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In a few short years, Paul Mescal has gone from rising Irish actor to major movie star with an Academy Award nomination to his credit. His vulnerable turns in Normal People, Aftersun, and All of Us Strangers have secured him a spot in the hallowed halls of Internet Boyfriends. But what sets Mescal apart from Ryan Gosling, Timothée Chalamet, Pedro Pascal, and Jonathan Bailey is his supreme ability to Sad Boy.

SEE ALSO: 'Hamnet' review: Paul Mescal and Jessie Buckley burn in William Shakespeare tragedy

It's not just that he can cry. Mescal's blue eyes can carry an ocean of sadness. His voice can tremble at an octave that makes our hearts drop. His smile, even when wide, can read as a desperate lie. He is so good at playing heartache and grief that he's essentially made "sad boy" a verb. As in, Paul Mescal can Sad Boy like no other.

So, in celebration of the wide release of Hamnet, another film in which Mescal has come to break hearts and spike tissue sales, Mashable's team has surveyed his filmography to rank his movies, TV show appearances, and short films on a scale of zero to five Sad Boys. To be clear, this ranking is not about how sad the title is; it's about how sad Mescal is in it — so, when you plan your own Mescal movie marathon, you know how to hydrate and gear up with tissues appropriately.

Here are our Paul Mescal Sad Boy rankings, in order of release.

Normal People (2020)

The role that introduced the world to Mescal, Normal People's Connell set the bar high for Paul Mescal's future Sad Boys. Yes, he's charming and smart, but he also nurses a deep sadness and struggles to communicate his emotions, be it his affection for Marianne (Daisy Edgar-Jones) or his grief over losing his friend Rob (Éanna Hardwicke).

When Connell's feelings finally do spill over in a monologue to a therapist in episode 10, it's nothing short of extraordinary. Here, Mescal lays bare all of Connell's depression and insecurities. It's riveting and raw, and it's the perfect groundwork for Mescal's future Sad Boy roles. If we were just rating Normal People off that scene, it would earn five Sad Mescals, no questions asked. But since Connell has his fair share of happy moments, especially with Marianne, we'll settle for four Sad Mescals. — Belen Edwards, Entertainment Reporter

Credit: Ian Moore / Mashable

How to watch: Normal People is now streaming on Hulu.

Drifting (2020)

Written and directed by Robert Higgins and Patrick McGivney, Drifting is a 14-minute short film about two Irish boys who've been friends their whole lives. However, growing up can mean growing apart. In their small Midlands town, Cian (Mescal) is content to hit the same pub for drinks and trouble, night after night, year after year. But Pat (Dafhyd Flynn) yearns for a new scene.

Mescal drapes Cian in a cocky attitude with a pugnacious edge. But beneath this bad boy surface is a Sad Boy whose laughter hides an ache he can't explain. However, at only 14 minutes, the sadness begins to bloom right before the credits roll. — Kristy Puchko, Entertainment Editor

Credit: Ian Moore / Mashable

How to watch: Drifting is now streaming on YouTube.

The Rolling Stones, "Scarlet" (2020)

A music video may not seem like a place for Mescal sadness. And yet this Rolling Stones' video begins with no music, just Mescal — with his Irish accent intact — teary, calling himself "a little bit drunk" and apologizing before saying, "I love you." This too sounds like an apology in his delivery, which is straight to camera, enhancing its impact. Then the song begins.

However, from there, Mescal offers a lot of smiles, jaunty dancing, boyish charm, and a bit of a strip tease. There's brooding and tears too. It's an emotional rollercoaster with more highs than lows. — K.P.

Credit: Ian Moore / Mashable

How to watch: The Rolling Stones' "Scarlet" can be streamed on YouTube.

Phoebe Bridgers, "Savior Complex" (2020)

The Sally-Rooney-Taylor-Swift-Phoebe-Bridgers-Fleabag cinematic universe went supernova when Paul Mescal starred in the music video for Phoebe Bridgers' "Savior Complex," directed by Phoebe Waller-Bridge. (Huge day for all Bridge-adjacent Phoebes out there.) Prior to the video, Mescal and Bridgers had exchanged messages on social media about Normal People and interviewed one another on Instagram Live, making "Savior Complex" a watershed moment for the very online. The pair went on to date, although they are no longer together.

Mescal's role in the actual video is less prototypical Sad Boy and more general Tortured Man. He's a grifter who fakes injuries and steals a car, all while running from the most precious white dog who has nothing but affection for him, even after everything he's done. If anything, the dog is the real Sad Boy here. (Also, just a very Good Boy.) — B.E.

Credit: Ian Moore / Mashable

How to watch: Phoebe Bridgers' "Savior Complex" is now streaming on YouTube.

The Lost Daughter (2021)

As far as Mescal's role in Maggie Gyllenhaal's psychological thriller The Lost Daughter goes, Will is as far from Sad Boy as you can get, really. A 24-year-old Irish business student working summers on a Greek island, he might be behind in his studies, but he's working a cruisy job in paradise, hanging out with Olivia Colman's Leda and having an affair with Dakota Johnson's Nina. He's complicated, but not deeply sad. Probably the one character in the film who isn't tormented by their past and present, really. But the film does have both Mescal and his Hamnet co-star Jessie Buckley in it, so it's Sad Boy-adjacent by way of casting. — Shannon Connellan, UK Editor

Credit: Ian Moore / Mashable

How to watch: The Lost Daughter is now streaming on Netflix.

God's Creatures (2022)

Haunting and downright bleak, God's Creatures is an underrated gem in Mescal's discography. The film focuses on Aileen (a terrific Emily Watson), whose estranged son Brian (Mescal) returns to Ireland after a stint in Australia. When Aileen's coworker Sarah (Aisling Franciosi) accuses Brian of sexual assault, Aileen finds herself torn between her family and doing what's right. As Aileen reckons with her tangle of guilt and maternal love, Mescal turns in a performance that oozes less with sadness than straight-up menace. — B.E.

Credit: Ian Moore / Mashable

How to watch: God's Creatures is now streaming on Tubi.

Aftersun (2022)

It's fitting that Mescal earned his first Academy Award nomination for one of his saddest roles to date, playing father Calum on vacation with his daughter Sophie (Frankie Corio) in Charlotte Wells' Aftersun. 

Seen through young Sophie's eyes and adult Sophie's (Celia Rowlson Hall) memories and VHS tapes, Calum is almost unknowable to her: a loving father burdened with a pain young Sophie couldn't understand. The implication that Calum died by suicide following the the trip adds a further layer of tragedy to the film, and Mescal plays every aspect of it flawlessly. To this day, I can't hear "Under Pressure" without feeling emotionally shattered — that's the power of Mescal and Aftersun. — B.E.

Credit: Ian Moore / Mashable

How to watch: Aftersun is now streaming on Pluto TV.

Carmen (2022)

In Benjamin Millepied's Texas-set reimagining of Bizet's tragic opera, Carmen, Mescal's Sad Boy level is right up there. As Aidan, a Marine with PTSD, Mescal plays a man whose "eyes are sad but produce no tears," as the film describes it. Aidan meets the titular love of his life (Melissa Barrera) as she attempts to cross the Mexican border, and the violence that ensues causes them both deep trauma and puts them on the run together. There's much forlorn gazing across the Texan landscape and nightclub dance floors, Romeo and Juliet-level foreshadowing, and significant brooding. Mescal even sings and plays a melancholy original on acoustic guitar. Mescal's Aidan watching Barrera's Carmen performing "Tú y Yo" with tears in his eyes? SAD. — S.C.

Credit: Ian Moore / Mashable

How to watch: Carmen is available for rental or purchase on Prime Video.

All of Us Strangers (2023)

In writer/director Andrew Haigh's soul-scorching adaptation of Taichi Yamada's novel Strangers, Paul Mescal stars opposite Andrew Scott as a pair of neighbors in a largely empty apartment building, both of whom are desperate for connection. After a rocky start, the two form a hot and loving relationship. But a horrible secret threatens to ruin things.

SEE ALSO: 'All of Us Strangers' is a gift to queer Gen Xers

One of our favorite movies of 2023, All of Us Strangers offers Mescal as a lost young man yearning for love. His love scenes with Scott have an electrifying chemistry. But there's a volatile vulnerability to Mescal's performance here that makes his first scene unnerving, and his final absolutely heart-wrenching. Even just thinking back on it now, I'm tearing up. As Siddhant Adlakha wrote in his review for Mashable, "Andrew Scott and Paul Mescal lead the hottest, saddest movie this year." It might be that balance that makes his finale all the more devastating. — K.P.

Credit: Ian Moore / Mashable

How to watch: All of Us Strangers is now streaming on Hulu.

Foe (2023)

The saddest thing about Foe isn't Mescal himself, but rather the fact that a sci-fi movie starring him, Saoirse Ronan, and Aaron Pierre simply fails to take off. Mescal plays Junior, who lives with his wife Hen (Ronan) on a remote farm on a dying Earth. When Junior is chosen to go to space, company OuterMore plans to make an exact AI replica to remain on Earth with Hen. They just need to observe the couple in order to make it perfect. So begins a wave of interrogations in which Junior is at turns bewildered, aggressive, and possessive, but never truly full Sad Boy. — B.E.

Credit: Ian Moore / Mashable

How to watch: Foe is now streaming on Prime Video.

Gladiator II (2024)

When the casting for Ridley Scott's sequel to Gladiator was announced, Paul Mescal seemed an odd choice. A renowned and talented actor to be sure, but this ingendude doesn't have the macho ferocity of Russell Crowe, who headlined the first film. However, Scott seemed to use Mescal's Sad Boy supremacy to build a non-toxic masculinity thread into the story of another gladiator taking on a viciously oppressive system.

As I wrote in my review for Mashable, "Mescal has packed on added brawn for the role of a warrior, but the boyish vulnerability radiant in his critically heralded performances in the indie dramas Aftersun and All of Us Strangers shines through. He doesn't just put on a scowl and seek bloody vengeance on those who killed his beloved wife (May Calamawy). He also talks about his feelings to his mother (a returning Connie Nielsen). And even as he battles, he carries with him not just a sword but a woeful expression that violence is his only resort. There's a tragedy even in victory, in part because it's been 20 years since Maximus fought for Rome to be freed, and change has not come, a heavy burden that Mescal carries with every step." — K.P.

Credit: Ian Moore / Mashable

How to watch: Gladiator II is now streaming on Paramount+.

Saturday Night Live, Season 50, Episode 8 (2024)

We don't have a Happy Mescal scale, but if we did, Mescal's SNL hosting gig would be at the tippy-top. Over the course of the show, Mescal poked fun at being labeled "daddy," gamely played up his Irishness, went full pirate, and donned a ridiculous neon suit, complete with a Devo helmet. But the highlight was indisputably Mescal's starring turn in the Gladiator II musical sketch. Not only did Mescal showcase his impressive pipes, he also danced while decapitating fellow gladiators, spat a Lin-Manuel Miranda-style rap, and did his best impression of Elphaba's "Defying Gravity" riff. The smile on his face says it all: That is one joyous Mescal. — B.E.

Credit: Ian Moore / Mashable

How to watch: Saturday Night Live is now streaming on Peacock.

The History of Sound (2024)

Suppressed longing, deep grief, and lifelong love all fuel Oliver Hermanus' The History of Sound, with Mescal's character a man of few words but intense emotion. The film follows the deep love between the intensely stoic Lionel (Mescal) and the overtly charming David (Josh O'Connor), who meet in 1917 in Boston while singing old songs around the piano, right before Lionel is deployed to fight in World War I. Two music academics, they later travel the American East collecting recordings of folk songs, as their romance deepens behind closed doors. Mescal's Lionel endures loneliness, grief, isolation, oppressed sexuality, and the agony of long-lost love, thus Sad Boy levels in The History of Sound are high. — S.C.

Credit: Ian Moore / Mashable

How to watch: The History of Sound is now streaming on MUBI.

Hamnet (2025)

Get your tissues ready. Mescal's performance as William Shakespeare, a man engulfed by unimaginable grief, in Chloé Zhao's Hamnet will tear you to pieces. Based on Maggie O'Farrell's novel, the drama sees Mescal alongside Jessie Buckley as history's own star-crossed lovers Will and Agnes, who suffer the devastating loss of their 11-year-old son Hamnet years before the playwright penned his famous tragedy Hamlet. Mescal's raw, unrelenting, and completely human interpretation of Shakespeare's loss as a father and process as a writer comprehending it all will break you, put you back together again, and stay lodged in your throat long after you've watched.

As Mashable Entertainment Editor Kristy Puchko wrote in her review of Hamnet out of TIFF, "'Where is he?' Will says, and in that simple question, Mescal channels a mix of dread, hope, and fear that could bring down the Globe Theatre. It's not booming. That's not Zhao's way. It's delivered strong but raw, quavering. It is what pain sounds like when stripped of Hollywood shine. It's too human for an Oscar reel. It's too heartbreaking."

Essentially, you'll never look at the famous "to be or not to be" soliloquy the same way. — S.C.

Credit: Ian Moore / Mashable

How to watch: Hamnet is now in theaters.

The central locked room mystery of Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery sees writer-director Rian Johnson drawing on a long literary history. The film takes many cues from the likes of authors including Agatha Christie and Edgar Allan Poe, but one particular novel is crucial to the core puzzle: John Dickson Carr's The Hollow Man.

The American author's 1935 mystery novel, which features his recurring investigator protagonist Gideon Fell, functions as a key text in Benoit Blanc's (Daniel Craig) investigation into the murder at Our Lady of Perpetual Fortitude. But what exactly is this important book?

SEE ALSO: 'Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery': What's on the book club list? What is The Hollow Man in Wake Up Dead Man?

Early on in Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery, new Chimney Rock resident and priest Jud Duplenticy (Josh O'Connor) is reckoning with the impossible crime that is the murder of Monsignor Jefferson Wicks (Josh Brolin). Stabbed in the back in a small room with only one way in or out, in front of an entire congregation? It's "the stuff of detective fiction," as Blanc declares, the famous detective now on the case.

In his clue-gathering, Blanc mentions Carr's novel The Hollow Man and the methods of Gideon Fell, Carr's fictional detective. And according to a list Father Jud finds in the church office, The Hollow Man just so happened to be the Spring Book Club title for Our Lady of Perpetual Fortitude — it seems the killer was inspired by the novel.

Featured Video For You Andrew Scott on crafting the iconic 'Ripley' in Netflix's new mystery series The Hollow Man gives "a syllabus of how to commit the perfect crime." Credit: Orion / Mashable

In The Hollow Man, a murderer shoots a professor and vanishes from a locked room, then kills another victim in a public street with witnesses and without leaving footprints in the snow. However, there's one very famous chapter, 17, which has become synonymous with defining the elements of an impossible crime. Here, Carr has Fell giving this famous "locked room lecture" to the reader, describing "the general mechanics" of how a murder (like Wicks') could be committed in impossible circumstances.

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Blanc describes The Hollow Man in Wake Up Dead Man as "a syllabus of how to commit the perfect crime," as Fell maps out a number of scenarios, including the following:

1. It is not murder, but a series of coincidences ending in an accident which looks like murder.

2. It is murder, but the victim is impelled to kill himself or crash into an accidental death.

3. It is murder, by a mechanical device already planted in the room, and hidden undetectably in some innocent-looking piece of furniture.

Carr would deploy the locked room framework in many novels, like The Problem of the Wire Cage (a murder on a tennis court) and The Crooked Hinge and Castle Skull (murders which at first appear supernatural).

Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None, Edgar Allan Poe's The Murders in the Rue Morgue (both also on Our Lady of Perpetual Fortitude's book club list), Gaston Leroux's The Mystery of the Yellow Room, Soji Shimada's The Tokyo Zodiac Murders, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes and The Adventure of the Speckled Band and The Adventure of the Crooked Man — all locked room mysteries, impossible crimes that it would take a real Jonathan Creek to solve.

Or, a Benoit Blanc.

Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery will open in select cinemas on Nov. 26, then debut on Netflix on Dec. 12.

If the first five minutes of Scarlet had been the entire movie, I would have been happy.

In these opening moments, director Mamoru Hosoda (Belle) transports viewers to a fantastic realm, one where the past and future intertwine. Here, a red-haired young woman wanders a desert wasteland filled with discarded armor and slow-creeping magma flows. The clouds in the sky above ripple like ocean waves. A gargantuan dragon swims through the air, leaving crackles of lightning in its wake.

SEE ALSO: NYFF 2025 preview: 14 films you'll want to see for yourself (and how)

The scene is disorienting and dazzling in equal measure, especially as Hosoda toggles between the desert and a glowing, liminal space where the young woman wears not the cloaked garb of a hardened wasteland survivor, but the brilliant white gown of a princess. It's while wearing this gown that the young woman remembers who she is and why she's in the desert. At that point, Scarlet goes from fascinating fantasy to an absolutely gonzo epic.

That's because the woman's memories reveal that Scarlet isn't solely a surreal fantasy tale. It's also an adaptation of Hamlet. And while a high-concept, animated adaptation of Hamlet can be great — look no further than The Lion King for proof — Scarlet mostly chafes strangely against its source material. The result is a film that's confounding in its adaptation ambitions, yet still manages to be showstopping.

How does Scarlet tie to Hamlet? Credit: Studio Chizu

The young woman we first meet in the wasteland is Scarlet (voiced by Mana Ashida), the princess of Denmark. As a young child, she witnessed her Uncle Claudius (voiced by Kôji Yakusho) commit a violent coup against her father (voiced by Masachika Ichimura), executing him right in front of her. (A far cry from Hamlet's Claudius stealthily slipping poison in the king's ear.)

That Scarlet's take on Claudius has him so obviously and visibly responsible for her father's murder means that Scarlet doesn't have to pull from Hamlet's bag of tricks to assess her uncle's guilt. No pretending to be mad or putting on calculated plays for her! Instead, she jumps straight into battle training to take Claudius down. Unfortunately for her, Claudius is two steps ahead and simply has her killed.

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But death is not the end for Scarlet like it is for Hamlet. She awakens in the Otherworld, the strange afterlife on display in Scarlet's first scenes. Since the past and future are one in the Otherworld, every dead soul winds up here — including Claudius'. Now, Scarlet has one more chance at vengeance, but even the afterlife comes with peril. Die here, and you vanish into nothingness. And with armies of dead soldiers and Claudius' henchmen standing between her and her goal, Scarlet will have to accomplish the impossible if she is to see her goal through to the end.

Why is Scarlet even an adaptation of Hamlet in the first place? Credit: Studio Chizu

From here, Scarlet essentially becomes several different movies. It's partly a fantasy adventure in which Scarlet must fight hordes of soldiers from various time periods. The action sequences are riveting: just the right amount of brutal, while pushing Scarlet's considerable prowess to its limits.

Scarlet is also partly an anti-war treatise, with heaps of pro-immigration and pro-refugee messaging. The former manifests itself in the arrival of Hijiri (voiced by Masaki Okada), a present-day nurse who wants nothing more than to heal the suffering citizens of the Otherworld. He's staunchly anti-conflict, a counterpoint to Scarlet's bloodthirsty nature.

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Scarlet's nature is echoed in the rest of the war-torn Otherworld, which runs rampant with bandits preying on caravans of innocent souls simply trying to make it to Eternity. That promised heaven lies at the top of a mountain range, but Claudius has set up shop in a nearby fortress and walled off the path to Eternity from the Otherworld's masses. The wall imagery draws a clear parallel to current anti-immigration and anti-refugee policies, echoing Trumpian philosophies of exclusion. Subtlety, thy name isn't Hosoda.

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The pairing of these big, if simplistic, ideas with Scarlet's Otherworld odyssey is already a lot to take in, and that's without the Hamlet adaptation element. Following Scarlet's death, the story ceases to become the Hamlet you know. Yet Hosoda still puts twists on familiar Hamlet elements. Scarlet must face down minor Hamlet characters like Cornelius (voiced by Yutaka Matsushige) and Voltemand (voiced by Kôtarô Yoshida), with Hosoda turning these bit parts into video game mini-bosses. (Shakespeare's major female characters get far less to do: Ophelia is entirely absent, and Queen Gertrude steals the show in one scene only to disappear otherwise.) Characters regularly speak in lines from the play, prompting me to jolt up and gasp at the screen like a Marvel fan spotting a key Easter egg in an MCU movie.

Then of course, there's the death of it all. As a character, Hamlet is fascinated by death, hence his classic query of "to be, or not to be." Scarlet strands its Hamlet stand-in in death, causing her to fight past the bounds of her own mortality. It's an interesting juxtaposition, yet one Scarlet rarely ponders. Instead, it focuses on Scarlet's choice between vengeance or breaking the cycle of violence. At that point, all the Hamlet references begin to feel more like window dressing than story elements with deeper thematic resonance, and Scarlet's cohesion suffers wildly as a result.

Scarlet is still a gorgeous, unforgettable ride. Credit: Studio Chizu

With all these moving pieces, there's no doubt that Scarlet is as maximalist as can be. And that level of boldness, of throwing everything at the wall and hoping it sticks, makes even Scarlet's most bizarre moments exciting. Sure, "Hamlet, but make it warrior princess" doesn't completely hold together over the course of Scarlet's two-hour runtime, but it is undeniably thrilling to watch something so unexpected play out.

Where Scarlet excels the most is the world-building of the Otherworld, which Hosoda renders in an intriguing blend of 3D and 2D animation. At times, the mixture of 2D facial expressions against a more photorealistic 3D landscape can be jarring, yet the effect only adds to the strangeness of the Otherworld.

The Otherworld offers up a rich background where Scarlet and Hijiri's quest can unfold. Its inhabitants come from a blend of cultures and time periods, creating a wonderful aesthetic clash. Elsewhere, small details in the landscape, like a quarry full of cairns, speak to the many, many dead souls who've passed through.

However, the true standout of the Otherworld is its dragon, a massive beast whose hide is peppered with the weapons of those who have tried to slay it. It roars into view during scenes of carnage, bringing earth-shattering lightning and thunder along with it. The dragon's fearsome appearance, combined with composer Taisei Iwasaki's thrumming score, makes for an unforgettable theatrical viewing experience. Truly, I felt like I was levitating out of my seat.

Now, does Scarlet ever dive deeper into the lore around the dragon, or its role in the Otherworld? Not really. But did I care? Not that much!

That mentality sums up the best way to approach Scarlet as a whole. There's no doubting it's messy, but there's also no doubting its capacity to astonish.

Scarlet opens in limited IMAX theaters Dec. 12.

UPDATE: Dec. 10, 2025, 3:24 p.m. This review was first published on Oct. 7, 2025, out of film's U.S. premiere at the New York Film Festival. It has been updated to reflect viewing options.

Ever wandered through an established art gallery and thought about prying those valuable masterpieces from the wall and running out the door, all in broad daylight? That's what Josh O'Connor's character cooks up in The Mastermind. But it's not the entire story of Kelly Reichardt's latest, with the writer/director leaning on the art heist genre to take a deeper look into the reasons behind such a decision — and follow a family man on the run during social and political upheaval in America.

Set in '70s Massachusetts and loosely based on the high-profile Worcester Art Museum robbery, The Mastermind plays out such a scenario with charming realism, wholesome comedy, and a rich, seductive score. But its most valuable asset is O'Connor, whose magnetic performance is as hilariously deadpan as it is moving.

The Mastermind plans a highly cosy crime. Josh O'Connor in "The Mastermind." Credit: Mastermind Movie Inc. All Rights Reserved

With a clear pivot in the film's centre, The Mastermind is essentially a story in two acts: the first involving a farcical art heist frankly best left to professional thieves, the second a rambling road trip through American towns, all tainted by the inescapable but subtle presence of the Vietnam War.

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As for the heist, Reichardt keeps things characteristically minimalist and as far away from Ocean's 11 flamboyance as possible. We're talking no surveillance tech, limited security staff, and small-town cops on their lunch break. There are no nail-biter safe-cracking scenes, no lasers to avoid, no bait and switch. Instead of a motley crew of specialists pulling "one last job," it's a trio of regular guys led by middle-class family man and unemployed carpenter JB (O'Connor). With his chic and cool-headed wife Terri (Alana Haim) and adorable young sons (Jasper and Sterling Thompson) in tow, he cases the fictitious Framingham Art Museum in order to steal four works by American modernist Arthur Dove. 

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Everything about this relatively cosy crime feels soft and overtly autumnal, from Rob Mazurek's mellow jazz score to costume designer Amy Roth's array of plush sweaters and cardigans, to the homemade pillowcases Terri sews to transport the stolen works. JB uses paper maps to brief his co-conspirators and hands out beautifully hand-drawn flashcards of the works they need to steal. Cinematographer Christopher Blauvelt captures each scene with a nostalgic, low-contrast glow akin to the classic '70s movie aesthetic of The Holdovers, and Anthony Gasparro's production design is a crunchy-leafed suburban landscape of American modernist architecture — and all the wood panelling that goes with it.

Those flash cards. Credit: Mastermind Movie Inc. All Rights Reserved

That being said, there are some sharp edges here once reality hits. Quietly confident he can pull off such a daring crime with ample preparation, JB unwisely puts his faith in his skittish collaborators (Eli Gelb, Cole Doman, and Javion Allen), leading to a bungled execution that is both stressful and comical to watch. Reichardt deploys slapstick comedy sparingly but effectively. At times, The Mastermind even veers into Buster Keaton territory, especially in one of the film's best scenes involving O'Connor's dalliance with a barn ladder and the valiant aim of loft storage. Reader, I cackled. In fact, O'Connor's ability to channel a Keaton-worthy deadpan stare continues throughout the film, one of the many subtle skills the History of Sound actor wields.

Josh O'Connor is a master of deadpan comedy in The Mastermind. Eli Gelb, Javion Allen, and Josh O'Connor in "The Mastermind." Credit: Mastermind Movie Inc. All Rights Reserved

Though The Mastermind precedes the technology by a few decades, O'Connor's JB feels like personification of the deluded shrug guy emoticon, assuring the people around him (especially his exasperated parents, played by Hope Davis and Bill Camp) that everything's going to work out. Despite the title of the film, JB is far from a criminal mastermind, despite one or two Frank Abagnale Jr. moments. However, Reichardt is less interested in following the flashy finesse of a master thief, more in the string of life decisions JB makes to try and provide financial stability for his family (and yes, a sense of personal accomplishment for himself). 

As much as The Mastermind gives O'Connor to play with, it sadly does not bestow the same opportunity on his co-star, Alana Haim, whose role as JB's wife seems bizarrely restricted. Aside from a brief spell of camaraderie during the planning of the heist, Terri is given little to do but glare and seethe at her bumbling husband, though Haim miraculously finds nuance and expression within her allotted silence. JB quite literally pleads with his wife to "say something" and express her feelings. And while women onscreen shouldn't always be required to flip tables to speak their minds, Terri deserves more characterisation than an alarm clock thrown offscreen.

Alana Haim in "The Mastermind." Credit: Mastermind Movie Inc. All Rights Reserved

Where The Mastermind does extrapolate a truly marvellous character is in JB's old friend Fred, an absolute highlight of the film played by John Magaro who is jubilant at having his "mind blown" by his friend's extraordinary actions. The Past Lives actor brings a brilliant sense of levity and warmth to the film (and JB himself) when it's needed, offset by the bristling disdain exuded by Fred's partner Maude (Gaby Hoffmann). We're not privy to every detail of the relationship between these three, with Reichardt leaving the audience to fill in more than a few gaps for themselves. And that's half the magic of The Mastermind.

Featured Video For You 'Challengers' Zendaya, Josh O'Connor and Mike Faist on the significance of the 'I Told Ya' shirt Kelly Reichardt leaves the audience to piece together The Mastermind. Vietnam War-era America is omnipresent. Credit: Mastermind Movie Inc. All Rights Reserved

Showing no intention of tying The Mastermind up in a neat bow, Reichardt doesn't overexplain in her film. Relationships between characters emerge slowly through dialogue; historical context isn't shoved down our throats. But the omnipresence of the Vietnam War is impossible to miss.

The advent of television broadcasting sees JB's father glued to the nightly news while our protagonist sweats about the details of his hometown heist. Anti-war protests and demonstrations pepper the media and the streets on differing scales. This crucial moment of political turbulence in America comes into sharper focus once JB hits the road, where he notices a naval officer on the Greyhound bus shipping out and sees young student activists lambasted by older nationalists. The social and cultural shifts of the '70s seep into the central narrative through offhand comments; a conversation between JB and Fred mentions Canadian communes full of "draft dodgers, radical feminists, dope fiends — nice people."

It's Reichardt's ability to thread such tempestuous historical context through comedy and the heist genre that makes The Mastermind such a unique and endearing film. And it's O'Connor's magnetic performance that makes the film a masterpiece of subtlety and deadpan humour. There are no heist movie archetypes here, only crunchy leaves, modernist art, and bumbling realism. It's a combination worth the steal.

The Mastermind debuts on MUBI Dec. 12.

UPDATE: Dec. 10, 2025, 3:34 p.m. This review was first published Sept. 28, 2025, out of the film's UK premiere at the BFI London Film Festival. It has been updated to reflect streaming options.

Bryan Fuller has carved his career out of blending whimsy with the macabre.

In 2003, he offered Dead Like Me, a sensationally funny and heart-wrenching tale of a young adult whose untimely death turns her into a hapless grim reaper. Four years later, he charmed us again with Pushing Daisies, a murder-mystery show centered around the romance between a pie maker who can resurrect the dead and the girl-next-door he's risen, but can never touch (lest she die again). From there, he went into darker adaptations, like TV's Hannibal and American Gods.

Now, he's offering a fairytale in Dust Bunny, so you better believe it's winsome and deeply fucked up.

From the logline, Dust Bunny intrigues: A young girl hires a hitman to kill the monster under her bed. But what instantly takes this from promising to must-see is the casting, with Mads Mikkelsen as the hitman.

Yes! Dust Bunny reunites Hannibal's creator and eponymous killer for a twisted tale of terror and tenderness. While fitting in solidly with what we've come to expect from Fuller's sensibilities, Dust Bunny feels like what might happen if Léon: The Professional had a baby with Amélie and Tremors. Don't think too hard on how that would work. Focus on this — this movie rocks.

Dust Bunny has a sweet yet rotten sensibility. Credit: Roadside Attractions

Written and directed by Fuller, Dust Bunny seems to pull from the French romantic sensibilities of Luc Besson and Jean-Pierre Jeunet. Like Besson's Léon, Dust Bunny's plot follows an orphaned little girl who calls upon the hitman down the hall of her cruddy apartment building to save her from a vicious monster. Like Jeunet's Amélie, Dust Bunny offers a color palette and magical realism reminiscent of a charming postcard, weathered by neglect.

Young Aurora (Sophie Sloan) lives in a world festooned with patterns so ornate and intrusive that they border on suffocating. Practically every wall and piece of furniture piece is laced with curlicues, flowers, or stripes. Aurora's bedroom is swathed in pinks and greens, but less cheerful and more the shades of putrid Pepto-Bismol and a smoky night sky.

The wider metropolis — where she stalks "the intriguing neighbor" (Mikkelsen) that she suspects can help her — is colored in deep crimson, teal, and mustard, less vibrant and more caked with shadow and dust. Every resident in this murky metropolis has an affinity for bold prints, including a gang dressed as if they are all currently modeling Thom Browne's latest line of plaid kilt suits.

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Everything around Aurora exudes beauty and decay. So when her parents are gobbled up by the monstrous dust bunny that lurks under her bedroom floors, much like the shark does the waters of Amity Island in Jaws, she looks for hope in the one man who seems invincible to the ravenous rot.

Demanding his help, she sits before him with whatever money she can gather (how she does so is an irreverent treat too good to spoil). But he insists monsters are not real, hence it was not a monster that killed her parents.

A battle of wills and perspectives ensues, as the unnamed neighbor takes this curious situation back to his femme fatale handler (Sigourney Weaver), who believes Aurora's parents have been axed by another assassin. However, if you've ever gotten sucked into one of Fuller's fantasy worlds, where outrageous twists, earnest heart, and dark jokes bloom together, you might well guess the truth is complicated.

Dust Bunny is surprising, gnarly, and genuinely scary. Credit: Roadside Attractions

Fuller has created a fairy tale that starts off feeling like it could be for kids, but steadily grows into something too mature and deliciously unhinged for them. The first act leans away from dialogue, allowing the visuals and the performances of Sloan and Mikkelsen to communicate curiosity and connection before they even meet. A battle scene, where Aurora spies the neighbor's special set of skills, offers whiz-bang action, brought to life with inventive fight choreography, shadow puppetry, and a tinny, greenscreened world that recalls once-groundbreaking actioners like Sin City and Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow.

Admittedly, such obvious CGI is frowned upon nowadays. But Dust Bunny's use of the technology fits the film's general aesthetic of a world made up of the unbelievable, the beguiling, and the marred. Basically, these less than photorealistic effects invite us to abandon reality and embrace Aurora's world, encouraging us to believe in the monster under her bed. And what a monster!

The character design of this creature is unique and disturbing. Made up of fluff, teeth, and bulk, the titular beast is a thrill to witness as it rises from under the floorboards. The sound design enhances this scare, the cracking of the boards giving a sense of might even when the dust bunny is unseen. At first, his kills are offscreen. But as Dust Bunny builds the bond between girl and hitman, the stakes rise, as does the violence onscreen. Baddies will be gobbled up with clear relish from Fuller, who makes the demise of a stylish fleet of killers into mounting punchlines.

Mads Mikkelsen is pitch-perfect as a little girl's hitman bestie. Credit: Roadside Attractions

A premise this dark might urge some filmmakers to balance with a goofy or even kind-eyed male lead. (Think Jean Reno in The Professional, who had a soft-hearted love of movies and potted plants.) Bless Fuller for rejecting both.

Mikkelsen plays the role of this hitman seriously, mostly stoically. It makes sense for a man whose profession and life demand that he stay cool under pressure. And why it works so splendidly here is that Aurora is similarly stern. Watching a grown man and a pigtailed little girl glare at each other from across a table, a chicken-shaped lamp perched between them, is the kind of classic comedy that dates back to Charlie Chaplin and The Kid.

Sloan and Mikkelsen work as a duo because they operate on the same wavelength: life or death, no kids' stuff. Fuller brings some more lively and outlandish figures to life around them, like Weaver, who has killer fashion sense and a deliciously mean directness, whether discussing could-be hits or child-rearing. David Dastmalchian is a standout as a sensitive goon who can squeal like an alarm bell. Rebecca Henderson brings cool snarls as another foe, while Sheila Atim (The Woman King) plays a social service worker so precise and quirky that it seems she strolled over in her perfectly fitted, patterned suit from Pushing Daisies.

Truly, those still aching over that show's abrupt cancellation might find solace in the tone and humor here.

Dust Bunny is exactly the kind of movie fans should expect from Fuller, but it's also wildly surprising. As soon as it ended, I wanted to watch it again — not just for the fun of it, but to assure myself it was real and not some strange dream sparked from too much sour candy.

Dust Bunny opens in theaters Dec. 12.

UPDATE: Dec. 10, 2025, 2:42 p.m. This review was first published on Sept. 10, 2025, out of the film's world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival. It has been updated for its theatrical release.

Sound the church bells, a mystery is afoot!

Rian Johnson, the acclaimed writer/director of Knives Out and its splashy COVID-lockdown-set sequel The Glass Onion, is back with fresh blood in Wake Up Dead Man. Fans of Daniel Craig's smooth-as-bourbon Southern detective Benoit Blanc have reason to rejoice, as this third installment is tenaciously twisty, deliciously deranged, and a hell of a good time. 

As fans of this franchise will undoubtedly want the chance to crack the case without spoilers, the following review will be spoiler-free, revealing little that can't be gleaned from the film's teaser trailer. 

But before even plot details are shared below, trust me on this: See Wake Up Dead Man in theaters if you're able.

Yes, yes, it's coming to Netflix this fall. But watching this movie in a theater, filled with fans eager to see what dark secrets and malicious motivations Blanc will unearth, is an experience to treasure. I can confirm this, having witnessed the film at its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, where the audience laughed, gasped, and cheered like the sacred community of cinephiles we are.

Wake Up Dead Man slyly pulls from John Dickson Carr.

Johnson's first Knives Out film played deliciously into the Agatha Christie stories that featured a clutch of eccentric suspects trapped together with the genius detective determined to out the murderer in their midst. His second, The Glass Onion, leaned more into modern greed, pulling away from the antique-filled family home of a mystery novelist and toward glossy, tech-bro opulence. Wake Up Dead Man shuns the trappings of both these worlds with a tale set in a stone church, scarred by greed and desecration. 

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In the quaint New York town of Chimney Rock sits Our Lady of Perpetual Fortitude. In this church, an idealistic young priest named Jud Duplenticy (Challengers' Josh O'Connor) finds himself in the crosshairs of Monsignor Wicks (Josh Brolin), a fire-and-brimstone preacher who is said to be "a few beads shy of a rosary." And yet, his flock is devoted… or seems to be, until he's murdered in the middle of mass. 

As revealed in the teaser trailer, Wicks' death occurs in a "sealed concrete box" just off the altar, meaning this murder is a locked-room mystery. Thus, Johnson not only alludes to John Dickson Carr's 1935 seminal locked-room mystery novel The Hollow Man, but full on features the suspects reading the book, flashing its cover to the camera, and referencing it repeatedly.

SEE ALSO: Why 'The Hollow Man' novel is crucial to 'Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery'

With such a bizarre case, the local police welcome in renowned gentleman detective Benoit Blanc (Craig), who is earnest to investigate the young rival priest and his parishioners, played by Glenn Close, Jeremy Renner, Kerry Washington, Andrew Scott, Cailee Spaeny, Daryl McCormack, and Thomas Haden Church. Of course, true to formula, Blanc will need an assistant who's arguably too close to the case. And here, he chooses Father Duplenticy. 

Daniel Craig and Josh O'Connor make a marvelous comedic duo.  Credit: John Wilson / Netflix

Benoit and Jud are an amusing study in contrasts. Draped in custom suits with dandy flourishes — courtesy of Oscar–winning costume designer Jenny Eagan — Benoit is an elegant, unruffled figure of intelligence, sophistication, and well-earned swagger. For him, murder is terrible, sure, but also fascinating, presenting a puzzle he is smoothly giddy to solve.

Jud, on the other hand, is an furiously ruffled clown, with none of Benoit's cool or calm. He wears the humble black uniform and unflattering matching shoes of a priest, his white collar the shiniest bit about him. As to his character, Jud's impulses lead him to violent outbursts and comically uncool proclamations, like that he and "Benoit Freakin' Blanc" will find the killer. 

Once more, Craig seems effortless in embodying the charismatic investigator, bringing a cheeky joy to macabre discoveries (like how bouncy a corpse can be). O'Connor, however, is a thrilling surprise, proving brilliant as the goofy but earnest sidekick. He is frenzied and funny, whether embarrassing himself in front of his sneering parishioners or pulling off pratfalls. As heartbreaking as O'Connor can be in dramas, this outing has me yearning for him to lean into more comedies. He's got a terrific skill for banter and a disarming charm that's absolutely enchanting.

Rian Johnson brews mood by pulling in influences from Edgar Allan Poe… and the Bible.  Credit: John Wilson / Netflix

Wake Up Dead Man evokes the Gothic horror of Edgar Allen Poe's works. Like the eponymous House of Usher, the stone church at the film's center is a place of rot, secrets, and violence. As one impossible crime leads to another, Johnson teases his audience that there could be a touch of the supernatural in Benoit's world of rigorous rationale. How else to explain as a body ends up where it ought not?

Between the detective and priest, questions of faith in God, in man, and in miracles become crucial to the central mystery but also its emotional resolution. Yet, the film refuses to fall into preachiness. As he has in the past films, Johnson peppers in acrid elements of American culture, like conspiracy theories, opportunistic politics of online influencers, and the perversion of religious doctrine to capitalistic ends. 

More than one watch would be required to properly probe all Johnson has to say on these subjects through their representation here. But on a first watch, these topics play into not only showing what this squad of sinners seeks in the church, but also how faith alone doesn't make one righteous. As Wake Up Dead Man leans into its curious title with a sensational third act, audiences will surely be pulled to the edge of their seats, wondering not only how this mystery resolves but what its answer will mean for the ever-questioning Benoit Blanc. 

Along the way, a crackling cast brings exuberance, whether playing wrath, shock, relief, or deep, snarling resentment. Close and Brolin are standouts, portraying characters larger than life, but also — by this deeply lapsed Catholic's estimation — quite familiar to those who've spent sufficient time near a church altar or its whispering rectory. 

Ultimately, like the Benoit Blanc mysteries that came before it, Wake Up Dead Man is sharply written, passionately brought to life, and thoughtfully built, with allusions galore in its costumes, characters, novels, lore, and more. It's a thrilling film that's a pleasure to see with an audience who is likewise enthusiastic to gather together to experience something strange and divine. And it's a movie I already crave to see again, eager to catch what clues or details I might have missed the first time around. It's not all about the mystery, or even the message. Rather, it's that Johnson makes these movies with such passion for visual storytelling that everything from background props, to staging, cinematography, and costumes feels ardently intentional. It's cinema, fit for the masses and for ardent reflection — and what a terrific miracle of the modern age that can be!

Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery debuts on Netflix Dec. 12.

UPDATE: Dec. 10, 2025, 3:13 p.m. This review was first published on Sept. 9, 2025, out of the film's world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival. It has been updated for the film's Netflix release.

Before Hamlet, there was Hamnet. He was the young son of William Shakespeare who died in his youth, inspiring the playwright to spin the timeless tragedy of a doomed Danish prince. Hamnet explores that true story through a mystical and matriarchal lens of Maggie O'Farrell's heralded novel of the same name, adapted by the Academy Award–winning director of Nomadland, Chloé Zhao, and her Academy-nominated actors, Paul Mescal (Aftersun) and Jessie Buckley (The Lost Daughter). 

SEE ALSO: Paul Mescal and Jessie Buckley reveal the real surprise in 'Hamnet'

This period drama seems primed to be a contender this award season. But Oscar buzz tends to mold the expectations of dramas — especially those even loosely biographical — into one box: star-stuffed theatrics festooned with tears, a soaring emotional score, and pretty scenes of pain, perfect for an award ceremony sizzle reel. To expect such a thing from Zhao, Mescal, and Buckley would be to ignore what's brought them acclaim to begin with. 

This trio has separately won praise for their nuanced expressions of joy and pain, from Buckley's star-making as an aspiring singer in Wild Rose to Zhao's bittersweet character drama Nomadland to Mescal's heart-wrenching turn as a lost love in All of Us Strangers. In Hamnet, their powers combined make for a drama that is more than a sentimental tearjerker poised for Oscar accolades; it is an earthy and poetic raw tale of love and loss. 

Hamnet focuses on the story of Shakespeare's witchy wife, Agnes.  Jessie Buckley stars as Agnes in "Hamnet." Credit: Agata Grzybowska / Focus Features

Rather than an earnest recreation of the real-life marriage of William Shakespeare and Anne "Agnes" Hathaway, Hamnet follows O'Farrell's interpretation, which imagines Agnes (Buckley) as a woman in touch with the woods and prone to premonitions of the future. 

In the film, Agnes scoffs at gossip that she is a witch. But her woodsy appeal — which includes wearing brash red robes and having a pet hawk — attracts the passionate and bookish son of a local glove-maker. Playing Will and Agnes from their youth into adulthood, Mescal and Buckley easily capture the lusty impulsiveness of young love. Their arms entangle with a violent intensity as they claw private moments from the mundane routines demanded of their families. 

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Unlike in his yet-to-be-written comedies, marriage is not a happily-ever-after for the pair — as tragedy will follow. Still, marriage is a newfound freedom as they redefine what their married life looks like. For the Shakespeares, that means Will going off to London to write plays and express his soul in tales of star-crossed lovers and fortune-telling witches. For Agnes, that means raising their three children: Susanna and twins Judith and Hamnet. But a vision of her own deathbed makes Agnes certain that one of her children will die before her. 

Jacobi Jupe is a rare find as Hamnet.  Jacobi Jupe, Bodhi Rae Breathnach, and Olivia Lynes in "Hamnet." Credit: Agata Grzybowska / Focus Features

Whether you know the history of Shakespeare's home life, are a fan of O'Farrell's novel, or can just read the room, it's clear early on that Agnes is off with her expectation that the child to die will be her youngest, Judith. This gives an enhanced tension to every moment that she experiences with her bright, adventurous, and caring boy, Hamnet, because we know their time together is short, and she has no clue. 

Such a setup would be ripe for agony regardless. But young Jacobi Jupe is stupendous as the 11-year-old Hamnet. Under Zhao's direction, he avoids the pitfalls all too common to child actors in family dramas. He is neither precocious nor ethereal. He galumphs about with his sisters, chuckling in play, swapping clothes for a childlike prank in which the twins trade identities. Before his mother, he dreams of being on the stage, where he gets to sword fight to the cheers of an audience. Jupe frolics with a mix of clumsiness and earnestness that reads simply as authenticity. So when the plague hits the Shakespeare home, and Judith specifically, it's natural that this sweet boy would curl into his twin sister's cot to comfort her.

When Hamnet speaks in a whisper of an ominous "him" that's watching the twins, things get eerie — suggesting he has the same gift for premonition as his mum. But even here, Jupe avoids cliché, in this case that of the haunted house child, wide-eyed in terror. Instead, he is a boy who is scared, but accustomed to playing the hero, and so soldiers on to help his sister with one more switcheroo. And because he feels so real, the pain of his end will take your breath away. 

Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal are riveting in Hamnet.  Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal in "Hamnet." Credit: Agata Grzybowska / Focus Features

In early scenes of courting, they sizzle, each utilizing their well-reputed onscreen intensity. As the Shakespeare marriage gets complicated by distance and grief, they become explosions, destined to collide. But beautiful work is done in scenes without each other. Buckley, who is unquestionably the lead in the film, harnesses the focus seen in Wild Rose and the ferality of Men for a distinct portrait of grief. 

Her rage and resentment are both irrational and understandable. While she is in the home where her boy was lost, her husband is off in London. She can't see that he doesn't escape the loss of Hamnet, but is, in fact, consumed by it. Hamlet begins to take shape as Will's means of making sense of his own guilt and mourning. 

The "to be or not to be" speech becomes Mescal's greatest challenge to date. Not only because it's the iconic speech by which the greats are judged, but also because he's not playing Hamlet within it, but the man who wrote that speech to make sense of his own helplessness in the face of mortality. It's a layered and profound moment of pain and pondering, unfurling a labyrinth of dark feelings and darker thoughts. And yet, it's not even Mescal's best scene. 

That comes before Will knows Hamnet is dead. Rushing home because he's heard his little Judith is at death's door, Will barrels into the family home to see the girl alive and well. They hug, and he bursts with smiles and relief. But then he sees the little form covered in a white sheet, posed before the fire. 

Paul Mescal in "Hamnet." Credit: Agata Grzybowska / Focus Features

"Where is he?" Will says, and in that simple question, Mescal channels a mix of dread, hope, and fear that could bring down the Globe theatre. It's not booming. That's not Zhao's way. It's delivered strong but raw, quavering. It is what pain sounds like when stripped of Hollywood shine. It's too human for an Oscar reel. It's too heartbreaking. 

SEE ALSO: The real history behind 'Hamnet'

And all of this leads to a climax that takes Agnes and Will's pain to the stage, that of the Globe, to be specific. There Hamnet becomes Hamlet, in a prolonged and nerve-shredding sequence that is fueled by the couple's loss and their divide. No matter how many times you've seen Hamlet, this section hits different because it becomes about the pain that inspired the Dane. 

Props to Noah Jupe, who plays the onstage Hamlet, simultaneously channeling an actor striving to impress an audience and the dreamy wish of a mourning mother all at once. In a shrewd move from Zhao, she cast the older brother to play Hamlet to the younger's Hamnet, and the vague familial appearance makes this climax all the more haunting. Noah offers a pitch-perfect echo of his brother Jacobi's performance with flourishes of maturity and theater-worthy showmanship.

Still, I have one qualm with Hamnet. 

Jessie Buckley in "Hamnet." Credit: Agata Grzybowska / Focus Features

While I can see Zhao's vision and admire her restraint, I must confess I wished for a bit more cinema. I'm not asking for the emoting common in biopics aiming for Oscar glory — which this film is not strictly, on either point. Instead, I wish Zhao had embraced the visual storytelling of Agnes' premonitions as she did with the earthiness of Will's environment. 

As Agnes' visions are not just key to the plot but also to the core to her motivations, I wish Zhao had let us see them with her. Hamnet is rooted in Agnes' perspective, yet the screenplay by Zhao and novelist O'Farrell only has dialogue describing these visions of a deathbed with two guests, a landscape of trees, and a dark, infinite cave. By not using this visual medium to show us what Agnes sees, the filmmakers keep Agnes a bit at a distance. 

By contrast, Will's view of things gets a visual component through the climactic production of Hamlet. So, in a way, we are given more access to his inner world than Agnes'. And while the film is moving, I sometimes felt like I was watching Agnes' experience instead of feeling it with her — like I was on the outside looking in. Where with Mescal's Will, the play is the thing… that shows the heartache of the scribe. 

Still, Hamnet is a bold rebellion, and I respect that. Not only does Zhao reject the temptations of glossy Hollywood biopics, but also the regal romance or cerebral theatricality of a barrage of Oscar-adored Shakespeare adaptations, from a handful of intense Hamlets to The Tragedy of Macbeth to the winsome Shakespeare in Love. Her Shakespeare and company are more feral, bringing this historic tragedy fresh blood and true grit. 

For these big swings, Hamnet could be an unconventional but strong Oscar contender. But whether you're invested in awards season or just seeking a powerful drama from actors at the top of their form, be sure to bring tissues. Hamnet could leave you tear-soaked and in tatters. 

Hamnet opens in limited theaters Nov. 26 and goes wide Dec. 12.

UPDATE: Nov. 20, 2025, 6:03 p.m. EST "Hamnet" was reviewed out of its premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival. This article was originally published on Sept. 7, 2025.

SAVE $84.06: As of Dec. 12, the Anker Solix C300 is on sale for $214.94 at Amazon. That's a 28% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Anker Solix C300 $214.94 at Amazon
$299.99 Save $85.05   Get Deal

Portable power stations don't have to cost thousands of dollars. Of course, if you're looking for a powerful unit to power your whole house for days on end, these options will naturally be a little pricier. But if you're just looking for something to keep you online during a sticky situation or camping vacation, this deal on the Anker Solix C300 is a perfect budget option.

As of Dec. 12, you can get this model for $214.94, saving you $84.06. With this option, you can power up to eight devices at once, with ports including three AC (300W), one car socket (120W), two USB-C (140W), one USB-C (15W), and one USB-A (12W).

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It delivers 300W of output (600W surge) with a 288Wh capacity and includes fast 140W two-way USB-C charging. And this design is about 15% smaller than comparable models and comes with an optional strap, making it a nice, portable option to carry around with you.

It also supports solar charging with 60W or 100W Anker panels, should you wish to upgrade, and you can also recharge it to 80% in around 50 minutes from a wall outlet or use solar, a car, or the PD 3.1 USB-C port. Inside, it boasts a long-lasting LiFePO4 battery, rated for 3,000 cycles, along with smart temperature management, impact resistance, and a five-year warranty, so you know you're getting your money's worth.

Find this Anker power station deal at Amazon now.

SAVE $50: As of Dec. 12, Bose QuietComfort earbuds are on sale for $129 at Amazon. That's a 28% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Bose Bose QuietComfort Earbuds $129 at Amazon
$179 Save $50   Get Deal

It's Christmas gift shopping season, and if you're looking for a great gift for the music lover in your life, why not check out this latest Amazon deal on Bose QuietComfort earbuds? As of Dec. 12, you can get these earbuds for their lowest-ever price, currently down to $129. That's a $50 saving, and according to camelcamelcamel, they've not been priced this low since January.

These are truly amazing earbuds for lots of reasons, but their biggest selling point is the strong noise cancellation. They have settings that let you block out pretty much everything or quiet annoying noises without blocking out the world entirely. You can even turn off the noise cancellation fully.

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They are also a robust pair with an IPX4 rating, so they're suitable for workouts or runs. You get three sizes of eartips and stability bands to help make sure you've got a secure fit, and Bluetooth multipoint lets you stay connected to more than one device at a time.

The battery life won't disappoint either. With these earbuds you'll get up to 8.5 hours of listening time, and with the case (which supports wireless charging) you'll get a quick 20-minute top-up for roughly two extra hours.

You can get this deal in black, petal pink, twilight blue, or white, and it’s available at Amazon now.

SAVE $30: As of Dec. 11, the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Select is back down to its $9.99 Black Friday price when you use the coupon code HOLFTV4K at checkout. That's $30 or 75% off its list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Select $9.99 at Amazon
$39.99 Save $30 with coupon code HOLFTV4K Get Deal

If you missed out on the best streaming device deal from Black Friday, it's back, baby.

As of Dec. 11, the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Select is back down to just $9.99 when you use the coupon code HOLFTV4K at checkout. That's $30 or 75% off its list price. We saw this deal pop up a few times during Cyber Week and disappear just as fast, but it still managed to become one of Mashable readers' top buys on Black Friday. If there's a streaming stick on your shopping list, we suggest grabbing it ASAP as the code is fleeting.

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The newest streaming stick in the Fire TV lineup and also the most affordable 4K option, the 4K Select offers vibrant 4K quality with HDR10+ support and an ultra-responsive and fast new operating system called Vega. We haven't tested it yet ourselves, but we weren't thrilled with the old operating system, so we're totally on board with the upgrade. The plug-and-play design mirrors all other Fire TV Sticks and it will instantly put all of your favorite apps in one place — with Prime Video at the forefront, of course. It offers support for Xbox Game Pass, Amazon Luna, NordVPN, and IPVanish, and Alexa+ and Amazon Kids+ are also coming soon.

It doesn't offer Dolby Atmos or Vision and it can't turn your TV into an art TV like the 4K Max, but for everyday streaming, it's a pretty hard deal to beat for 10 bucks.

SAVE $600: The DJI Power 2000 is on sale at Amazon for $699, down from the list price of $1,299. That's a 46% discount that matches the lowest we've ever seen at Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: DJI DJI Power 2000 portable power station $699 at Amazon
$1,299 Save $600   Get Deal

We're in the thick of unstable weather these days. Our social media and news feeds are filled with weather warnings of atmospheric rivers, wind advisories, and cold snaps. That means power outages are plentiful. If you're not interested in dealing with the inconvenience that entails, a portable power station could be the best solution, and there's a major sale in store today.

As of Dec. 11, the DJI Power 2000 is on sale for $699 at Amazon, marked down from the usual price of $1,299. That works out to a savings of $600 from a 46% discount. It also matches the lowest we've ever seen at Amazon.

DJI is a favorite brand among content creators, making a phenomenal lineup of drones, cameras, and mics. But it's worth paying attention to the DJI power station lineup, too. In my testing of portable power stations, the DJI Power 2000 is the perfect model for creators.

Thanks to the dual SDC ports, drone owners can utilize DJI's fast charging. Other port options include two 140W USB-C, two 65W USB-C, four 24W USB-A, three AC, and even a 30amp.

SEE ALSO: Gift your content-creator friend the DJI Mic Mini while it's on sale for just $45

In real-life situations, the DJI Power 2000's 2,048Wh can keep a WiFi router powered on for over 150 hours or a refrigerator for about 40 hours. Both of those will sure come in handy during the next power cut. Of course, you'll also be able to keep phones charged up.

Keep in mind, DJI is facing issues with getting products into the U.S., and it's nearly impossible to purchase directly from DJI right now. Instead, this Amazon deal is sold by a third-party seller. Mashable generally advises against buying from these sellers on Amazon, but DJI products have proven to be an exception since third-party is often the only way to snag a DJI product right now (and this one has positive ratings). Due to the nature of shipping portable power stations, the DJI Power 2000 is listed as non-returnable at Amazon, which is something to keep in mind before buying.

If this doesn't sound appealing, consider the DJI Power 1000, which is currently on sale for $349 or 50% off its normal price of $699. This sale price on Amazon is offered directly by DJI. You'll be halving the power offered from the DJI Power 2000, but it's also half the price.

In either case, DJI makes solid portable power stations. If you're looking for better protection during the next storm, the DJI Power 2000 is down to the record-low price of $699 today.

If you want the most satisfying typing experience and a decent gaming keyboard, you should opt for a mechanical.

This week’s tips are adapted from Phil Le-Brun and Jana Werner’s new book, The Octopus Organization: A Guide to Thriving in a World of Continuous Transformation (HBR Press). An “Octopus Organization” is flexible, decentralized, and built for change. The journey to becoming one begins with identifying “antipatterns”: formulaic responses to complex challenges that can set […]

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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.

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

Not right.

SEE ALSO: Apple’s new M3 MacBook Air is $300 off at Amazon. And yes, I’m tempted. Hurdle Word 1 answer

WRONG

Hurdle Word 2 hint

An artifact.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for December 12, 2025 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

RELIC

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Words of a song.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for December 12 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for December 12, 2025 Hurdle Word 3 answer

LYRIC

Hurdle Word 4 hint

A pastry.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for December 12 Hurdle Word 4 answer

TORTE

Final Hurdle hint

Pennies.

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

PENCE

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

We've reached the last phase of the lunar cycle before the New Moon. This means that each night the moon will appear less and less visible, until there's nothing to see at all. Keep reading to see what this means for tonight's moon.

What is today’s moon phase?

As of Friday, Dec. 12, the moon phase is Waning Crescent. This means 43% of the moon is lit up tonight, according to NASA's Daily Moon Observation.

If you don't have any visual aids, you can still see the Mare Imbrium, Aristarchus Plateau, and Copernicus Crater when you look up tonight. If you have binoculars, you'll also be able to see the Grimaldi Basin, Clavius Crater, and the Archimedes Crater. With a telescope, Reiner Gamma, Schiller Crater, and Apollo 14 landing spot will also become visible.

When is the next full moon?

The next full moon will be on Jan. 3.

What are moon phases?

NASA says the Moon goes through a cycle of about 29.5 days, and during that time we see its different phases. Even though we always see the same side of the Moon, the sunlight hitting it changes as it orbits Earth. That’s what makes it look full, half-lit, or sometimes completely hidden. The cycle has eight main phases:

New Moon - The moon is between Earth and the sun, so the side we see is dark (in other words, it's invisible to the eye).

Waxing Crescent - A small sliver of light appears on the right side (Northern Hemisphere).

First Quarter - Half of the moon is lit on the right side. It looks like a half-moon.

Waxing Gibbous - More than half is lit up, but it’s not quite full yet.

Full Moon - The whole face of the moon is illuminated and fully visible.

Waning Gibbous - The moon starts losing light on the right side. (Northern Hemisphere)

Third Quarter (or Last Quarter) - Another half-moon, but now the left side is lit.

Waning Crescent - A thin sliver of light remains on the left side before going dark again.

Welcome to your guide to Pips, the latest game in the New York Times catalogue.

Released in August 2025, the Pips puts a unique spin on dominoes, creating a fun single-player experience that could become your next daily gaming habit.

Currently, if you're stuck, the game only offers to reveal the entire puzzle, forcing you to move onto the next difficulty level and start over. However, we have you covered! Below are piecemeal answers that will serve as hints so that you can find your way through each difficulty level.

How to play Pips

If you've ever played dominoes, you'll have a passing familiarity for how Pips is played. As we've shared in our previous hints stories for Pips, the tiles, like dominoes, are placed vertically or horizontally and connect with each other. The main difference between a traditional game of dominoes and Pips is the color-coded conditions you have to address. The touching tiles don't necessarily have to match.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for December 12, 2025

The conditions you have to meet are specific to the color-coded spaces. For example, if it provides a single number, every side of a tile in that space must add up to the number provided. It is possible – and common – for only half a tile to be within a color-coded space.

Here are common examples you'll run into across the difficulty levels:

• Number: All the pips in this space must add up to the number.

• Equal: Every domino half in this space must be the same number of pips.

• Not Equal: Every domino half in this space must have a completely different number of pips.

• Less than: Every domino half in this space must add up to less than the number.

• Greater than: Every domino half in this space must add up to more than the number.

If an area does not have any color coding, it means there are no conditions on the portions of dominoes within those spaces.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for December 9, 2025 Easy difficulty hints, answers for Dec. 12 Pips

Number (10): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 5-5, placed horizontally; 0-4, placed vertically.

Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 6-6, placed horizontally.

Equal (0): Everything in this space must be equal to 0. The answer is 0-0, placed horizontally.

Number (10): Everything in this light blue space must add up to 10. The answer is 5-4, placed vertically; 5-6, placed horizontally.

Less Than (2): Everything in this space must be less than 2. The answer is 6-1, placed horizontally.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for Dec. 12 Pips

Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 1-3, placed vertically; 1-4, placed horizontally.

Number (10): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 1-4, placed horizontally; 6-4, placed vertically.

Number (8): Everything in this space must add up to 8. The answer is 1-3, placed vertically; 5-6, placed vertically.

Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 6-4, placed vertically; 2-4, placed vertically.

Less Than (3): Everything in this space must be less than 3. The answer is 0-3, placed horizontally.

Number (9): Everything in this green space must add up to 9. The answer is 0-3, placed horizontally; 5-6, placed vertically.

Number (7): Everything in this space must add up to 7. The answer is 2-4, placed vertically; 3-6 placed horizontally.

Greater Than (3): Everything in this space must be greater than 3. The answer is 3-6 placed horizontally.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for Dec. 12 Pips

Not Equal: Everything in this space must be different. The answer is 0-4, placed vertically; 2-6, placed horizontally.

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 0-4, placed vertically.

Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 2-5, placed horizontally.

Equal (2): Everything in this purple space must be equal to 2. The answer is 2-6, placed horizontally; 2-5, placed horizontally; 2-2, placed vertically; 0-2, placed horizontally; 2-1, placed horizontally.

Not Equal: Everything in this light blue space must be different. The answer is 6-4, placed vertically; 6-0, placed vertically.

Equal (0): Everything in this space must be equal to 0. The answer is 6-0, placed vertically; 0-2, placed horizontally; 0-5, placed vertically.

Number (10): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 5-1, placed horizontally.

Equal (1): Everything in this purple space must be equal to 1. The answer is 2-1, placed horizontally; 5-1, placed horizontally; 1-1, placed vertically.

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

AI is still the Wild West when it comes to government regulation. But 2025 was the year U.S. states started to make an effort.

Some states, including California and New York, passed legislation that required some pretty basic things from AI companies — including transparency, whistleblower protections, and the well-being of teen users in particular.

Tech world proponents of unfettered AI innovation have made no secret of wanting to shut down state-based regulation efforts, arguing that such laws would dampen growth and give China an advantage in AI.

On Thursday, President Donald Trump signed an executive order that attempts to federalize AI regulation, calling for a "national framework."

"To win, United States AI companies must be free to innovate without cumbersome regulation," the order says. "But excessive State regulation thwarts this imperative."

SEE ALSO: PSA imagines AI chatbots as creepy humans who harm kids

States with "onerous AI laws" may be punished through withholding of federal funds that help provide high-speed internet access to rural areas, according to the order. Agencies may condition their state grants on not enacting an AI law that conflicts with the order's policy.

The executive order was produced in consultation with David Sacks, a tech venture capitalist and the Trump administration's special advisor for AI and crypto. A New York Times investigation recently revealed how many of Sacks' investments will benefit from his policies.

Michael Kleinman, head of US Policy at the the tech research nonprofit Future of Life Institute, called the order a "gift for Silicon Valley oligarchs."

"No other industry operates without regulation and oversight, be it drug manufacturers or hair salons; basic safety measures are not just expected, but legally required," Kleinman says.

"AI companies, in contrast, operate with impunity. Unregulated AI threatens our children, our communities, our jobs and our future."

OpenAI, the maker of ChatGPT, is being sued by multiple families of teens who died by suicide after heavy engagement with the chatbot. The company recently denied responsibility for the death of Adam Raine, a 16-year-old who talked to ChatGPT about his suicidal feelings and killed himself earlier this year. The order states that the national framework should "ensure that children are protected."

The same day Trump signed the order, a trio of child safety advocacy groups began airing a PSA highlighting the dangers of AI chatbots for children. The spot ends with an appeal not to stop states from regulating AI.

Earlier this year, Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill Act attempted to ban state regulation of AI for 10 years, a provision that Republican Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, then a Trump ally, fought against. The moratorium was very unpopular amongst registered voters, according to a poll conducted in mid-May.

The measure was eventually voted down by the Senate in a stunning display of bipartisanship, 99 votes to 1. Some MAGA supporters, including Trump ally Steve Bannon, continue to oppose industry-led regulation of AI.

How popular the executive order will be with that level of opposition remains to be seen — as is the question of whether it will pass muster if challenged in the courts.

How to watch 'Die My Love' at a glance: Watch now Rent or buy 'Die My Love' on Prime Video $14.99 to rent, $19.99 to buy Shop Now Watch now Rent or buy 'Die My Love' on Apple TV+ $14.99 to rent, $19.99 to buy Shop Now Watch now Rent or buy 'Die My Love' on Fandango at Home $14.99 to rent, $19.99 to buy Shop Now Watch as of Dec. 23 Mubi annual subscription Free 7-day trial, then $119.88/year (save 33%) Get Deal Watch as of Dec. 23 Mubi for Students Free 30-day trial, then $9.99/month (save $5/month) Get Deal Watch as of Dec. 23 Mubi add-on for Prime Video Free 7-day trial, then $14.99/month Get Deal

Two of your favorite 2010s YA film franchise stars have joined forces for the most feral film you can imagine. If you've seen We Need to Talk About Kevin, then you know writer/director Lynne Ramsay holds no punches when it comes to exploring the darkness in seemingly ordinary families and relationships. Die My Love is no exception.

Co-written with Enda Walsh and Alice Birch, Die My Love stars the one and only Jennifer Lawrence and Robert Pattinson. It premiered at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, where Lawrence earned particularly high praise for her performance. She's already earned a Golden Globe nomination, and the Oscar buzz is afloat. If you haven't seen it yet, now's your chance, as it's officially available to watch at home.

Here's everything you need to know about how to watch Die My Love — including when and where it's streaming.

What is Die My Love about?

Adapted from the 2012 novel of the same name by Ariana Harwicz, Die My Love follows Grace and Jackson (Lawrence and Pattinson), a pregnant young couple who move from New York to a country home in Montana. While it may be all sunshine and rainbows at first, Jackson's work begins to pull him away, and Grace's isolation and new surroundings spiral into resentment, rage, and wrath — only intensified by her postpartum depression. What unfolds is the story of a fiery romance turning sour.

Check out the very intense trailer below:

Is Die My Love worth watching?

Die My Love was certainly no box office hit, but that doesn't mean it's not worth watching. It earned a spot on Mashable's list of the best films of 2025 and is generating some Oscar buzz. It's a very divisive film for audiences, with only a 46 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes, but critics have mostly positive things to say. It holds a 74 percent critic rating in comparison.

Mashable's entertainment editor Kristy Puchko writes, "Ramsay and Lawrence's powers combine to create a ruthlessly savage portrait of female desire and wrath. The result is something feral and bloody fantastic."

Check out our full review of Die My Love.

How can I watch Die My Love at home? Credit: Mubi

Die My Love arrived in theaters on Nov. 7, 2025, and became available to watch at home just a little over a month later. There are a few different ways to tune in  — I've broken down the details below.

Buy or rent on digital

Lynne Ramsay's Die My Love made its at-home debut on Dec. 9, 2025, meaning it's now available for purchase at video-on-demand retailers like Prime Video and Apple TV+. The movie is also available to rent at those same retailers for as low as $14.99. If you choose to purchase, the movie is yours to keep in your digital library. If you choose to rent, you'll have 30 days to start watching and just 48 hours to finish once you begin.

Here are some quick links to buy or rent Die My Love on digital:

• Prime Video — $14.99 to rent, $19.99 to buy

• Apple TV+ — $14.99 to rent, $19.99 to buy

• Fandango at Home — $14.99 to rent, $19.99 to buy

Opens in a new window Credit: Prime Video Buy or rent 'Die My Love' at Prime Video $14.99 or $19.99 Shop Now Stream it on Mubi

Die My Love is set to make its streaming debut on Mubi on Dec. 23, 2025, which makes sense as it's a Mubi original film — just like last year's hit The Substance. The Mubi library is brimming with the best of cinema, showcasing an array of films from America and abroad, mainstream and independent, classics, new releases, award-winners, and Mubi's own originals.

Not yet a subscriber? Subscriptions to Mubi start at $14.99 per month, but we've rounded up a couple of different ways to save money on the streaming service below.

The best Mubi streaming dealsBest for newbies: Get a free 7-day trial Opens in a new window Credit: Mubi Mubi 7-day free trial   Get Deal

If you've never signed up for Mubi before, you can take advantage of a free seven-day trial period and watch Die My Love (and plenty more) for free. Just strategically sign up for your trial around the official streaming debut on Dec. 23, and you'll have a full week to watch it. Just remember to cancel your trial before the seven-day period ends if you want to avoid charges.

The free trial is available on Mubi directly or through Prime Video as an add-on.

Best long-term deal: Save 33% on an annual subscription Opens in a new window Credit: Mubi Mubi annual subscription 7-day free trial, then $119.88/year (save 33%) Get Deal

If you're looking to expand your movie education and want to stick around to enjoy more than just Die My Love, you can save 33% by paying for an entire year of Mubi up front. An annual Mubi subscription costs $119.88 per year, which breaks down to just $9.99 per month instead of the usual $14.99 per month. You'll still get a seven-day free trial to kick off your subscription as well if you're new to the service.

Best for students: Save $5/month on a Mubi student subscription Opens in a new window Credit: Mubi Mubi for students 30-day free trial, then $9.99/month (save $5/month) Get Deal

Students really get the winning deal here. If you have a university email, you can sign up for Mubi for free for 30 days, then get a discounted subscription for just $9.99 per month. That's $5 cheaper per month than regular monthly subscriptions. Plus, with 30 free days, you'll have plenty of time to watch Die My Love and lots of other incredible films before even spending a cent.

SAVE 25% ON NOMINATED GAMES: During The Game Awards, Prime members can score exclusive deals on Amazon, including on nominated games. Score 25% off Split Fiction, Kingdom Come: Deliverance II, Sonic Racing: Crossworlds, and Elden Ring Nightreign.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Exclusive Prime member deals during The Game Awards Get 25% off nominated games and up to 20% off gear. Get Deal

The biggest night in gaming is here. The Game Awards 2025 are live-streaming at 7:30 p.m. ET/4:30 p.m. PT from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 leads the pack with 13 nominations, but which game will win Game of the Year? Well, you'll have to tune in to find out.

While watching the show, you can also explore some savings on the year's best games. Starting Dec. 11 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT, Prime members can shop exclusive savings on Amazon. Deals include 25% off nominated games, 20% off the Nex Playground Ultimate Family Bundle with a 12-month Play Pass, and much more. But shop fast, these deals are only live through Friday, Dec. 12, at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.

Amazon Exclusive Deals during The Game Awards for Prime Members

To celebrate The Game Awards, Amazon teamed up with the award show to offer exclusive savings for Prime members. These deals are live as of Friday, Dec. 11 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT. The savings are coming to the most sought-after games of the season, as well as to hardware and accessories. Here are all of the deals to expect during The Game Awards.

• Up to 25% off nominated games — including Split Fiction, Kingdom Come: Deliverance II, Sonic Racing: Crossworlds, and Elden Ring Nightreign

• 20% off the Nex Playground Ultimate Family Bundle with a 12-month Play Pass

• 80% off King of Meat for Prime members

• Up to 20% off hardware and accessories from top brands like Turtle Beach, Samsung, SteelSeries, CRKD, and more

You must be a Prime Member, so if you're not, make sure to join ahead of time. The savings last just 24 hours, ending on Friday, Dec. 12 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.

OpenAI's latest AI model GPT-5.2 is here. But how does it compare to its biggest competitor, Google's Gemini 3?

The ChatGPT creator launched the GPT-5.2 on Thursday, and it's currently rolling out to paid ChatGPT customers, with wider access to follow. It comes on the heels of a leaked memo, in which OpenAI CEO Sam Altman declared "code red" for the AI company. OpenAI is facing steeper competition from Google after the release of its latest AI model, Gemini 3. Google's "most intelligent" AI model yet was surging past its AI competitors in various benchmark tests and on the AI leaderboards at LMArena. 

In addition to that, a post from former Googler Deedy Das claimed that in the two weeks since Gemini 3 had launched, OpenAI lost nearly 6 percent of its visitors.

SEE ALSO: How to try GPT-5.2, the new ChatGPT model series from OpenAI

So, how does OpenAI's GPT-5.2 stack up against Google's Gemini 3? So far, the models seem evenly matched on benchmark performance, pricing, and other comparisons, with both models gaining an edge in specific areas.

First, it should be noted that GPT-5.2 just came out, and we'll know more in the days ahead. Unsurprisingly, OpenAI claims that GPT-5.2 excels over other AI models when it comes to "professional knowledge work." OpenAI describes this as GPT-5.2 being "better at creating spreadsheets, building presentations, writing code, perceiving images, understanding long contexts, using tools, and handling complex, multi-step projects."

GPT-5.2 vs. Gemini 3: LMArena leaderboards

Based on the more neutral LMArena leaderboards, GPT-5.2 appears to be impressing users in at least one key area: web development.

The leaderboard has the higher-end GPT-5.2-high in second place, behind Claude Opus 4.5. Gemini 3 Pro is in the fourth spot, and the base GPT-5.2 model is in sixth. So, for web development tasks, it appears GPT-5.2 excels above Gemini 3. Though, again, these are early days.

So far, GPT-5.2 is unranked on the rest of LMArena's leaderboards.

However, GPT-5.2 has a steep hill to climb. Various versions of Gemini 3 currently top the leaderboards for text, vision, text to image, image edit, and search, with the closely related Google Veo 3 models topping the remaining text to video and image to video categories. Gemini 3 also tops the overall leaderboard, where GPT-5.2 remains unranked.

GPT-5.1-high is currently ranked sixth in the overall rankings, which explains why Altman might be seeing red.

GPT-5.2 vs. Gemini 3: Benchmark tests

At this time, we can't independently verify the benchmark results OpenAI has reported for GPT-5.2, and third-party rankings from companies like ScaleAI so far don't include the new model. However, looking at the benchmark results reported by Google and OpenAI, we can make some comparisons.

• SWE-bench verified: Google says Gemini 3 scored 76.2 percent, while OpenAI says GPT-5.2 scored 80 percent

• Humanity's Last Exam (HLE), no tools: Google says Gemini 3 scored 37.5 percent; OpenAI says GPT-5.2 scored 34.5 percent

• GPQA Diamond: Google says Gemini 3 scored 91.9 percent; OpenAI says GPT-5.2 scored 92.4 percent.

• AIME 2025, no tools: Google says Gemini scored 95 percent without tools; OpenAI says GPT-5.2 scored 100 percent without tools.

• MMMLU: Google says Gemini 3 scored 91.8 percent; OpenAI says GPT-5.2 scored 89.6 percent.

Overall, it's a mixed bag for both models on benchmark performance — you win some, you lose some. You can check out the full benchmark performance at OpenAI and Google.

GPT-5.2 vs. Gemini 3: Features and availability

Gemini 3 and GPT-5.2 are both series of models, which are then integrated into the Gemini and ChatGPT platforms. And these platforms have different capabilities. For instance, Gemini lets users create both AI-generated photos and videos. ChatGPT lets users create images, but users need to use the Sora app for AI videos. Professional users can also access the new models via Google or OpenAI's API and enterprise systems.

Google does have the edge in one respect: Gemini 3 is integrated into more products, giving users more ways to access the new reasoning model. In addition to the Gemini and Google apps, Gemini 3 powers Google AI Mode. Google has also integrated Gemini 3 into various Google AI Studio projects and tools like NotebookLM.

Ultimately, you can do more with Gemini 3 than you can with GPT-5.2, even if it turns out GPT-5.2 performs better.

GPT-5.2 vs. Gemini 3: Pricing

Price-wise, both AI models are pretty even. For $20 per month, users get expanded access to the GPT-5.2 models within OpenAI's ChatGPT Plus plan (the Pro plan costs $200/month). Google also charges $20 per month for its Google AI Pro plan (and $249.99/month for Google AI Ultra, which comes with Google cloud storage). The two are also pretty evenly priced when it comes to API access:

• GPT‑5.2 is priced at $1.75 per 1 million input tokens and $14 per 1 million output tokens

• Gemini 3 is priced at $2 per 1 million input tokens and $12 per 1 million output tokens

Our recommendation for AI users? Try the two AI models out yourself and see which one best fits your needs and workflow.

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