Mashable

We love a good standalone episode.

From The Last of Us to BoJack Horseman there's a rich tradition among prestige TV shows of episodes that can pretty much be enjoyed by themselves, even if you aren't that familiar with the show itself.

With Season 2, episode 5, "Love and Be Loved", Dark Matter joins the ranks. So what happens, why does it work so well, and what does the episode mean in the show's larger context?

SEE ALSO: 'Dark Matter' Season 2, episode 4: Why does Daniela leave? What happens in Dark Matter Season 2, episode 5?

At the end of Season 1, it was revealed that the world-hopping antics of Jason Dessen (Joel Edgerton) had inadvertently spawned hundreds of other Jasons. All of these Jasons were similarly displaced and trying to get back to their original world and family — but only one Jason could claim their old life. In a surreal sequence at the series' end, Jason, Daniela (Jennifer Connelly) and Charlie (Oakes Fegley) walk through a sea of these other Jasons to the box (Dark Matter's multiverse portal), all of whom have come to say goodbye.

Season 2, episode 5 follows one of these "other" Jasons. We watch as this Jason uses his last remaining multiverse capsule to travel to a world in which his mother is still alive, but the version of himself in that reality died as a child. Jason moves back in with his mother and starts making chairs, slowly recovering from his grief at losing his former family and life. He reads a lot of books, and helps two other Jasons who have stumbled into the same world. Finally, he meets a book store owner called Maria (Angela Sarafyan) and strikes up a relationship.

Credit: Apple TV

Following the death of his mother, Jason moves in with Maria. While going out to get supplies he bumps into this world's version of Daniela, who gives him advice on his choice of flowers. Rather than following her, though, Jason seems content to return to his new life. We get the sense he's finally moved on.

Back at the house, Maria finds his notebook in a moving box — the same one he wrote in before using his last capsule to travel to this world.

"I have lost everything," the last page reads. "The love of my life. My son. My home. Please just let me find a world where I can love and be loved."

What does the ending mean?

It's a bitter-sweet ending, but ultimately a hopeful one. All the other versions of Jason are completely lost and grief-stricken at the end of Dark Matter Season 1. The Jason we follow in Season 2, episode 5 is even suicidal at the beginning. But the episode shows that a fresh start is possible for him, and therefore for all of them.

The episode's final moments are the real key, as we watch Jason removing the hair tie he keeps wrapped around his wedding ring finger. We know from Season 1 that this was something Jason did to remind himself of his marriage to Daniela. But in this world, this Jason has found a way to move on from a life he can't return to. Even seeing another version of Daniela doesn't shake his newfound love for Maria — it just gives him a form of closure. Finally, he's able to put away a core remnant of his old life and look at what's in front of him.

Dark Matter Season 2 is streaming on Apple TV, with new episodes dropping every Friday.

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On your marks, get set, go — Amazon's October Prime Day is set to kick off on Oct. 6. This year, the sale spans two days, but you don't necessarily need to wait to get a great deal. If you're like me and prefer to camp in the moderate fall temps instead of sweating it out in the summer, you're in need of some fresh outdoor gear.

I've compiled the best early Prime Day outdoor deals if you're searching for upgrades or replacements to your current gear. These deals will get you outside to enjoy fall colors and cooler temps. Be sure to keep an eye on Mashable's October Prime Day coverage.

Best portable power station deal Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Solix Anker Solix C1000 $449.98 at Amazon
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I've tested dozens of portable power stations while camping over the last few years, and the original Anker Solix C1000 remains a top-tier choice. Now that it's on sale for under $450, it's a great time to make the move to camping with power. Keep phones charged, pack the air fryer, or take your laptop workstation into the great outdoors.

The Anker Solix C1000 packs in 1,056Wh of battery capacity and a peak output of 2,400W. Anker included a massive six AC ports, dual USB-A ports, and dual USB-C ports. I also love the onboard lightbar, and it recharges back to 100% in under an hour.

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With a giant 50-quart capacity, the Igloo Trailmate cooler is on sale for under $100 ahead of October Prime Day. Without ice, that size can fit up to 81 cans. The foam-insulated walls and lid measure 1.5 inches thick for better ice retention, and the rubberized latches provide added reassurance that the cooler is properly sealed to keep things cold. Igloo also added a built-in bottle opener for those of us who always forget to pack one.

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On Mashable's ranking of the best waterproof Bluetooth speakers, the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 earns the top spot as the model that's ready for both outdoor adventures and the shower. Alex Bracetti's review says, "The rugged mesh exterior prevents moisture and other hazards from damaging both the inside and outside of the speaker. A 14-hour charge is enough for a month of daily shower use."

Since it's already on sale for nearly 50% off, you're in great shape for scoring an excellent deal on the outdoor speaker.

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Primetime feels like a fever dream before you even see it. 

Lance Oppenheimer, who's teamed with Nathan Fielder for the upcoming documentary on Elizabeth Holmes, You Can See Everything, directs a drama based on the events surrounding the reality TV series To Catch a Predator. Chris Hansen, the American journalist who became known for his practiced poise as he confronted alleged pedophiles before hidden cameras, was once revered as a hero for his entrepreneurial journalism. But the tide has turned on Hansen. Last year saw the release of the documentary Predators, which rigorously re-evaluated To Catch a Predator's practices and how it inspired more reckless imitators. Now comes Primetime, where The Batman's Robert Pattinson reimagines Hansen as a fame-hungry monster. 

As attorney-turned-foe Two-Face said in The Dark Knight, "You either die a hero or live long enough to see yourself become the villain." Now is Hansen's time. 

Primetime is a horror movie about blind ambition.   Credit: A24

Based on the 2007 Esquire article "Tonight on Dateline This Man Will Die," Primetime pitches audiences into the heyday of To Catch a Predator, when the recurring Dateline special report got promoted to (you guessed it) primetime. Hansen is the face of the series. But he is aided by a team that includes nerves-of-steel producer Andie Bender (Merritt Wever), internet researcher Xavier Von Erck (Matthew Maher), and two young actors (Phoebe Bridgers and Skyler Gisondo), who serve as decoys for the kids the men think they've been chatting with online. In reality, these men have been talking with Perverted Justice, a vigilante group that teamed up with Hansen for these on-camera stings.

With the move to a more demanding time slot, Chris and his crew are challenged to make their catches even more dramatic. So, when Xavier insists he's hooked a "big fish" in Texas who he believes works for the government, Chris pushes forward, despite the warnings from Andie about such hastiness. They've already got a setup in Jersey, good to go! But Chris has his eyes on besting Dateline co-host Stone Phillips (Bill Heck), whose steely masculinity makes the To Catch A Predator host seethe with jealousy.

To make his TV show stand out, Chris will stop at nothing. He'll brush off calls from his wife (Anna Farris), placate his mistress, and manipulate Dan Plumb (Gisondo), an earnest young actor who's desperate to get his SAG card through his work on the show. But when reality comes crashing into this scenario, there will be blood. And the show will go on.

Robert Pattinson is wickedly hilarious as Chris Hansen.  Credit: A24

Primetime is more a psychological thriller than a comedy, but there's no arguing that Pattinson is hysterical in this role. His daffy swagger seen in off-the-wall interviews is eradicated. He's expertly swapped his English accent for a stern American anchor tone that is eerily in line with the real Hansen's. When he tells a fretful stranger (Tony Revolori) to "take a seat," this To Catch a Predator viewer experienced a chilling thrill of recognition. Pattinson's voice alone could transport the audience back to 2004, when Americans tuned in to watch some perverted form of justice play out on TV as armed officers would tackle one suspect after another for our entertainment.

SEE ALSO: 'The Swan: Behind The Mirror' trailer: The controversial reality TV show is ripe for its reckoning

Primetime begins with Chris practicing this persona, reciting his questions and quoting the inappropriate chat messages sent by the vexed visitor. But this performance lives outside of the show's sting house. In one outrageous moment, Chris answers his cell phone in this voice, saying intensely, "This is Chris Hansen." On the other end, his wife is flustered in a way that suggests this is not a one-off. She's lost her husband to his show, and she knows it.

In this role, Pattinson taps into the dark side of the American Dream, like Jake Gyllenhaal did in Nightcrawler, or (another Batman) Christian Bale did in American Psycho. But Pattinson's take is less manic than if-it-bleeds-it-leads cameraman Lou Bloom or pop-music-fixated Patrick Bateman. While tied to the real Hansen's speech patterns and physicality, Pattinson's performance is heightened sharply in anchorman intensity, as if it's a funhouse mirror version, or a TEMU Halloween mask of Hansen. It's scarily accurate and exaggerated just enough to be haunting. This theatrical interpretation of the newsman urges audiences to question who Hansen is behind his mask of journalistic respectability. It's little wonder the real Hansen, who hasn't seen the film, isn't pleased about it. Even the trailer for Primetime hints at this depiction.

Primetime could — and should — go harder.  Credit: A24

Surrounding Pattinson is a terrifically talented cast. Three-time Emmy winner Wever is sharp as a tack as the producer, who's constantly compromising her own morals for her work. The role, as written in Ajon Singh's stodgy screenplay, could have felt like a tedious archetype of the motherly figure trying to rein in the bad boys of news. But Wever injects a surliness and flushes of doubt that complicate Andie. She's the voice of reason and an enabler, which makes Wever's onscreen dynamic with Pattinson electrifying. With each scene, it's uncertain who'll win their battle of wills.

Maher, beloved for Our Flag Means Death, revels in being a self-righteous dirtbag here. Meanwhile, Bridgers, who makes her acting debut here, has a compelling screen presence that translates from her music videos. But here, she's gruffer and more opaque, displaying not vulnerability or resilience but the armor demanded by this decoy role. When her Del instructs new-to-the-team Dan about how to best cope with the uncomfortable scenarios he'll be a part of, she takes on the tone of a been-there-done-that older sister. And in response, Gisondo, playing a thinly veiled version of Dan Schrack, the To Catch a Predator decoy interviewed in Predators, is the film's thumping heart.

Tapping into the same boyish nervousness he channeled in Santa Clarita Diet and Haunted Hotel, Gisondo translates the discomfort and terror of being bait. Early on, an awkward encounter with a lured subject is played for dark laughs. But to Oppenheimer's credit, he leans into the discomfort by sticking with Dan. Unfortunately, in its final act, Primetime loses its nerve.

If you saw Predators, read the Esquire article, or just remember the scandal that arose out of Murphy, Texas, after Hansen's shoot, you'll know how Primetime ends. Maybe that's why it falls flat? It's not that the real-life results weren't shocking and horrific. It's that Primetime's depiction of them feels oddly restrained.

Leaning into some arguably xenophobic supernatural iconography, Primetime tries to add some surreal spookiness to the final act. But this abrupt plunge into ghostly flair feels disconnected from how beguiling and unnerving Pattinson is in this role. It's his movie, but Oppenheimer retreats from him in the end in favor of a final scene that feels dully cynical.

I was left wishing Primetime had the guts to follow the dark path this heightened Hansen charted to somewhere deranged, perhaps providing a more satisfying ending than real life (and reality TV) has. Chase those midnight movie vibes that Pattinson has coursing through his final act into something damning and daring! Or, don't, I guess.

While Primetime is exhilarating and disturbing thanks to its sensational cast, a flimsy conclusion has this film end with a whimper instead of a bang. 

Primetime is now in theaters. 

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Opens in a new window Credit: Eduonix Learning Solutions Claude AI Professional E-Degree $14.97
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Claude is capable of way more than just answering your basic questions. If you want to tap into its full potential, the Claude AI Professional E-Degree schools you on the ins and outs of this popular AI model — from how it works and how to prompt it to integrations and beyond.

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Opens in a new window Credit: UmanWrite UmanWrite All-in-One AI Writing Platform: Lifetime Subscription (Unlimited Plan/Unlimited Words) $79
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Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2019 for Windows $16.97
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The New York Film Festival kicks off this week, continuing what's already been a jam-packed fall festival season. Whether you're attending the festival in person or just planning out your fall moviegoing calendar, Mashable has you covered on the buzziest titles you'll want to check out.

SEE ALSO: TIFF 2026 preview: 18 films (and shows) you'll want to see (and how)

This year, NYFF's slate includes films from acclaimed directors like Werner Herzog, Pedro Almodóvar, and James Gray, as well as highly-anticipated films like Godzilla Minus One sequel Godzilla Minus Zero and Nathan Fielder and Lance Oppenheim's Elizabeth Holmes documentary You Can See Everything. Plus, keep an eye out for Oscar hopeful turns from stars like Julianne Moore, Pedro Pascal, John Turturro, and more.

From searing documentaries to poignant dramas, here are 14 films to keep an eye out for at NYFF.

1. Godzilla Minus Zero

One of the most thrilling surprises of 2023 cinema was just how epic Takashi Yamazaki's Godzilla Minus One was. While American filmmakers had made a flurry of flashy monster movies, it was this period piece set in World War II that had audiences and critics roaring with renewed vigor for the iconic kaiju.

That its sequel is playing the New York Film Festival speaks to the enthusiasm of cinephiles for more. Yamazaki returns with a story that picks up two years after the events of the first film. The monster is sure to rise again. And we cannot wait! —Kristy Puchko, Entertainment Editor

Starring: Ryunosuke Kamiki, Minami Hamabe, and Yuki Yamada

How to watch: Godzilla Minus Zero will open in theaters and IMAX on Nov. 6.

2. Behemoth!

Tony Gilroy, writer/director of The Bourne Legacy, Duplicity, and Michael Clayton, returns with a tantalizing drama headlined by Pedro Pascal.

The Last of Us star plays a musician — from a family of musicians — who makes a living playing for movie scores. Beyond that, it's unclear what exactly will go down in Bohemoth! But considering Gilroy's past films, we expect plenty of seduction and tension. And honestly, the cast alone would have us seated. — K.P.

Starring: Pedro Pascal, Olivia Wilde, and Will Arnett

How to watch: Behemoth! will open in theaters on Dec. 4.

3. Paper Tiger

Writer/director James Gray has previously offered audiences New York-set dramas like Two Lovers, The Immigrant, and Armageddon Time. His latest returns to the city that never sleeps, focusing on a pair of brothers who want to be kings of Queens.

Adam Driver stars as Gary Pearl, a cop-turned-security consultant, who's living a luxury life and is eager to cut his young brother Irwin, an earnest engineer played by Miles Teller, in on a big opportunity. But when they accidentally cross the Russian mob, Irwin's family — including two young sons and a loving wife (Scarlett Johansson) — are threatened. A thriller that explores how an average man might fare against Goodfellas makes for a tense watch you won't want to miss. — K.P.

Starring: Adam Driver, Scarlett Johansson, and Miles Teller

How to watch: Paper Tiger will open in theaters on Nov. 13.

4. A Long Winter Credit: TIFF

From Andrew Haigh, the writer/director of All of Us Strangers, comes another brilliant adaptation rooted in queer love. Based on Colm Tóibín's novella of the same name, A Long Winter stars Fred Hechinger as a young man living in the Colorado Mountains with his parents whose life is forever changed when his mother goes missing.

SEE ALSO: 'A Long Winter' review: Fred Hechinger fronts a beautiful, unmissable queer drama

A tale patient, passionate, poignant, and a bit spooky, A Long Winter is a stirring drama about growing up. Plus, it offers a phenomenal lead performance from Fred Hechinger. Don't overlook it. — K.P.

Starring: Fred Hechinger, Caitríona Balfe, Martin Freeman, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Kit Connor, and D'Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai

How to watch: A Long Winter has not yet announced a theatrical release date.

5. Clarissa

Directors Arie Esiri and Chuko Esiri (This Is My Desire) re-team for a curious adaptation of Virginia Woolf's Mrs. Dalloway. Chuko began by transporting the novel's setting from 1920's London, England, to contemporary Lagos, Nigeria.

There, a wealthy, watchful wife named Clarissa (Sophie Okonedo) plans a party, which she hopes her submissive husband (Jude Akuwudike) won't mar. Invited are some old friends, including a former beau (David Oyelowo), and an estranged gal pal (Nikki Amuka-Bird). But their pasts come alive as the story leaps back to their youth, where passion, status, and intellect intersect with young love.

With a crackling cast, Clarissa is a promising new spin on Woolf's beloved novel. — K.P.

Starring: Sophie Okonedo, David Oyelowo, India Amarteifio, Toheeb Jimoh, Nikki Amuka-Bird, and Ayo Edebiri

How to watch: Clarissa will open in limited release on Dec. 11.

6. NAZA Credit: NYFF

Israeli documentarians Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor, who co-directed 2024's Academy Award-winning No Other Land alongside Palestinian filmmakers Basel Adra and Hamdan Ballal, return to NYFF with their new documentary NAZA. Made up of interviews with 24 anonymous Israeli military and intelligence officers, NAZA takes an unflinching look at how Israeli forces use AI and high-tech surveillance systems to target and kill Palestinians. The film draws its title from the term for the number of estimated civilian deaths in strikes. Instead of saying 15 people will die, Israeli forces say 15 NAZA.

The term NAZA is one of the many ways Abraham and Szor's striking film illustrates how the Israeli government and military dehumanize Palestinians and try to justify their killings. Often, interviewees will claim they're just cogs in a machine. Abraham and Szor refrain from showing any actual atrocities, instead forcing viewers to sit in the descriptions of killings and strikes. The result is a calmly brutal portrait of the banality of evil that should be required viewing. — Belen Edwards, Entertainment Reporter

How to watch: NAZA opens in limited theaters Sept. 30.

7. Misty Green

Chris Rock writes and directs a drama about a once-revered Black actress who is struggling to make ends meet in Hollywood. Rosalind Eleazar stars as the eponymous has-been, who's trying to keep her cool while remounting a second act and being confronted with a dehumanizing establishment that's obsessed with everything new, hot, and white. In this journey, she'll encounter lots of familiar faces, and with fire.

Rock knows comedy. Can he helm drama? We're ready to find out. — K.P.

Starring: Rosalind Eleazar, Daniel Kaluuya, Adam Driver, and Anna Kendrick

How to watch: Misty Green will open in select theaters on Oct. 9.

8. The Only Living Pickpocket in New York

You might recognize Noah Segan from his appearances in Rian Johnson movies like Knives Out, Brick, and Looper. Now, he's writer/director of The Only Living Pickpocket in New York, which stars John Turturro as an aging thief who targets the wrong mark. On a ticking clock to set things right, this thriller is being celebrated as a "love letter to New York" with another terrific turn by Turturro. — K.P.

Starring: John Turturro, Giancarlo Esposito, Will Price, and Tatiana Maslany

How to watch: The Only Living Pickpocket in New York opens in NYC and L.A. Oct. 23, before going nationwide on Oct. 30.

9. Tender Loving Care

If Widow's Bay has you craving more Kate O'Flynn, you won't want to miss Mike Leigh's latest. Tender Loving Care stars the actress as a social worker who's coping with a breakup and the realization that her beloved father is sliding into dementia. But far from a ruthless tearjerker, this is a drama alight with joy, love, and a bit of song and dance. And O'Flynn is brilliant in every bit.

SEE ALSO: 'Widow's Bay' fans, here's where to see more of Emmy winner Kate O'Flynn

Starring: Kate O'Flynn, Amanda Lawrence, Marion Bailey, and Paul Jesson

How to watch: Tender Loving Care will open in theaters on Dec. 4.

10. You Can See Everything

Comedian Nathan Fielder and filmmaker Lance Oppenheim (Primetime) team up for a documentary about infamous Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes. Following its world premiere at the Telluride Film Festival, critics have been awed and the internet has been obsessed with You Can See Everything.

Considering Fielder is known for blurring the lines of reality and performance, what will his doc about living in the same house as Holmes ahead of her incarceration offer? We're as curious as everyone else. — K.P.

Starring: Nathan Fielder, Elizabeth Holmes

How to watch: You Can See Everything will open in theaters on Oct. 16.

11. Club Kid

You might know Jordan Firstman as the self-sabotaging stylist on I Love L.A. Now, get to know him as a filmmaker.

Written and directed by and starring Firstman, Club Kid centers on a New York City club promoter whose life dramatically changes when a kid comes into his life. Club Kid has been gathering praise on the festival circuit, and seems certain to thrill audiences that are already in love with the Big Apple. Ready to party? — K.P.

Starring: Jordan Firstman, Reggie Absolom, Cara Delevingne, and Diego Calva

How to watch: Club Kid will open in theaters on Nov. 6.

12. Bucking Fastard

Werner Herzog hasn't shown a film at NYFF since 1982’s Fitzcarraldo. So fans of the offbeat auteur are practically giddy over the New York premiere of Bucking Fastard.

In this drama, written and directed by Herzog, real-life sisters Rooney Mara and Kate Mara plays sisters who speak in unison, share the same dreams, and fall in love with the same man (Orlando Bloom). Early buzz has it that this setup makes for some surreal moments and unsettling threesome scenes. — K.P.

Starring: Rooney Mara, Kate Mara, and Orlando Bloom

How to watch: Bucking Fastard's theatrical release is currently TBD.

13. Bitter Christmas

It's Pedro Almodóvar, back with a semi-autobiographical drama about a filmmaker whose search for source material proves a problem for his closest friend.

Rich with color and melodrama, Bitter Christmas weaves not one story of an artist who irks their loved ones by pulling from their lives for his work, but two! In 2004, Elsa is looking to overcome grief over her mother with a new project. In 2025, Raúl faces a similar struggle, looking to a suffering friend for inspiration. But these two have more in common than you might expect.

SEE ALSO: 'Bitter Christmas' review: Pedro Almodóvar returns with a cerebral, semi-autobiographical drama

After scoring praise out of the Cannes International Film Festival, Bitter Christmas comes to NYFF to stir emotions and discourse. — K.P.

Starring: Bárbara Lennie, Leonardo Sbaraglia, Aitana Sánchez-Gijón, Victoria Luengo, Patrick Criado, Milena Smit, and Quim Gutiérrez

How to watch: Bitter Christmas opens in limited release on Nov. 13, expanding Nov. 25.

14. The Debut

Oh, we do love a film about making theatre. Director, writer, and producer Jesse Eisenberg's A24 comedy looks to capture the sheer grit and dedication of community theatre productions and the lifeline they can be for the people who make them.

SEE ALSO: 'The Debut' review: Julianne Moore becomes an Oscar contender with Jesse Eisenberg's outrageous theater farce

In The Debut, Julianne Moore plays Mona Friedman, a wife and mother who decides to audition for a community musical in her local New Jersey theatre. What begins as a flight of fancy becomes a serious means for Mona to channel her inner rage and joy, as local legend and demanding director Jerry (Paul Giamatti) pushes her to unlock a part of herself she's long suppressed.* — Shannon Connellan, Senior Editor

Starring: Julianne Moore, Paul Giamatti, Halle Bailey, Jesse Eisenberg, Cara Buono, Craig Bierko, Eldar Isgandarov, and Bernadette Peters

How to watch: The Debut opens in theaters Dec. 11.

The love stories of Jane Austen might be set in England's Regency era of stiff gender norms and even stiffer social hierarchies, but their appeal is timeless. Austen's novels have been adapted over and over for film and television. Sometimes they are set within their traditional setting, like Ang Lee's rapturous Sense and Sensibility, Joe Wright's Pride and Prejudice, and Autumn de Wilde's Emma. Other times, they get a modern overhaul, like Bridget Jones's Diary, Fire Island, or Clueless. Still other adapters might shift the focus to a character or a fan insert, leading to inventive reimaginings like Lost in Austen and The Other Bennet Sister. 

Each incarnation allows audiences a chance to see Austen's work in a new way — but only if the filmmaker embraces such an opportunity. And so, I am at a loss when regarding director Georgia Oakley's Sense and Sensibility. 

It dedicatedly captures the plot points of Austen's 1811 novel about the penniless Dashwood sisters' search for happiness in a society obsessed with status. But the film lacks a distinct identity, leaving me to wonder why Oakley wanted to bring Elinor and Marianne back to the big screen to begin with. Her passion for the project feels as thunderous as Colonel Brandon's (Herbert Nordrum) in the film's first act. But unlike him, Oakley's passion never ignites. 

What's Sense and Sensibility about? 

Austen's novel follows the misadventures of the Dashwood family, which includes mother Mrs. Dashwood (Caitríona Balfe), and her three daughters, Elinor (Daisy Edgar-Jones), Marianne (Esmé Creed-Miles), and the youngest, Margaret (Bodhi Rae Breathnach). The death of the girls' father has thrown their lives into spin, as he left his house and wealth to a half-brother they hardly know. 

With aggressive speed, this Mr. Dashwood (a dryly funny Tom Brooke) appears on their doorstep with his greedy wife Fanny (a hilarious vicious Stacy Martin), ready to seize all that is legally theirs. 

Poverty is an obvious obstacle for the Dashwood girls in finding a good match. But good fortune seems to fall on Elinor as she falls — in her quiet way — for Fanny's brother Edward Ferrars (George MacKay). Meanwhile, Marianne is being pursued by an elder gentleman of means, the aforementioned Colonel Brandon, but she only has eyes for the galavanting John Willoughby (Frank Dillane). 

Over the course of Sense and Sensibility, the Dashwoods will move to a new — and much humbler — home, find curious new acquaintances, and travel to London in search of love, or at the very least truth. But can they find happiness?

Sense and Sensibility (2026) is charming, but not enchanting.  Credit: Courtesy of Focus Features

Arguably, Sense and Sensibility is a trickier movie adaptation than Austen's other most-revisited works, because its heroine Elinor Dashwood is less spirited and impetuous than Emma's eponymous protagonist and Pride and Prejudice's Lizzie Bennet. More than the other Austen adaptations, this one requires a balancing of the double act that is Elinor and Marianne. 

Dedicated to be proper and good above even her own happiness, Elinor is a sharp foil to her impulsive younger sister Marianne. Where Elinor meticulously strives to say the civil thing, Marianne rarely has a thought that goes unspoken. To put it simply, where the former is ruled by her head, the latter is ruled by her heart. 

Through their intertwined tales of love and heartache, Austen exposes how in the pursuit of happiness both reason and feeling — or sense and sensibility — are essential. And so, the sisters must learn from each other, however reluctantly. 

In Lee's adaptation, a young Kate Winslet brought girlish verve to Marianne, while Emma Thompson, who also penned the adapted screenplay, brought a trembling vulnerability to Elinor. In Oakley's version, the performance style overall is more restrained, rejecting the romance of Lee's interpretation. But it's hard to say what she chooses to put in place of the romance. 

Edgar-Jones delivers a performance that is so restrained that it can feel vexingly wooden. Opposite her, MacKay becomes her mirror, his eyes shining but vacant as the two could-be lovers struggle to confess their true feelings. 

Meanwhile, Creed-Miles is engaging as Marianne. But Oakley's presentation of this Austen character is less playful and more proto-goth girl. Creed-Miles excitedly chatters about passion and a wish for a lover with a "dark past," while greasy locks of hair tumble across her face and shoulders, a constant reminder of Marianne's love of nature and untamed temperament. 

It is an interesting take on the character, but it becomes one-note as Marianne's pleas for the attentions of Willoughby get angsty. Making matters worse, despite so much talk of passion, neither of Marianne's would-be suitors are beguiling. Across the board, the chemistry of these leads is inert. No dashing gentleman will rise from a pond, his white shirt clinging to his broad shoulders. There's no flexing hand to make audiences swoon. And even Sense and Sensibility's ballroom dance scenes, which are traditionally a terrific place to exude sexual tension within the socially restrained setting, are lacking in allure. 

Fiona Shaw is the MVP of Sense and Sensibility.  Credit: Alex Bailey / Courtesy of Focus Features

I was overall underwhelmed by the leads of Oakley's adaptation. But her supporting players are terrifically alive, bringing a spark that was a reprieve to such sternness. Screenwriter Diana Reid makes the most out of dinner scenes, and that's where many characters get to shine. 

As mentioned, Martin is deliciously wicked as the Dashwood's scheming, gold-digging sister-in-law. Breathnach, to her credit, is impishly amusing as the youngest sister. Playing boisterous cousin Sir John Middleton, Turlough Convery is warmly amusing, while Chloe Pirrie is cringe-inducingly funny as his socially awkward wife, who treats the weather like a hobby. Plus, Eliot Sumner is bitingly funny as Mr. Palmer, a quiet gentleman who is ever-irked by his relentlessly chatty wife. 

But make no mistake, Fiona Shaw steals scenes she's not even in as Mrs. Jennings. A widow with wealth and way too much time on her hands, Jennings is treated within the plot as a busybody who unintentionally pokes at the emotional bruises of Elinor and Marianne's flailing romances. But Shaw plays more than the silliness or obliviousness of this merry widow. She also radiates with gaudy joy. Her snuffling laughter introduces her character as it echoes through the halls of the Dashwood house, even before she shows up onscreen. 

It's brilliant casting, but beyond that, little elements like how Mrs. Jennings holds her placid pug puppy or offers a heartbroken girl a fortified wine, paint a possibility of womanhood neither Dashwood can currently imagine. Youth is such a volatile element in Austen's stories, because to be deemed an old maid could ruthlessly limit a lady's options. But being old and rich, with unquestionable status, Mrs. Jennings is offered the most freedom in Sense and Sensibility to truly do as she likes. She flaunts etiquette when it doesn't suit her, takes penniless girls on as pets for her travels, and shares her opinions loudly and fearlessly. 

To the girls, she's a reckless and nosy bother. To me, she's a Golden Girl long before her time. Whenever the Dashwoods and their wooden suitors bored me, I waited (not so patiently) for Mrs. Jennings and her quirky family members to return and make me laugh again. 

In the end, Sense and Sensibility is not a bad adaptation of Austen's work as much as it is a boring one. Oakley looks to ground her version in costuming and make-up that feels natural and true to the Regency era. She shies away from theatrical performances in her leads, perhaps seeking to create a timelessness out of a naturalistic approach. But such a tone doesn't fit the poetry of Austen's prose or dialogue. And so, the central romances feel lifeless over lived-in. 

Thus, this Sense and Sensibility is sincere and at times amusing, but shrinks in comparison to other Austen adaptations. 

Sense and Sensibility opens in the UK on Sept. 25 and in the U.S. on Oct. 16.

There's something sublime about a really good ghost story, and I'm pleased to say Never After Dark is a really good ghost story. 

From House of Ninjas' writer/director Dave Boyle comes a horror thriller that has the slow burn of '70s classics like The Shining and The Exorcist. Like those searing horror legends, Never After Dark also centers its story of supernatural infestation in one location. The forest-bound bed-and-breakfast of Never After Dark might seem an unremarkable space, much like the Overlook Hotel or the MacNeil home at first glance. But as the chilling story develops, its many-windowed exterior grows foreboding, and its wood-paneled interiors slyly sinister, suggesting the presence of something inhuman and dangerous. 

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Within this familiar setting of a remote hotel rotten with dark secrets, Boyle sets loose a strange specter whose ragged breath can be heard on the phone when he's not stalking the halls, his face hanging with gore, its bottom half nothing but a bloody absence. However, in his protagonist, Boyle offers a curious twist, blending the haunted-house archetype of the eccentric medium (Poltergeist, Insidious) with the hard-nosed detective of film noir. 

Shōgun's Moeka Hoshi stars as Airi, a nomadic clairvoyant who travels Japan making a living by communing with the dead. Each new haunted home is a mystery to be solved. Once Airi knows what the ghost wants, she performs a special ritual involving a candle to pierce the veil between the living and dead, then leads the ghost to their great beyond. But from the start, something is off about this job. A shrewdly paced mystery with mounting horror and gore, Never After Dark is sensationally spooky and devilishly entertaining. 

Never After Dark is more than what it seems. 

Deep in the woods sits a long-abandoned hotel that's haunted by an unnerving specter. When Airi pulls up in her beater of a car, she's got with her everything she possesses, meaning baggage physical, emotional, and supernatural. As she is greeted by the hotel's chipper owner Teiko (Tae Kimura) and her openly skeptical son Gunji (House of Ninjas' Kento Kaku, who is also a producer on Never After Dark), neither addresses Airi's teen sister Miku (Kurumi Inagak), who sits in the backseat of Airi's car, her head swaddled in a yellow knitted cap. That's because this girl is a ghost, seen only by Airi and only in reflections. 

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Working as a ghostbusting duo, their bond brings a levity to Never After Dark. Sure, in front of clients, Airi is professional, listening patiently to the story of a jawless ghoul creeping down the halls at midnight and noon. But when it's just Airi and her sister, there's the breezy energy of a slumber party. Theirs is an easy intimacy, spiked with playfulness as the teen pulls a poltergeist prank or Airi dances to a pop song through the haunted hotel. This subplot energizes the thriller, threading a liveliness in a tale of death, making it fun while frightening.

SEE ALSO: The best horror movies on HBO Max that'll give you nightmares

However, even with such joyful moments, Airi's suffering from mounting ennui. Her life has steadily become all about the dead. She has no home. Her best friend is her ghost sister, and it's hard to meet a potential beau when you're always off to your next seance. Even her hair reveals how this vocation is eating away at her. At a glance, she's a mild-mannered young woman in denim and sneakers who stands out only because of her asymmetrical haircut. Her black hair is long and lank on the left side, a choppy bob on the right. It is nearly chic, but noticeably a bit haphazard. Once we see the ritual, we understand. Communing with the other side demands a sacrifice of hair. So with each session, Airi surrenders a chunk of herself. In this visual clue of a messy haircut, Never After Dark asks what will happen when she's got nothing left? Perhaps no one is so aware as Airi that her time may be running out. 

Never After Dark is like an enchanting nightmare. 

Boyle rejects the temptation for jump scares, even when the opportunity for them is obvious. The antagonist ghost may appear abruptly, but never in a frantic attempt to frighten. He silently strides into rooms, or stands quiet in a corner staring hard, or clawing at a wall panel as if scratching for a secret door. These scenes of shrewd practical effects are all chilling because Boyle often frames them in wide shots, creating the sense that this is the ghost in its organic habitat. Dread blooms in this deceptively simple staging, because of how matter-of-fact the ghoul is placed in these spaces. It's Airi who is the outsider, not him. There's the sense that there's no escape from his menace. 

Bolstering the suspense, Boyle brews a soundtrack of plunking piano keys, whistling flutes, and a shuffling percussion that sounds like footsteps on stairs. A cool color palette leans into the eeriness, a constant reminder of flesh paled by decay.

Boyle fills his film with eerie elements that create an electric atmosphere, rich with paranormal possibilities. In this setting, Airi is the eye of the storm, surrounded by the big energies of the cheerful hotelier, a moody teen ghost, and a malicious spirit. She is our conduit to understanding them all, exuding patience, persistence, and pain. Yet as this mystery gets gnarlier, Hoshi capably plays frightened without losing Airi's edge. She is like the gumshoe, rattled but relentless in her mission to uncover the truth and do whatever good she can from there. 

This quest leads to a winding climax full of twists and violence, because this medium is no fragile flower. She'll fight with the same passion she brings to dancing, and the result is suffocatingly tense and satisfying. 

In the end, Never After Dark is a beguiling haunted house tale with tantalizing twists, skin-crawling scares, and a tender tale of sisterhood at its core. Horror lovers should be on the lookout for this one.

Never After Dark is now playing in theaters.

UPDATE: Sep. 21, 2026, 4:51 p.m. Never After Dark was reviewed out the 2026 SXSW Film Festival. The review has been republished for its theatrical release.

Grief can be weird and funny sometimes. For example, when I turned up to my grandmother's funeral years ago, I didn't wear a black dress, because I didn't own one.

I was going through a phase where I was avoiding black in anything, save for one pencil skirt that had a white print of octopus tentacles climbing up the side. So, I wore that skirt with a white top. When my cousin saw me, she took in my outfit head to toe, then smiled tightly at me, as if she were biting her tongue. She was dressed all in black formalwear. I self-consciously explained why I was wearing such non-traditional attire, and she replied, "Gram would have said, 'Well, that sure is something."

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I laughed. Then she laughed, and then we cried and hugged. My Gram's back-handed compliments were deeply woven into our family tapestry. Imagining what she might say if she'd been there was a spark of joy we both needed, even if it came with a bit of a sting. But there was something healing imagining it all the same.

I thought of this moment while watching Ha-Chan, Shake Your Booty! Co-written by Nicholas Huynh and Josef Kubota Wladyka, and helmed by the latter, this movie walks the line of comedy and drama, aptly reflecting how grief can bring tears and sparks of odd laughter, sometimes at the same time. And what a wonderful something to bring to cinemas!

What is Ha-Chan, Shake Your Booty! about?

Pacific Rim's Rinko Kikuchi stars as Haru, a Japanese woman who loves to dance. She and her adoring Mexican husband, Luis (Alejandro Edda) share this love, competing in the Amateur Latin Senior in Tokyo, where they live. Together, they cha-cha happily, though not masterfully. And Wladyka captures Haru's bliss in this experience by showing us how she imagines them floating together, gracefully ascending from the dance floor as if they could cha-cha-cha all the way to heaven.

But then, Luis falls back slowly but relentlessly. His hand leaves her grip. His body hits the floor. His heart seizes in its final beats. The inciting incident is Luis' death, leaving Haru alone and unable to reconnect to her life or love of dance without him. That is, until her sensible sister Yuki (Yoh Yoshida) and chaotic cousin Hiromi (YOU) show up, lovingly bullying "Ha-Chan" (as she's endearingly nicknamed) to get back in the groove.

Ha-Chan, Shake Your Booty! is a love story.

It's Hiromi who delivers the title line, urging Haru to join her family at a dance class taught by a beguiling instructor named Fedir (Alberto Guerra). No sooner does Haru see this fleet-footed dancer than we're once more whisked into her romantic imagination, where she envisions him taking her into his arms for a sexy spin around the floor.

More fantasies will follow, as will some well-intentioned lies. When Haru learns through the rumor mill that Fedir is in an open marriage, she decides to pursue him. But rather than confessing her loss and heartache over Luis, she says she, too, is in an open marriage.

Much like my cousin and I once did, Haru imagines how her lost loved one might respond to her actions posthumously. And Ha-Chan, Shake Your Booty! follows her imagination by allowing Luis to come back, in a sense. She sees him return to their home, wearing a kawaii costume of a crow. He bops about, an adorable yet bittersweet reminder of her husband. But later, as she gets closer to Fedir, she dreams of them meeting each other, discussing Luis' record collection over a glass of whiskey. In this fantasy, there's no jealously, only mutual appreciation, as both look lovingly to Haru. Then, in a move that will thrill the Heated Rivalry crowd, a MLM kiss will come, much to Haru's pleasure. And while a kinky delight, this scene also gently illustrates that Haru is not looking to replace her husband, but is seeking to understand how to move on.

SEE ALSO: Why is the sex in 'Heated Rivalry' so hot?

Of course, grief is a wild thing. So, not all of Ha-Chan, Shake Your Booty! is spicy fantasy or spirited musical numbers. (Though there is a detour through a Japanese stage production of Dirty Dancing that's pretty dang delightful.) As Haru begins to catch feelings for Fedir, things get messy. Her decisions go from bad to bonkers. Yet while she becomes a fool for love, the filmmakers' delicate care for her characterization and Kikuchi's compelling performance prevent us from judging her. Instead, perhaps in her outrageous journey in coping with grief, we may see ourselves. For who among us hasn't gotten bizarre in their mourning?

Ha-Chan, Shake Your Booty! is a feel-good movie and a tearjerker.

Props to Wladyka. Ha-Chan, Shake Your Booty! refuses to be simply a comedy or a drama. Its story feels firmly situated in the latter camp, as the film at its core is about a widower struggling to find a reason to live. However, Haru is a heroine full of passion and quirks. Her movie, therefore, reflects that, never losing touch with her joy or silliness, even when things turn tragic. For instance, when jealousy spurs her to lash out at Fedir's wife, the resulting domino effect involves a bit of home invasion with perhaps the most comical conclusions imaginable.

Elsewhere, this chaotic collision of pain and joy takes the shape of Haru hanging out with her supportive sisterhood. You is a particularly lively addition to the cast, bringing plenty of moxie and physical comedy that play as a terrific foil to Kikuchi's performance, which carries an ingenue's sweetness with a hint of mature heartache. But Guerra also deserves props, ably shifting from the romantic ideal Haru imagines to the messier man Fedir really is. All of these performances tangle into a charming choreography, both literal and metaphorical, making for a movie that is a true crowd-pleaser, while reflecting some tricky truths about life and death.

You'll laugh. You'll cringe. You'll cry. And I suspect you'll love Ha-Chan, Shake Your Booty!

Ha-Chan, Shake Your Booty! was reviewed out of the Toronto International Film Festival. The movie will open in theaters on Sept. 25

What do you do when the big plans you made fall to pieces? This is both the question faced by the antihero at the heart of Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother, and the men who made it.

Written and directed by Bassam Tariq, Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother stars two-time Academy Award winner Mahershala Ali as Latif, a Muslim family man and hit man on a mission. Dedicated to protecting his community, Latif wields a sword in their defense. But when his wife dies unexpectedly, he drops everything (including properly disposing of a recently slain body) to care for their three children.

On a less dramatic level, one might imagine Tariq and Ali relate. The two met while in development on the MCU's Blade movie. But once they realized it wasn't coming together, Tariq approached Ali with his original script for Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother.

Here, in the story of a hit man having to question his choices while using violence to defend his loved ones, Ali finds a place to put the muscle he built prepping for Blade to use. But beyond that, he brings to life a complex character who adds to the rich tapestry of the American antihero.

Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother is a family drama, and a gangster drama, and an action movie. Credit: Orion / Amazon MGM Studios

Tariq begins his film with a compelling collision of sight and sound. Onscreen, Ali bursts into frame, bringing down a skinhead in an empty public bathroom. The violence is efficient, communicating this is not the first time Latif has taken on such a task.

Over this scene, audio plays, explaining the title, which comes from the Quran. An unseen girl reads a passage about how the Prophet was asked who to honor after Allah, and three times, the prophet said, "Your mother," before he said, "Your father."

SEE ALSO: 'Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother' trailer: Mahershala Ali leaps into action

Even before the phone call comes to announce how his world has changed — even if you aren't familiar with the Quran quotation — you understand Latif is ill-equipped to replace the void his wife's death leaves. Soon, we see how, as he struggles to speak to his teen daughter (a marvelous Adia) about her burgeoning sexuality, and to find a source for what his infant needs most: mother's milk.

While struggling to cope with his grief and the overwhelm of single parenting, Latif desperately tries to exit his violent vocation. But as every gangster movie makes clear, it's not an easy thing to walk away from being a hit man. The one last job demanded of his handler won't be ignored. So, as he seeks breast milk to feed his child, he must also face off against hired guns, and a Christian cult leader (John Cho) on a violent crusade.

Tariq's plot line seamlessly blends elements of a gangster drama with exhilaratingly intense action sequences and a tender father-daughter drama that is absolutely breathtaking. Like Sinners, Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother moves smoothly, weaving together genre elements with character development in a richly realized world to create a film that is familiar yet scorchingly unique.

Under Tariq's direction, there is not only poignant dialogue or a surprising story. It's a film alive with tiny but crucial visual details. It's in the blade by Latif's side, or the saucy video his daughter sneaks on her laptop through stolen WiFi, and in the platinum grill that Cho sports on his teeth, glistening not only in precious metals but also diamonds forming a cross on each tooth. Each is evocative, urging the audience to think deeper about who each figure is — even as they rush to escape, fight, or rescue each other. Each element is an invitation to make the movie our own by how we choose to translate them.

Mahershala Ali is absolutely riveting in Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother. Credit: Orion / Amazon MGM Studios

When Ali revealed his Blade movie with the MCU seems dead, fans online grieved publicly. But from the ashes of Marvel's fumble comes an action hero that is all Ali's own, with one of the best performances of his career.

Brandishing blades and his muscle-bound arms, Ali tears into fight scenes with a focus that is exhilarating on its own. But Tariq enhances the stakes by putting Latif's children in immediate peril. It's not enough for Latif to rip through a flood of Christian militants, armed to the teeth with guns. He must do it while keeping an eye on his defenseless baby. And if that means putting lubricant and broken glass on leather gloves as an impromptu weapon, that's what it means. (And it's awesome.)

The resounding presence that Ali has brought to Moonlight, Green Book, and Luke Cage is radiant here. In moments of battle, he is quiet, his body primed to spring into action like a snake leaping from a coiled posture. There's moments where it seems Latif is most comfortable in warrior mode, where he can rely on his body and might. In scenes where he must cajole or convince, he's stiffer, clearly uncomfortable in being in a position of needing help.

In these scene's, Ali's stiffness reverberates with a tension born from Latif's fear that he is not enough. How can he compare to his wife when it comes to caring for their children? His fear of failing them drives every moment, major and seemingly mundane. But Ali makes sure no moment feels mundane.

Credit: Orion / Amazon MGM Studios

A scene of prayer at the mosque where he holds his hungry infant daughter as he silently cries becomes a moment of silent and stillness that reflects Tariq's keen understanding of great filmmaking. He pulls from Eastern masters like Akira Kurosawa and Hayao Miyazaki, creating a moment of ma — a quiet space to allow the audience to see what the world is like before violence shatters its peace. Except, in this moment it's not a soft rain falling, it's a man whose faith is shattered by loss, crying by himself as he's surrounded by his community. In this moment, Latif cannot keep up the façade that he is okay. And his eldest daughter is the one who sees this. (I can sense the elder daughters out there nodding in recognition.)

Make no mistake. The action in Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother is electrifying, sparked with stakes, grit, and style. This is thanks in no small part to Ali's athleticism in the role, and Tariq's embrace of saturated colors, painting everything from mosques to strip clubs to a tacky mansion in vivid hues of red, gold, blue, and greens. But the heart of Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother is the relationship between Latif and his eldest daughter, who, on the brink of womanhood, sees him, flaws and all.

With her mom gone, she steps up as a second parent in the house, which brings tension and guilt to Latif's dealings with her. They also share a disillusionment with Islam, largely because of the cruelty of their lost mother. Latif certainly sees himself in her, and this weighs on him too. But it's not all heavy emotions.

Tariq and Ali smartly weave in not just levity, but the goofy intimacy that breathes in the bonds of father and daughter. A sendoff scene might have been too maudlin or earnest were it not for the pair sharing a laugh over a perfectly executed dad joke. Again, the moment of ma, as Latif sets off for the climactic battle, and Tariq takes the time to remind us exactly what is being fought for.

Adia is a superb scene partner, not only to Ali, whose intense glare she matches, but also in scenes shared with young Jahleel Kamara, her onscreen little brother. She gives her sister depth by showing her as both patient and caring and annoyed. In scenes with her Mormon crush, she shrinks in shyness. And these shades make her boldness in communication with her dad reflect not only their shared fire, but also the closeness of their bond.

Credit: Orion / Amazon MGM Studios

Then there's John Cho, who brings a fresh menace as the cult leader. Rather than delivering a big, brash performance, Cho's performance is more nuanced. He lets the sparkling grill and flashy cowboy attire — bedecked with Christian iconography — speak loud, so he can speak in a deceitfully folksy whisper. It's enchanting and alarming, because it's easy to imagine being sucked into the easy warmth in his tone. But the things he's saying with a smile are downright scary. His showdown with Latif is inevitable, and as it gets closer, the tension will catch the breath in your throat. And it won't be the last time.

Because of how Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother came about, some might write it off as the "not-Blade Blade movie." But that's their mistake.

Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother is a blisteringly original and absolutely gorgeous film. Tariq shows a comprehensive understanding of what draws Americans to not only action movies but also antihero/crime dramas. He delivers spectacles of violence, but grounds them in gripping, human stakes. Then, through that, he weaves a magnificent character-driven thread that is accentuated by color, details, and an extraordinary cast. Simply put, Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother is a stunner, and easily one of my favorite films of 2026.

Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother was reviewed out its World Premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival. The movie opens in select theaters on Sept. 25. and everywhere in October.

There's always a level of anxiety when you register with a new dating site. Especially if you're paying for subscription features on a spicier dating platform such as AdultFriendFinder. In that case, the anxiety is usually around the digital paper trail — one that could be pretty embarrassing if it involves sex, kinks, and hookups. After all, we all tend to keep that kind of thing behind closed doors and away from prying eyes. It's a personal business, and everyone deserves privacy when it comes to online fun.

There are lots of reasons to feel cagey about the digital paper trail. For starters, you could be married or in a relationship. Or perhaps you and your ex haven’t got round to dividing your financial lives yet — it's always an awkward situation. Maybe you just don’t like the idea of your bank teller or financial adviser knowing what you get up to online, which is totally fair enough. Ultimately, it’s your prerogative — and it's your right to keep online activities on the down-low.

It's perfectly natural to worry about what your dating app subscription will look like on your bank statement when that subscription service contains loaded words such as “adult” — folks can get more than a bit judgmental and conservative about it.

Opens in a new window Credit: AdultFriendFinder AdultFriendFinder   Learn More

Thankfully, AdultFriendFinder has anticipated this exact issue. So, if you do decide to upgrade from a free membership to a paid one — whether you opt for their Gold or VIP subscription tiers, both of which have their own features and benefits — your monthly billing statement will only show up as FFNHelp.com*FRIENDF.

It's a relatively cryptic and innocuous name that won’t arouse undue suspicion or unfair judgment (not that you should have to worry about that anyway — what you get up on consenting dating sites is your business). Hopefully, that should put your mind at rest.

However, be aware that AdultFriendFinder subscriptions default to “auto-renew,” so if you purchase a membership and want to cancel, you’ll need to go to your settings and disable auto-renew. Otherwise, that vague FFNHelp.com*FRIENDF will keep popping up on your statement month after month — and you'll also be paying month after month, of course.

But what if even that isn’t good enough for you?

SEE ALSO: The best sexting apps for discreet and NSFW chats

If you’re super cautious — or super paranoid — you can actually bypass bank statements entirely by paying with a gift card or cash, check, or money order (available only to users in the U.S.). You can even use an e-wallet option like AirTM. Residents of the UK can opt to pay by SMS. AFF really has thought of everything with this particular issue.

If avoiding a digital paper trail is your top priority and privacy is paramount, you’re much better off using these payment options and not handing over your credit card details in the first place. Whatever you choose, AFF is safeguarding your anonymity.

The best early October Prime Day deals on power stations: Best Jackery deal Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 $499 (save $60) Get Deal Best Ecoflow deal Ecoflow Delta 3 Classic with 220W Solar Panel $699 (save $400) Get Deal Best Bluetti deal Bluetti Elite 100 V2 $499 (save $400) Get Deal Best Anker deal Anker Solix C1000 $449.98 (save $150.01) Get Deal Best camping deal Jackery Explorer 1500 Ultra $1,079 (save $120) Get Deal Best refrigerator backup deal Anker Solix S2000 $699.99 (save $499.01) Get Deal

Portable power stations are useful for everything from camping trips to keeping your gadgets running when you're away from a plug socket. They come in a wide range of prices and styles, with some reaching the thousands of dollars. They're not exactly the kind of thing you look to buy every week. But when they're on sale, a discount can make a purchase much easier to justify.

SEE ALSO: 20+ of the best early October Prime Day deals: We found live deals on Apple, Nintendo, and Garmin

Now that we're rolling into fall and winter storm season, it's an ideal time to snag a model that's on sale. Plenty of models will be excellent for serving as backup power for your refrigerator. Other models that are on sale are perfect for fall camping.

With Prime Big Deal Days coming up on October 6-7, Amazon has already started cutting prices on some popular power stations, so now is a great time to pick one up at a lower-than-usual price. Below, we've rounded up the best early deals worth checking out.

Best Jackery deal Opens in a new window Credit: Jackery Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 $499 at Amazon
$559 Save $60   Get Deal Why we like it

The Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 is a compact portable power station with a 1,070Wh capacity and 1,500W output, making it suitable for powering devices such as fridges, electric pots, and other appliances. It can also go from empty to fully charged in an hour with emergency charging switched on, and the LFP battery is designed to retain more than 70% of its capacity after 4,000 charge cycles. Plus, it weighs under 24 pounds, so it's easy to carry around the house or the campground.

If you don't love the traditional black and orange look of Jackery portable power stations, the Explorer 1000 v2 comes in a modern cream color called dune white. That version is also on sale for $499 ahead of Prime Day, marked down from its list price of $589.

More Jackery deals

• Jackery Explorer 300 — $258 $289 (save $30)

• Jackery HomePower 1000 v2 — $549 $649 (save $100)

• Jackery Solar Generator 1000 v2 and 200W Solar Panel — $699 $879 (save $180)

• Jackery Explorer 2000 v2 — $898.99 $999 (save $100.01)

• Jackery HomePower 3000 — $1,349 $1,499 (save $150)

• Jackery HomePower 3600 Plus — $1,709 $1,899 (save $190)

Best Ecoflow deal Opens in a new window Credit: Ecoflow Ecoflow Delta 3 Classic with 220W Solar Panel $699 at Amazon
$1,099 Save $400   Get Deal Why we like it

The EcoFlow Delta 3 Classic has a 1,800W output and can handle even big appliances like fridges. It has X-Boost providing up to 2,600W for higher-power devices, and can charge to 80% in 45 minutes via AC. This deal includes a 220W solar panel, which can help it recharge in around 5.8 hours with full sun.

More Ecoflow deals

• Ecoflow Delta 3 Plus — $654 $899 (save $245)

• Ecoflow Delta 2 Max — $1,029 $1,399 (save $370)

Best Bluetti deal Opens in a new window Credit: Bluetti Bluetti Elite 100 V2 $499 at Amazon
$899 Save $400   Get Deal Why we like it

Ahead of Prime Day, this Bluetti power unit has $400 off the list price. It comes with a 1,024Wh capacity and 1,800W output, with 11 ports so you can charge multiple devices at once. It can also fully recharge in about 70 minutes with TurboBoost AC charging, making it a great option for last-minute use.

The 10 millisecond UPS (uninterrupted power supply) means this is a great model for plugging into your workstation or the WiFi router at home when a storm is threatening to take out grid power. A 10 UPS means the Ecoflow will take over providing power within 10 milliseconds of losing wall power.

More Bluetti deals

• Bluetti Elite 30 V2 — $279.99 $449 (save $169.01)

• Bluetti Elite 100 V2 with 200W Solar Panel — $698.98 $999 (save $300.02)

• Bluetti Elite 200 V2 — $899 $1,199 (save $300)

• Bluetti Elite 300 — $1,098.99 $1,499 (save $400.01)

• Bluetti FridgePower — $898.97 $1,499 (save $600.03)

Best Anker deal Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Anker Solix C1000 $449.98 at Amazon
$599.99 Save $150.01   Get Deal Why we like it

This unit has a 1,056Wh capacity and 2,400W output, with 11 ports for powering multiple devices and appliances. It can reach 80% charge in 43 minutes with UltraFast charging enabled through the Anker app. It's built a LiFePO4 battery, so it's designed to last a long time, up to 10 years, which is around 3,000 battery cycles.

More Anker deals

• Anker Solix C1000 Gen 2 — $499.99 $599 (save $99.01)

• Anker Solix S2000 — $699.99 $1,199 (save $499.01)

• Anker Solix F3800 — $2,499.98 $2,799.99 (save $300.01)

Best camping deal Opens in a new window Credit: Jackery Jackery Explorer 1500 Ultra $1,079 at Amazon
$1,199 Save $120   Get Deal Why we like it

If you plan on heading out for fall camping, you might run into some rain or dewy mornings. The Jackery Explorer 1500 Ultra isn't afraid of getting wet, so it's perfect for all-season camping. It carries an IP65 rating, which means it's both water- and dust-proof. Jackery also tested this model for drops, and it'll be just fine when it takes a tumble of about three feet or less.

Important stats include a 1,536Wh battery capacity, a metal cooling base, and protective covers for all ports.

Best refrigerator backup deal Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Solix Anker Solix S2000 $699.99 at Amazon
$1,199 Save $499.01   Get Deal Why we like it

When the power goes out at home, a major worry is keeping food from going bad. Now that grocery prices have gone wild, the thought of having to toss it all out is worrying. Instead, plug the fridge into the Anker Solix S2000, which packs a massive 2,010Wh of battery capacity. Anker says this can keep a standard refrigerator on for up to 35 hours. Keep in mind that the exact number will depend on factors such as your fridge's capacity, the kitchen's ambient temperature, and how full the refrigerator is.

The Anker Solix S2000 has AC ports on both the front and the back of the station, so you can plug the fridge into the back and keep the front ports open for other kitchen appliances like the coffee maker.

The new iPhone Duo has me thinking about what I would want to see in a new Kindle e-reader. It took years, but we finally got a foldable iPhone. So what's the ultimate feature I'd want to see in a Kindle? There are quite a few. While Apple drops new iPhones every year, Amazon takes its time — we don't know when Amazon will drop a new batch of Kindles.

The last time we got a fully revamped lineup of Kindles was 2024, so we're two years into this batch of devices. Since then, Amazon has launched a color e-reader and a redesigned Scribe. I'd say it's about time the basic Kindle or Kindle Paperwhite got a revamp.

Whether it's adding new features to a Kindle e-reader or bringing back an older model, these are the features I'd like to see in a new Kindle.

Page-turning buttons Will Amazon bring back page-turning buttons to its e-readers? We hope so. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

I feel confident that BookTok and I would want to see one feature brought back to Kindles: page-turning buttons. The last Kindle e-reader to have buttons was the Kindle Oasis, which was unfortunately discontinued in 2024. When the Oasis was discontinued, Amazon told The Verge that it has no plans to make devices with buttons moving forward. But that doesn't mean the public isn't still hungry for page-turning buttons.

I've spent plenty of time in Reddit threads of users lamenting the loss of old Kindle models with buttons. Plus, the Kobo Libra Colour, one of the few e-readers with buttons, is extremely popular. BookTok also has the Boox Go 7 on the come-up with its open Android system and page-turning buttons.

Although it's unlikely, Amazon would make a lot of people happy by bringing back the Oasis or adding page-turning buttons to the Paperwhite.

Kindle remote Kobo already has a remote for its e-readers; will Amazon join them? Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

Last year, Kobo got a leg up on Kindle by launching a remote. The Kobo Remote connects to Kobo e-readers via Bluetooth and turns pages forward and back. While Amazon has yet to launch its own remote for Kindle e-readers (the Kobo remote is not compatible with Kindles), there are plenty of page-turning remotes being sold on Amazon. But the downside is that they require a clip-on piece that taps the screen for you. If Amazon finally launches a Bluetooth remote for its Kindle e-readers, I personally will be first in line to buy one.

Moving the power button

I think Kindles are nearly perfect e-readers, but I have one major pet peeve: the placement of the power button. The power button is on the bottom of the device, which makes it too easy to accidentally press, especially if you read it propped up. When I bring my Kindle to the gym to read on a treadmill or elliptical, the power button can easily get bumped and turned off.

If I could make one small request to Amazon, please move the power button to the top or the side of the Kindle.

A smaller model with handwriting capabilities

Amazon has the Kindle Scribe, its largest e-reader, which also has handwriting capabilities. It's great, but more notebook-sized than book-sized. Lots of competitors like Kobo and Boox have 7-inch e-readers with handwriting capabilities, and I'm curious to see if Amazon would launch one of its own, whether that's a smaller Kindle Scribe or handwriting support to the Kindle Paperwhite.

Tiny Kindle Xteink X4 e-readers are all the rage so could Amazon make its own tiny e-reader? Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

People are going wild for tiny e-readers, and I wouldn't be surprised if Amazon jumped on the trend and made a small e-reader of its own. It's not a crowded market as Xteink is really the only brand making tiny e-readers, although the Boox Picco is reportedly coming soon. However, Xteink e-readers can't access your Kindle library, so Amazon could meet demand by delivering a mini e-reader with access to Kindle books.

Open Android Kindle Boox e-readers have access to the Google Play Store, but we're not sure if Amazon would offer the same on its Kindle e-readers. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

While I don't think it will happen, Kindle could go out on a major limb and create an e-reader with an open Android system. This would be like Boox's e-readers, which run on Android and have access to the Google Play Store. That would mean a Kindle that allows you to download any reading (or non-reading) app you want. However, this is the least likely possibility as Amazon's Fire tablets don't even have access to the Google Play Store.

TL;DR: Sign up for a 7-day free trial of Apple TV+ through Prime Video Channels to watch select F1 races for free. Watch the Azerbaijan GP for free with the Prime Video app.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Apple TV Prime Video Channel Watch the Azerbaijan GP for free with a 7-day trial Shop Now

Kimi Antonelli tops the F1 standings coming into an electric weekend of action in Azerbaijan. The talented Italian secured a dramatic victory in the Spanish GP, extending his lead over teammate George Russell.

McLaren continues to show pace after the last round of updates, but Norris now has a mountain to climb. The defending champion is over 100 points behind Antonelli, a margin that's probably too great. Still, Norris will be aiming to cut the deficit at the Baku City Circuit.

SEE ALSO: ExpressVPN review: A stylish VPN service with proven privacy and a large U.S. presence

If you want to watch F1 2026 for free from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

When is the Azerbaijan GP?

The Azerbaijan GP is the 15th race of the 2026 F1 season. Here's the full schedule from the Baku City Circuit:

• Practice 1 — 4:30-5:30 a.m. ET on Sept. 24

• Practice 2 — 8-9 a.m. ET on Sept. 24

• Practice 3 — 4:30-5:30 a.m. ET on Sept. 25

• Qualifying — 8-9 a.m. ET on Sept. 25

• Race — 7 a.m. ET on Sept. 26

Fans can follow all the action from this race weekend without spending anything.

How to watch the Azerbaijan GP for free

Amazon Prime delivers fast shipping, Prime Day discounts, and access to the Prime Video library.

For F1 fans in the U.S., Prime Video is absolutely key this season. Apple TV holds exclusive U.S. broadcasting rights for F1, and you can sign up for a seven-day free trial of Apple TV directly through Prime Video Channels.

That trial gives you access to select races for free, including this weekend's Azerbaijan Grand Prix. The subscription rolls over to $12.99 per month after the seven-day trial, but you can disable the automatic renewal and still stream the entire race weekend for free.

Of course, if you're already paying for Amazon Prime, calling it "completely free" is questionable. But if you don't have an active membership, Amazon offers a 30-day free trial for new users. Stacking that Prime trial with the seven-day Apple TV channel trial means you're truly spending nothing to stream this weekend's race.

If you've already made use of this method, you still have a few workarounds:

• Apple TV: New standalone subscribers qualify for a direct seven-day free trial through Apple's app.

• Apple One: If you want more than just streaming, the Apple One tier packages Apple TV alongside Apple Music, Apple Arcade, Apple Fitness+, Apple News+, and 50GB of iCloud storage — and it comes with a full one-month free trial ($19.95 per month after the promotional period).

• Apple: The most generous Apple TV offer is tied to new hardware purchases. Buying an eligible iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple TV grants new subscribers three months of free service. You obviously have to spend money on hardware, but if you were already planning an upgrade, it effectively unlocks a massive chunk of the F1 season for free.

TL;DR: Watch Australia vs. Brazil in an International Friendly for free on Network 10. Access this free livestream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The footballing world is largely focused on the Nations League this week, but there are some really interesting friendly fixtures on the schedule. That includes Australia vs. Brazil, a potentially tricky matchup for the visitors.

Carlo Ancelotti's team will be looking to bounce back after a disappointing World Cup exit at the hands of Norway.

If you're interested in watching Australia vs. Brazil in an International Friendly from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

When is Australia vs. Brazil?

Australia vs. Brazil in an International Friendly kicks off at 6 a.m. ET on Sept. 25. This fixture takes place at the Queensland Country Bank Stadium.

How to watch Australia vs. Brazil for free

Australia vs. Brazil in an International Friendly is available to live stream for free on Network 10.

Network 10 is geo-restricted to Australia, but anyone can secure access with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Australia, meaning you can live stream Australia vs. Brazil for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Australia vs. Brazil for free by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (we recommend ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice

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

4. Visit Network 10

5. Watch Australia vs. Brazil for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.99 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer generous money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Australia vs. Brazil without committing your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream this fixture before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for Network 10?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on Network 10, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries, including Australia

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and usually offers a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99.

Live stream Australia vs. Brazil for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Do you feel that chill in the air? Fall is here, which means so is the holiday shopping season. To kick things off, Amazon is bringing back Prime Big Deal Days.

Running Oct. 6 and 7, the event is essentially Amazon's way of kicking off holiday shopping before Black Friday. We're gearing up for the event and hunting deals on all the top brands, including Apple.

We're on the hunt for Apple Watch deals and have been admittedly a little disappointed. We've found one great deal on an Apple Watch, but otherwise, there's not much to shop. So if you're eager to buy an Apple Watch, here's the best early Prime Day deal. But otherwise, we recommend holding out until more Prime Big Deal Days savings go live.

Best Apple Watch Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Watch SE 3 (GPS, 44mm) $249 at Amazon
$279 Save $30   Get Deal Why we like it

If you're looking for an Apple Watch, the only early Prime Day deal we found is on the Apple Watch SE 3. Usually $279, the smartwatch is now $249, saving you $30 off. That's just $20 off its lowest-ever price.

The Apple Watch SE 3 is the most affordable smartwatch from the tech giant, but it still has all the essential features. It's an advanced health tracker on your wrist that provides real-time metrics. Plus, it has safety in mind as it can detect hard falls and even car crashes, and then alert emergency services.

The Apple Watch SE 3 is the best Apple Watch deal to shop right now, but if you're curious about other smartwatch savings, we rounded up deals from other brands.

More smartwatch deals

• CMF by Nothing Watch 3 Pro — $69 $79 (save $10)

• Google Fitbit Versa 4 — $159.95 $199.95 (save $40)

• Garmin Vivoactive 5, 42mm — $181.97 $299.99 (save $118.02)

• Samsung Galaxy Watch 7, 40mm — $185 $249.99 (save $64.99)

• Garmin Forerunner 165, 43mm — $199.99 $249.99 (save $50)

• Garmin Instinct Crossover Solar, 45mm — $259.95 $449.99 (save $190.04)

• Samsung Galaxy Watch 8, 40mm — $259.99 $299.99 (save $40)

• Garmin Venu 3, 45mm — $367.81 $449.99 (save $82.18)

• Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic, 46mm — $419 $499.99 (save $80.99)

• Garmin Quatix 7X Solar Edition Marine — $549.95 $629.95 (save $60)

I would've never guessed that a movie based on a viral YouTube found-footage series based on an unsettling old 4chan post would become the highest-grossing film in A24's history, but here we are. Backrooms took the box office by storm this summer, earning over $350 million worldwide on a $10 million budget.

The best ways to watch 'Backrooms' at home, at a glance: Watch now Buy or rent 'Backrooms' on Prime Video $19.99 or $7.99 Shop Now Watch now Buy or rent 'Backrooms' on Apple TV $19.99 or $7.99 Get Deal Watch now Buy or rent 'Backrooms' on Fandango at Home $19.99 or $7.99 Get Deal Watch as of Sept. 25 HBO Max (With Ads) $109.99/year (save $21.89) Get Deal Watch as of Sept. 25 HBO Max Standard $184.99/year (save $36.89) Get Deal Watch as of Sept. 25 HBO Max Student $5.49 per month for 12 months (save 50%) Get Deal Watch as of Sept. 25 HBO Max Basic With Ads Free for Cricket customers on the $60/month unlimited plan (save $10.99/month) Get Deal Watch as of Sept. 25 Disney+, Hulu, and HBO Max bundle $19.99 per month (with ads), $32.99 per month (no ads) (save up to 42%) Get Deal Watch as of Sept. 25 Netflix and HBO Max bundle (with ads) $10/month with Verizon myPlan (save $9.98/month) Get Deal Watch as of Sept. 25 Netflix, Peacock, and HBO Max (with ads) $22/month with Xfinity StreamSaver (save $8.97/month) Get Deal

Directed by 21-year-old rising filmmaker Kane Parsons, Backrooms stars Chiwetel Ejiofor, Renate Reinsve, Mark Duplass, Finn Bennett, and Lukita Maxwell.

"Parsons has managed to prove himself as an incredibly talented emerging filmmaker while also establishing the first chapter in what will surely end up becoming a brand new horror franchise," Mashable's reviewer writes.

If you're intrigued by the liminal space internet lore and have yet to check out Backrooms, or if you can't wait to watch it again, it's now heading to streaming. Here's a breakdown of everything you need to know to watch it comfortably from your couch.

What is Backrooms about?

Set in the '90s in Santa Clara Valley, California, Backrooms follows aspiring architect turned furniture shop owner Clark (Ejiofor), who has been staying in the shop temporarily after his recent separation. One night, he discovers a hidden doorway in the basement of the store, leading to the titular Backrooms — an endless stretch of eerie liminal space. Naturally, he enters the portal and starts exploring.

Check out the official trailer for a taste of the Backrooms:

How to watch Backrooms at home Credit: A24

As of Sept. 25, you have several different options for watching Backrooms at home. You can either buy it or rent it via digital-on-demand retailers or stream it. We've broken down the details below.

Buy or rent on digital

Backrooms made its at-home debut via digital-on-demand retailers on July 14, 2026. While it originally cost $24.99 to buy and $19.99 to rent, those prices have now dropped to just $19.99 and $7.99, respectively. Note: If you choose the rental option, you'll get access for 30 days, but only 48 hours once you start watching.

Quick links to buy/rent Backrooms on digital:

• Apple TV —  buy for $19.99, rent for $7.99

• Fandango at Home — buy for $19.99, rent for $7.99

• Prime Video —  buy for $19.99, rent for $7.99

Stream it on HBO Max

A24 renewed its output deal with Warner Bros. Discovery, which means new A24 theatrical releases will continue to stream on HBO Max before anywhere else. Following the same theater-to-streaming schedule as other recently released A24 movies (Marty Supreme, The Drama, and Bring Her Back), we originally made an educated guess that Backrooms would make its streaming debut on HBO Max in late September — just in time for spooky season. We're happy to announce that prediction was right on track. Backrooms is streaming on HBO Max as of Sept. 25, 2026.

HBO Max subscriptions start at $10.99 per month. However, there are some ways you can save money on your plan. Check out the best HBO Max streaming deals below.

SEE ALSO: HBO Max and Paramount+ are combining into one streaming service The best HBO Max streaming dealsBest for most people: Save 16% on HBO Max annual subscriptions Opens in a new window Credit: HBO Max HBO Max Basic with ads annual subscription $109.99 per year (save $21.89) Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: HBO Max HBO Max Standard annual subscription $184.99 per year (save $36.89) Get Deal

The best way to save money on HBO Max on any given day is with the annual plan. Yes, it costs more up front, but you'll save about 16% over the course of a year — up to $45.89 in savings.

A monthly plan with ads typically costs $10.99 per month, but a full year costs $109.99, which breaks down the monthly cost to only $9.17. Want to go ad-free? The annual HBO Max Standard or Premium plans will also save you about 16% over their monthly equivalents. Standard subscriptions cost either $18.49 per month or $184.99 per year (which breaks down to $15.42 per month). Premium subscriptions cost $22.99 per month or $229.99 per year (about $19.17 per month). While both are ad-free plans, only the Premium option will unlock 4K Ultra HD video quality, Dolby Atmos, and the ability to download more offline content.

Get HBO Max for free: Switch to Cricket's Supreme Unlimited plan Opens in a new window Credit: HBO Max / Cricket HBO Max (with ads) Free for Cricket customers on the Supreme Unlimited plan Get Deal

It may not be the most convenient option, but switching your phone plan to Cricket's Supreme Unlimited plan for $60 per month will get you HBO Max with ads for free. Once you're a Cricket customer, you can use your provider credentials to log in via the HBO Max app or website.

Best HBO Max deal for students: Save 50% on HBO Max Basic with ads Opens in a new window Credit: HBO Max HBO Max Student $5.49 per month for 12 months Get Deal

College students can get an entire year of HBO Max with ads for 50% off. Just use UNiDAYS to prove your student status, and you'll receive a unique discount code that'll drop the cost per month down from $10.99 to $5.49. Once the initial 12 months are up, the price will jump back to the full cost unless you cancel.

Best bundle deal: Get HBO Max, Disney+, and Hulu for up to 42% off Opens in a new window Credit: Disney / Hulu / HBO Max Disney+, Hulu, and HBO Max $19.99 per month (with ads), $32.99 per month (no ads) Get Deal

The Disney+ bundle deal, which includes HBO Max and Hulu, is one of the best deals in streaming. For just $19.99 per month, you'll get all three streaming libraries with ads, which is about $15 cheaper than paying for each one separately. Want to go ad-free? It'll run you $32.99 per month as opposed to $56.47 for all three. That's up to 42% in savings.

Best for Verizon customers: Get Netflix and HBO Max for $13/month Opens in a new window Credit: Netflix / HBO Max HBO Max and Netflix (with ads) $13 per month for Verizon customers with myPlan (save $6.98 per month) Get Deal

If you're a Verizon customer on the Unlimited Welcome, Unlimited Plus, or Unlimited Ultimate plan, you can add the Netflix and HBO Max bundle (with ads) to your plan for only $13 per month. A $19.98 per month value, that's about $7 in savings each month. Once you enroll in the promo, you'll have to complete the account setup separately for each service. Check out Verizon's support page for all the eligibility details, terms, and FAQs.

Best for Xfinity customers: Bundle HBO Max, Peacock, and Netflix and save $10/month Opens in a new window Credit: Netflix / Peacock / HBO Max Netflix Standard with ads, Peacock Premium, and HBO Max $22/month with Xfinity StreamSaver (save $8.97/month) Get Deal

Xfinity Internet and TV customers can also get in on the bundle action with Xfinity StreamSaver packages. The package with Netflix Standard with ads ($8.99 per month), Peacock Premium ($10.99 per month), and HBO Max Basic with Ads ($10.99 per month) can be added to your existing Xfinity service for only $22 per month. It typically costs $30.97 for all three, so that's about $9 in savings monthly.

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

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

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

Want more tech and digital culture news delivered to your inbox daily or sent straight to your device? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories newsletter or get Mashable push alerts today.

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

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

A long, hooded winter coat.

Hurdle Word 1 answer

PARKA

Hurdle Word 2 hint

Put into practice.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for September 25, 2026 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

ENACT

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Courageous.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for September 25, 2026 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Meanings for each word for Sept. 25, 2026 Hurdle Word 3 answer

BRAVE

Hurdle Word 4 hint

Livid.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

ANGRY

Final Hurdle hint

Golden.

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

HONEY

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

Looking for spoiler-free NYT Connections hints or just wondering why Connections is trending today? We've got what you need to understand the clues for today's puzzle without spoiling any of the answers.

Of course, Mashable has also provided daily hints and answers for Connections, Wordle, and Strands for years, so we can help you if that's also what you need.

While we are focused more on meanings than hints in this story, sometimes learning that many of the words have completely unrelated meanings is a clue in and of itself. Connections frequently includes clues that involve words within words and other visual clues.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for September 25, 2026 Bougie meaning

Describes someone with expensive or luxurious taste.

Fancy meaning

Elaborate, decorative or expensive.

Posh meaning

Elegant, luxurious or expensive.

Swank meaning

Stylish, expensive and showy.

Aykroyd meaning

An Old-English last name.

Levy meaning

The legal imposition or collection of a tax, fee, fine or property seizure by a government or authority.

Rather meaning

An adverb meaning somewhat, to a certain degree or instead.

Savage meaning

Fierce, wild or uncivilized.

Escapement meaning

A mechanical device that regulates movement in steps.

Pendulum meaning

A weight suspended from a fixed point so that it can swing freely back and forth.

Ratchet meaning

A mechanical mechanism with a toothed wheel and catching piece that allows movement or rotation in one direction only.

Want more tech and digital culture news delivered to your inbox daily or sent straight to your device? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories newsletter or get Mashable push alerts today.

Spring meaning

A bent or spiraled piece of metal that returns to its original shape after being stretched out.

Border meaning

An outer edge, dividing line or a narrow strip of plants along a path.

Classy meaning

Stylish, elegant and having high standards.

Foamily meaning

In a foamy manner, or in a way that relates to foam.

Genius meaning

A rare, high level of skill or brilliance in fields like art, music, or science.

Have you learned the meanings and still want the things? Check out the hints and answers for today's NYT Connections puzzle.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? Get all the Strands hints you need for today's puzzle.

Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today

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 yesterday's Connections.