Mashable

As Elvira, Cassandra Peterson has become a true icon, headlining comedies like Elvira: Mistress of the Dark and Elvira's Haunted Hills, hosting hordes of TV B-movie presentations, appearing in comic books, and much, much more. Now, Peterson is resurrecting her Valley girl vamp for Elvira's Cookbook from Hell, a charming coffee table book that boasts goth recipes, glossy photos, crafting guides, and very Elvira-style hosting etiquette.

Peterson came by Mashable's Say More couch for an interview with Entertainment Editor Kristy Puchko. Together, they dive into all things Elvira, including her new cookbook, how her dear(ly departed) friend and fellow horror icon Vincent Price was an inspiration, and drag queens.

Having guest judged on RuPaul's Drag Race "Monster Ball" and The Boulet Brothers' Dragula: Titans "Halloween House Party," Peterson was happy to draw a connection between her Elvira character and the queens. "I do everything drag queens do," she said of putting together her goth goddess look, "except 'tuck'!"

Peterson also shared how Elvira's Cookbook from Hell has been a dream project for thirty years, dating back to Martha Stewart's rise. Loving to cook and host herself, Peterson began to pitch a cookbook for the goth crowd — but publishers wouldn't bite. Little did they understand the vision she had, not for a Halloween-specific cookbook, but for one that brings goth flare and Elvira's spirited sense of humor to every occasion, from a graveside picnic to a spooky cocktail hour to a chic and macabre wedding complete with a multi-tier cake. (Please note the Black Widow Smashes that Puchko tested and tasted to prepare for the interview.)

Puchko, who's long been burrowing through Price's cookbooks, wondered if he was an inspiration for a particular cucumber-based recipe in Elvira's Cookbook from Hell. From there, Peterson shared a story of how Price was the source of a recipe that didn't make the final draft of her book, but is treasured by her nonetheless. Dare you give it a try?

Watch our full Say More video to learn more about Elvira, Peterson's cookbook, and how you're not getting the most out of a dishwasher unless you're using it to steam your entree.

Elvira's Cookbook from Hell is now on sale.

SAVE $130: As of Oct. 10, the Sonos Beam Gen 2 soundbar is on sale for just $369 at Amazon. That's 26% off its list price of $499 and matches its best price on record.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sonos Sonos Beam Gen 2 $369 at Amazon
$499 Save $130 Get Deal

If you're looking to enhance your movie marathons or football Sundays, a soundbar is the ticket to an epic home theater setup. And one of our favorites happens to be on sale for its best price ever.

As of Oct. 10, the Sonos Beam Gen 2 is just $369 at Amazon post-Prime Big Deal Days. It's usually $499, so that's 26% or $130 in savings. This is just the third time ever that the sleek soundbar has dropped down to this record-low price.

The second-generation soundbar enhances what we already loved about the first generation Beam, which Mashable tech reporter Raymond Wong said "hits the sweet spot on price, design, sound quality, and features." It features a better processor, a new grill, and Dolby Atmos compatibility in addition to its immersive sound, crystal clarity, and voice assistant support. It's easy to set up and syncs with other Sonos products like a dream. So if you're already in the Sonos smart home ecosystem, it's an especially excellent choice.

Beyond just making your movies, shows, and sports pop, the second generation Sonos Beam also works double duty as a Bluetooth speaker. Even when the TV is off, you can stream music, podcasts, and audiobooks from all your favorite services.

Though the October Prime Day event has wrapped up, you can still snag this soundbar for a budget-friendly $369, making it an extra impressive value for the money.

BUY 3 ITEMS, GET 20% OFF: As of Oct. 10, buy 3 select Halloween costumes, candy items, or decor and get 20% off your purchase at Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Buy 3 select Halloween costumes, candy items, or decor and get 20% off Get Deal

Are you all stocked up and ready for Halloween? It's still quite early, so no worries if not. You've still got time to decorate the house, stock up on candy, and pick out costumes for you and the rest of the brood. Amazon is aiming to make the process a little cheaper this year thanks to this sale, which can save you a bundle when you buy all the Halloween goodies you need this year.

As of Oct. 10, buy 3 select Halloween costumes, candy items, or decor and get 20% off your purchase at Amazon. Just choose from the items available on the sale promo page and add to cart. Your discount will automatically be applied at checkout.

SEE ALSO: The Home Depot's comically large Halloween decorations are up to 50% off today only

There's a ton to choose from when it comes to candy: Nerds Ropes, candy corn, Jolly Rancher, Sour Patch Kids, and much more, including multipacks of candy you can give out to the entire neighborhood, as well as chocolates you can just sit home and eat by yourself because you're an adult.

Choose from several kids and adult costumes like pirates, cowboys, the Statue of Liberty, witches, mummies, and more. And don't forget to grab a costume for your dog or cat because they're a part of the family too. You can even shop additional accessories to finish off your costume right.

Finally, don't miss decor and party essentials like plates, napkins, coolers, and other pieces of spooky ephemera to curate your home. Now's the time to make sure you're all ready for the scariest month of the year, so buy from Amazon and save some cash whle you're at it.

SAVE UP TO 42%: As of Oct. 10, both the Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen) and the Echo Dot Kids (5th Gen) are on sale for $34.99. That's a 30% discount on the standard model (down from $49.99) and a 42% discount on the Kids edition (down from $59.99).

Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days event may be over, but some of the best deals are sticking around. If you missed out on the main event, you still have a chance to snag some popular tech at a discount.

SEE ALSO: 200+ October Prime Day deals still live: Savings on Apple, Kindle, Sony, Ninja, and Lego

As of Oct. 10, both the Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen) and the Echo Dot Kids (5th Gen) are on sale for $34.99. That's a 30% discount on the standard model (down from $49.99) and a 42% discount on the Kids edition (down from $59.99).

Both models feature Amazon's improved audio for clearer vocals and deeper bass, so you should be able to stream music from services like Spotify or Apple Music without issue. The standard Echo Dot includes motion and temperature sensors to trigger smart home routines, while the Kids edition comes with a year of the Amazon Kids+ subscription for ad-free stories and games, easy-to-use parental controls, and a two-year worry-free guarantee.

Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen) $34.99 at Amazon
$49.99 Save $15 Get Deal Echo Dot Kids (5th Gen) $34.99 at Amazon
$59.99 Save $25 Get Deal

There's a new TikTok trend, and it's dangerous, manipulative, and feeds off the dehumanization of people facing housing insecurity.

People are using AI to generate false images of "homeless" men entering their houses to trick their parents, roommates, or partners. In one viral video, creator Joe Mele used AI to create an image of someone who looks unhoused standing on the other side of his screened front door. He sent the picture to his dad with the text: "Hey dad there's this guy at the front door, he says he knows you?"

"No I don't know him," his dad seemingly said. "What does he want?"

"He said you guys went to school together, I invited him in," Mele responded along with another AI-generated photo of the man sitting on his couch.

"JOE PICK UP THE PHONE," his dad responds. "I DON'T KNOW HIM!!!!!!!!" Followed by, "Hello???" along with three missed calls.

"He said he's hungry, grabbing a quick snack," Mele sent again with another AI-generated photo of the same AI-generated man taking food out of an open refrigerator.

"PICK UP THE PHONE," his dad said. "Are you getting my calls?" along with a screenshot of seven missed calls.

This goes on for some time, as Mele tells it. Mele sends an AI-generated photo of the man using his dad's toothbrush and sleeping in his dad's bed. The video has wracked up over 10.4 million views, and it's not the only one. There are dozens of videos with thousands of of views all following the same trend, many of which use Google Gemini AI, according to one user. Google recently added its new Nano Banana Ai image tool to Gemini, which makes it easy to edit photos.

Of course, Mele's entire video could be some kind of scripted skit, but Mele's hardly the only one making videos like this.

Not all parents, roommates, and partners respond with panicked texts and phone calls, as intended. Some respond with an immediate call to the police. The BBC reported that Dorset Police have received calls based on the prank, and asked people to "please attempt to check it isn't a prank before [dialing] 999" if they "receive a message and pictures similar to the above antics from friends or family."

The Salem Police Department in Massachusetts also posted a news release about the trend, calling the prank "stupid and potentially dangerous."

Not only does the prank involve manipulating loved ones, but it's also a pretty blatant dehumanization of people facing housing insecurity, depicting them as scary, dirty, or invasive — all harmful stereotypes — and using them as a prop for a joke.

"This prank dehumanizes the homeless, causes the distressed recipient to panic and wastes police resources," the City of Salem Police Department wrote. "Police officers who are called upon to respond do not know this is a prank and treat the call as an actual burglary in progress thus creating a potentially dangerous situation."

SAVE $70: As of Oct. 10, the 11th generation Apple iPad (128GB, WiFi) is on sale for only $279. That's 20% off the list price of $349 and its best price on record.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad, 11-inch (A16, WiFi, 128GB) $279 at Amazon
$349 Save $70 Get Deal

If you completely spaced on Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days sale, you're in luck. Several deals are still live (though the event technically concluded early Thursday morning) including one of our favorite iPad deals.

As of Oct. 10, the standard Apple iPad with an A16 chip and 128GB of storage is on sale for just $279 at Amazon — that's $70 or 20% off its list price of $349 and its best price ever on record.

The 11th-generation iPad is nothing flashy, but it's not meant to be. Not every tablet needs to double as a laptop. The base model has a sizable 11-inch display, which is plenty of room for watching your favorite shows, browsing the web, reading, or using it as a drawing pad or journal (compatible with the Apple Pencil 1st generation and USB-C). It doesn't have an M-series chip like the more advanced iPad models, but the A16 Bionic chip will still deliver enough processing power for everyday use. It also packs enough storage space at 128GB to enjoy all your favorite apps without offloading them.

There's plenty of options to choose from when it comes to tablets, but if you'd prefer to stick to the basics, you can't go wrong with the entry-level iPad. It's our top pick for a tablet for most people and our favorite budget pick for Apple users. And at an all-time low $279, it's an even better value than usual.

SAVE 31%: As of Oct. 10, you can get the Roku Streambar SE for $69, down from $99.99, at Amazon. That's a 31% discount and a $30.99 savings.

Roku Streambar SE 2-in-1 Soundbar With 4K Streaming $69 at Amazon
$99.99 Save $30.99 Get Deal

If your TV's built-in speakers are underwhelming or its smart interface is slow, there's a way to upgrade without splurging on a brand-new TV. Enter: The Roku Streambar SE, a compact device that functions as both a soundbar and a 4K streaming player. All you have to do is plug it into your TV's HDMI port and connect to the internet to get started. And right now, you can get it for just $69.

SEE ALSO: The Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K is the best thing I bought in Prime Day - and it's still on sale

As of Oct. 10, you can get the Roku Streambar SE for $69, down from $99.99, at Amazon. That's a 31% discount and a $30.99 savings. This isn't the lowest we've seen it go for (it was around $59 during last year's October Prime Day event), but it's still a pretty good deal for a two-in-one streaming device.

The Streambar SE is designed to make dialogue crisp and clear. It even saves you from scrambling for the remote by automatically lowering the volume during loud commercials. When it's time to stream, the easy-to-use interface delivers a 4K HDR picture from all your favorite apps, including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and Peacock. Plus, with Bluetooth compatibility, you can easily stream music from your phone for those times you'd rather listen than watch.

SAVE $84: As of Oct. 10, get the DJI Mini 3 drone for $335, down from its usual price of $419 at Amazon. That's a discount of 20%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon DJI Mini 3 $335 at Amazon
$419 Save $84 Get Deal

Looking to take the plunge on a drone, but still feeling a bit hesitant due to the price? Now's the time to buy. When December arrives, it's not quite clear how drone sales in the U.S. will change, so you may as well go ahead and lock yours in while you can. It's a good idea to go ahead and grab one of DJI's affordable drones while it's on sale at Amazon.

As of Oct. 10, get the DJI Mini 3 drone for $335, down from its usual price of $419 at Amazon. That's $84 off and a discount of 20%.

SEE ALSO: Don't miss DJI's last-chance Prime Day deals: Get DJI drones for $159, DJI Mic Mini for $99

The DJI Mini 3 is a small but powerful drone that weighs about half a pound, but still packs quite the punch. It's small and compact, but it still behaves and can be controlled like a drone that's much larger. That makes it a great option for filming on the go, taking it with you on camping or hiking trips, or just playing around with at home. Just fold it up and go.

You get about 38 minutes with standard intelligent flight and 51 minutes of intelligent flight plus, with 4K HDR video quality, vertical footage options, and a wide selection of additional features that make it the perfect starter drone for beginners and a capable option for drone professionals looking for something small and easy to pack with them.

This DJI drone is on sale from DJI instead of a third-party seller, but once it's gone, it's probably gone for a while. Make sure you snag yours before it's all out of stock, especially since you can get it at such a great price right now.

Demand remains high for Sora, OpenAI's new invite-only AI video app for iOS users. So high, in fact, that scammers are rushing to fill demand.

As TechCrunch reported, phony Sora apps somehow slipped past Apple's App Store review process. TechCrunch reported that at least a dozen copycat apps were on the App Store after Sora's launch, though most of these listings have since been removed. As of this writing, we didn't find any copycat apps using the name Sora, though there are other AI video apps claiming to grant access to the underlying Sora 2 generative AI video model.

However, over at the Google Play app store, some phony Sora listings are still live. We're not talking about unrelated, previously existing apps that use the name Sora in some way, but listings with names like "Sora 2 Video Maker."

For now, the Sora app is only available on iOS for users in the United States and Canada, "with the intent to quickly expand to additional countries," per OpenAI. The app is free to download even without an invite code, but you won't be able to do anything without an invite.

If you are downloading Sora, it's easy to find, as it's still the No. 1 app in the App Store. Before downloading, make sure it's provided "by OpenAI."

Credit: Screenshot: Apple Credit: Screenshot: OpenAI

Sora is an AI video generator with a built-in social feed, and eager OpenAI fans are still scrambling for invites. The app is currently in the midst of a copyright drama. In the days after the app launch, the Sora feed was dominated by videos of copyright-protected characters like SpongeBob Squarepants, various Pokémon, and Rick and Morty.

We've been testing the app here at Mashable to see how it compares to other AI video models like Google Veo 3 and LumaAI's Ray3, and we'll have more coverage coming soon.

In the meantime, be wary of any unknown apps you find on the app stores. Don't assume that just because an app appears in the store that it's safe to download.

Disclosure: Ziff Davis, Mashable’s parent company, in April filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.

This week, Microsoft quietly announced a small but important change to Word. The popular word-processing software will now automatically save documents to OneDrive, Microsoft's cloud platform.

Microsoft announced a number of changes at a special OneDrive and CoPilot event this week. The change to the process for saving docs in Word didn't exactly earn the top billing at the event. Or, as Windows Central put it, the news was "buried in the announcements."

"NEW-Cloud-first creation: Starting today, new documents in Word desktop on Windows (Insiders) now save directly to OneDrive, with autosave enabled your work is protected and ready for real-time collaboration.

-New files save directly to OneDrive

-Autosave is enabled from the start

-Your work is protected, instantly shareable, and ready for real-time collaboration"

So, in other words, your Word documents will auto-save to the cloud moving forward.

Microsoft has touted this as a positive change. As someone who has lost many documents throughout my life — say, because my computer crashed before I remembered to save my progress — I can appreciate the auto-save feature. And saving your docs on the cloud means you can access them across different devices. That comes in handy if you think of an edit but only have your phone handy.

SEE ALSO: Did Microsoft go down? The MS 365, Teams, Outlook, and Azure outage explained.

But some users will have privacy concerns about their documents being automatically sent to the cloud. For those folks, they'll still have the option to save documents locally — but that's a change they'll have to make in their settings.

From now on, saving to the cloud will be the default for Microsoft Word users.

SAVE $40: As of Oct. 10, the Apple AirPods 4 are still down to $89 post-Prime Big Deal Days. That's 31% or $40 in savings and their best price on record.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirPods 4 $89 at Amazon
$129 Save $40 Get Deal

Another Prime event has come and gone, but some of our favorite deals have stuck around after the fact. If you were hoping to snag a pair of AirPods on sale, it's your lucky day because the AirPods 4 are still chilling at their best price ever.

As of Oct. 10, the Apple AirPods 4 are still just $89 at Amazon and Walmart. That's 31% or $40 off their list price and the cheapest they've ever been. The buds have only reached this all-time low price twice: on Prime Day in July and during the Prime Big Deal Days event that just wrapped up. We're not expecting it to stick around much longer, though, so if AirPods are on your wish list, grab 'em while you can.

Apple's fourth-generation standard AirPods are a great value for the price. They pack personalized spatial audio, Siri interactions, voice isolation, a surprisingly snug fit, improved bass, mids, and highs, and a more compact charging case that's easier to find. While they don't offer active noise cancellation, you can upgrade to the ones that do for only $30 more if that's important to you. Whichever option you choose, our reviewer noted, "They sound like honey."

Battery-wise, the standard AirPods actually last a little longer than the noise-cancelling option at about five hours per charge or 30 with the charging case. And at just $89, they're a great daily driver in budget-friendly territory. According to Mashable's Kim Gedeon, they also actually stay put in your ears. So you don't need to worry as much about losing an earbud while you're taking on the town.

SAVE 17%: As of Oct. 10, you can get the Sony ZV-1F Vlog Camera for $498, down from $599, at Amazon. That's a 17% discount and $101 in savings.

Sony ZV-1F $498 at Amazon
$599 Save $101 Get Deal

Prime Big Deal Days has officially come and gone, and while most of the best deals disappeared at midnight, a few stragglers are still hanging around.

As of Oct. 10, you can get the Sony ZV-1F Vlog Camera for $498, down from $599, at Amazon. That's a 17% discount and $101 in savings. If you've been thinking about getting more serious about your YouTube channel or TikToks, this is a deal worth checking out.

SEE ALSO: 200+ October Prime Day deals still live: Savings on Apple, Kindle, Sony, Ninja, and Lego

This camera is purpose-built for vloggers, which is just a fancier way of saying that it's designed to help you film yourself. (Mashable's UK team voted it the best vlogging camera for beginners in 2023.) The ultra-wide 20mm lens means you can lose the selfie stick, and the side-articulating touchscreen lets you see yourself while you record (a must).

But the best part might be the little white poof that sits on top. It looks like a bunny tail, but it's actually the windscreen for the camera's directional 3-capsule mic. That little fluff ball is what lets you film outside on a windy day without your audio turning into a garbled mess.

SAVE $38: As of Oct. 10, get the Google Nest Thermostat for $91.99, down from its usual price of $129.99 at Amazon. That's a discount of 29%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Google Nest Thermostat $129.99 at Amazon
Get Deal

The weather is getting cooler and you're starting to wear more layers indoors. Wouldn't it be awesome if you didn't have to leave your cozy blankets to adjust your home's temperature? You don't have to any longer if you get a smart thermostat, and Amazon has an excellent price on one from Google that'll make getting your home to a cozy temperature one of the easiest things you'll do all day.

As of Oct. 10, get the Google Nest Thermostat for $91.99, down from its usual price of $129.99 at Amazon. That's $38 off and a discount of 29%. Currently, this deal only applies to the Charcoal colorway.

SEE ALSO: Google reveals new Gemini-powered smart home devices

This smart thermostat works without a C-wire for most homes, so setup is quick and easy. Depending on where you live, however, and how your heating and cooling system is set up, you may need one for your installation.

You can use it to program the temperature you prefer to have in your home, so it can turn itself down when you leave or adjust itself accordingly based on your preferences. You can also program it to make a more energy-efficient temperature schedule and save some money on your power bills with its Savings Finder, which will guide you to the changes you might need to make so that can happen.

The Nest can be controlled via app or remote control as well, so you can change settings without having to leave your couch. And if it detects that something isn't right with your HVAC, it'll let you know with an alert for maintenance.

Ready to make heating and cooling your home much simpler? Grab one of the Nest thermostats at a discount.

Anker is all charged up. The brand makes some of the most user-friendly and affordable power stations, and as of Oct. 10, that lineup is expanding. The new Anker Solix C2000 Gen 2 joins the brand's portfolio of portable power stations designed for camping, and this model is especially appealing to those who head off on RV trips.

Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Anker Solix C2000 Gen 2 $749 at Anker
$1,499 Save $750 Pre-order Here A whole lot of power in a compact size

Packing in 2,048Wh of capacity with 4,000W peak output, the Solix C2000 Gen 2 is ready for powering up almost any appliance. Of course, it can recharge phones and laptops thanks to the USB-C ports that max out at 140W, but it's also powerful enough to keep the refrigerator cooling or keep the window AC going during the heat of summer. In total, the Solix C2000 Gen 2 packs in five standard AC ports, one TT-30, two 140W USB-C, one 15W USB-C, and one 12W USB-A.

A power station that packs in 2,000Wh that can fit on the center console? Impressive. Credit: Anker

The addition of the TT-30 port means the Solix C2000 Gen 2 is ideal for RV trips. Pair that with its durable build, and you're on your way to non-stop adventures. In real-life terms, Anker says the Solix C2000 Gen 2 can power a 190W refrigerator for up to 32 hours. Here are some highlight specs on the new power station:

Essential specs:

• Capacity: 2,048Wh

• Continuous output: 2,400W pure sine wave

• Peak power: 4,000W

• Weight: 41.7 pounds

• Dimensions: 18 in. L × 9.8 in. W × 10.1 in. H

• Power options: AC, USB-C (140W), USB-A, TT-30 port

• Recharging options: Grid, solar, alternator, generator, hybrid, car port

• Battery type: LiFePO4 (lithium iron phosphate)

• Life cycles: 80 percent capacity after 4,000 cycles

Recharging options aplenty

Impressive ports aside, when you need to recharge the Solix C2000 Gen 2, Anker gave us tons of options. Standard grid, solar panels, generators, or a car port can all get the station juiced up again. Plus, the Solix C2000 Gen 2 can handle hybrid recharging with AC and solar. Anker says it'll take just 58 minutes to go from zero to 100 with 2,600W AC and solar recharging. Max solar input tops out at a massive 800W. Recharging from standard grid power will take about 90 minutes to get back to 100 percent.

Recharge the Solix C2000 Gen 2 with up to 800W of solar panel power. Credit: Anker Multiply the power

Snagging a portable power station that can handle expanding its power is a smart move. You never know when your power needs might increase and Anker made this model compatible with one expansion battery that doubles its capacity for a total of about 4,000Wh.

The Anker Solix C2000 Gen 2 can reach about 4,000Wh with the additional expansion battery. Credit: Anker A major hats off to the portability

Batteries are heavy, and portable power stations that have over 2,000Wh of capacity can get seriously heavy and bulky. But it's not surprising to see that Anker has nailed both aspects. It's not the lightest portable power station, but it only weighs 41.7 pounds, which is pretty great for a 2,000Wh power station. By comparison, the Anker Solix F2000 (which has an identical 2,048Wh of capacity) clocks in at 67.2 pounds, and it comes with a telescoping handle and wheels so you can roll it around instead of lifting the chunk.

The Anker Solix C2000 Gen 2 is not much larger than the Solix C1000, but it packs in nearly double the power. Credit: Anker

Not only is the weight impressive, but the overall dimensions of the Solix C2000 Gen 2 make it genuinely campground-worthy. The Solix C2000 comes with dimensions of 18 L × 9.8 W × 10.1 H inches. Compare this to the Mashable favorite Anker Solix C1000 (which has 1,056WHh) dimensions of 14.8 L × 8.1 W × 10.5 H inches, and we're shook. The C2000 Gen 2 is just a few inches longer and a hair wider than the C1000, but it packs in nearly twice as much power.

Affordable with a capital "A"

The Solix C2000 Gen 2 carries a list price of $1,499, which is pretty average for the industry. But preorders drop it to just $749, or a major 50% discount. For a 2,000Wh portable power station, a price of $750 is a heck of a deal. Considering we're coming into fall and winter storm season, this could be a great pre-holiday purchase. Snowbirds who pack up the van or RV for sunnier winter weather are also in line for an awesome upgrade thanks to Anker's addition of the Solix C2000 Gen 2.

Right from the start, A24's If I Had Legs I'd Kick You takes a big stylistic swing.

Directed by Mary Bronstein, the film centers on Linda (Rose Byrne), a woman who must juggle caring for her sick daughter (Delaney Quinn) and dealing with a collapsed ceiling in their apartment. Throughout it all, her husband, Charles (Christian Slater), is away on an extended work trip and heard only over the phone. Similarly, Linda and Charles' daughter spends most of her time out of frame in scenes with Linda, so audiences only know her voice, not her face.

In an interview with Mashable Entertainment Reporter Belen Edwards, Bronstein, Byrne, and Slater discussed the decision to visually isolate Linda from her family members and how it felt filming Linda's phone conversations with Charles.

"It was suitably frustrating and stressful," Byrne said. "This lends itself to what the scenes are."

"The voiceover scenes, I think they represent the distance in the marriage," added Slater, who recorded his scenes remotely, adding to the sense of Linda's isolation.

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

As for why audiences don't see Linda's child, Bronstein explained the reasons were twofold.

"One is conceptual, which is that we're in Linda's reality the whole time, and she cannot see her daughter as a little girl," Bronstein explained. "She can only see her as something that's being put upon her, that's that's victimizing her, that's a burden."

She continued: "Then, in a manipulative way, I also know that if you introduce the face of a child into these scenes where Linda is doing the kinds of things that she's doing, the sympathy is going to go to the child. And I wanted, in a very radical way, for the audience to stay with Linda."

If I Had Legs I'd Kick You is now in theaters.

Hinge, the dating app "designed to be deleted," has risen in popularity in recent years. Mashable recently reported that in the second quarter of 2025, revenue and paid users of the app had increased, while Tinder's declined. Both are owned by the conglomerate Match Group, but it seems that daters these days are leaning towards Hinge.

As such, they might have questions about how Hinge works. Mashable has the answers.

How many likes do you get on Hinge?

Free users are able to send seven likes a day, the app confirmed to Mashable. It's also free to send a comment to someone you're interested in while you're "liking," and seeing everyone who sends you a like (which most apps make you pay for). 

SEE ALSO: The best hookup apps, reviewed: I swiped until my thumb hurt

Free Hinge members can also set specific preferences, such as location, age range, distance, and religion.

Does Hinge have read receipts?

Some apps, like Instagram, have read receipts on private messages, meaning you will know when the person you're chatting with reads the message. You might be afraid of being left on read — or leaving someone else on read. 

But in Hinge's case, you don't have to worry. Hinge confirmed that the app doesn't have read receipts, so you can glance at your match's latest DM in peace, and message back when you're ready.

While daters on Hinge cannot send photos or videos directly to their matches, they can send voice notes.

What does a Hinge Boost do?

A Hinge Boost makes a user's profile more visible to potential matches for one hour, while a Superboost does so for 24 hours. 

"Think of it as a way to speed up the process; because while good things take time, sometimes a little extra visibility helps," Hinge's Help Center states.

The prices of Boost and Superboost are dynamic and depend on one's location and other factors. 

Other users won't know you Boosted yourself, and the app will notify you when the Boost period is over and will give you a summary of the impact. 

How do you change your gender on Hinge?

You can change both your gender and sexuality on Hinge. In the app, tap the Photo icon on the far right of the navigation bar. Tap the Pencil icon, scroll down and tap Gender.

You can choose Man, Woman, or Nonbinary, and within those options choose a gender identity — options include gender fluid, genderqueer, and intersex.

To change your sexuality on the app, tap the Pencil icon and scroll to Sexuality under Identity. Choose an option from the list.

You can choose whether you want your gender and/or sexuality displayed on your profile. (Check or uncheck "Visible on Profile.")

Who am I excluded from on Hinge?

When Hinge daters select "prefer not to say" for details like family plans, dating intentions, or drinking habits, they're excluded from being seen by people who've set dealbreakers around those compatibility factors, the app stated.

SAVE OVER $30: As of Oct. 10, the Lego Star Wars: The Mandalorian Grogu with Hover Pram set is on sale at Amazon for $69.98. This is 30%, or $30.01, off its list price of $99.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Star Wars: The Mandalorian Grogu with Hover Pram Building Toy Set $69.98 at Amazon
$99.99 Save $30.01 Get Deal

Prime Big Deal Days had some very exciting Lego deals, and even though the sale event is over now, we're still finding some worth checking out at Amazon. It's even better when we find a set that's dropped to a lower price than it was during the Prime Day sale, which is exactly the case with the Lego Star Wars: The Mandalorian Grogu with Hover Pram set right now.

For a limited time, the Lego Star Wars: The Mandalorian Grogu with Hover Pram set has dropped to $69.98, a 30% discount from its list price of $99.99. During October Prime Day, this set was on sale for $79.99, so you can save $10.01 more on it right now. Price tracker camelcamelcamel even says it's its best price yet, so there's no better time to grab it.

SEE ALSO: Mashable readers know best — here's what our readers bought during October Prime Day

This adorable set looks like a wonderful little build for Star Wars fans, too. Recommended for those aged 10 and up, this set comes with 1,048 pieces that come together to create little Grogu and his hover pram. It also comes with an information plaque that you can set up next to it if you put it up on display, alongside a brick built Sorgan frog, a shifter knob, and a cookie for Grogu to hold. His head, ears, and arms are even posable, which is a fun touch.

Since it's currently marked as a limited-time deal, it may not stay at this price for long. Now's your chance to save on the Lego Star Wars: The Mandalorian Grogu with Hover Pram set at Amazon.

If you're looking for more Lego deals to shop right now, Target's Circle Week sale is still going strong with a few discounted sets available that you can stock up on before the next big sale event hits.

Unless you've been living under a warthog, Xbox players are going through it right now. Game Pass price hikes (But postponed for some?), rumored cancelled next gen hardware and all in all an uncertain future for the platform. The main issue here is players like me who have an Xbox library going back to the Xbox 360 days, we're all in and it would be nice to carry on that way without paying $360 a year for games we don't own.

SEE ALSO: 20 already great Pokémon deals to catch ahead of October Prime Day

Luckily, I've been doing some digging on current discount on physical Xbox Series X|S|One games. If you've had an Xbox Series X from before pricing shot up, you're in the perfect position to just cancel Game Pass and build up your physical backlog. Just looking at the top 10 discounted games below, this currently comes to $239.83 with at least 50% discount on these titles. If you're playing a game every month or two, the savings over Game Pass are real whilst saving nearly $100 by simply getting the games you want to play (We're looking at you, Ubisoft Classics).

Times are hard at the moment, so if you're parting with your hard earned dollars for new games, it's good to know you have that game for life. Whilst it's obvious that gaming is heading towards a digital future, that doesn't mean we have to jump on the band wagon when there's savings and physical perks to keep hold of. I've found around 50 deals on Xbox Series X|S|One, so there's bound to be something here for every kind of player. Let's get into it:

Opens in a new window Credit: Mashable Photo Composite / Deep Silver Amazon: Kingdom Come: Deliverance II Gold Edition $51.50 at Amazon
$89.99 Save $38.49 Shop Now Top 10 Most Discounted Xbox physical games

• Minecraft Legends Deluxe Edition: $18.99 $49.99 (Save 62%)

• Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster: $20 $49.99 (Save 60%)

• DRAGON BALL: Sparking! ZERO: $29 $59.99 (Save 52%)

• Port Royale 4 - Extended Edition: $28.99 $59.99 (Save 52%)

• MLB The Show 25: $23.98 $49.99 (Save 52%)

• S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl: $28.94 $59.99 (Save 52%)

• Sonic Origins Plus: $19.99 $39.99 (Save 50%)

• WWE 2K25: $34.96 $69.99 (Save 50%)

• NBA 2K25: $10 $19.99 (Save 50%)

• Split Fiction: $24.98 $49.99 (Save 50%)

More Xbox physical game discounts

• TMNT Mutants Unleashed: $19.99 $39.99 (Save 50%)

• Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II - Xbox Series X & Xbox One: $37 $69.99 (Save 47%)

• Madden NFL 26: $36.99 $69.99 (Save 47%)

• Dustborn Limited Retail Edition: $21.38 $39.99 (Save 47%)

• Monster Hunter Wilds: $37.99 $69.99 (Save 46%)

• PGA TOUR 2K25: $39.99 $69.99 (Save 43%)

• The Oregon Trail Deluxe Edition (Xbox Series X / Xbox One): $22.66 $39.99 (Save 43%)

• Unicorn Overlord: $34.71 $59.99 (Save 42%)

• Planet Zoo: Console Edition: $29.99 $49.99 (Save 40%)

• Halo Infinite: $35.97 $59.99 (Save 40%)

• Sonic X Shadow Generations: $29.83 $49.99 (Save 40%)

• SpongeBob SquarePants - A Patrick Star Game (Xbox Series X | Xbox One): $11.99 $19.99 (Save 40%)

• Metaphor: ReFantazio Launch Edition: $42.99 $69.99 (Save 39%)

• Star Wars Battlefront II (Xbox One): $36.90 $59.94 (Save 38%)

• Killing Floor 3: $25.50 $39.99 (Save 36%)

• One Piece Odyssey: $12.99 $19.99 (Save 35%)

• BLEACH Rebirth of Souls: $39.99 $59.99 (Save 33%)

• Undisputed: $26.95 $39.99 (Save 33%)

• Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2: $46.75 $69.99 (Save 33%)

• Raidou: Remastered – The Mystery of the Soulless Army Launch Edition: $34.99 $49.99 (Save 30%)

• Tropico 6 - Next Gen Edition: $34.95 $49.99 (Save 30%)

• Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 - Cross-Gen Bundle - Xbox Series X and Xbox One: $49.99 $69.99 (Save 29%)

• Roadcraft: $29.36 $39.99 (Save 27%)

• Lock's Quest (Xbox One): $10.95 $14.99 (Save 27%)

• Avowed – Premium Edition SteelBook: $69.99 $94.99 (Save 26%)

• Elden Ring: $26.58 $35 (Save 24%)

• Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 + 4 – Collector's Edition – Xbox Series X and Xbox One: $99.99 $129.99 (Save 23%)

• Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 + 4: $38.99 $49.99 (Save 22%)

• Hogwarts Legacy Deluxe Edition (Xbox One): $55.94 $69.99 (Save 20%)

• The Callisto Protocol: $16.33 $19.99 (Save 18%)

• Batman: The Enemy Within (Xbox One): $24.99 $39.99 (Save 17%)

• The First Berserker - Khazan: $49.99 $59.99 (Save 17%)

• Atomfall: $49.99 $59.99 (Save 17%)

• Tekken 8: $24.98 $29.99 (Save 17%)

• Star Wars Outlaws - Limited Edition (Amazon Exclusive): $29.99 $35.54 (Save 16%)

• Sniper Ghost Warrior Contracts (Xbox One): $14.79 $17.65 (Save 16%)

• Poppy Playtime Triple Pack Xbox Seriex X | Xbox One: $25.48 $29.99 (Save 15%)

• We Love Katamari REROLL + Royal Reverie - Xbox Series X|Xbox One: $16.99 $19.99 (Save 15%)

• Call of Duty Black Ops III Zombie Chronicles - Xbox One $54.44 $64 (Save 15%)

• L.A. Noire (Xbox One): $18.94 $22.97 (Save 13% w/Coupon)

• RoboCop Rogue City: $35.93 $39.99 (Save 10%)

• ABZÛ (Xbox One): $32.85 $36.54 (Save 10%)

SAVE OVER $300: As of Oct. 10, the iRobot Roomba Plus 504 robot vacuum is on sale at Amazon for $398.99. This is 47%, or $351, off its list price of $749.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: iRobot iRobot Roomba Plus 504 Robot Vacuum with AutoEmpty Dock $398.99 at Amazon
$749.99 Save $351 Get Deal

As we patiently await Black Friday sales in November, there are still some discounts lingering around on Amazon post-Prime Big Deal Days that are worth checking out. If robot vacuums have been at the top of your shopping list, you can still save on select models right now. The iRobot Roomba Plus 504 robot vacuum is one deal that's caught our eye, currently sitting at 47% off its list price.

This discount has dropped the price of the iRobot Roomba Plus 504 robot vacuum from $749.99 to $398.99, making for $351 in savings. While it's not as low as the $379.99 it dropped to during October Prime Day, it's still pretty close and, according to price tracker camelcamelcamel, this is currently its best price outside of a Prime-exclusive sale event. So why not jump on it while it's still live?

SEE ALSO: Target Circle Week continues: Stock up on Apple, Ninja, Lego, and Halloween gear now

The iRobot Roomba Plus 504 robot vacuum boasts powerful suction alongside dual rubber brushes, an edge-sweeping brush, and carpet boost technology to get rid of any pet hair, dirt, or debris on the floor. It also features PrecisionVision AI Technology that helps it navigate around objects that might get in its way. On top of that, you can worry less about emptying the main docking station as it can go up to 75 days without needing it.

This limited-time deal on the iRobot Roomba Plus 504 robot vacuum may not last for long, so act fast to save on it at Amazon.

If you're still in the shopping mood, there are still a few deals worth taking advantage of on Amazon even after the October Prime Day sale. Check out our breakdown of 200+ October Prime Day deals still live to see what else is available.

SAVE $20: As of Oct. 10, the Amazon Fire Stick 4K is on sale for $29.99 at Amazon. That's a 40% savings on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire Stick 4K $29.99 at Amazon
$49.99 Save $20.00 Get Deal

Prime Day sales are a great excuse to upgrade your tech and save some money in the process. Whether you need a new laptop, your TV is kaput, or a pair of new earbuds is the perfect treat, you'll find just about everything discounted. My tech of choice this year was the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K, and two days after Prime Day ended, it's still on sale.

As of Oct. 10, the Fire TV Stick 4K is on sale for $29.99, a $20 savings. This is slightly higher than its Prime Day low of $24.99, but only just.

So, why the Fire TV Stick? Well, the TV I've carted through the last 10 years of my life is still going strong, so I find no need to throw it out just yet. However, smart TVs were far less common back then, so to watch Netflix, Prime Video, or any streaming service, I had to hook up my laptop with various cables and control it from there. Not so easy. This is where the Fire TV Stick comes in.

It's incredibly easy to use, and the setup takes less than five minutes. Just take the Fire TV Stick and plug it into your TV's HDMI port. The device also comes with a wall plug to power it with electricity, and that's it, you're good to go. It also comes with a remote with Alexa functions, so you can use it just like a smart TV and ask it to search for your favorite movie, browse the web for a question, or even speak to other smart devices in your home.

As the name suggests, the 4K model of this device gives you better quality, ideal for 4K TVs. And, of course, you get access to the Amazon Fire operating system, which is another plus. All your apps are in one place, and you can pick up your favorite Prime shows right where you left off, straight from the home screen.

Get this Fire TV Stick deal from the Amazon website now.