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TL;DR: For the final day of the Amazon Big Spring Sale, the Sony WH-1000XM5 Headphones are marked down to $243, a new record-low price. That's 39% off the list price of $399.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony WH-1000XM5 Headphones $243 at Amazon
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It's the final day of Amazon's Big Spring Sale, and the clock is ticking. Some of the best deals on laptops, iPads, and headphones have already ended, but we do have one new deal that's arrived at the last minute. It's a tech deal that sounds awesome — quite literally: a $155 discount on the Sony WH-1000XM5 Noise-Cancelling Headphones, the previous-gen version of Sony's flagship model.

We named the Sony XM5 headphones a Mashable Choice product and rated them 4.7/5 in our review, and the new XM6 model (which are no longer on sale, sadly) are only marginally better. So, this is your chance to get flagship-quality cans for under $250.

According to camelcamelcamel, the $243 sale price is $5 lower than these headphones' previous lowest-ever price, making this a new record low. This is also a Lightning Deal at Amazon, meaning this day will be here today and gone tomorrow.

SEE ALSO: Review: Is the Antigravity A1 drone the DJI replacement we've been hoping for? Why we like the Sony XM5 headphones Credit: Molly Flores / Mashable

While there is a more advanced version of these headphones available, the difference between those and this discounted pair is marginal. Sony's signature sound is well-known for its quality — pretty much the best sound you can get outside of specialist audiophile tech — which combines with probably the best noise cancellation in existence.

Other great audio features included fully customizable EQ via the Sony Sound Connect app, a massive 30 hours of battery, and a speak-to-chat function that pauses the music whenever you start a conversation IRL. Throw in Alexa and intuitive on-ear touch controls, and these babies offer the best value headphone tech you'll find today.

Don't miss your last chance to get the Sony WH-1000XM5 Headphones at a record low price of $243 — a $156.99 discount for the last day of the Amazon Big Spring Sale.

Last year, Danny Boyle and Alex Garland's 28 Years Later, a fresh new addition to the zombie franchise 28 Days Later, set a high bar for legacy sequels. Mashable's Shannon Connellan called it "one of the most unrelenting and scariest films of the year" in her review. So the fact that Candyman director Nia DaCosta was able to make this year's direct sequel not only wow audiences, but critics as well, is pretty impressive. With 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, DeCosta expands upon the world Boyle and Garland created with depth and depravity.

The best Netflix deals at a glance: BEST FOR T-MOBILE CUSTOMERS Netflix Standard (with ads) Free for those on Go5G, Experience Beyond and Experience More plans (save $7.99/month) Learn More BEST BUNDLE DEAL Netflix and HBO Max bundle (with ads) $10 per month for Verizon customers with myPlan (save $8.98 per month) Learn More BEST FOR XFINITY CUSTOMERS Netflix Standard with ads, HBO Max, and Peacock Premium $22/month with Xfinity StreamSaver (save $9.97/month) Get Deal MOST AFFORDABLE PLAN Netflix Standard with ads $7.99 per month Learn More

"28 Years Later: The Bone Temple is a zombie movie, but also much, much more," Mashable's entertainment editor writes in her review, calling it "sublime, gorgeous, rich in visual splendor, surging with feeling, and intoxicating in its unexpected twists."

It stars a sensational Ralph Fiennes, Jack O'Connell, Alfie Williams, Chi Lewis-Parry, and Erin Kellyman, and is now officially streaming.

Here's everything you need to know to watch 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple at home — including how you can watch for less.

What is The Bone Temple about?

The Bone Temple picks up where 28 Years Later left off. After leaving the safety of his home on Holy Island, young survivor Spike (Alfie Williams) is forced to join the deranged cult of Jimmy Crystal (Jack O'Connell). Meanwhile, Dr. Kelson (Ralph Fiennes) makes a breakthrough discovery that could lead to a cure for the Rage Virus.

Check out the trailer below:

Is 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple worth watching?

Simply put, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple is "a phenomenal film," says Mashable Entertainment Editor Kristy Puchko. "As a sequel, it builds the saga of Spike without retreading its predecessor's steps. As a zombie movie, it delivers scenes of gut-churning violence and haunting loss. As a horror film, it is sublime, gorgeous, rich in visual splendor, surging with feeling, and intoxicating in its unexpected twists."

It's hard for a sequel to live up to its predecessor — let alone the sequel of a sequel — but The Bone Temple truly delivers. It currently holds a 92 percent critic rating on Rotten Tomatoes, while 28 Years Later holds an 88 percent. That's unheard of. If you're a fan of the franchise, or zombie films in general, it's a must-watch.

Read our full review of 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple.

How to watch The Bone Temple at home Credit: Sony Pictures

There are a few different ways you can watch The Bone Temple at home: buy it at digital on-demand retailers, rent it, or stream it. We've outlined the details below.

Buy or rent it on digital

The Bone Temple is available as of Feb. 17 to buy for $14.99 or rent for $9.99 at digital-on-demand retailers like Prime Video or Apple TV. Make note that if you choose to rent, you'll get 30 days to watch the film, but only 48 hours to finish it once you start. If you choose to buy it, then it's yours to keep.

Here are some quick links to rent or purchase the film:

• Apple TV — buy for $14.99, rent for $9.99

• Fandango at Home — buy for $14.99, rent for $9.99

• Google Play — buy for $14.99

• Prime Video — buy for $14.99, rent for $9.99

• YouTube — buy for $14.99

Stream it on Netflix

Given Sony Pictures' and Netflix's agreement that gives the streamer first dibs, it's no surprise that 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple made its streaming debut on Netflix on March 31, 2026. Based on other Sony Pictures' timelines, that's actually earlier than we expected.

Netflix doesn't offer free trials, nor does it allow you to share an account (unless you pay for an extra user), so you'll need your own Netflix subscription to stream 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple. Fortunately, Netflix has a few different tiers to choose from; all three options will grant you access.

Watching Netflix with ads is the most affordable option at $7.99 per month. If you want to watch ad-free, the price jumps up to $17.99 for a Standard subscription. Finally, there's a third tier called Netflix Premium that costs a steep $24.99 per month and will let you watch on four household devices at once (as opposed to the other plans' two devices) in 4K Ultra HD + HDR with no ads.

Opens in a new window Credit: Netflix Netflix subscription Starting at $7.99 per month Learn More The best Netflix deals

Before you sign up for Netflix, check the deals below to see if you're eligible to score a subscription at a discount — or maybe even for free.

Best Netflix deal for T-Mobile customers Opens in a new window Credit: Netflix Netflix Standard (with ads) Free for select T-Mobile customers Get Deal

T-Mobile customers on most Go5G plans, as well as Experience Beyond and Experience More plans, get ad-supported Netflix Standard for free (reg. $7.99 per month) as long as their account remains in good standing. You need to have two or more lines of any type of Go5G or Magenta plan or at least one line of Go5G Next, Go5G Plus, Magenta MAX, Experience More, or Experience Beyond plan.

If you're eligible, you'll have to manually activate your subscription by navigating to the T-Life app and selecting Manage > See plans > Manage add-ons. From there, scroll down to select the Netflix streaming benefit and click continue. Then follow the prompts to link an existing account or create a new one. For help, head to the Netflix support page.

Best Netflix deal for Verizon customers Opens in a new window Credit: Netflix / HBO Max Netflix and HBO Max bundle (with ads) $10 per month for Verizon customers with myPlan Get Deal

As of December 2023, Verizon customers with myPlan can get a Netflix and HBO Max bundle (with ads) for just $10 per month ($8.98 per month in savings). A $18.98 value, that basically gets you Netflix Standard with ads for free. Eligible Verizon customers include those on the Unlimited Welcome, Unlimited Plus, or Unlimited Ultimate plans. After enrolling in the promo, you'll have to complete the account setup separately for each service. Verizon's support page has all the eligibility details, terms, and FAQs.

Best Netflix deal for Xfinity customers Opens in a new window Credit: Netflix / Peacock / HBO Max Netflix Standard with ads, Peacock Premium, and HBO Max $22/month with Xfinity StreamSaver (save $9.97/month) Get Deal

Comcast offers new and current Xfinity Internet and TV customers a Xfinity StreamSaver package, which includes Netflix Standard with ads ($7.99 per month), Peacock Premium ($10.99 per month), and HBO Max ($10.99 per month). You can add the StreamSaver bundle to your existing services for only $22 per month. Usually, it costs $31.97 per month for all three subscriptions, so you'll save about $9.97 monthly with this package deal.

TL;DR: Amazon has the Magic: The Gathering Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Pre-Release Pack listed for $32.01, while Walmart is even lower at $31.99. At Walmart’s price, buyers are getting six TMNT Magic: The Gathering Play Boosters for about $5.33 each.

Where to buy the Magic: The Gathering Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Pre-Release Pack: Best Amazon deal Magic: The Gathering Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Pre-Release Pack $32.01 at Amazon Shop Now Best Walmart Deal Magic: The Gathering Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Pre-Release Pack $31.99 at Walmart Shop Now

The final day of Amazon’s Big Spring Sale still has plenty of gaming deals, Pokémon discounts, and even price cuts on Samsung and Apple for you to enjoy.

But that's not all, because there are some Magic: The Gathering deals live right now. As of March 31, Amazon has the Magic: The Gathering Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Pre-Release Pack listed for $32.01, down from its $39.95 list price. Walmart is lower at $31.99, marked down from $39.99.

Either way, both retailers have pushed this one well below the usual range for this product. In fact, it's the lowest-ever price at Amazon according to price tracker camelcamelcamel.

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Each Pre-Release Pack comes with six TMNT Play Boosters, with 14 Magic: The Gathering trading cards in every pack. That makes Walmart’s current deal work out to roughly $5.33 per booster, which is a pretty solid entry point for anyone who has been waiting to crack into the set without jumping straight to a full booster box. 

Alongside the six packs, buyers are also getting one traditional foil rare or mythic rare card and a Spindown life counter, giving this more of the feel of a proper sealed-event starter than just a simple bundle of loose packs.

Among other hot Amazon Spring Sale deals in Magic: The Gathering, the Avatar The Last Airbender Play Booster Box is at its lowest-ever price. Meanwhile, you can still snag a Magic: the Gathering Lorwyn Eclipsed’s Play Booster Box for under $120 while stocks last.

How to watch 'Scream 7' at a glance (and a few ways to save): Watch now Buy or rent 'Scream 7' at Prime Video $19.99 to rent, $24.99 to buy Shop Now Watch now Buy or rent 'Scream 7' at Apple TV $19.99 to rent, $24.99 to buy Shop Now Watch now Buy or rent 'Scream 7' at YouTube $19.99 to rent, $24.99 to buy Shop Now Watch now Buy or rent ' Scream 7' at Fandango at Home $19.99 to rent, $24.99 to buy Shop Now Watch later Paramount+ annual subscription $89.99 (save $17.89) Get Deal Watch later Free Paramount+ with Walmart+ membership free 30-day trial, then $98/year Get Deal Watch later Paramount+ Premium for students $6.99/month (save 50%) Get Deal

It's been 30 years since the masked Ghostface killer's on-screen debut in the iconic slasher film that launched a franchise. Scream has veered in many directions since, but with Scream 7, it goes back to its roots: Final Girl Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell) versus Ghostface.

The seventh installment also brings back Courteney Cox as Gale Weathers, Jasmin Savoy Brown and Mason Gooding as twins Mindy and Chad Meeks-Martin, and the legendary Matthew Lillard as Stu Macher from the first film.

If a "hearty dose of nostalgia," as Mashable's entertainment editor puts it, is what you're after, Scream 7 serves it up on a platter. But there's also plenty of new ideas, reveals, and scares to keep it fresh.

If you missed it in theaters or can't wait to watch it again, Scream 7 is officially hitting the small screen this spring. Here's what you need to know to watch it at home.

What is Scream 7 about?

"Scream 7 brings Campbell back to the center of the story, restoring some of the original concept's simplicity," as Mashable's Kristy Puchko writes. Sidney Prescott (Campbell) has left Woodsboro for good and has been living peacefully in Pine Grove, Indiana, with her husband Mark (Joel McHale) and daughter Tatum (Isabel May). But there's no real rest for Sidney in the Scream franchise, is there? Ghostface has set sights on her teenage daughter, and Sidney's forced to confront her past (again) to save Tatum.

Get a glimpse at the latest installment in the official trailer below:

Is Scream 7 worth watching?

A quick glance at Rotten Tomatoes shows a major divide between critics and audiences, with a 31 percent critic rating and 75 percent audience rating. In addition to delivering the biggest box office debut the decades-old horror series has ever seen, it's also become the highest-grossing film in the franchise. So, whether critics like it or not, audiences are showing up for Scream 7.

Mashable's own lead film critic is "elated" with the latest Scream film. "As someone who has long counted Scream as the best of the batch, I yearned for a sequel that recaptured that feeling of discovery but also shared in my affection for the first film. Scream 7 does that, paying homage without being beholden to audience expectation or constrictive lore. Incredibly, Williams gives us a hearty dose of nostalgia and Easter eggs while providing new ideas, weird reveals, and fresh chills," she writes.

Read Mashable's full review of Scream 7.

How to watch Scream 7 Credit: Paramount Pictures

There are a couple of different ways you can watch Scream 7 at home. You can buy it or rent it at digital-on-demand retailers for as low as $19.99 as of March 31, or you can stream it on Paramount+ at a later date. See all the details below.

Buy or rent it on digital

Scream 7 makes its digital debut on March 31, 2026, which means you can officially buy or rent the movie from on-demand retailers. If you choose to rent, you'll get 30 days to watch the film and just 48 hours to finish it once you start. If you choose to buy it, then it's yours to keep and watch at your own leisure.

Here are some quick links to rent or purchase the film:

• Apple TV — $19.99 to rent, $24.99 to buy

• Fandango at Home — $19.99 to rent, $24.99 to buy

• Prime Video — $19.99 to rent, $24.99 to buy

• YouTube — $19.99 to rent, $24.99 to buy

Stream it on Paramount+ (at a later date)

Since Scream 7 is a Paramount Pictures film, it will undoubtedly make its streaming debut on Paramount+. The only question is when.

Based on the timeline of other Paramount Pictures films from the theater to the streaming service, we expect Scream 7 to make its Paramount+ debut in late April 2026. We'll update this story with the official streaming date once it's announced.

Paramount+ raised its prices in January 2026, so subscriptions now start at $8.99 per month. However, there are a few different ways you can save, including an annual subscription plan, a student plan, and a third-party partnership. We've rounded up the details below.

The best Paramount+ streaming dealsBest long-term deal: Save 17% on a Paramount+ annual subscription Opens in a new window Credit: Paramount+ Paramount+ Premium annual subscription $139.99/year (save $27.89) Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Paramount+ Paramount+ Essential annual subscription $89.99/year (save $17.89) Get Deal

You can save 17% on the Paramount+ Essential or Premium plan if you opt for an annual plan for either $89.99 or $139.99 instead. That brings the monthly cost down to just $11.67 instead of $13.99 for the Premium plan or $7.49 instead of $8.99 for the Essential plan. You'll have to pay more upfront, but you'll also get more bang for your buck.

Best deal for students: Save 50% on Paramount+ Premium Opens in a new window Credit: Paramount+ Paramount+ Premium for students $6.99/month (save $7) Get Deal

College students can score a Paramount+ Premium monthly subscription for just $6.99 per month, so long as they can verify their student status using SheerID. Once verified, student discounts are valid for your first 12 months. After 12 months, you'll be charged the standard rate for a Premium monthly subscription.

Best third-party deal: Get Paramount+ for free with a Walmart+ membership Opens in a new window Credit: Walmart Walmart+ membership Free 30-day trial, then $98/year Get Deal

It may not be the simplest way to watch, but a Walmart+ membership gives you free access to Paramount+ Essential and plenty of other sweet benefits. Better yet, you can kick things off with a free 30-day trial, so you can enjoy an entire month of streaming without paying a cent. Just be sure to cancel before your trial ends if you want to avoid charges. If you want to keep your Walmart+ membership going, it'll cost you either $12.95 per month or $98 per year ($8.17 per month).

TL;DR: Walmart has the Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Perfect Order Booster Display Box listed for $210.90, while Amazon has it at $224.95. That puts Walmart just $6.43 above the current TCGplayer market price of $204.47.

Where to buy the Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Perfect Order Booster Display Box: Best Amazon Deal Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Perfect Order Booster Display Box $224.95 at Amazon (save $55.04) Shop Now Best Walmart Deal Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Perfect Order Booster Display Box $210.90 at Walmart Shop Now Best TCGplayer deal Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Perfect Order Booster Display Box $262.74 at TCGplayer Shop Now

Amazon’s Big Spring Sale is delivering Pokémon TCG deals, gaming discounts, and Lego offers. And Pokémon TCG collectors have got a new opportunity to save on Perfect Order Booster Boxes. 

As of March 31, Amazon has the Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Perfect Order Booster Display Box listed for $224.95, down $55.04 from its $279.99 list price. Walmart, though, has it lower at $210.90 with free shipping. Amazon’s offer is still a legitimate sale price, but Walmart has edged further ahead and now holds the clear price lead between the two major retailers — even lower than the price we saw the booster box listed for last week. 

Against the current TCGplayer market price of $204.47, neither retailer has hit market value just yet, but Walmart has come close.

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The latest expansion in the Pokémon TCG’s Mega Evolution set, Perfect Order centers on Mega Zygarde ex and brings in more than 120 cards centered around the Pokémon Legends: Z-A video game — with Mega Clefable ex, Mega Starmie ex, and Meowth ex all part of the expansion. Each Perfect Order Booster Display Box comes with 36 booster packs, with 10 random trading cards per pack. That takes Walmart’s price down to roughly $5.86 per pack.

To keep saving on Pokémon, you can also grab the Perfect Order Booster Bundle for as low as $42.99 across Amazon and Walmart. You can also grab the rare Pokémon TCG Prismatic Evolutions Booster Bundle for as low as $82.99. 

SAVE $750: As of March 31, the Jackery Explorer 2000 v2 is on sale for $748.99 in the Amazon Spring Sale. That's a 50% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Jackery Jackery Explorer 2000 v2 $748.99 at Amazon
$1,499 Save $750.01   Get Deal

It’s the last day of Amazon’s Big Spring Sale, but deals on portable power stations show no signs of slowing down. Brands like Jackery still have discounts on many of their products, like this latest deal on the Jackery Explorer 2000 v2. As of March 31, this unit is still heavily discounted, with $750 off the list price. That brings the price down to $748.99 from $1,499.

For half off, you’re getting a portable power station with a 2,042Wh capacity and 2,200W output. It’s a great option for a reliable home backup, but also for outdoor use during camping trips or RV vacations.

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It includes three AC outlets and a 100W USB-C PD port for fast device charging. But despite its power capacity, it’s relatively compact and lightweight at 39.5 pounds, so it’s portable and easy to carry around. And like most Jackery units, this one is built with a LiFePO4 battery. It’s rated for up to 10 years of use, making it a durable and low-maintenance option.

This portable power station deal is available at Amazon now. The sale comes to an end after March 31, so don’t miss out.

SAVE $220: As of March 31, the DJI Mini 3 Fly More Combo is on sale for $499 at Amazon. That's a 31% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: DJI DJI Mini 3 Fly More Combo $499 at Amazon
$719 Save $220   Get Deal

Amazon’s Big Spring Sale is coming to an end, with March 31 the last day of deals and discounts. Across the week we’ve seen everything from robot vacuums to portable power stations hit record-low prices, and if you’re still in the market for a bargain, there are still some great deals to be found.

Drones have also seen some great deals, and right now there’s a record-low price on the DJI Mini 3 Fly More Combo, currently down to its lowest-ever price of $499. That’s $220 off its list price of $719.

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This drone is lightweight at under 249g, meaning no FAA registration is required for recreational use, making it a great beginner option. Features like GPS return-to-home, auto takeoff and landing, and precise hovering also make it an ideal choice for beginners. And with this bundle deal, you’ll get a DJI RC controller with a built-in 5.5-inch HD display, two additional Intelligent Flight Batteries, a two-way charging hub, and a shoulder bag, so you have everything you need to start shooting great content.

Speaking of great content, it captures 4K HDR video with strong detail in both highlights and shadows thanks to the Dual Native ISO. It also has a 3-axis gimbal and Level 5 wind resistance, so if you’re shooting in challenging conditions, footage stays smooth and stable. You’ll also get up to 10km of HD video transmission, as well as creative modes like QuickShots and Panorama.

Get this drone deal at Amazon now.

SAVE $150: As of March 31, the Dyson Airwrap i.d. is on sale for $499.99 at Amazon. That's a 23% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Dyson Dyson Airwrap i.d. $499.99 at Amazon
$649.99 Save $150   Get Deal

The Dyson Airwrap has been one of the most talked-about hair tools in recent years, reaching cult status for its ability to give you a salon-style blowouts at home. The Dyson Airwrap i.d. has become one of the most popular models in the range, and with one day left of Amazon's Big Spring Sale, you can buy it for less.

As of March 31, the famed styling tool is reduced from $649.99 to $499.99, saving you $150. This is also the best price so far this year for this model, according to camelcamelcamel.

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The Dyson Airwrap i.d. is designed specifically for straight and wavy hair, giving you six functions including drying, curling, waving, shaping, and smoothing, without extreme heat. The device features three airflow speeds and three heat settings to give you more control of your hair styling.

It connects to the MyDyson app via Bluetooth, where you can create a personalized styling profile based on your hair type and length. In a rush in the morning? The app lets you create one-touch customized routines like i.d. curl. Once paired with your phone, it automatically adjusts settings to suit your profile, so styling is more consistent and personalized to your hair.

Get this Dyson deal at Amazon now before the sale comes to an end.

SAVE $250: As of March 31, the Roborock Qrevo Series is on sale for $399.99 at Amazon. That's a 38% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Roborock Roborock Qrevo Series $399.99 at Amazon
$649.99 Save $250   Get Deal

Amazon's Big Spring Sale is coming to an end, but if you're looking for a great deal on a robot vacuum, you've still got some time to save. And if you're looking for a truly stellar option, check out this discount on the Roborock Qrevo Series. As of March 31, this vacuum and mop combo is down to $399.99 from $649.99, saving you $250.

This is a seriously powerful robot vacuum, designed to clean your floors with ease. It has 8,000Pa suction to pick up dirt, debris, and even pet hair from carpets and hard floors. It uses a tangle-free brush system to prevent hair build-up, so you don't need to spend ages detangling the brushes if you have pets at home.

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It comes with an all-in-one docking station where it handles pretty much everything. It empties dust, refills water, and washes and dries the mopping pads, so you have next to no maintenance. In fact, it can store dirt and dust for up to nine weeks, so you don't need to think about emptying it for months.

The vacuum also uses reactive obstacle avoidance to navigate around furniture, and PreciSense LiDAR navigation creates detailed maps of your home, so you don't even need to tell it where to go.

You can find this robot vacuum deal in Amazon's Big Spring Sale right now.

I don’t remember much of my life before social media. It took over in seventh grade and my individual style started bending toward whatever the algorithm pushed to the top.

My wants were no longer my own but reflections of what Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, and YouTube algorithmically advertised as desirable. Sleepovers that used to be chaotic with pillow fights and hide‑and-seek were replaced by late‑night scrolling sessions, my friends and I quietly measuring ourselves against everyone else. Social media was supposed to give my generation a lifeline: A way to stay close, to find community, to express ourselves. Instead, tech executives created digital nicotine instead of real digital communities, engineered to tap into our insecurities and keep us coming back.

By the time we realized what it was doing to us, it already felt impossible to put it down. Infinite scroll, autoplay that makes stopping feel like an interruption, notifications calibrated to pull us back at our most vulnerable moments — these weren’t accidents. They were design decisions. Decisions meant to keep us hooked.

Now, for the first time, Big Tech executives have been forced to defend those design decisions in court, and a jury has made something clear: This harm was real and not accidental. The verdict marks a turning point, a signal that the era of Big Tech operating without consequence is beginning to crack.

SEE ALSO: Meta, YouTube found guilty of negligence in history-making social media addiction trial

But even before that verdict, something bigger had already started to shift. Inside that courtroom, one young plaintiff was barging through doors that were never meant to open. She made visible what millions of us lived through silently.

And she is not alone.

We see ourselves in her. We see our friends. We see the filtered selfies, the 2 a.m. scrolling, the comparison spirals, the quiet shame. These are not edge cases. They are not outliers. Big Tech’s platforms don’t discriminate. When a platform is designed to manipulate, everyone is vulnerable.

Because what we grew up with was not neutral technology. It was technology designed for maximum engagement at any cost.

Evidence from these cases shows that Big Tech followed Big Tobacco’s playbook: Addict them young to create lifelong consumers, no matter the cost to their lives. Their business model didn’t just deprioritize young people’s wellbeing — it depended on our lack of it to sell products.

SEE ALSO: 'Wired' cover on tech's 'gay mafia' ignites controversy

I recently read whistleblower Sarah Wynn‑Williams’ memoir, Careless People. She revealed that Meta could detect when teen girls deleted a selfie, reading it as a moment of low self‑esteem, and then prompt beauty brands to target them with ads at that exact moment. It wasn’t an accident. So I have to wonder how many Instagram ads I was served when I felt the worst about myself. Was the face serum, lip kit, or lip filler I bought with my limited income exactly what Mark Zuckerberg and Adam Mosseri designed?

I came out as gay before Caitlyn Jenner came out as trans. When she publicly debuted her transition, I didn’t have the words for why it hit me so hard. It wasn’t jealousy. It wasn’t resentment. It was that overnight, she became my Kendall Jenner — the glossy, perfected, impossible image of womanhood that a closeted trans girl like me was supposed to aspire to.

Girls my age were drowning in Kendall’s edited photos and endless beauty ads. I was drowning in a trans version of the same thing. Caitlyn appeared effortlessly beautiful, and I bought product after product trying to chase even a fraction of that feeling. Every time I took a selfie and got called a slur, Instagram responded by pushing more beauty ads at me instead of community or creators who could’ve helped me understand myself.

Sarah Wynn‑Williams’ revelations make the pattern clear: Meta saw our lowest moments and treated them as sales opportunities. They could have protected us. They could have connected us. Instead, they monetized the wound.

We were children when we first downloaded these apps. Our brains were still developing. Our sense of self was still forming. And yet we were placed inside systems engineered to override self-control and exploit social validation.

That’s why these trials matter.

They aren’t just about one young plaintiff or one tragic story. They’re about thousands of families demanding accountability — and now, with this verdict, proving that accountability is possible. They’re about internal documents that companies tried to hide now becoming public. They’re about executives being forced to answer questions under oath rather than hide behind PR statements.

The verdict is a milestone — but it’s not the finish line. The truth being exposed is what makes lasting change possible. The courtroom doors finally being open is what ensures this doesn’t stop here.

Every day, more cases are filed. Every day, more children are harmed. Pressure will not let up until Meta, YouTube, TikTok, and Snap fix their addictive products.

People need to understand that this isn’t an attack on social connection or creativity. The problem is that Big Tech built the digital equivalent of nicotine instead of designing ways for people to enjoy short‑form media without being trapped by it. I don’t need endless scroll or autoplay to enjoy fan edits of my favorite shows. I don’t need an algorithm to serve me a sad dog video because it knows I’ll need a mood booster before closing the app. I’m not trying to get rid of the joy — I’m trying to get rid of the traps.

There is a future without the bad stuff — and this verdict is proof that we can start to build it.

This article reflects the opinion of the writer.

Lennon Torres is a former Dance Moms performer now fighting for young people’s safety online. A trans activist and University of Southern California alum, she uses her pop‑culture fluency and lived experience to power her work at the Heat Initiative, taking on tech giants and demanding platforms to protect and empower the next generation.

TL;DR: Microsoft Visual Studio Professional 2026 is on sale for $42.97 (reg. $499.99), offering a full-featured IDE with AI-assisted coding, debugging tools, and cross-platform development support in a one-time purchase.

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Visual Studio Professional 2026 $42.97
$499.99 Save $457.02   Get Deal

If you write code regularly, your tools matter. Microsoft Visual Studio Professional 2026 is built for serious development work, and for a limited time, a lifetime license to it is on sale for $42.97 (reg. $499.99)

For many people, Microsoft starts and ends with Office. But for developers, it’s often Visual Studio doing the heavy lifting. The 2026 version builds on that foundation with improved performance, deeper AI-assisted features, and stronger collaboration tools.

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As a 64-bit IDE, it’s designed to handle larger codebases and more complex workloads without slowing down. Whether you’re building apps, debugging issues, or managing deployments, it’s meant to keep everything in one place without forcing you to piece together multiple tools.

What Visual Studio 2026 brings to the table:

• Build mobile and desktop apps with .NET MAUI

• Create responsive UIs using Blazor and ASP.NET Core

• Develop, debug, and test .NET and C++ apps across Windows and Linux

• Apply code changes instantly without restarting your app

• Connect with Azure, GitHub, and existing workflows

• View test status, references, and code history directly in the editor

Collaboration is also more streamlined. With built-in live sharing features, teammates can join sessions without needing to clone repos or install all dependencies.

Formerly $499.99, you can score a lifetime subscription to Microsoft Visual Studio Professional 2026 for only $42.97 until April 19.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Get 100TB of private, encrypted cloud storage for life with Internxt — $974.97 (reg. $9,900), ending March 31 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

Opens in a new window Credit: Internxt Internxt Cloud Storage Lifetime Subscription: 100TB $974.97
$9,900 Save $8,925.03   Get Deal

Does your digital life feel like it’s constantly hitting a limit — “storage full,” upgrade prompts, files scattered across platforms? You’re definitely not alone. The way we store data hasn’t quite kept up with how much we create.

That’s what makes a 100TB lifetime cloud storage plan stand out. Internxt is offering exactly that for $974.97 (reg. $9,900), but only through March 31 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

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This is about space and control. Internxt is built around privacy-first storage, using end-to-end encryption and zero-knowledge architecture. That means your files are encrypted before they leave your device, and only you can access them. Not even Internxt can see what you store. It’s also fully open-source, so its code is publicly available for transparency — something you don’t always see with mainstream cloud providers.

And then there’s the scale. 100TB is enough to store massive photo libraries, 4K video archives, backups, work files, and everything in between — without constantly managing space or deleting older content.

You can access your files across macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, or a web browser, making it easy to stay synced no matter what device you’re using. Internxt also uses post-quantum encryption, designed to stay secure even as computing power evolves, so this isn’t just storage for today, but for the long term.

It’s worth noting this plan is for new users only and focuses specifically on cloud storage (additional features like email or backups are separate). But if your priority is secure, private, long-term storage, that’s exactly what this delivers.

If you’ve been looking for a way to simplify your storage — and stop thinking about it altogether — this is about as future-proof as it gets.

Get lifetime access to 100TB of Internxt cloud storage for $974.97 (reg. $9,900) through March 31 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Get a structured introduction to stocks and trading with the From Zero to Pro 2026 Complete Stocks, Forex & Futures Trading Bundle, now $39.99 (reg. $140).

Opens in a new window Credit: Skillet Academy From Zero to Pro: The 2026 Complete Stocks, Forex & Futures Trading Bundle $39.99
$140 Save $100.01   Get Deal

Learning to trade on your own can feel like piecing together a puzzle with half the pieces missing. There’s no shortage of information out there, but it’s rarely organized in a way that actually helps you build a reliable, repeatable system.

The From Zero to Pro: The 2026 Complete Stocks, Forex & Futures Trading Bundle is designed to change that. It consolidates seven courses and 89 hours of instruction into one streamlined program — structured to guide you from foundational concepts all the way to advanced strategies. Right now, it’s on sale for $39.99 (reg. $140) for a limited time.

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You’ll start with core concepts like how markets move, how to read charts, and how traders identify potential opportunities. From there, the courses build into more technical skills, including using indicators, understanding price action, and developing a consistent trading approach.

The bundle is taught by Skillet Academy, an education group with a sharp focus on practical, applicable trading skills. Rather than getting bogged down in abstract theory, the lessons center on real-world application, with walkthroughs and examples that show exactly how strategies perform in live market conditions.

Additional courses go deeper into specific areas, such as day trading, futures trading, and technical analysis, and cover tools like TradingView. There’s also a strong focus on risk management and trading psychology, which can matter just as much as strategy for long-term consistency.

The bundle works well for beginners who want a clear, structured starting point, as well as more experienced traders looking to sharpen their edge. Lifetime access means you can learn at your own pace and return to any material as your skills and the markets evolve.

If you’re looking for a more structured way to learn how trading works, you can get the full bundle on sale for $39.99 (reg. $140) for a limited time.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Live stream Scotland vs. Ivory Coast in a 2026 International Friendly for free on BBC iPlayer. Access this free streaming site from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

There are many interesting International Friendlies taking place this week, including Scotland vs. Ivory Coast.

The Scots are looking to bounce back after a disappointing defeat to Japan last week. Ivory Coast are fresh from beating South Korea 4-0, so they'll be confident of grabbing another win here. Expect big performances from the likes of McTominay and Diallo when these sides face off at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

If you want to watch Scotland vs. Ivory Coast in a 2026 International Friendly for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Scotland vs. Ivory Coast?

Scotland vs. Ivory Coast kicks off at 2:30 p.m. ET on March 31. This fixture takes place at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

How to watch Scotland vs. Ivory Coast for free

Scotland vs. Ivory Coast is available to live stream for free on BBC iPlayer.

BBC iPlayer is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can access this free streaming service with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can access free live streams on BBC iPlayer from anywhere in the world.

Lve stream Scotland vs. Ivory Coast for free by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

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

4. Visit BBC iPlayer

5. Stream Scotland vs. Ivory Coast for free from anywhere in the world

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

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Scotland vs. Ivory Coast without actually spending anything. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream select games before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to free streaming sites from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for streaming live sport is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for BBC iPlayer?

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

• Servers in 105 countries including the UK

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

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

Live stream Scotland vs. Ivory Coast for free with ExpressVPN.

The best coffee machine deals from the Amazon Big Spring Sale: Best Premium Coffee Machine Deal Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine $549.95 (save $150) Shop Now Best Budget Coffee Machine Deal Cuisinart 14-Cup Coffee Maker $89.94 (save $30.01) Shop Now Best Nespresso Coffee Machine Deal Nespresso Vertuo by Breville $161 (save $108.95) Shop Now

It's the final day of the Big Spring Sale, but you haven't missed out — Amazon is still stacked with deals right now. If you want value for money, we recommend a coffee machine: Something that will keep you caffeinated for years to come and give you that all important wide-awake boost each and every morning.

Any deal on a coffee machine is very welcome because coffee makers can fetch major money at full price, particularly when you look at premium machines. Fortunately, Amazon has included a range of coffee machines in the Big Spring Sale, from budget picks to advanced models. If you want sheer quality, our pick is the Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine, which has been slashed by $150 — down to $549.95 from the usual list price of $699.95.

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We’ll keep checking in on coffee machine deals as the day rolls on, so be sure to keep tabs on this page for any further price drops. For Big Spring Sale deals on other appliances, check out our roundups of kitchen and Ninja deals.

Best coffee machine deal Opens in a new window Credit: Breville Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine $546.99 at Amazon
$799.99 Save $253   Get Deal Why we like it

This isn't the only Breville coffee maker to be discounted during the home stretch of the Big Spring Sale, but the Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine is one of the most advanced models out there — an all-signing, all-dancing machine with a built-in milk frothing wand, an integrated conical burr grinder, and personalized control over grind size, temperature, and pressure. It's built to extract maximum flavor exactly to your taste. With a saving of $150, this is a great for budding baristas and coffee aficionados.

More coffee machine deals

• Hamilton Beach 2-Way Programmable Coffee Maker — $69.95 $88.95 (save $20)

• Keurig K-Express K-Cup Pod Coffee Maker — $69.99 $109.99 (save $40)

• De'Longhi Stilosa Manual Espresso Machine — $99 $149.95 (save $50.95)

• Nespresso Vertuo Pop+ Coffee and Espresso Maker — $99 $129.95 (save $30.95)

• Ninja Pod and Grounds Coffee Maker — $104.99 $139.99 (save $25)

• OutIn Nano Portable Espresso Machine — $119.99 $149.99 (save $30)

• Keurig K-Duo Hot & Iced Coffee Maker — $144.08 $219.99 (save $75.91)

• Ninja Specialty Coffee Maker — $139.99 $179.99 (save $40)

• Cuisinart Coffee Maker — $149.95 $189.95 (save $40)

• Breville Bambino Espresso Machine — $249.95 $299.95 (save $50)

• Breville Barista Touch Espresso Machine — $799.95 $999.95 (save $200)

The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.

With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.

So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: How to play Pips, the newest NYT game

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Monday, March 31, 2026:

Across"Paradise" or "Lost"

• The answer is Show.

Hawaiian island with the famous Road to Hana

• The answer is Maui.

___Zeneca (pharma company)

• The answer is Astra.

"Stainless" metal

• The answer is Steel.

One half of a centaur

• The answer is Horse.

DownMassive success

• The answer is Smash.

Must

• The answer is Has to.

___ boroughs (term for the non-Manhattan parts of New York City)

• The answer is Outer.

Electrician's specialty

• The answer is Wires.

Bar beverage

• The answer is Ale.

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

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

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to the latest Mini Crossword.

TL;DR: Get the Apple iPhone 17 for free from Boost Infinite and qualify for a free upgrade to the latest model every year.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Boost Infinite: Free Apple iPhone 17 + Free Upgrade   Get Deal

Amazon's Big Spring Sale is slowly creeping towards its conclusion. We know you're busy checking out all the best deals on Apple, Samsung, and DJI, but if you could spare a moment, you should check out the latest promotion offered by Boost Infinite. We promise that it's worth your time.

Leading mobile carriers like T-Mobile and Verizon tend to offer 36-month contracts in exchange for "free" phones. These deals are always really popular, but Boost Infinite is going one step further for Apple fans. Right now, you can score the Apple iPhone 17 for free with Boost Infinite's "Infinite Access for iPhone" plan.

That's great, but it gets better. The headline-grabbing feature of this plan isn't just the free iphone — it's the promise of a free upgrade to the latest iPhone next year and every year after that. Here are the steps you need to take to qualify for this deal.

How to claim a free Apple iPhone 17

To join the "Infinite Access for iPhone" plan and qualify for this exclusive deal, follow these simple steps:

• Sign up for the Infinite Access plan — it costs $60 per month and includes unlimited talk, text, and data.

• No trade-in to start — you don't need to trade in a device to get your first iPhone 17 for free

• Annual upgrades — after 12 months of consecutive payments, you can trade in your current model for the newest version at no extra cost

It's always worth keeping in mind with this sort of deal that you'll need to pay sales tax on the full retail price of the phone at the time of purchase.

The iPhone 17 features Apple’s latest A19 chip, providing a massive boost to performance and AI capabilities. Mashable Senior Editor Stan Schroeder reviewed the iPhone 17e and said, "The combination of having Apple's latest chip and a decent amount of storage means this phone will be relevant for at least four to five years."

That begs the question of whether or not you'll actually need an upgrade next year, but if you're the type who loves to have the very latest model, this is the deal for you.

The Bear's Emmy–winning actors Jon Bernthal and Ebon Moss-Bachrach both make their Broadway debut by attempting something so daring that some might call them foolish or crazy. Which, considering the sweaty, ripped-from-the-headlines story at the heart of Dog Day Afternoon, is poetically fitting.

In headlining Dog Day Afternoon on Broadway, these two critically acclaimed actors invite an inevitable comparison to two of the most esteemed actors in 1970s American cinema. In 1975, Al Pacino and John Cazale co-starred in Sidney Lumet's Dog Day Afternoon, which was more than a box-office hit and a six-time Oscar nominee. Radiating with heat, energy, and a defiant, devil-may-care attitude, the film — based on a real bank robbery — has echoed across decades, in no small part because of the joint intensity of Pacino and Cazale. The scene where Pacino's Sonny yells, "Attica!" to a cheering crowd of civilians as the cops look on, guns drawn, is truly iconic, even to those who've never seen the movie. Pacino's radiant outrage shines even without context.

So, how do these two celebrated TV actors take to the stage to reinvent Dog Day Afternoon? Well, for starters, they do it as a comedy. 

SEE ALSO: The 25 best movies of 2025, and where to stream them Imagine Dog Day Afternoon meets Cheers.  The cast of Broadway's "Dog Day Afternoon." Credit: Production Photos by Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman

Playwright Stephen Adly Guirgis cites both Frank Pierson's Oscar–winning screenplay for Dog Day Afternoon and the Life magazine article "The Boys in the Bank" by P.F. Kluge and Thomas Moore as inspiration for this Broadway translation. The broad strokes of the play are the same as the movie. 

A neon light onstage, lit even as the audience comes in, reads "Brooklyn: August 22, 1972," serving as a title card to establish the location. The set begins as a gray-bricked exterior of an otherwise unremarkable bank, where people in '70s attire come in and out of the double glass doors, until security guard Eddy (Danny Johnson) locks them up for the day. Little does he know that inside, two bank robbers are already at work. 

After some early fumbles, Sonny (Bernthal) and Sal (Moss -Bachrach) have their guns out and are demanding the small fleet of bank tellers empty their trays without triggering any alarm. It's clear from Sonny's directions that he has some insider knowledge of how a bank operates. But his best laid plans fail fast, leaving him and a coked-up and irritable Sal with a handful of hostages, as local police, the FBI, and a growing crowd of gawkers circle outside the bank. 

In the movie, the film shifts  into anxiety the moment Sonny reveals his gun. On stage, however, Guirgis establishes the scene with breezy banter between bank tellers. The audience is invited to chuckle as the "girls" gossip cheerfully about an extramarital affair and plans to see the "sex movie" Deep Throat. When Sonny comes on stage, the audience cheered with excitement — a common occurrence when a celebrity makes their entrance in a Broadway show. But here, perhaps because of the workplace sitcom energy that Guirgis and director Rupert Goold have established, it feels almost like the studio audience cheering the arrival of Norm at the bar where everyone knows his name. 

From here, Dog Day Afternoon has plenty of banter. The head teller, Colleen (Jessica Hecht), is established as a playful antagonist, who pokes holes in Sonny's big talk. A recurring joke will come from an FBI agent crudely mispronouncing the last name of Brooklyn cop, Detective Fucco (John Ortiz) as "fucko." And a bit of exposition about Sonny's homosexuality, which in the movie was delivered via a television newsman, is transformed into a jarringly stereotypical gay character, who pairs a lisp with his flamboyant affect. 

Now, there was certainly humor in Lumet's Dog Day Afternoon. But most of that came from a certain true-to-life absurdity of New Yorkers being deeply themselves, no matter the dire circumstances — like when Sonny tells the chief negotiation he'd like a kiss if he's going to get fucked (over by the police). On Broadway, however, the jokes are frequent and rarely so coarse. So much so that it's easy to forget this is a hostage situation, and not a hangout on a slow day at The Office. While some of this humor is certainly entertaining, the generally upbeat tone does nothing for the tension of the plot line. And Moss-Bachrach isn't a help there. 

Ebon Moss-Bachrach is lost in Dog Day Afternoon.  Jon Bernthal and Ebon Moss-Bachrach star in Broadway's "Dog Day Afternoon." Credit: Production Photos by Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman

On The Bear, Moss-Bachrach managed something that once seemed impossible to me. In Season 1, his pitch-perfect performance of the absolute irritant prick Richie had me loathing that character to the point my teeth would grit whenever he was onscreen. Then, in Season 2, Moss-Bachrach delicately performed a character transformation so calibrated and profound that I was cheering for Richie by the time he let loose with his Taylor Swift car karaoke moment. Moss-Bachrach is a talented actor who is able to make repellent characters lovable or funny (see also Girls). But in trying to fill the shoes of Cazale, he comes up short. 

Of course, Cazale is practically a mythic figure to actors and film lovers. After establishing a reputation in New York theater, he appeared in an impossible string of impeccable movies (The Godfather I and II, Dog Day Afternoon, The Conversation, and The Deer Hunter) before his untimely death in 1978. As Sal in Dog Day, he was a raw nerve drenched in flop sweat. He didn't speak much, but where Sonny was full of piss and vinegar — winning over the public, the hostages, and even a few cops to his cause — Sal was a constant reminder of the potential violence and death inherent in their demand and weapons. Cazale exuded this threat through a dark, determined stare. 

In Broadway's Dog Day Afternoon, this dynamic is meant to be the same. That's made clear from the many, many, many times the female bank tellers plead with Sonny or each other to calm Sal down as he gets worked up. But this Sal never evokes the same sense of sweaty danger. Lingering in corners, staring at the tellers as they chat over donuts, he should feel frightening. But there's something missing. Perhaps it's because Guirgis works in some backstory to flesh out his psychology and soften his character. Perhaps it's that Goold's staging, under bright lights with a set that competently and literally creates a small bank, lacks the moodiness or suffocating sense of heat and tension of Lumet's film. But it's also that Moss-Bachrach comes off stiff and flat onstage. And making matters worse — or tension less — Sonny has been declawed. 

Jon Bernthal is a sexy, swaggering Sonny — and it doesn't work.  Jon Bernthal, Jessica Hecht, and Danny Johnson in Broadway's "Dog Day Afternoon." Credit: Production Photos by Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman

Where Pacino enters the bank in an ill-fitting suit, his greasy hair already looking like he's not slept for days, Bernthal struts on stage as if he's ready for a sultry centerfold. Fitted slacks lead to a button-down shirt that's already rolled up to expose his muscular, tattooed forearms, which reach up to stroke his thick, suave pompadour. In this version of Dog Day Afternoon, Sonny arrives late to the robbery, and so has to smooth-talk his way past the guard. It's a charming scene, but also one that sets Sonny up as a charmer, not a threat — whereas in the movie, Sonny begins a tangle of nerves and shouting and only finds his gift of gab as he gets comfortable in the bank. 

This might seem a minor shift, but between this choice and amping up the comedy, and Moss-Bachrach's inert intimidation, Dog Day Afternoon on Broadway never manages to feel stressful. Overall, it feels frustratingly dumbed down. Even the show's politics seem undercut by Goold's staging. In both the movie and the play, Sonny rants about economic hardships, political corruption, and police brutality. But with the glossy sheen of Broadway lights and TV stars on stage in crisp costumes, the critique echoes a bit hollow. 

Goold attempts to bring the audience into the fervor by turning us into the crowd outside the bank. Actors in cop costumes run down the aisles, prop guns in hand. The cheap seats get in on the act as Ortiz stands in the balcony for a bit of the show, delivering his lines through a megaphone. And to Goold's credit, the audience the night I attended seemed giddy to join in on the call-and-response Bernthal's Sonny offers, cheering his cries of "Fuck Rockefeller! Fuck Nixon! Fuck the NYPD!" and "Attica! Attica!" However, this felt theatrical in the superficial sense of the word, as the play seems to capitalize on Bernthal's undeniable appeal rather than on the allure of Sonny's chaotic folk hero. 

John Bernthal is at his best when Sonny's at his lowest.  Jon Bernthal and Jessica Hecht in Broadway's "Dog Day Afternoon." Credit: Production Photos by Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman

To be clear, I'm not sure any actor could make this Dog Day Afternoon work. It's not just that Bernthal will be compared to Pacino. It's that a stage performance is being asked to do what a film performance only did with one of the greatest actors of a generation. Bernthal is a great actor, as seen in The Bear, The Punisher, and The Accountant 2. He's dynamic, complex, exciting, and charming, with a sense of danger. On paper, he's perfect for this attempt. But he cannot fill this Broadway theater with the energy of desperation, outrage, and life-or-death terror. 

And yet, he brings a resounding agony to Sonny's call with his wife, Leon (Esteban Andres Cruz). In both the movie and the play, Leon and Sonny are married, and they've had a lot of hardships along the way, including the psychological stress of Leon being misgendered as a cis man when she's a trans woman. Sonny robbed the bank to fund Leon's much-wanted gender affirming surgery, but considering how things have gone, when they talk, it's on the phone with very different expectations of how this dog day will end.

In both the film and show, it's a tender and chaotic moment between two lovers. And while there are points of Dog Day that feel like Bernthal is leaning into a Pacino impression, here he is alive, original, and riveting. The braggadocio is rechanneled into comforting Leon, who is a weepy wreck on the end of the line.

Cruz's role is short but deftly handled, bringing a biting humor and robust dignity to Leon. Together, they are electric, which made Goold's choice of staging for this scene absolutely infuriating. He places Bernthal and Cruz at opposite ends of the stage. So, where I was seated, I couldn't see both of them at once; I had to choose between stage right and stage left. Now, in the film, Lumet does cut from one to the other. But on stage, Goold has the choice to put them closer, to allow us to take in both performances in full for the whole scene. Instead, perhaps to reflect the distance in understanding of the situation between the two, he puts them worlds away. I couldn't help but wish that Goold broke down the literal staging of his sets (a bank and liquor store in this case) to allow these two to share a space in a way the movie couldn't allow. 

Jessica Hecht and John Ortiz are terrific in Dog Day Afternoon.  John Ortiz in Broadway's "Dog Day Afternoon." Credit: Production Photos by Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman

Yes, I have beef with the script, the staging, and some of the casting. But props to Jessica Hecht and John Ortiz, who create a New York that feels grounded, despite Goold's leaning into Broadway sheen. As the head bank teller, Hecht offers a New York accent that feels lived in and authentic. But more than that, her attitude is familiar, evoking that Brooklyn broad who can be polite but won't be fucked with. Dedicatedly prim and feminine, she nonetheless pushes back on Sonny and Sal. And even where they're not overtly exuding a threat, her performance expresses that Colleen understands exactly how much of a danger these two jabronies are. 

For his part, as the bullied-by-all cop, Ortiz is classic. He taps into the '70s cinema inspiration to create a character who feels deeply blue collar, a bit bungling but devotedly determined to do right. In these characters, I can see Dog Day Afternoon not as the film it was, but as the play it might have been.

Unfortunately, both characters are unceremoniously cut from the plot in the third act, leading to a finale that becomes increasingly confounding. If you know how things turned out for the real-life Sonny, John Wojtowicz, Goold and Guirgis' choices will have better context. But the staging, once again, is more perplexing than powerful. 

Dog Day Afternoon is now playing at the August Wilson Theatre. 

TL;DR: Amazon has the Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Perfect Order Booster Bundle listed for $57.95, but Walmart has it much lower at $42.99. Walmart’s price lands just $2.68 above the TCGplayer’s current $40.31 market price.

Where to buy Pokémon TCG Perfect Order Booster Bundles: Best Amazon Deal Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Perfect Order Booster Bundle $57.95 at Amazon Shop Now Best Walmart Deal Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Perfect Order Booster Bundle $42.99 at Walmart Shop Now

There are a number of interesting Pokémon TCG deals and gaming deals during the last day of the Big Spring Sale, but anyone interested in the Perfect Order Booster Bundle should look elsewhere.

As of March 31, Amazon has the Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Perfect Order Booster Bundle listed for $57.95, but Walmart has it lower at $42.99. Against the current $40.31 market price, Walmart is only $2.68 higher. That still makes Walmart better than some of the still decent pricing we saw for this bundle earlier in the week.

At Amazon’s current price, the six-pack bundle works out to about $8.82 per booster pack. Walmart drops that down to about $7.17 per pack. Either way, the bundle is a more budget-friendly buy into the new Mega Evolution collection than paying for single packs ($11.99 on Amazon). 

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The Perfect Order Booster Bundle includes six booster packs from Mega Evolution’s Perfect Order expansion. Each pack contains 10 trading cards, one Basic Energy, and one Pokémon TCG Live code card. 

If you’ve missed out on this expansion centered around Pocket Monsters appearing in the Pokémon Legends: Z-A game — like Mega Zygarde ex, Mega Clefable ex, Mega Starmie ex, and Meowth ex — this is a nice way to grab some of the expansion’s lineup of over 120 cards.

Among other Pokemon TCG pack collections around market price, you can still buy the Prismatic Evolutions Booster Bundle for well under $90 at Amazon and Walmart.

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