.
By contrast, Greengrass tries to ground the infrastructural drama of the rescue crews by repeatedly cutting from the flame-afflicted bus of children to a conference room, flanked with firefighters and other municipal authorities. These scenes are so heavy on exposition that they bring tension to a dead stop. And the fumbling of the actors' lines in these scenes might be meant to feel naturalistic, but comes off as clumsy — especially in contrast to Ferrera and McConaughey.
Even dressed down in casual wear with some make-up to make them look less debonair and more haggard, they have the capable screen presence of movie stars — and the teeth, too. This is actually distracting on McConaughey, as the film goes to such lengths to stress the poverty and lack of self-care his character practices, yet he has perfectly straight pearly whites.
This might be overlooked were The Lost Bus a movie like Armageddon or Independence Day, where everything is heightened — including the appearance of average Americans. But here, every flash of those pearly whites is a reminder that The Lost Bus aims to be grounded in its heroics... while maintaining a Hollywood glossiness. It feels like two movies at battle with each other, and the conflict kills engagement.
The Lost Bus is slyly misogynistic.Before the fire, Greengrass and Ingelsby take great pains to show just how hard Kevin has it. Within the first act, he faces conflicts with his mother, his ex-wife, his boss, a pharmacist, and his son —and all but the last of these people are women.
Through casting, Greengrass sets up that this traditionally manly man, who is trying to provide for his family, must contend with emasculation at every turn. His mother is a burden. His ex-wife is a nag. His boss, Ruby (Ashlie Atkinson), won't give him the overtime he needs to make ends meet (even though she explains rationally why that's not possible), and the pharmacist at a small convenience store dares to be on the phone when he rushes in demanding help. If I recall correctly, even the veterinarian who calls to tell him his beloved dog must be put down is a woman.
Aside from proving Kevin's got a lot (of bad) going on, this also establishes Kevin as a man in need of proving himself, proving he is a man who can push back on all these female forces that overwhelm him. So, when he arrives at the school and meets Mary, he diminishes her by calling her "ma'am" and "teach" — anything but the name she's given him.
Over the course of their dangerous journey, Kevin's attitude softens to Mary, as she wins his respect through her composure and endurance. The film even briefly seems to flirt with a romantic subplot (Speed 3: Fire in Paradise), though that cliché is dropped as half-heartedly as it's suggested. However, this framing of Kevin vs. every woman in Paradise (and beyond, as his ex is a phone call away), positions The Lost Bus as a tale of redemption on strictly machismo terms.
In the movie's start, Kevin fears he's a failure as a son, husband, and father. But this rescue — which relates to none of those roles — is meant to redeem him? It's a bit confounding. What the real-life McKay did is incredibly heroic. What the onscreen Kevin does is too, but is tainted by chauvinist politics that see value in bravery chiefly if it validates a man's identity as protector. And yet the most compelling performance is from one of Kevin's supposed antagonists.
Ashlie Atkinson runs away with The Lost Bus.I'm ashamed to admit I'm unfamiliar with Atkinson's work on The Gilded Age as Mamie Fish. But in The Lost Bus, she carries so much dramatic weight with every breath that I might need to start a binge-watch. On paper, Ruby's role is thin. She's the director of the Paradise bus depot, responsible for assigning routes and overtime, as well as organizing maintenance checks and — apparently — evacuations when the need arises.
When Kevin approaches her, it's with a facade of gentility, pleading a sob story to convince her to bend the rules on overtime to benefit him. Her answer is delivered gently, but firmly. Her eyes are open, but reflecting a thinly veiled warning: Not today. His response is fury, but one he takes with him out the door.
In one scene, Atkinson represents a woman I've seen over and over. Ruby is in a male-dominated workforce, often regarded with feigned politeness that's actually kind of infantilizing! And when she comes back into the movie, again and again trying to make order out of chaos, I was invested every time. While Kevin is battling a fight against furious nature, Ruby battles the emotional warfare of comforting the awaiting parents without providing false hope. Between this and Mary's role in keeping the children on the bus calm and alive, Greengrass must have some awareness that barreling through hard times with lock-eyed determination and grit isn't all it takes to save the day.
Now, in the end, Greengrass does offer some recompense, with Kevin making brief amends with some of the women who'd been painted as his antagonists. But as title cards reveal the facts about what followed, the misogynistic slant to the story feels even more out of place.
The Lost Bus is an odd film. At times, Greengrass embraces the '90s disaster movie theatrics that can give an audience catharsis through the hero's survival over seemingly impossible odds. At times, he's inexplicably fascinated by control room strategies that play out with all the excitement of a business meeting.
In some moments, he clearly values the incredible character work of supporting actress Ashlie Atkinson, whose dynamic portrait of a blue-collar woman doing her part (and her damndest!) is so moving that it almost single-handedly saves this movie from its regressive sexist messaging. But in the end, Greengrass favors a sentimentality for an old-school brand of macho identity that is toxic. So, The Lost Bus — despite its best efforts to celebrate an everyday hero — becomes a messy journey of rancid masculinity.
The Lost Bus is now streaming on Apple TV+.
UPDATE: Oct. 2, 2025, 2:22 p.m. EDT This review was first published on Sept. 6, 2025, out of the film's premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival. It has been updated to reflect current viewing options.
I tested the best Kindles to find the perfect e-reader
In the Venn diagram of tablets and books, our favorite e-readers fall perfectly in the middle. They're thin and portable like a tablet, but without the distraction of the internet. The best Kindles and e-readers stuff thousands of books — a full library, really — into a tiny frame.
And having tested a lot of e-readers for Mashable, I can tell you the Amazon Kindle lineup comes closest to perfecting the devices. All over the internet, you'll find TikTok users enthusiastically singing the praises of the Kindle. For parents, Kindles are a screen you don't have to feel guilty about. For avid readers, Stuff Your Kindle Day lets you fill up your summer reading list. You can even buy Kindle accessories like remote page-turners and gooseneck stands so you don't have to hold your Kindle while reading.
Amazon has revamped its entire line-up over the past year, and as of Sept 30. 2025, the company introduced a new batch of Kindle Scribes, less than a year after the previous generation launched. The updated line-up includes an upgraded front light as well as the addition of the Kindle Scribe Colorsoft.
Plus, another big Amazon sales event is about to start. The retailer's Prime Big Deal Days, otherwise known as October Prime Day is coming Oct. 7 and 8, which typically brings some decent savings on the Amazon Kindle. But temper your expectations. Kindles are wildly popular devices, meaning they don't get the biggest discounts during these sales.
Meet the newest generation of Kindle e-readers Can't decide between the Kindle and Kindle Paperwhite? We put them head-to-head.. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable SEE ALSO: I read over 50 books a year. Here are my favorite e-readers.A lot has changed since the Kindle first debuted in 2007. While it was released just a few months after the first iPhone, the Amazon Kindle has received fewer updates. As of 2025, we're on the 12th generation of Kindles; the latest arrived in October 2024. Every model — the basic Kindle, the Paperwhite, Signature Edition, Scribe, and Kids models — all got upgrades. And unfortunately, the Kindle Oasis, a waterproof model with page-turning buttons, was discontinued.
Kindle's first color e-reader arrived in late 2024, and as of July 2025, the Colorsoft lineup includes three models. The Colorsoft is the second most expensive option among Kindles, and after finally getting our hands on a model, we've added it to this guide.
As of Sept. 30, 2025, Amazon also announced a revamped Kindle Scribe. The new model is exceptionally thin and has a front light for a brighter display. Plus, the new Colorsoft edition of the Scribe lets you annotate, journal, or sketch in color. Neither the Kindle Scribe nor Kindle Scribe Colorsoft are available for preorder yet, but we'll update this guide once we've fully tested the devices.
No matter which model you choose, all of the latest Kindles are lightweight, easy to use, and compatible with Libby, so you can support your local library (and get free books, of course). Basically, it's hard to make a bad decision in this product category.
So, what's the best Kindle for you? Let me help you decide.
Which Kindle is right for you?If you're concerned about buying the newest tech, that's not an issue. There are six updated Kindle models for sale, as well as older editions still in stock.
Before you choose a Kindle, you need to ask one question first: Do you want it to be waterproof? If you prefer reading near a body of water — whether in the bath, by the pool, or at the beach — that immediately narrows down your options. Since the Kindle Oasis is no longer available, your waterproof options are the Kindle Paperwhite, Paperwhite Signature Edition, Colorsoft Signature Edition, and Paperwhite Kids.
The Kindle Paperwhite Signature edition settings screen. Credit: Stan Schroeder/MashableBeyond water resistance, here are a few other features to consider:
Display size: The basic Kindle has a 6-inch display, while the largest has a 10.2-inch display.
Storage capacity: Kindles range from 16GB to 32GB of storage capacity.
Battery life: The new Kindles generally have outstanding batteries. On the low end, they last up to six weeks per charge, while others last up to 12 weeks.
Writing capability: The Kindle Scribe is the only model that allows you to write with the included stylus.
The latest Kindles all boast a maximum brightness of 94 nits and a 300 ppi, high-resolution display with zero glare, so you can enjoy sharp text and images at any viewing angle. Kindles are also equipped with WiFi connectivity, allowing you to download all the reading material you could ever want. Plus, you can listen to audiobooks on Audible via the built-in Bluetooth connection.
Not to mention, out of all the e-readers I've tested, Kindles have the best compatibility with Libby. I love the digital platform because I can read for free and support my local library. Some other e-readers require you to download your library e-book to a computer and then upload it to an e-reader, but with Kindles, your e-books are sent straight to your device with a click.
And if you were a die-hard Kindle Oasis fan and are attached to page-turning buttons, you may need to stray from the Kindle line-up. Now, your best bet will be the Kobo Libra Colour.
How to get free e-books on Kindle With just a click, transfer your Libby e-book to your Kindle device. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable Your Libby ebook will automatically populate in your Kindle library. Credit: Samantha Mangino / MashableThe best way to read free e-books on a Kindle is with Libby. Libby allows you to borrow e-books through libraries, and all you need is a library card. Through the Libby app, borrow books and then select the "read with Kindle" option, which allows you to send these e-books to your Kindle library.
Another option for finding free e-books is through Stuff Your Kindle events. These are author-driven events that offer limited-time deals on e-books, often making them heavily discounted or totally free.
How to make the most of your KindleThrough our testing and daily use, we've spent a lot of time with Kindles, learning how to make the most of them. We've written extensively on all the ways to maximize your Kindle, so be sure to browse through our guides and explainers:
What is Stuff Your Kindle Day? The best way to fill your e-reader with free books
I've read hundreds of free Kindle books with Libby. Here's how.
What is Kindle Rewards? Earn free credits when shopping the Kindle store
What is Kindle Unlimited? A library of books at your fingertips for just $12 a month
Where to get free e-books: Load up your e-reader without spending a dime
Prime members can get a free e-book every month with Amazon First Reads
NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for October 3, 2025
The NYT Connections puzzle today shouldn't be hard to solve if you're a theater kid.
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.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.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.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.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 Pips hints, answers for September 2, 2025 Here's a hint for today's Connections categoriesWant a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:
Yellow: A partition
Green: They spin
Blue: They can be found on Broadway
Purple: A popular nickname
Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:
Yellow: Boundary
Green: They move in a spiral
Blue: Songs from musicals
Purple: What "Ed" might indicate
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 #846 is...
What is the answer to Connections todayBoundary: BORDER, EDGE, EXTREMITY, LIMIT
They move in a spiral: EDDY, FOOTBALL, TASMANIAN DEVIL, TORNADO
Songs from musicals: CABARET, EDELWEISS, MAMMA MIA, MEMORY
What "Ed" might indicate: EDITOR, EDUCATION, EDWARD, PAST TENSE
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 September 29, 2025Are you also playing NYT Strands? Get all the Strands hints you need for today's puzzle.
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.
NYT Strands hints, answers for October 3, 2025
Today's NYT Strands hints are all about the big cheese.
Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game, 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 MashableBy 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.
Today's NYT Strands puzzle should be easy to solve, provided that you're in charge.
SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for September 29, 2025 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for September 29, 2025 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Who's in charge?The words are related to guidance.
Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explainedThese words describe authority figures.
NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.
NYT Strands spangram answer todayToday's spangram is Leadership.
Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for October 3Manager
Head
Director
Leadership
Boss
Chief
Supervisor
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.
Wordle today: Answer, hints for October 3, 2025
Today's Wordle answer can be a real pain, but we're here to help!
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.
Today's NYT Wordle puzzle shouldn't be difficult to solve if you're a runner.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for September 29, 2025 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 Pips hints, answers for September 29, 2025 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:A convulsion.
Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?The letter S 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...
SPASM
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 September 2, 2025Reporting 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.
