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Black Friday isn't just a one-day event anymore. In fact, by the time Nov. 27 rolls around, some retailers will have been running deals for weeks. Walmart, Best Buy, Target, and more have already announced their Black Friday plans, while Amazon has confirmed its Black Friday Week sale will kick off on Nov. 19.

Keeping track of what's going live (and when) can get a little confusing. With that in mind, we've scanned the Black Friday ads to bring you a standout selection of offers already live. Want to see for yourself? Here's where you can find all the live Black Friday ads:

• Amazon

• Best Buy

• Costco

• Kohl's

• Lowe's

• Sam's Club

• The Home Depot

• Walmart

Below, we're showcasing a small selection of the very best early deals from each Black Friday ad.

Best Black Friday deals from Amazon Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire HD 10 $72.99 at Amazon
$154.99 Save $82.00   Shop Now at Amazon Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Botanicals Tiny Wildflower Bouquet $11.95 at Amazon
$19.99 Save $8.04   Shop Now at Amazon Opens in a new window Credit: TCL TCL 75-inch QM8L SQD-Mini LED QLED 4K TV $1,397.99 at Amazon
$2,999.99 Save $1,602.00   Shop Now at Amazon Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirTags (2nd Gen) 4-pack $69.99 at Amazon
$99 Save $29.01   Shop Now at Amazon Best Black Friday deals from Best Buy Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Mac mini (M4, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $649 at Best Buy
$799 Save $150   Shop Now at Best Buy Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony WH-1000XM5 $198 at Best Buy
$398 Save $200   Shop Now at Best Buy Opens in a new window Credit: Hisense Hisense 65-inch U6 Mini LED QLED 4K TV $499.99 at Best Buy
$899.99 Save $400   Shop Now at Best Buy Opens in a new window Credit: Roku Roku Ultra $99.99 at Best Buy
$149.99 Save $50.00   Shop Now at Best Buy Best Black Friday deals from Costco Opens in a new window Credit: Beats Beats Studio Pro $129.99 at Costco
$299.99 Save $170   Shop Now at Costco Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple 24-inch iMac (M4, 8-core CPU, 8-core GPU, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $1,349.99 at Costco
$1,499 Save $149.01   Shop Now at Costco Opens in a new window Credit: Roborock Roborock QX Revo PLUS Robot Vacuum and Mop $429.99 at Costco
$599.99 Save $170   Shop Now at Costco Opens in a new window Credit: MSI MSI 27-inch MAG 274QPCT QD-OLED X24 $299.99 at Costco
$349.99 Save $50   Shop Now at Costco Best Black Friday deals from Kohl's Opens in a new window Credit: Ninja Ninja Air Fryer Pro XL 6-in-1 (6.5-Quart) $129.99 at Kohl's
$179.99 Save $50   Shop Now at Kohl's Opens in a new window Credit: Keurig Keurig K-Duo Gen 2 $127.99 at Kohl's
$259.99 Save $132 with coupon code LOVE2SAVE Shop Now at Kohl's Opens in a new window Credit: PicassoTiles PicassoTiles Magnetic Tiles Race Track Playset $33.74 at Kohl's
$53.32 Save $19.58   Shop Now at Kohl's Opens in a new window Credit: Shark Shark Power Pro Cordless Stick Vacuum $219.99 at Kohl's
$329.99 Save $110   Shop Now at Kohl's Best Black Friday deals from Lowe's Opens in a new window Credit: Blackstone Blackstone 30-inch 2-Burner Culinary Gas Griddle $349 at Lowe's
$449 Save $100   Shop Now at Lowe's Opens in a new window Credit: Yale Yale Assure Lock 2 Electronic Deadbolt Lock $199.99 at Lowe's
$259.99 Save $60   Shop Now at Lowe's Opens in a new window Credit: DeWalt DeWalt 20-volt max Brushless Cordless Impact Driver $99 at Lowe's
$179 Save $80   Shop Now at Lowe's Opens in a new window Credit: Husqvarna Husqvarna 150BT Gas Backpack Leaf Blower $299 at Lowe's
$399 Save $100   Shop Now at Lowe's Best Black Friday deals from Sam's Club Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung 55-inch M70H Mini LED 4K TV $297.99 at Sam's Club
$450 Save $152.01   Get Deal at Sam's Club Opens in a new window Credit: HP HP 15.6-inch FHD Touch Laptop (AMD Ryzen 5 7520U, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $499 at Sam's Club
$549 Save $50   Shop Now at Sam's Club Opens in a new window Monster Bambox Portable Rugged Bluetooth Speaker $149 at Sam's Club
$219 Save $70   Shop Now at Sam's Club Opens in a new window Credit: VIZIO VIZIO 100-Inch Class Quantum Series QLED Smart TV $1,198 at Sam's Club
$1,498 Save $300   Shop Now at Sam's Club Best Black Friday deals from The Home Depot Opens in a new window Credit: Ryobi Ryobi ONE+ 18V Cordless 6-Tool Combo Kit $199 at The Home Depot
$299 Save $100   Shop Now at The Home Depot Opens in a new window Credit: DeWalt DeWalt 18 Gauge Cordless Brad Nailer $269 at The Home Depot
$349 Save $80   Shop Now at The Home Depot Opens in a new window Credit: Blink Blink Wired Floodlight Camera $29.99 at The Home Depot
$99.99 Save $70   Shop Now at The Home Depot Opens in a new window Credit: Shark Shark Pet Cordless Stick Vacuum $179 at The Home Depot
$299 Save $120   Shop Now at The Home Depot Best Black Friday deals from Walmart Opens in a new window Credit: Ninja Ninja Crispi Air Fryer (4-quart) $89 at Walmart
$139 Save $50   Shop Now at Walmart Opens in a new window Credit: Shark Shark Glossi 2-in-1 Hair Styler $108 at Walmart
$179 Save $71   Shop Now at Walmart Opens in a new window Credit: Nespresso Nespresso Vertuo Pop $69 at Walmart
$119 Save $50   Shop Now at Walmart Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Harry Potter Book Nook: Hogwarts Express (76450) $50 at Walmart
$79.95 Save $29.95   Shop Now at Walmart

Grand Theft Auto VI doesn't launch until Nov. 19, but someone appears to have gotten their hands on a boxed PS5 copy more than a week early.

The unboxing video, posted by GTA 6 Intel — a fan account on X who claims to be "The largest GTA 6 fan community" — racked up over 4 million views in 24 hours. It shows the person carefully opening the case to reveal a download code for the game and a folded, double-sided poster.

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Rockstar said back in June that the boxed edition would come with a download code versus a physical disc, but knowing that in advance didn't make the empty holder any less comical. "Making a disc slot for no disc is diabolical," one X user wrote in the replies. Another wrote, "#NoDiscNoBuy," a popular hashtag some gamers are using to push back against games going digital-only.

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Their frustration goes beyond just GTA 6 — Sony says it will stop producing discs for new PlayStation games altogether starting in January 2028.

As for the poster, it’s double-sided, with the game's cover art on one side and a full illustration of the woman on the cover art on the other. German retailer MediaMarkt had shown off the artwork in an Instagram post five days ago, along with some other GTA 6 fan pages, so for die-hard fans, this isn't exactly news.

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And if the sight of folded paper in a GTA case made you think of the maps that came with earlier games, that's a separate item this time (much to the dismay of some gamers online). Rockstar will release a free printable map of Leonida on launch day, then sell a physical version with the map on one side and the cover art on the other for 99 cents, or throw it in with another purchase from the Rockstar Store.

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As for the code, Rockstar expects boxed copies to reach retailers starting Nov. 12, and anyone who gets theirs early can redeem it and start downloading right away.

The game unlocks Nov. 19 on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S. And while the poster can go straight on the wall, making room for the game itself could take a little longer...the preload can require up to 212 GB. After years of waiting for GTA 6, what's a few days of download time?

TL;DR: Get a 1min.AI Advanced Business Plan lifetime subscription for $79.99 (reg. $540) with code DEAL20 through Nov. 15 and give up to 20 people GPT, Claude, and Gemini in one app.

Opens in a new window Credit: 1minAI 1min.AI Advanced Business Plan Lifetime Subscription $80
$540 Save $460   Get Deal

A chatbot here, an image generator there, and a transcription tool on top of that add up to paying for several AI subscriptions every month. If you’d rather pay one time for all of them, try a 1min.AI Advanced Business Plan lifetime subscription. Code DEAL20 brings the price to $79.99 (reg. $540).

1min.AI is an all-in-one AI app with more than 100,000 users. One login gets you GPT-5.5 Pro, Claude 4.6 Sonnet, Gemini 3.1 Pro, and models from Meta, Mistral, and Cohere, so you can switch to another model whenever a draft needs a different approach.

Writers get a blog generator, rewriter, summarizer, and keyword research for SEO. Designers can generate and upscale images or remove backgrounds. You can also translate PDFs, convert text to speech, and create short videos from text or images.

Every month, the plan includes 4 million credits. By 1min.AI’s estimates, that’s enough for about 1.1 million words, 1,186 images, or 37 videos. If you log in daily, you earn an additional 15,000 free credits, up to 450,000 extra credits per month. Up to 20 team members can share the account.

AI drafts still need a human edit, so plan to review the work before it goes public. The app runs in any browser and on iPhone, Android, Mac, and Windows.

You already know which deal makes sense here.

Get a 1min.AI Advanced Business Plan lifetime subscription for $79.99 (reg. $540) with code DEAL20. Offer ends Nov. 15 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Skoove Premium listens as you play piano and points out mistakes in real time, and a lifetime subscription is $119.99 (reg. $299.99) with code DEAL20.

Opens in a new window Credit: Skoove Skoove Premium Piano Lessons: Lifetime Subscription $120
$299.99 Save $179.99   Get Deal

Free piano videos online can show you where to put your hands, but they can’t hear you play. If you want lessons that listen, try Skoove Premium. Skoove hears every note you play and tells you when you miss one. A lifetime subscription is $119.99 (reg. $299.99) with this promo code.

A piano app that actually listens

Skoove uses AI to recognize the notes you play through your device’s microphone or a MIDI connection. As you work through a lesson, you get feedback on each note, so you know right away whether you played it correctly.

Online tutorials leave the order up to you, so it’s easy to bounce between random videos and miss the basics. Skoove plans your lessons around your level and pace instead, drawing from more than 400 lessons and thousands of instructional videos. Beginners, intermediate players, and advanced players all get a path that fits where they are.

Practice songs range from John Legend, The Beatles, and Adele to Bach and Beethoven. When a video tutorial loses you, the comments section is usually the only place to ask for help. With Skoove, you can get one-on-one support from Skoove music instructors whenever you get stuck on a piece.

Skoove works with any piano or keyboard. You can connect a USB or MIDI keyboard, or play an acoustic piano near your device’s microphone so the app can hear you.

Skoove runs on iOS and Android phones and tablets, and you can use it on as many devices as you want. Apple devices need iOS 13 or later. Desktop use is no longer officially supported, so a Mac or Windows PC needs a third-party tool like BlueStacks or WebCatalog to run the app.

A robot can teach you piano. Through Nov. 15, get a Skoove Premium lifetime subscription for $119.99 with code DEAL20.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Gothic horror is going from mad to madcap with Victorian Psycho, a horror comedy that follows a murderous governess to her next — and possibly last — appointment.

Maika Monroe stars as Winifred Notty, a governess who is desperate to make a good impression on her new employers, the Pound family. The broad strokes of the plotline are tropes of Gothic horror. A seemingly fragile young woman must care for the young, defenseless children of a rich and twisted family. At night, strange noises might be heard about their grand house. The family's treasures go missing or are vandalized. Members of the staff vanish without a word. Could it be a ghost or ghoul whose very presence could drive this poor heroine mad? Well, no. Because from the very start, Victorian Psycho shows us its protagonist is already mad, and also the vicious thing that goes bump in the night.

The title alone gives some clue of the topsy-turvy approach that Virginia Feito, who wrote the novel and this adapted screenplay, has to the genre. Director Zachary Wigon (Sanctuary) cements this cheeky attitude with an opening scene in which Winifred addresses the audience in voiceover while looking straight into the camera. There's a sense of Fleabag in this distorted direct address to the audience, as Winifred insists she is the sanest person she's ever met.

This is just the first red flag, warning that Winifred Notty is much more than naughty. Soon after, a dismembered human ear tumbles out of her luggage; she regards it with slight irritation. From here, Victorian Psycho blooms into a deliciously bonkers spin on Gothic horror with an eat-the-rich edge.

Victorian Psycho blends gore, goofiness, and class conflict.

On the surface, Winifred seems a darling young woman, eager to be accepted into a household that'll appreciate her. She's demure when meeting the servants of the Pound estate, as well as the family themselves. Among them, there is a mightily mustachioed father (Jason Isaacs), a fearsome mother (Ruth Wilson), teen daughter Drusilla (Evie Templeton), and the spoiled little heir to the family fortune, Andrew (Hamnet's Jacobi Jupe).

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But there's a spiky antisocial undercurrent to Winifred, especially when she's left alone with the children. She speaks of the wickedness and pain that lie inside all living things, frightening the young Master Andrew, who watches in shock as she bludgeons a fallen deer to death with a rock. Still, few around her could imagine what horrid secrets she's left behind her, and what deranged fantasies fuel her dark heart. She swiftly befriends the children's nurse, Miss Lamb (Thomasin McKenzie), and offers to this wide-eyed waif tales of a ghoul that's prowling the property. For how else to explain the blood all over Winifred's dress?

When it comes to Winifred's violence, Wigon is unblinking in brandishing spurts of blood but knows when to keep certain especially heinous homicides off-camera. This keeps the tone of Victorian Psycho thrillingly zany, despite the grim content.

As for Feito, she seems to pull inspiration from Jane Austen's brilliantly dummy dialogue for oblivious rich folk. These are caricatures of entitled affluence. The father bloviates about the value of phrenology, a pseudoscience that proposed personality could be predicted by skull shape. The mother punishes a scullery maid by chopping off the girl's long hair after a strand once ended up in her soup.

Like with Saltburn, there's a delicious lunacy to watching these careless rich assholes embrace an outsider who's sure to bring them to ruin. Not all of Winifred's targets feel as worthy of her brutal brand of comeuppance. Still, the breathtaking cruelty is part of the fucked-up thrill ride.

Maika Monroe gives a career-best performance in Victorian Psycho.

The American actress's career has been largely defined by horror since she broke through in 2014 with a supporting role in the gripping thriller The Guest and then starred in the STD-as-slasher allegory It Follows. Though she's done a slew of films since then, horror offerings like Watcher, Longlegs, and The Hand That Rocks The Cradle stand out. Yet here, she's turned from haunted heroines of her filmography and Gothic horror in general to become a compelling monster all her own.

Typically, in these types of stories, like Crimson Peak, The Others, or The Turning of the Screw, the heroine is an innocent with good character and bravery in the face of an inhuman threat. Here, Winifred is that threat, and Monroe makes a meal out of playing the baddie as if she's been starving for the opportunity (though, yes, she's been the villain before).

There's an electrifying mix of menace and mischievousness in her delivery, whether she's flirting with the nurse or threatening a child. Her face shifts smoothly from a mask of civility to a reveal of wrath or revulsion. However, when Winifred gives over to her dark side, Monroe's performance ratchets into a gnarled physicality of demonic possession, which will likely remind viewers of Lily-Rose Depp's turn in Nosferatu. On top of all of this, Monroe offers a sharp humor through unhinged physicality that cuts deep as a shattered tea cup shard through a jugular.

Victorian Psycho offers fantastic WTF moments.

In scenes where Winifred is spiraling out of control, high-angle cinematography from Nico Aguilar distorts her proportions, turning this beautiful woman into a warped stranger. Whip pans, rarely used in period pieces, snap from a could-be victim's expression of shock to Winifred's face, and it can feel like a slap to it. But the gnarliest visual choices are when Aguilar gives a point-of-view of objects of violence, like the aforementioned dismembered ear or the rock used to fatally brain the deer. Such choices not only throw an exciting manic energy into Victorian Psycho but also force the audience to feel a part of the action, either to be gobbled up by Winifred's all-consuming darkness or party to it.

Composer Ariel Marx embellishes this tone of creepy complicity with a score studded with familiar and strange sounds. You might hear a plunking piano or stinging strings, common instrumental choices for Gothic horror. Sometimes, there are slippery sounds (maybe a theremin? Or a saw being bowed?) and distorted voices, perhaps the cries of babies. These aural collisions of the expected and unexpected reflect how Feito and Wigon build on the bones of Gothic horror, but create something more modern with their mesmerizing murderess.

In the end, Victorian Psycho is a hoot, wildly fun, and unapologetically deranged on its surface. Then, just beneath that, Feito, Wigon, and Monroe weave a tapestry of class conflict, sexism, and trauma that urges audiences to probe deeper to understand that while Winifred is a monster, she was not born one. Instead, she was made from a society that regards cruelty as another luxury the ultra-wealthy get to take for granted. Well, that is, until someone reflects it back.

Victorian Psycho was reviewed out of the 2026 Cannes Film Festival. It opens in theaters Nov. 13.

UPDATE: Nov. 11, 2026, 4:15 p.m. This review was first published on May 22, 2026. It has been updated to reflect its theatrical debut.

Earlier this year, I reflected in my review of How to Make A Killing that cinema has been riding a wave of eat-the-rich comedies since 2019, when Parasite and Ready or Not made class conflict into ghoulish fun. Since then, we've seen the good (Triangle of Sadness, The Menu, Send Help, I Love Boosters), the bad (How to Make a Killing), and the truly awful (The Running Man reboot).

So, how does How to Rob a Bank, the latest from David Leitch, stack up? Oh, very poorly, and that's actually shocking at first glance.

SEE ALSO: 'Triangle of Sadness' review: The "eat the rich" comedy goes gross-out, and it's great

Let's consider the talent behind How to Rob a Bank. For starters, the production is helmed by David Leitch, who's directed such compelling action movies as Atomic Blonde, Deadpool 2, and The Fall Guy. The original screenplay comes from Mark Bianculli, a writer who worked on Hunters, an intense drama about a group that hunts down Nazis. The ensemble cast boasts Nicholas Hoult, Anna Sawai, John C. Reilly, Zoë Kravitz, and Pete Davidson.

All this suggests that a bank robbery thriller centered on class warfare might feature explosive action, challenging ideas, and rich emotional moments. However, produced and distributed by billionaire Jeff Bezos' Amazon MGM Studios, this eat-the-rich movie never dares to get that deep. Instead, How to Rob a Bank is a flashy, brainless mockery of the great American bank robbery movie. Who could guess why?

How to Rob a Bank dabbles in class politics. Nicholas Hoult stars as Ryan and Rhenzy Feliz as Hugo in "How to Rob a Bank," from Amazon MGM Studios. Credit: Megan Schoenbachler / Amazon MGM Studios

This thriller gets off to a kinetic start by pitching the audience into a band of charismatic bank robbers; they wear animal masks and document their crimes in a YouTube web series that encourages others to follow in their footsteps. Through voiceover narration, their dashing leader Ryan (Hoult) delivers some rapid-fire statistics about the American wage gap, arguing that robbing a bank offers a better chance of financial security than banking on the system playing fair.

Exactly which system Ryan is referring to is left vague in Bianculli's screenplay. There will be glancing critiques about the mistreatment of military veterans, healthcare under capitalism, and immigration reform, but the focus here is on banks. These robbers explain that banks bleed lenders dry, steal homes, and essentially kill people who can't afford medical care. These arguments are delivered in bullet-point form, as are the scraps of character development of their central anti-heroes. That makes it hard to feel invested in either.

Instead of delving into the robbers' lives, the movie cuts to the FBI agent (Reilly) who's cajoling a bitter hacker (Kravitz) to give him her Batman-level stalker tech to track them down. She agrees reluctantly between bong hits, which make up about 40% of her character, and they set off on a wonky buddy-cop adventure. While this setup has promise, she eats junk food and cracks meh jokes while he furrows his brow to unmask these robbers. It's far from the sparks and fun of Lethal Weapon or Beverly Hills Cop.

By the time How to Rob a Bank has set up this could-be cat-and-mouse dynamic, the actual exploration of who these thieves are feels like an afterthought. To Hoult's credit, he and his onscreen wife, Emi (Sawai), manage to muster engaging intimacy in some thin scenes. But all of these backstory scenes reek of tropes and stereotypes.

For instance, Hugo (Rhenzy Feliz) lives in a crowded apartment building, where he provides for his Spanish-speaking grandmother, who we learn later is undocumented. Meanwhile, Ryan and his wife live in a decaying house, where pictures of their deceased child provide an unspoken motive. And then there's Pete Davidson's Vince, who lumbers into a treacly scene singing a lullaby to his child, while his wife, Skyler (Tati Gabrielle, who is given nothing to do), looks on smiling.

They aren't characters but figures propped up by cliché and half-hearted politics the movie has no real interest in. It's never really clear what Ryan's big plan is between the robberies and his social media campaign. Is he just seeking revenge? Or is he earnestly pushing for revolution? And if so, what kind? Hoult is given plenty of rabid monologues for the gang's YouTube audience to enjoy. But who Ryan is behind his wolf mask remains ambiguous, and frankly boring.

How to Rob a Bank is a toothless bank robbery movie. Nicholas Hoult stars as Ryan, Pete Davidson as Vince, and Rhenzy Feliz as Hugo in in "How to Rob a Bank." Credit: Megan Schoenbachler / Amazon MGM Studios

In American cinema, bank robbers have a dubious place of honor alongside gangsters. They are the flip side to the white hat-wearing cowboy, who fights for the good of all by going outside the rules of a polite society. These anti-heroes expose the broken system of American capitalism and its corrupt government, and then suggest that their crimes are a defiant middle finger to it all. To them, they must break the laws to achieve their American dream.

In movies like Dog Day Afternoon, Set It Off, and The Town, audiences are urged to identify with the robbers, who are average folks making extraordinary choices to combat their bad fortune. In each of these films, a great director explores the bank robbers' psyches and their worlds, so that we, the audience, can relate. Their hopes, fears, and pain become our own. So, when they inevitably suffer a deadly loss in their pursuit of this twisted American dream, we hurt too. And then we're left to wonder what it means about our world that we can root for armed thieves to topple some aspect of it.

How to Rob a Bank gestures to this classic arc. To Leitch's credit, the film feels firmly set in Pittsburgh, where long-standing brick buildings, towering yellow bridges, and rolling hills strewn with weathered houses give a distinct look that speaks of America's promise and decline. He also embraces vibrant color, which adds pizzazz to the robbers and their online videos. But when it comes to creating complex characters who can make an onscreen death hit hard, he falls absolutely flat.

Sure, there's that scene where one of the gang will inevitably be slain by stone-faced police. But this time it won't hit, because How to Rob a Bank's characters all feel like gestures to a point of view, be it disillusioned, revolutionary, apathetic, or dedicated to the status quo. They don't feel real enough to move us, because How to Rob a Bank is in such a rush to plop in action set pieces.

And how are those action set pieces? Underwhelming. Sure, there's gunfire, car chases, motorcycle races through untamed woods, and street-level mayhem. None of it is all that memorable. As someone who fell hard for the jaw-dropping stunts and awesome battles of Atomic Blonde, I take no joy in telling you that it feels like Leitch is phoning it in here.

To the ensemble's credit, they do seem committed to making the most out of thin characters, stale jokes, and nattering political rhetoric. But they can't elevate a script that is juvenile in its politics and devastatingly uninterested in challenging its audience.

In the end, How to Rob a Bank adds nothing to the conversation about the wealth gap. Instead, the movie callously steals markers from online political discourse to use as flair, which is haphazardly flung upon a subgenre framework meant to stir up an audience and then haunt them with a film's final moments. This gutless knockoff gives no thought-provoking turns or heart-wrenching reveals. Then it delivers an ending that's senseless and pointless. Simply put, this movie could have been a meme.

How to Rob a Bank opens in theaters Nov. 13.

Marriage Story stars Adam Driver and Scarlett Johansson reunite in writer/director James Gray's Paper Tiger. But don't expect a desperate rehash of Noah Baumbach's divorce drama.

For one thing, Gray is a filmmaker less drawn to such wall-punching theatrics, as evident through films like Two Lovers, Ad Astra, and Armageddon Time. For another, Driver and Johansson are not lovers in this film, though they are in a love triangle of sorts, with Miles Teller at the center.

Gray gives Driver, Johansson, and Teller some unexpected roles, allowing each a place to display their range. But make no mistake, this is Driver's movie.

What's Paper Tiger about?

Set in 1986 New York City, Paper Tiger unfurls the story of a Jewish family from Queens that gets on the wrong side of the Russian mob. In a cozy home in Elmhurst, Irwin Pearl (Teller) raises his two sons, Benjamin (Roman Engel) and Scott (Gavin Goudey), with his dedicated housewife Linda (Johansson).

Far from the cocky persona Teller forged through performances in The Spectacular Now, Whiplash, and the Divergent film series, the 39-year-old actor now oozes doofy dad energy. Teller's signature smirk is swapped for an aw-shucks smile, and a patronizing eyebrow raise that insists, "Father knows best." A pair of oversized eyeglasses completes the look; it's is such an evocative detail of the era that the title card reading "1986" might be deemed egregious.

As Irwin, Teller is guileless, relishing every chance to play with his boys or annoy them with dad jokes. Still, he yearns for their respect, and wilts when his eldest huffs they only have "crappy" stuff because Irwin, an educated engineer, isn't bringing home bank like their uncle, Gary (Driver).

A former NYPD officer turned security consultant with City Hall connections, Gary Pearl is flashy, rich, and successful in a way his younger brother can only envy. He wears tailored suits and a debonair smile. He drives a luxury car, and brings Peter Luger Steak House takeout to family dinner. So, when Gary promises Irwin a business opportunity to make $10,000, his brother is practically drooling at the possibility.

Gary wants to create a consulting firm with Irwin that would advise Russian immigrants who own property alongside the Gowanus Canal on how to meet the city's building codes. The elder brother insists this legit business shouldn't run them afoul of the Russian mob, but an overeager Irwin makes a misstep that puts all of the Pearls at risk.

How is Paper Tiger a love triangle tale? Credit: NEON

At first, Irwin seems the protagonist of Paper Tiger, but Gray's clever script steadily shifts focus to Gary and Linda. Once Irwin has earned the ire of the Russian mafia, it's up to his brother and wife to fix it, because this family man with zero street smarts is incapable. And in this battle to protect Irwin (and the rest of his household), Gary and Linda become unexpected rivals, in part because they deal with Irwin the same way.

Paper Tiger becomes a story about the things we can't say to the person we love. Whether because we don't want to hurt them or we want to protect them, some truths are just too terrible to utter. For Gary, he tries to maintain a breezy exterior, promising Irwin he'll work it out with the mob. But in the meantime, thugs creep into the Pearl home and intimidate them by taking Polaroids of the parents and boys, defenseless in their beds. It's only when Irwin finds these pictures that he finally admits to Linda what's going on.

She's understandably furious, but she's got a big secret of her own: a fatal diagnosis she can't bring herself to share. With the mob threatening his life, Gary and Linda are in a similar situation: with an uncertain amount of time left to set Irwin up so he and the boys will be okay. But wife and brother are not allies, and so their paths lead in different directions, while Irwin spirals in impotent plans of his own.

The tragedy of the film is not so much what happens to Irwin's family, but that — as smart as he is — he can't see the troubles mounting before his very eyes.

Adam Driver is riveting in Paper Tiger. Credit: NEON

Gray's ensemble overall is strong. But Driver dominates the film, committing body and soul. The swagger he employs as Gary schmoozes cops and crooks alike is beguiling, recalling James Caan as Sonny Corleone in The Godfather. But in moments when that veneer cracks, Driver's fear is so sparking the screen itself might catch fire. When he reprimands his onscreen brother with love and radiant frustration, he evokes Al Pacino's Michael Corleone, specifically when he kisses the traitor Fredo. The masculinity and the heartache swell to a violent expression of love.

But Gary isn't as direct as Michael, and so Irwin gets to remain smugly self-righteous, unable to recognize his brother's sacrifices for him. Teller is smartly cast in this role. The bravado that carved his career at the start comes into play in the third act as a shield that Irwin carries to distance himself from his own failings. He is a beloved fool whose smile shocks the audience, because it displays his blissful ignorance.

Playing the desperate and dying housewife Linda, Johansson is urged by Gray to go into a space of melodrama the cool blonde has rarely tread. Big bouncy curls, thick eyeglasses, and a raspy Queens accent attempt to scrub the movie star glamour from Johansson's appearance. But it is a futile effort. As weary and mumsy as the costuming of housecoats and made-up eye bags tries to make her, the role of Linda might have been better realized by an actress with a mug, not the face of numerous luxury beauty brands. That might have more firmly grounded the Pearl family's blue-collar identity, and by extension, Linda's grit-teeth determination to secure their future. Johansson tries, but her ache and ire ring hollow.

Driver's performance recalls '70s gangster cinema, where toxic masculinity roared with a debonair allure. Teller's jolly blend of ego and ignorance makes his '80s dad a believable buffoon. But Johansson's (perhaps impossible to dim) glamour makes Linda feel like she's from a '50s melodrama, so beautiful and so sad! In this context, as grounded as she aims to make Linda, it still feels heightened, a performance of wifely limitations rather than a portrait of them.

Still, even with this tonal collision, Paper Tiger is a thoroughly engaging drama. Gray's dialogue shrewdly builds not only characters, but the barriers of what they can and won't share with each other. Like Conclave, Paper Tiger becomes as much about what's talked around as what's talked about. So, with each moment, in words spoken and unspoken, a labyrinth is built, daring the characters to escape it. And rather than calling us to relate to Irwin, the good guy and family man at the film's center, Gray urges us to share in the frustration of those who love him until the bitter end.

In this way, Paper Tiger is a uniquely thrilling and purposefully infuriating family drama. Because as we watch a final moment unfold that is undeniably sweet and tender, we are haunted by what lies beneath it. Gray challenges us to take that trembling awareness home, and look to our own families, lives, and lies.

Paper Tiger was reviewed out of the New York Film Festival, where it was the Opening Night selection. The film will open in theaters on Nov. 13.

There's a fun feature of AdultFriendFinder that many users sleep on. The online hookup site actually allows couples to share an account. Registering as a couple, as opposed to a singleton (particularly a solo male), helps boost your visibility on the site, since the search algorithms will treat your account as representing two people rather than one. That means it's easier for other users to find you in searches, helping you make more connections.

The process of creating a joint account is reasonably straightforward, but there are some extra steps you'll need to take to ensure it is properly registered as a couple's account. 

Opens in a new window Credit: AdultFriendFinder AdultFriendFinder   Learn More

Here's a quick guide on everything you need to do.

How to create a joint AFF account

The first hurdle you'll have to pass is the "Who would you like to connect with?" screen, which offers up four options: Man, Woman, Couple, or Trans. This screen is totally inconsequential to creating a joint account, so if, for example, you're open to meeting people of all genders, don't worry that you've limited your options by your choice here. It doesn't matter overall.

On the next screen, "Let's get your details," the site will prompt you to choose between a solo and a joint account. Under the "I am/we are a" tab, select "Couple." You'll then have to provide an answer to the "Your Orientation" screen before you can proceed. The partner you'll be using the account with will also have the opportunity to provide their own answer later down the line. 

SEE ALSO: AdultFriendFinder vs. Tinder: How they compare as hookup apps

Next, you'll have to specify what kind of connection you're looking for as a couple (Love, Casual, Friends, or Hanging Out), and then provide your birthday and location, followed by your email address and chosen password. 

At this point, congratulations! Your account has been created, but your profile still isn't complete. 

Completing a couple's profile on AFF

You'll know you're on the right track when your account's blank profile photo features not one anonymous avatar, but two. If you see just a single avatar in your profile photo, you've made a mistake along the way and need to start again to create a new account.

Your work isn't done, though: Just as you filled out information about your date of birth and sexual orientation on the registration screen, you now have to do the same for the person with whom you're sharing an account (AFF does not support accounts of three or more people). It's extremely important that you fill this information out as well, because the AFF search filters will be able to parse your group account as having, for example, a bisexual man and a heterosexual woman, making the account appear in many more search results. 

Can you combine individual accounts on AFF?

Let's say, hypothetically, that you meet your significant other on AdultFriendFinder and decide you want to search for a third person as a couple. Can you combine your two accounts that were created before you met? Unfortunately, the answer is no. 

If you already have an AFF account and want to add another person, follow the steps above to create a new joint account.

Storied Spanish filmmaker Pedro Almodóvar has built his career on melodramas rich in sex and agony. However, in 2019, he got more personal with Pain and Glory, a semi-autobiographical drama in which Antonio Banderas plays a thinly veiled version of the director as he looks back on his work and life, anxious to move forward with a new project. His latest, Bitter Christmas, serves as a sister film, echoing not only the semi-autobiographical element but also by casting a dashing actor in the role of an aging Almodóvar.

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

Leonardo Sbaraglia stars as Raúl, a filmmaker who's hungry for inspiration for a new screenplay. In his corner are his much younger partner, Santi (Quim Gutiérrez), and his longtime manager, Mónica (Aitana Sánchez-Gijón). However, Bitter Christmas gets self-reflexive as Raúl's story is interwoven with that in his screenplay. There, a once-revered art-house filmmaker named Elsa (Bárbara Lennie) seeks to move away from directing commercials and return to screenwriting. Aside from their similar creative quest, both also have May-December romances with younger men, and both find inspiration for their new project in the tragedy that befalls a friend.

In two layers, Almodóvar explores what it means to be an artist who may well cannibalize the stories of his loved ones for his art. But he doesn't lose sight of what it means to see your heartache treated as fertilizer to grow that art. In both Raúl's story and Elsa's, the writers are confronted by a female friend is radiantly furious at having her life treated as source material without consent.

So, how do these parallel stories play out?

Bitter Christmas is compelling and frustrating.

Almodóvar, who wrote and directs Bitter Christmas, leaps back and forth between Raúl and Elsa, whose arcs play out in 2025 and 2004, respectively. Despite the decades between them, these worlds are visually similar, alive with the vivid color palettes that are part of Almodóvar's signature style.

His characters are beautiful, always, and favor bold hues of red, magenta, gold, and amber. The production design around them is rich with the texture of lives lived: a book shelf thoughtfully organized but clearly oft-visited, a lamp shedding light on simple but elegant illustrations, a strip club for women that's a mix of chic and sleazy. Across both stories, we're invited to understand these people and their alter egos through such tender details.

The ensemble cast strides into this world as if it is truly theirs. Determined close-up shots allow for every micro-expression to register, while wide shots remind us of how close these friends and lovers are, and yet how fragile the space between them can be.

Sbaraglia is intriguing in the role of Almodóvar's first mirror, Raúl. He speaks with passion, intelligence, and a low-burning frustration, which bursts whenever he's challenged. Elsa, however, is a more typical Almodóvar figure — a strong-willed woman who won't be bent by the judgment of others. She is robust, defiant, and ruthlessly loyal to her art.

By contrast, the boyfriends Santi and Bonifacio (Patrick Criado) are defined by their congeniality and sex appeal. Gutiérrez, playing the older of the two, gets to weave in more nuance than the Golden Retriever boyfriend Criado is given to play. But this feels intentional, as if Raúl simplifies his lover Santi into the himbo archetype of Bonifacio. But why? It's in these difference where Bitter Christmas becomes the most exciting for longtime Almodóvar fans.

Is the simplification of Santi meant to convince Raúl that their relationship is not so serious, so if and when it ends, his heartbreak will be lessened by anticipation? Or is the almost puppy-like sweetness and loyalty of Bonifacio meant as a quiet condemnation of Elsa's opportunism, as she treats him with little regard even as he bends over backwards to please her? Basically, are these boy toys not meant to be mocked, but to reflect Almodóvar's own insecurities through their guilelessness?

However, it's Monica who becomes Bitter Christmas's most compelling character, and I'm not sure if that's intentional or not.

Aitana Sánchez-Gijon owns Bitter Christmas.

At first, she seems a supporting character who flutters around the sensitive artist, caring for all the chores, emails, and requests so he won't have to. But no sooner is her dedication defined that she's requesting a "sabbatical." It's so unusual for this clear workaholic to request time off, much less a lot of time, and with little warning and no explanation, that Raúl is darkly enchanted.

Forged over decades, their professional and personal relationship is impossibly intertwined, so Monica soon shares that her dear friend has suffered a horrendous personal loss. She is going to care for her (not terribly unlike Almodóvar's last film, The Room Next Door.) However, no sooner has she divulged this painful truth than Raúl remolds it for his fiction. Both within his script and in his life, the filmmaker will have to face the friend betrayed in this specific way.

When Monica sits down with Raúl in a garden cafe to lay into him about his selfishness in this creative endeavor, Bitter Christmas ignites. While much happens in the parallel stories, the energy of Elsa and Raúl feel subdued, as if they are always in their heads looking down on the situation instead of living fully within it. It's possible Almodóvar intended such restraint, but it makes Bitter Christmas feel almost as if the movie is holding its breath, waiting for something profound to hit. That comes when Monica argues for herself, her privacy, and her friend's dignity.

However, no sooner does Bitter Christmas open up into something exciting than the film itself ends. There will be no satisfying resolution — perhaps until Almodóvar's next movie.

At one point in the movie, Raúl recognizes that even a minor work from him will be big to his fans. And it seems almost a buffer for those who might critique Bitter Christmas. Regarded on its own, this film feels thin. But Almodóvar devotees might well see it as a Rosetta stone to better understand the revered filmmaker and the whole of his body of work.

Bitter Christmas was reviewed out of its North American premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival. The film will open in NYC and L.A. Nov. 13, before going nationwide Nov. 25.

Where to check for Pokemon TCG 30th Celebration Ultra-Premium Collection Amazon Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Ultra-Premium Collection (Day/Espeon) Check stock on Amazon Shop Now Amazon Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Ultra-Premium Collection (Night/Umbreon) Check stock on Amazon Shop Now TCGplayer Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Ultra-Premium Collection (Day/Espeon) Check stock on TCGplayer Shop Now TCGplayer Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Ultra-Premium Collection (Night/Umbreon) Check stock on TCGplayer Shop Now Walmart Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Ultra-Premium Collection (Day/Espeon) Check stock on Walmart Shop Now Walmart Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Ultra-Premium Collection (Night/Umbreon) Check stock on Walmart Shop Now Target Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Ultra-Premium Collection (Day/Espeon) Check stock on Target Shop Now Best Buy Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Ultra-Premium Collection (Day/Espeon) Check stock on Best Buy Shop Now Best Buy Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Ultra-Premium Collection (Night/Umbreon) Check stock on Best Buy Shop Now

The Pokémon TCG's 30th Celebration Ultra-Premium Collections have finally arrived, but getting hold of either the Espeon (Day) or Umbreon (Night) edition at a reasonable price has been proving difficult, even with new listings regularly going live across major U.S. trading card retailers.

Released on Nov. 6, these enormous anniversary boxes have become two of the most sought-after Pokémon products of the year — just as much as the 30th Celebration ETB. Along with the many early Pokemon Black Friday deals, we've found several places to buy both versions, with Walmart currently offering the lowest prices among top retailers. However, there are some important differences between the available offers and the official restocks.

We've rounded up the retailers worth checking out, the latest prices, and everything you need to know to secure one of these special collections ahead of Black Friday.

Where to check for Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration UPC stock

These are the main U.S. retailers to bookmark for the Espeon and Umbreon collections, including their current stock situation:

• Amazon: No stock or listings are available directly from the retailer or from third-party sellers, but we’ve added a go-to search results page so you can quickly check for any restocks (we expect more this week).

• Best Buy (Day and Night): Official stock is hard to find, but third-party listings are still available for both versions. Set up deal alerts to catch any new allocations.

• Target (Day): Currently sold out via official stock and third-party sellers.

• TCGplayer (Day and Night): The dedicated trading card marketplace has listings for both the Espeon and Umbreon editions of 30th Celebration’s Ultra-Premium Collection at around or under market price. 

• Walmart (Day and Night): Both Day and Night editions are available through third-party sellers. Keep an eye out for cheaper listings.

Why are the Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration UPC boxes selling out so quickly?

Demand for the 30th Celebration expansion has been exceptionally strong since its September launch, and these Ultra-Premium Collections are arguably the hottest items in the entire anniversary lineup.

Unlike smaller Pokemon products such as Booster Bundles and Elite Trainer Boxes, each UPC contains a staggering 30 booster packs, including one exclusive Classic Collection pack with three etched cards celebrating the TCG's history. Add in two highly collectible promo Pokémon cards — Espeon and Umbreon — alongside special Pikachu ex promo cards and all the premium extras (playmat, card sleeves, deck box, etc.), and it’s no wonder that there hasn’t been enough supply to meet the demand. 

What's included in the Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Ultra-Premium Collections?

There are two versions to choose from: the green-and-blue Day edition featuring Espeon ex, and the purple-themed Night collection starring Umbreon ex.

Both contain 29 standard 30th Celebration booster packs and one special Classic Collection pack, alongside a foil Pikachu ex promo card and a matching Espeon ex or Umbreon ex promo. You'll also get a themed playmat, 65 card sleeves, a deck box, a metal Pokémon coin, six damage-counter dice, and a code card for Pokémon TCG Live.

The accessories and promotional artwork vary between editions, but you’re effectively getting the same level of contents with either box.

How can you improve your chances of finding Pokémon TCG UPC stock?

With both versions in high demand, there are a few ways to make tracking down an Espeon or Umbreon Ultra-Premium Collection a little easier:

• Keep checking the major retailers: Walmart, Target, Best Buy, Amazon, and GameStop are all worth revisiting throughout the week — as new stock has been constantly reappearing over the last couple of weeks. On the other hand, stock can sell out with little warning, so you’ll need to check regularly.

• Set up stock alerts where available: Retailer notifications and independent stock trackers can help you spot fresh inventory without repeatedly refreshing every product page. Best Buy, for instance, even lets you set deal alerts for specific listings.

• Compare prices across different sellers: Third-party sellers can be a useful way to secure either collection when official stock is unavailable. Just remember to compare their offers against current market prices (available on TCGplayer), as some listings are considerably more expensive than others.

• Check whether you're getting Day or Night: Some retailers list the two versions separately, while GameStop uses combined listings with randomized selections. Make sure you're ordering the right product if you're specifically after Espeon or Umbreon.

• Don't overlook in-store availability: Online stock shifts incredibly fast, but checking nearby Target, Best Buy, and GameStop locations could give you another chance to grab a box — as many don’t check physical stores, simply assuming they’ll be automatically sold out, particularly if additional inventory arrives ahead of Black Friday.

Will the Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration UPC boxes be restocked for Black Friday?

It's certainly possible that more Ultra-Premium Collections could come in stock for Black Friday, though no allocations have been confirmed for either collection.

With Black Friday arriving on Nov. 27, there's still a little over two weeks for retailers to receive more inventory and, as mentioned, there have been fleeting stock drops across the major Pokemon TCG retailers — even if most of them come via third-party sellers. Keep in mind that due to the demand for the 30th Celebration UPCs, sellers have little incentive to discount listings much below market price (around $360 per Ultra-Premium Collection).

For now, it's worth keeping the retailer pages above close at hand, so you can compare prices for any available stock and decide what’s best for your trading card budget. 

TL;DR: Windows 11 Pro is $11.99 (reg. $199) with code DEAL20 through Nov. 15, and the lifetime license adds BitLocker, Hyper-V, and Copilot to your PC.

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Windows 11 Pro $11.99
$199 Save $187.01   Get Deal

Paying full price for an operating system is hard to justify when the same license goes on sale. If your PC feels slow or you keep putting off an upgrade, try a lifetime Windows 11 Pro license, now $11.99 (reg. $199) with code DEAL20.

You pay once, and you never pay a renewal fee. Windows 11 Pro has an updated interface, Snap layouts for working in several windows at once, and face or fingerprint sign-in backed by TPM 2.0 security.

Professionals and power users also get access to tools that Windows 11 Home doesn’t offer. Hyper-V runs virtual machines, Windows Sandbox tests apps in an isolated space, BitLocker encrypts your drive, and Azure AD connects the PC to business networks. If you work on several client projects at once or keep sensitive files on your laptop, these tools matter every day.

Copilot is built into the taskbar too. You can ask it to summarize a page, answer a question, or write code without opening a browser.

Before you buy, run Microsoft’s PC Health Check app to make sure your computer is compatible. This license is for PCs that need a new Windows license, and it installs on one PC. It won’t install on a Windows 10 machine that can’t get the free upgrade through Windows Update.

You know a good price on Windows when you see one. Get Windows 11 Pro for $11.99 (reg. $199) with code DEAL20. Offer ends Nov. 15 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Where to check for PS5 Pro stock: Amazon PlayStation 5 Pro $899.99 at Amazon Shop Now Best Buy PlayStation 5 Pro $899.99 at Best Buy Shop Now GameStop PlayStation 5 Pro $899.99 at GameStop Shop Now PlayStation Direct PlayStation 5 Pro $899 at PlayStation Direct Shop Now Target PlayStation 5 Pro $899.99 at Target Shop Now Walmart PlayStation 5 Pro $899.99 at Walmart Shop Now

If you waited until launch week to upgrade your console before GTA 6 arrives on Nov. 19, you are not alone. With Rockstar’s biggest release in over a decade just days away, gamers across the country are scrambling to lock down Sony’s most powerful hardware — and that sudden rush has wiped out PlayStation 5 Pro inventory almost everywhere.

Following Sony’s April price hike that pushed the PS5 Pro’s standard MSRP to $899.99, legitimate retail stock has dried up across PlayStation Direct, Best Buy, Target, and GameStop.

Instead of falling for inflated reseller markups, bookmark this tracker to monitor official retail pages directly. While major storefronts are currently sitting at zero, brief restock waves at the standard list price continue to cycle through — and having the right links ready is the easiest way to snag one before Vice City opens its doors.

Where to track down a PS5 Pro at retail price

If you are trying to score a PS5 Pro for retail price before GTA 6 arrives, save these direct store links and check them regularly — inventory drops in brief, unpredictable waves:

• Amazon — Currently out of stock, unless you opt for marked-up listings from third-party sellers.

• Best Buy — Currently out of stock. Online drops typically filter buyers through a virtual queue, so stay logged into your account ahead of time. Keep an eye on local store pickup toggles too, as single units occasionally surface regionally.

• GameStop — New consoles are sold out online, so calling or walking into your neighborhood store is your best bet for retail-priced stock. Just ignore the pre-owned listings — the retailer deliberately jacked used and refurbished units up to $1,399.99 ($500 more than a brand-new box) to cash in on the GTA 6 shortage. Hard pass.

• PlayStation Direct — Currently out of stock. Buying straight from Sony is your cleanest shot at paying the list price without third-party clutter, and they cap orders at one console per customer whenever new batches go live.

• Target — Currently out of stock. Target tends to release small online waves alongside early-morning store pickup inventory tied to local freight arrivals. Having payment details saved in the Target app saves crucial seconds at checkout.

• Walmart — Currently out of stock, unless you opt for marked-up listings from third-party sellers.

Why everyone is scrambling for a PS5 Pro right now

It all comes down to GTA 6 arriving next week. Since Rockstar is launching the game exclusively on consoles with no PC version available at launch, anyone who wants the best-looking trip to Leonida is rushing to grab Sony's flagship hardware.

Rockstar confirmed this week that while GTA 6 runs at 30 frames per second across all consoles, the PS5 Pro is the single best place to play on day one. It is the only console getting sharper 4K visuals through PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR) and upgraded ray-traced shadows. Throw in faster load times, DualSense controller haptics, and a built-in 2TB drive for massive game files, and it makes total sense why players are upgrading right now.

Besides that, supply has been tight for months. Component shortages and rising memory costs have slowed down console production throughout 2026, leaving stores without enough stock to handle the pre-launch rush. Because production won't catch up to GTA 6 hype anytime soon, any standard list-price units that hit store sites will vanish in minutes.

Opens in a new window Credit: Rockstar Games Grand Theft Auto 6 $79 at Amazon
  Shop Now at Amazon Is the PS5 Pro worth the upgrade?

If you are debating whether to hunt down a PS5 Pro instead of playing GTA 6 on a standard PlayStation 5, Rockstar just confirmed exactly what the extra hardware gets you on day one.

Even though frame rates remain the same across all consoles, the PS5 Pro is the only system to unlock two major visual upgrades. First is PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR), Sony’s AI upscaling tech that sharpens lower-resolution images on the fly so Vice City’s neon skylines, crowded beaches, and distant horizons look noticeably crisper on a 4K TV.

You also get exclusive ray-traced shadows powered by the Pro’s faster graphics chip, giving sunlight, headlights, and towering cityscapes far more realistic depth and lighting than you will see on a base PS5 or Xbox Series X. Plus, with GTA 6 taking up over 210GB, the PS5 Pro’s built-in 2TB SSD gives you plenty of breathing room without having to delete half your library just to install it.

How to beat the bots and improve your chances of finding stock

Catching a surprise drop before GTA 6 launches comes down to speed and a little bit of prep:

• Dodge third-party marketplace sellers: Sites like Walmart and Amazon let outside merchants charge whatever they want. Always check the "Sold and shipped by" label to ensure you are buying from the actual retailer at standard list price.

• Save your checkout information beforehand: Taking the time to type in a security code or shipping address during a drop will cost you your cart. Keep your profiles logged in with default payment methods saved.

• Do not refresh Best Buy's waiting line: When Best Buy runs a drop, it puts shoppers into an automated queue. Hitting refresh resets your spot and sends you to the very back of the line. Meanwhile, refreshing PlayStation Direct directly on weekday mornings often catches small waves before stock-alert apps fire.

• Check physical stores in the morning: Online checkout bots can wipe out digital inventory in seconds. Visiting Target, Best Buy, or GameStop when doors open often turns up fresh shipment boxes that never made it onto website listings.

Should you wait for a PS5 Pro Black Friday deal?

In short: no. While major retailers almost always hold back small batches of high-demand hardware to anchor their Thanksgiving week and Black Friday doorbusters, don't expect a holiday discount on the PS5 Pro this year.

Sony's early Black Friday rollout has focused almost entirely on digital games and accessories rather than new console markdowns — so simply catching a legitimate restock at the standard list price is the real Black Friday win.

Waiting until Nov. 27 also puts you up against peak holiday traffic, GTA 6 latecomers, and automated checkout bots all hammering store servers at once. If an "Add to Cart" button flickers live at $899.99 before Thanksgiving week officially kicks off, buy it on the spot instead of waiting around for a sale that isn't coming.

Google has announced Gemini 4 Hydrogen, its latest AI model. Adapted from Gemini 4 Carbon and focused on speed, Google claims that Hydrogen also surpasses its frontier Gemini 4 Argon model when using its default thinking level.

SEE ALSO: Google Gemini upgrades are rolling out to all supported Android devices

"While our frontier models, Gemini 4 Carbon and Gemini 4 Argon, excel at deep, long-horizon reasoning on your hardest problems, Hydrogen is built for rapid execution across diverse agentic workflows," wrote Koray Kavukcuoglu, senior vice president at Google DeepMind, in Thursday's announcement. 

Specifically, Hydrogen is intended to quickly conduct tasks such as writing code, running tests, and doing everyday work, as opposed to designing systems and fixing complex bugs. Set to a "high" thinking level by default, Hydrogen can also be adjusted to low, medium, and a new xhigh tier, which vary in quality, latency, and cost.

"Hydrogen is built to stand on its own as a model for everyday work — or to pair with Carbon and Argon as the high-efficiency execution engine in multi-model workflows," wrote Kavukcuoglu.

Gemini 4 Hydrogen is rolling out globally from today, arriving in Google Search for all users. It will also be available for selection in the Gemini app's model dropdown menu. 

Google Search's AI features were previously powered by Gemini 3.8 Flash, which launched in September. In comparison, Kavukcuoglu stated that Hydrogen will respond to queries with more visual responses, as well as a wider variety of relevant links. Hydrogen is also designed to better understand conversational prompts and follow users' trains of thought, including understanding typos.

A comparison between Gemini 4 Hydrogen and Gemini 3.5 Flash, a previous AI model released in May. Credit: Google

"Gemini 4 Hydrogen makes it easier to get things done, staying on track and following instructions more closely across multi-turn conversations," said Kavukcuoglu. "In the Gemini app, Hydrogen makes your everyday assistant even more helpful — it’s better at following your guidance, calling the right tools, and getting you to a reliable output with less back-and-forth."

Compared to 3.8 Flash, Google claims that Hydrogen is two times less likely to circumvent permission boundaries. The company further stated that it's continuing to work on the AI model's safety and security aspects such as jailbreak resistance, though noted that Hydrogen is still prone to hallucinations, like all generative AI agents.

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 November 13, 2026 Browse meaning

To search leisurely.

Scroll meaning

Browsing the Internet or social media

Search meaning

To look for something or someone.

Surf meaning

To search casually.

Coverage meaning

The broadcasting of a news event.

Exposure meaning

Being made known to the public, media or an audience.

Press meaning

News coverage.

Publicity meaning

Public visibility.

Barge meaning

A roomy, flat-bottomed boat.

Glider meaning

A motorless aircraft that flies by riding on air currents.

Trailer meaning

A teaser, typically for a film or TV show.

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.

Water skier meaning

Someone who participates in water skiing.

Freeze meaning

The process of water turning to a solid.

Teaser meaning

A short preview.

Trust meaning

To have faith in something or someone.

Waves meaning

Natural curves.

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.

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you have a high screen time.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for November 13, 2026 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Google it

• Green: In the public eye

• Blue: Water sports

• Purple: It's all in your head

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Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Use the internet

• Green: Media attention

• Blue: Things that are towed

• Purple: Brain ___

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

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections #1251 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Use the internet: BROWSE, SCROLL, SEARCH, SURF

• Media attention: COVERAGE, EXPOSURE, PRESS, PUBLICITY

• Things that are towed: BARGE, GLIDER, TRAILER, WATER SKIER

• Brain ___: FREEZE, TEASER, TRUST, WAVES

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

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.

Today's NYT Strands hints will be easy if you're superstitious.

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for November 13, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Not a good sign

The words are related to superstitions.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words involve bad fortune.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.

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NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Rotten Luck.

NYT Strands word list for November 13

• Thirteenth

• Broken

• Spilled

• Rotten Luck

• Floor

• Salt

• Mirror

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

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

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

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

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you have no fear.

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

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for November 13, 2026 Where did Wordle come from?

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

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

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

What's the best Wordle starting word?

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

What happened to the Wordle archive?

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

Is Wordle getting harder?

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

Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Courage

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

No letters appear twice.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter M.

The Wordle answer today is...

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

Drumroll please!

The solution to today's Wordle is...

MOXIE

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

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

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

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 Wordle.

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.

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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

Estimate.

Hurdle Word 1 answer

GAUGE

Hurdle Word 2 hint

Allow.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for November 13, 2026 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

GRANT

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Meaty leg.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Meanings for each word for Nov. 13, 2026 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Meanings for each word for Nov. 13, 2026 Hurdle Word 3 answer

THIGH

Hurdle Word 4 hint

To assess.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

JUDGE

Final Hurdle hint

Kids.

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

YOUTH

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

Onyx Boox makes the best eReaders available to the human species, and there's no debating me on that. The new Boox Picco is a brilliant little pocket eReader that used to come with a MagSafe case, but Boox stopped selling the case with it recently. Third-party sellers haven't clocked this gap yet, so there aren't any alternatives at the moment. That's why I took matters into my own hands and decided to add that feature myself. What could go wrong?

Slim, modern TVs leave very little room for good speakers, so a soundbar is one of the simplest ways to improve the way your shows and games sound. If you want a compact option, the Samsung HW-S50B Soundbar is a good place to start, and it's 35% off right now as part of an early Black Friday sale.