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TL;DR: The Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Pitch Black Elite Trainer Box is on sale for $78.99 at Amazon, down from its $81.93 list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Pitch Black Elite Trainer Box $78.99 at Amazon
$81.93 Save $2.94   Get Deal

The Pitch Black Elite Trainer Box has bounced around the sub-$80 range lately on Amazon, but its latest dip has brought the Pokémon TCG box within touching distance of its market value — making this a great opportunity to stock up.

As of Sept. 25, the Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Pitch Black Elite Trainer Box is available for $78.99 at Amazon, down $2.94 from the $81.93 price noted on price tracker camelcamelcamel. 

Sold by third-party seller BetterShopping4You, this ETB will get to you as soon as Oct. 5-6 at the time of writing (if you’re a Prime member). 

The latest drop puts Amazon almost level with the market value estimated by TCGplayer. The trading card marketplace currently estimates an unopened Pitch Black ETB at $77.31, leaving Amazon only $1.68 higher. 

SEE ALSO: The Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration expansion has launched: Where to buy, best deals, and market price

As for listings on TCGplayer, the cheapest legit option is $79.10. Since Walmart is only going as low as $84.99, Amazon is by far the best place to buy right now.

Inside the Pitch Black Elite Trainer Box are nine booster packs, a full-art foil Zarude promo card, 65 card sleeves, 40 Energy cards, and a player’s guide. You also get six damage-counter dice, a competition-legal coin-flip die, a plastic coin, six dividers, a collector’s box, and a Pokémon TCG Live code card. 

For any collectors after any of the expansion’s high-value singles, including the $180+ SIR Mega Darkai ex and the $145+ MHR version, you can individually buy any Pokémon Pitch Black card right now at TCGplayer.

Jalen Brunson is showing he can do deadpan comedy just as well as basketball. The New York Knicks point guard and NBA Finals MVP made a recent appearance in the Emmys' opening song alongside Mariska Hargitay. And in the clip above he teases his upcoming SNL hosting gig alongside KATSEYE.

"I'm Jalen Brunson, and I'll be hosting the season premiere of SNL with musical guests KATSEYE," he says in the clip above, before cast member Marcello Hernández tells him to try "a silly one."

"That was a silly one," comes the deadpan response.

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Any meeting between Donald Trump and another world leader normally provides good material for some late night roasting, and the president's recent hosting of China's Xi Jinping was no exception.

"My nine-year-old had a friend over to the house for the first time this weekend, and he wanted to show them all this stuff, his Legos, his video games, his bunk beds, everything — and this is exactly what Trump did today," says Jimmy Kimmel in the clip above.

"He dragged President Xi around the house showing him all the insane gold paint he put on the walls, he showed him his half-built ballroom, and he's also very proud of his new helipad," the Jimmy Kimmel Live! host added, bringing up a clip of the president waffling to reporters about the White House helipad.

"There really is nothing that guy will not brag about," Kimmel concludes. "Guys, I know gas is $6 a gallon — look at how beautiful my helipad is."

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Home Assistant is free, open-source software that costs nothing to download and install. But the software is only the beginning. Running Home Assistant involves plenty of costs, many of which can be higher than you think.

TL;DR: As of Sept. 25, the Pokémon 30th Celebration Elite Trainer Box is available for $89.99 at Amazon. That's well under market price.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon 30th Celebration Elite Trainer Box $89.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now

For Pokémon fans, there are few greater pleasures than finding product at way below market price. And that's exactly what you'll get with Amazon's current price on the Pokémon 30th Celebration Elite Trainer Box.

As of Sept. 25, the Pokémon 30th Celebration Elite Trainer Box is available on Amazon for just $89.99. According to the market price listing at TCG Player, that's a total saving of $88.64 vs. the current market price of $178.63.

The catch is that you can't just rock up on Amazon and buy one. It's so in-demand that Amazon requires potential buyers to click the "request invite" button, which puts you in a random ballot to actually purchase one.

SEE ALSO: The Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Sylveon ex Tin is under market price at Walmart — buy for under $60 while stocks last

If you're randomly selected, you’ll get an email to let you know that you’re eligible to buy Pokémon’s 30th Celebration Elite Trainer Box. The email will contain a purchase link valid for 72 hours. But don't wait around — at this price, there's no guarantee that this Elite Trainer Box will still be in stock.

If your invitation request isn't selected, Amazon will keep it on file, and you may receive an invitation after restocks. 

The Elite Trainer Box includes nine Pokémon 30th Celebration booster packs, a full-art foil Nidorina promo, 16 foil Basic Energy cards, 65 sleeves, dice, a coin, dividers, a player’s guide, and a Pokémon TCG Live code. 

Don't miss the chance to grab the Pokémon 30th Celebration Elite Trainer Box at $89.99 — almost half of the current market price.

SAVE $250: As of Sept. 25, the Dreame L40 Ultra Gen 2 Robot Vacuum and Mop is down to $499.99 at Amazon. That's a 33% discount on a high-suction, fully automated flagship robot cleaner.

Opens in a new window Credit: Dreame Dreame L40 Ultra Gen 2 $499.99 at Amazon
$749.99 Save $250   Get Deal

If you're looking for a top-tier robot vacuum that cleans your floors entirely on autopilot, Amazon just chopped $250 off one of the best on the market. As of Sept. 25, you can score the Dreame L40 Ultra Gen 2 Robot Vacuum and Mop for $499.99, down from its usual $749.99 list price.

The Gen 2 packs a massive 25,000Pa engine with five customizable suction levels, so it pulls pet hair, stray cat litter, and ground-in dirt out of high-pile carpets instead of just skimming the surface. The Dreame L40 uses robotic arms to physically extend its side brush and mop pads. It reaches deep into 90-degree baseboard corners and underneath low couch legs to snag dust bunnies where other vacuums fail.

SEE ALSO: I found the best robot vacuums for every floor, budget, and level of laziness

You also don't have to worry about soggy rugs. When it hits a carpeted room, it automatically lifts its dual spinning mop pads up by 0.41 inches (10.5mm) and cranks up the vacuum power. Once the run is finished, it returns to the dock to empty its own dustbin, wash its mop pads, and dry them with warm air so they don't sit around smelling like a damp towel.

Using 3D structured light and LiDAR mapping, the robot maps out your floor plan in minutes. It actively identifies everyday floor clutter and navigates around it without getting hung up. The massive 5,200mAh battery runs for up to 231 minutes on a single charge, and you can set it to charge during off-peak hours to keep your electricity bill down.

If you want to put your daily vacuuming and mopping routine on autopilot for under $500, head over to Amazon to grab the Dreame L40 Ultra Gen 2 before this deal expires.

Want to learn more about getting the best out of your tech? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories and Deals newsletters today.

SAVE OVER $1,500: As of Sept. 25, the Dreame LiDAR A3 AWD Pro 3500 robot lawn mower is on sale for $1,799.99 at Amazon after clipping the on-page coupon. That's $1,900 off its full price of $3,699.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Dreame DREAME LiDAR A3 AWD Pro 3500 $1,799.99 at Amazon
$3,699.99 Save $1,900.00   Get Deal

If you still have yard work left to do this fall, sale events like the upcoming Prime Big Deal Days are a great opportunity to buy outdoor items at a discount.

Before the sale starts, we're finding some great early deals on various outdoor items, including robot lawn mowers like the Dreame LiDAR A3 AWD Pro 3500.

This is one of our favorite early deals on robot lawn mowers. Normally priced at $3,699.99, it's been marked down to $1,799.99 after checking the coupon box on the store page. That amounts to a massive $1,900 in savings and is the lowest price ever. It's only available for a limited time, so now is your chance to save.

SEE ALSO: How to sign up for Amazon Prime in time for the next Prime Day

It can handle up to 0.87 acres. It can also climb slopes up to 38.7 degrees, so if your yard's a bit bumpy, it can still move around and make sure there's no uneven spots. As for the mowing itself, it comes with dual cutting discs that have a 15.8-inch cutting width and EdgeMaster 2.0 technology that reaches the borders around your yard.

It also has OmniSense 3.0 technology, which combines 360-degree 3D LiDAR and Binocular AI Vision for navigation. With these, the mower can map out your yard and note any obstacles in its way so it can get an even cut. When the mower's battery gets too low, it automatically records its position and heads to the charging station. Then it can pick up right where it left off.

This incredible deal may not be available for long. Don't miss out on $1,900 off the Dreame LiDAR A3 AWD Pro 3500 robot lawn mower at Amazon.

The best deals this week, hand-picked by our shopping experts

• Apple iPhone 18 Pro — free at T-Mobile 

• Paramount+ — $0.99 for 2 months with code p2mcs26prem

• Apple AirPods Pro 3 — $199 $249 (save $50)

• Apple iPad Pro — $1,899 $2,099 (save $200)

• TCL 85-Inch Class QM8L Series TV — $2,497.99 $3,999.99 (save $1,502)

SAVE $100: As of Sept. 25, the TCL 75-inch Class QM7L Series TV is on sale for $1,197.99 at Amazon. That's an 8% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: TCL TCL 75-inch Class QM7L Series TV $1,197.99 at Amazon
$1,297.99 Save $100   Get Deal

The countdown to Amazon's next Prime Day has begun, with just under two weeks to go. While the sales don't officially get underway until Oct. 6, we've already started spotting early deals, like this latest discount on the TCL 75-inch Class QM7L Series TV.

As of Sept. 25, this popular TV has dropped by $100 to $1,197.99. According to price tracker camelcamelcamel, this is the lowest-ever price for this TV.

SEE ALSO: This Toshiba art TV is a picturesque deal at this price — get it now with a huge saving of $900

This is a seriously impressive TV, and a great choice for an upgrade. It combines the TCL Deep Color System with its Halo Control System for bright, detailed picture quality. Its Ultra Color Filter also uses fine 5-nanometer particles for more precise color, and the HVA 2.0 Pro Panel has high contrast and an anti-reflective finish. Plus, the AIPQ Pro Processor uses AI to adjust picture clarity, contrast, color, motion, upscaling, and backlighting based on whatever you're watching.

It's a stellar choice for gaming too, thanks to the TCL Game Pack, which includes Game Accelerator 288 VRR, Game Bar, and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro.

You can find this early Prime Day TV deal at Amazon now.

The best deals this week, hand-picked by our shopping experts

• Apple iPhone 18 Pro — free at T-Mobile 

• Paramount+ — $0.99 for 2 months with code p2mcs26prem

• Apple AirPods Pro 3 — $199 $249 (save $50)

• Apple iPad Pro — $1,899 $2,099 (save $200)

• TCL 85-Inch Class QM8L Series TV — $2,497.99 $3,999.99 (save $1,502)

SAVE $82: As of Sept. 25, the Amazon Fire HD 10 tablet is on sale for $72.99 at Amazon. That's a 53% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire HD 10 $72.99 at Amazon
$154.99 Save $82.00   Get Deal

Early Prime Day deals have been kicking off at Amazon all week, with everything from robot vacuums to power stations getting hefty discounts.

Some of the best deals have dropped on Amazon's own devices, like this latest discount on the Amazon Fire HD 10 tablet. Usually priced at $154.99, it has dropped to just $72.99. That's 53% off the list price, and its lowest-ever price. Who can argue with a tablet that costs under $73?

This tablet has a 10.1-inch 1080p Full HD display for streaming, reading, and gaming. It has an impressive 13-hour battery life, making it easy to take with you while traveling or out for the day without constant recharging.

The design is both lightweight and durable, made from strengthened aluminosilicate glass.

You'll also get a 5MP front-facing camera that can be used for Zoom calls or for creating social media content. It also comes with new smart tools that can help you write better emails, summarize webpages, and create wallpapers, and Alexa can help with everything from recipes to reading and controlling compatible smart home devices.

Get this tablet deal at Amazon now.

The best deals this week, hand-picked by our shopping experts

• Apple iPhone 18 Pro — free at T-Mobile 

• Paramount+ — $0.99 for 2 months with code p2mcs26prem

• Apple AirPods Pro 3 — $199 $249 (save $50)

• Apple iPad Pro — $1,899 $2,099 (save $200)

• TCL 85-Inch Class QM8L Series TV — $2,497.99 $3,999.99 (save $1,502)

SAVE $349.99: As of Sept. 25, the Shark AV2511AE AI robot vacuum is on sale for $249.99 at Amazon. That's a 58% discount on the list price, and its best-ever price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Shark Shark AV2511AE AI $249.99 at Amazon
$599.99 Save $350   Get Deal

Prime Day gets underway in just under two weeks, and if you've got a list of tech goods or Amazon essentials you're looking to buy, chances are you'll find a great deal that will save you a lot of money.

But you don't need to wait until the sale starts to save. We've already spotted early deals on everything from speakers to fitness trackers.

Robot vacuums are getting the same treatment, and there are some impressive deals already live. That includes this latest discount on the Shark AV2511AE. Normally $599, this model is now $249.99. That's more than half off, and its best-ever price.

This is a great price for a great machine. Dirt stands no chance thanks to its Matrix Clean technology that uses a precision grid pattern to make multiple passes over messes. It also uses a 360° LiDAR navigation to map your home, detect objects, and navigate around your space, even in the dark.

When the battery runs low, the robot returns to its dock to recharge before resuming cleaning. In the meantime, you'll get up to 90 minutes of runtime. Plus, the bagless self-emptying base can hold up to 60 days' worth of dirt and debris, so you don't need to replace disposal bags.

Find this early Prime Day deal at Amazon now.

The best deals this week, hand-picked by our shopping experts

• Apple iPhone 18 Pro — free at T-Mobile 

• Paramount+ — $0.99 for 2 months with code p2mcs26prem

• Apple AirPods Pro 3 — $199 $249 (save $50)

• Apple iPad Pro — $1,899 $2,099 (save $200)

• TCL 85-Inch Class QM8L Series TV — $2,497.99 $3,999.99 (save $1,502)

SAVE $150: As of Sept. 25, the MacBook Air 13-inch M5 is available for $1,649 at Amazon. That's a $150 saving on the regular list price of $1,799.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple MacBook Air 13-Inch M5 $1,649 at Amazon
$1,749 Save $100   Get Deal

There's still a little way to go before October Prime Day kicks off on Oct. 6, but it's never too early to start hunting for deals. That goes double if you're seeking an Apple deal, which you know will be snapped up super quick.

Our expert has been on the case, tracking the best early deals, and has selected the Apple MacBook Air as the top laptop discount right now. Which is great, of course, but there's an even more powerful version of that MacBook also marked down right now: The MacBook Air 13-inch, which has a beefed-up RAM memory of 24GB — and like its little brother, it's also marked down by $150.

As of Sept. 25, the MacBook Air 13-inch (24GB, M5) is priced at $1,649, down from the regular list price of $1,799.

This MacBook is immensely powerful, driven by the M5 chip and further bolstered by all the fantastic Apple tech you expect — Touch ID, Apple Intelligence, WiFi 7 compatibility, and an eye-popping liquid retina display. As Apple fans already know, it syncs brilliantly with other Apple devices and delivers the user experience you only get with Apple. And in addition to the souped-up 24 GB of RAM, you get 1TB of storage — along with the portability of the lightweight, slimline Air build.

There's much more on offer for Apple shoppers right now, with deals on iPads and other Apple devices ahead of October Prime Day.

Don't miss the MacBook Air on sale for $1,649. Buy it now and save $150.

The best deals this week, hand-picked by our shopping experts

• Apple iPhone 18 Pro — free at T-Mobile 

• Paramount+ — $0.99 for 2 months with code p2mcs26prem

• Apple AirPods Pro 3 — $199 $249 (save $50)

• Apple iPad Pro — $1,899 $2,099 (save $200)

• TCL 85-Inch Class QM8L Series TV — $2,497.99 $3,999.99 (save $1,502)

We love a good standalone episode.

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

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

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

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

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

Credit: Apple TV

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

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

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

What does the ending mean?

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

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

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

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Best early October Prime Day outdoor deals: Best portable power station deal Anker Solix C1000 $449.98 (save $150.01) Get Deal Best cooler deal Igloo Trailmate Cooler (50 quart) $99.99 (save $20) Get Deal Best outdoor speaker deal Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 $51.44 (save $48.55) Get Deal Best tent deal Coleman Instant Cabin 4P $149.99 (save $68.50) Get Deal Best water filter deal LifeStraw Personal Water Filter $14.99 (save $2.96) Get Deal Best backyard grill deal Weber Spirit E-210 Gas Grill $359.98 (save $189.02) Get Deal

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

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

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

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

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

More portable power station deals

• Jackery Explorer 240D — $189 $219 (save $40)

• Jackery Explorer 300 — $259 $289 (save $30)

• Bluetti Elite 30 V2 — $279 $449 (save $170)

• Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 — $499 $559 (save $60)

• Anker Solix C1000 Gen 2 — $499.98 $599 (save $99.02)

• EcoFlow Delta 3 — $599 $699 (save $100)

Best cooler deal Opens in a new window Credit: Igloo Igloo Trailmate Cooler (50 quart) $99.99 at Amazon
$119.99 Save $20   Get Deal Why we like it

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

More cooler deals

• Coleman Marine Cooler (100 quart) — $119.99 $134.99 (save $15)

• Igloo Maxcold Glide (110 quart) — $152.99 $179.99 (save $54)

• Yeti Roadie 15 (tropical pink) — $160 $200 (save $40)

• Dometic Unrestricted Insulated Backpack Cooler — $190.01 $200 (save $9.99)

• RTIC Ultra-Tough Cooler (65 quart) — $242.10 $269 (save $26.90)

• Ninja FrostVault (Spanish moss, 65 quart) — $279.99 $349.99 (save $70)

Best outdoor speaker deal Opens in a new window Credit: Ultimate Ears Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 $51.44
$99.99 Save $48.55   Get Deal Why we like it

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

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

More outdoor speaker deals

• Anker Soundcore Boom 3i — $77.99 $129.99 (save $52 with code FJBRCGUZ6WHA)

• Bose SoundLink — $99.99 $129 (save $29.01)

• Ultimate Ears Boom 4 — $119.99 $149.99 (save $30)

• JBL Charge 6 — $159.99 $199.99 (save $40)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Primetime is now in theaters. 

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The New York Film Festival kicks off this week, continuing what's already been a jam-packed fall festival season. Whether you're attending the festival in person or just planning out your fall moviegoing calendar, Mashable has you covered on the buzziest titles you'll want to check out.

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

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

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

1. Godzilla Minus Zero

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

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

Starring: Ryunosuke Kamiki, Minami Hamabe, and Yuki Yamada

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

2. Behemoth!

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

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

Starring: Pedro Pascal, Olivia Wilde, and Will Arnett

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

3. Paper Tiger

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

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

Starring: Adam Driver, Scarlett Johansson, and Miles Teller

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

4. A Long Winter Credit: TIFF

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

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

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

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

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

5. Clarissa

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

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

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

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

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

6. NAZA Credit: NYFF

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

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

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

7. Misty Green

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

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

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

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

8. The Only Living Pickpocket in New York

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

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

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

9. Tender Loving Care

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

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

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

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

10. You Can See Everything

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

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

Starring: Nathan Fielder, Elizabeth Holmes

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

11. Club Kid

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

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

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

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

12. Bucking Fastard

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

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

Starring: Rooney Mara, Kate Mara, and Orlando Bloom

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

13. Bitter Christmas

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

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

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

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

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

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

14. The Debut

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What's Sense and Sensibility about? 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: Best movies of 2026, and where to watch them now

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

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

Never After Dark is more than what it seems. 

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

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

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

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

Never After Dark is like an enchanting nightmare. 

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

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

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

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

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

Never After Dark is now playing in theaters.

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