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The highs and lows of Satanic Hispanics — a horror anthology consisting of four shorts and a frame story tying them together, with directors including Mike Mendez (Big Ass Spider!), Demián Rugna (Terrified), Eduardo Sánchez (The Blair Witch Project), Gigi Saul Guerrero (El Gigante), and Alejandro Brugués (Juan of the Dead) — are many. And while the lows are numerous, the movie is not without some thrills. However, the erratic tone as the film switches between the genuinely scary, the comedic, and the downright silly leaves something to be desired. Spooky vibes alone are not enough to sustain the overarching narrative, and the vastly different stories don’t seem to take place in the same world.

What's Satanic Hispanics about?

Our journey begins with the Traveler (Efren Ramirez), the only known survivor from a group of traveling migrants found dead in El Paso, Texas, in what looks like a cartel confrontation gone bad. The Traveler's story is the device that ties the rest of the anthology together — investigators are fumbling around the facts in what feels like a low-rent episode of Law & Order until the Traveler begins divulging stories about people he's come across in his journey. These tales include frightening recountings of unexplained terrors, like inexplicable portals and other worlds, along with downright silly anecdotes, like one about a vampire run afoul with his wife and a demonic killer dildo. Yes, you read that right. 

The Traveler also has a story of his own. He is on the run from San La Muerte, a skeletal figure who will stop at nothing to kill our hero — unless he dispatches the deathly apparition with a sacred gun and bullet. Time is ticking with each successive story, and if the police won't let the Traveler go, they too will soon face death. 

Satanic Hispanics starts strong but loses its suspense quickly.

While Satanic Hispanics gets off to a bumpy start in the opening segment directed by Mike Mendez (Big Ass Spider!), Ramirez does his best to keep a sense of mystery and spookiness as he's being interviewed by bumbling cops ill-equipped to handle his supernatural case. He's serious and delivers the right amount of defensiveness and frustration of a man who knows that everyone is in danger, but no one will listen. 

"También Lo Vi" is the strongest short in the group. Credit: Epic Pictures

The Traveler then tells a story, introduced in the movie as "Chapter 2: También Lo Vi," which comes from Argentine director Demián Rugna (Terrified), whose next film, When Evil Lurks, arrives just in time for peak spooky season next month. In "También Lo Vi," a young man in Argentina named Gustavo sees what others can't, and it's slowly destroying his life. His concerned sister calls him often on WhatsApp, and over the course of one night, things go terribly awry as the invisible horrors he sees become reality. The film is short and spooky — it's easily the strongest entry of the batch. Unfortunately, things only go downhill from here. 

Our next chapter, short three, is titled "El Vampiro," and instead of being appropriately creepy, we get a domestic comedy about a vampire husband who doesn't listen to his long-suffering vampire wife; she's forced to decide if she should risk burning in broad daylight to come rescue him from a misadventure in town. It seems like a Latine riff on What We Do in the Shadows, but it's not nearly as clever or funny. Instead, Cuban American director Eduardo Sánchez (co-director and co-writer of the original Blair Witch Project) opts for weak head-of-the-household jokes and silly gags, like cops who can't tell real gore from fake until after posing with a severed head. It's the first significant tonal shift in the series, but it's not the last. 

The Traveler then leads us to Mexican director Gigi Saul Guerrero's "Nahuales," a folk horror tale of a C.I.A. informant who falls in the hands of an ancient Indigenous people. This short is particularly confusing, and goes from being a quasi-spy thriller about a man trying to escape before it's too late to a Mexican take on The Wicker Man. The tone here is serious and scary, but that feeling is short-lived. The cops scoff at the story and ask the Traveler, "Do you expect us to believe that?"

Mexican director Gigi Saul Guerrero's "Nahuales." Credit: Epic Pictures

The last story before San la Muerte arrives begins with no title (it’s eventually revealed to be “The Hammer of Zanzibar”) and a guy named Malcolm (Jonah Ray Rodrigues), who's figured out that he and his friends are marked for death for recording a sacred ceremony on their trip to Cuba. He tries to confront the last remaining survivor, his ex-girlfriend, but she's probably already demonically possessed, so he arrives prepared to kill the evil spirit with a large wooden dildo called The Hammer of Zanzibar. ​​Argentinian-Cuban director Alejandro Brugués (Juan of the Dead) starts with a great premise but goes a bit off the rails for the sake of a laugh. The relationship drama is strong and funny material, but when the story brings in a big dildo named after an African archipelago in order to kill a woman who's possessed, things get a bit uncomfortable to watch, and not in a good way. 

Despite missteps, Satanic Hispanics hopefully points to more horror movies from Latine directors. "The Hammer of Zanzibar" starts with a great premise. Credit: Epic Pictures

Things come to a head in the last short, as the Traveler and San la Muerte finally face off. Enduring the Keystone Cop school of inquiry as a framing device pays off, as somehow the police have everything the Traveler needs to fight Death itself. Mendez brings the unwieldy collection to a satisfying conclusion in a slow-motion showdown between San la Muerte, the police department, and the Traveler. 

Even if these shorts really don't make much sense together beyond the ethnicity of their creators, it's an interesting showcase for a number of the directors who have more scary features and projects in the works. And, of course, there’s the benefit to an anthology: If you don't like what you're watching, just wait a few minutes, and a new short will take over.

Satanic Hispanics was reviewed out of its theatrical release. It is now streaming on Shudder.

Rarely has a film gotten a full-body reaction out of me like First Time Female Director. Chelsea Peretti's directorial debut made me cackle, yes, but more frequently, it made me wince. I gasped, squirmed in my seat, covered my eyes — the kinds of responses I'd expect from a horror movie instead of a comedy. Yet the way Peretti wields zany cringe comedy is enough to turn First Time Female Director into a horror movie of its own.

The titular first time female director is playwright Sam (Peretti), who has often written plays for her local theater, the Regis. However, after the theater's usual director Greggy (Tim Heidecker) gets the boot for having relationships with cast members, the Regis' creative director Sheldon (Andy Richter) brings Sam on to direct her latest work. "She's a female, so she's just the medicine we need," he announces at a community meeting.

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Everything that comes next is a delightful disaster. Acting workshops, tech mishaps, a ridiculous script...Peretti wrings laughs from it all. But First Time Female Director also dives deep into its characters' passioned desires to make art and be seen — and more importantly, celebrated — because of it. It's here that First Time Female Director cuts deepest, and where it provokes its most hard-hitting, uncomfortable laughs.

First Time Female Director is a laugh riot and a cringefest.

As excited as she is to get into rehearsals, Sam has no experience with directing. She also has trouble with assertiveness, telling Sheldon she has a difficult time asking for what she wants. "You've got to be confident," he tells her. "These actors are hyenas."

His pep talk leads her to adopt a false confidence, growling and clawing her way into the first table read as the cast's "mama lion." (Just one of many wince-worthy moments.) Her cast sees right through her, and it's not long before their active disdain causes her to switch up her directing styles at the drop of a hat. Sometimes she's a "cool" director who wants to rehearse outside, sometimes she employs a "good cop, bad cop" routine with the help of a trash can. Each new directing persona provides opportunities for laughs, as well as excruciating embarrassment.

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Much of this embarrassment stems from Sam's total earnestness. She practices saying "I'm a director" to herself in the mirror. She buckles her rolled-up script to her fanny pack. She's a total try-hard, but she has no idea what she's doing or how to ask for help — and as awkward as this is to watch onscreen, it's also all too relatable. If you've ever tried desperately to be liked, if you've ever put your creative work out there, if you've ever been worried you're out of your depth, you will see yourself in Sam, many flaws and all.

But Sam and her insecurities aren't the only sources of humor (and horror) on display in First Time Female Director. For starters, there's the play Sam's written. Titled Rain's Coming In, it's a melodramatic Tennessee Williams-style Southern drama, all based on a play Peretti wrote herself. It's a family drama with big accents, 20 monologues, three funeral scenes, a ghost, and onstage rain. Any time the cast gets to ham it up onstage is a joy. (But if you've been in a similar play, you will once again feel a humbling twinge of recognition.)

Between fast-flying quips and some bonkers physical comedy, Peretti also finds humor in some wild editing choices. The table read and some rehearsals fly past in sped-up time lapses, while other moments are played out in slow-motion accompanied by over-the-top sad music. The effect can overstay its welcome the more it appears, but the initial result is a comedic fever dream perfectly in tone with Peretti's heightened (yet still very real) portrayal of the theater world.

First Time Female Director's cast is a who's who of comedy. The ensemble of "First Time Female Director." Credit: Jonathan Furmanski

And of course, it's impossible to talk about what makes First Time Female Director so great without mentioning its brilliant cast. Peretti's performance is a perfect encapsulation of the film's bizarro-meets-cringe tone, and there's a nice meta element to it, as Peretti is a first time female director. (Luckily, her film is much better than Rain's Coming In.)

Then, there's the scene-stealing ensemble playing Sam's cast: Kate Berlant, Megan Mullally, Benito Skinner, Megan Stalter, Jak Knight, and Blake Anderson. These six are comedy dynamite, each managing to capture a specific flavor of actor, from the kooky veteran of community theater (Mullally) to die-hard theater kids who are now die-hard theater adults (Berlant and Skinner).

Berlant and Skinner's turns are both exceptional, straddling the line between overly committed actor and genuinely scary. Skinner is particularly menacing as Rudy, who grins maniacally at any sign of Sam's downfall. Stalter is also a major source of laughs as influencer Davina, continuing her reign as the "new queen of screwball comedy." Her repeated delivery of the phrase "wet T-shirt contest" genuinely made me tear up — one of many First Time Female Director moments I simply can't stop thinking about.

Peretti also recruits several famed comedians for small roles and cameos, including Amy Poehler as Sam's messy therapist Meg, and Adam Scott and Nicole Byer as acting teachers. Is the constant star power a little extra? Yes. But it's a movie about theater people; extra should be the norm! Thankfully, Peretti understands this, and First Time Female Director goes above and beyond in every single way — including just how much it will make you cringe.

First Time Female Director was reviewed out of its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival. It is now streaming on Roku.

UPDATE: Mar. 8, 2024, 5:00 a.m. EST This review has been updated with a section offering specifics on the original Roomba j7+, which is the nearly-identical version of this robot vacuum without a mopping pad and water tank.

The chokehold that iRobot has had on the robot vacuum market since the early 2000s always makes it hard for me to believe that a Roomba that also mops was still nonexistent 20 years later.

It's not that iRobot had never dabbled in robotic mopping at all. There have been a handful of iterations of the Braava Jet, iRobot's dedicated robot mop. But while the Braava Jet was capable of extremely light dry sweeping, it's not an actual robot vacuum — hence not getting the Roomba title. (iRobot confirms the separation by bundling the Braava Jet m6 with actual robot vacuums like the Roomba i3, s9, and j7.)

SEE ALSO: Roomba models, explained: The 2024 guide to deciding which Roomba to buy

And you were probably today years old when you learned that the alleged first mainstream robotic mop ever, the Scooba "floor washer," was also a member of the iRobot fam.

But it wasn't until 2022 — years after competitors like Roborock, Eufy, and Shark had released multiple hybrid robot vacuum mops — that iRobot dropped its first true 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop. The Roomba Combo j7+ hasn't been the smartest or most powerful mopping Roomba since iRobot debuted the Combo j9+ in Sept. 2023, but it'll always be one of the most groundbreaking Roombas.

So, what's the tea? How does the Roomba Combo j7+ hold up in a sea of 2-in-1 robot vacuums?

One of the smartest Roombas, now with an optional mop

The Roomba Combo j7+ is the mopping version of the Roomba j7+. At the time of release, the Roomba j7 series was iRobot's smartest vacuum to date, and has since only been shown up by the j9+ and Combo j9+. However, they all share one main claim to fame: the PrecisionVision system that gives j series Roombas the ability to detect and avoid small obstacles that are typically blind spots, like pet waste, socks, and cords or chargers.

The light is kind of creepy at times, but we'll ignore that. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable

iRobot moved the camera that traditionally sits atop robot vacuums (that can't see items below their three-ish-inch lid) to the front of the vacuum, expanding the viewing angle. This vigilant eye is also assisted by a front-facing LED light that illuminates the path in front of the j7 that helps it better perceive the floor in front of it. If the j7 scoots up to an object it senses as a problem-causer, it'll go around it.

As a refresher, the "+" tacked on the end of any Roomba signifies automatic emptying. The Clean Base (self-emptying dock) that comes with the j7+ and Combo j7+ is shorter than the older ones included with the i7+ and s9+, but the official 60-day capacity hasn't changed. Come to think of it, I've only had to swap the bags in my Clean Base once in the past six months, so it's even more hands-off than advertised.

Should you get the Roomba j7+ instead of the Combo j7+?

Another important segment of our Roomba taxonomy lesson is the difference between the Roomba j7+ and the Roomba Combo j7+ reviewed here.

"Combo" in the title denotes mopping capabilities, with the mopping mechanism on the Combo j7+ being iRobot's unique retractable mop that is completely lifted over the body of the vacuum when the acoustic floor type sensors detect a carpet or a rug. This further lessens the chance of a rug or carpet getting soggy compared to a hybrid robot vacuum that lifts the mopping pad but still lets it hover closely to the ground, or doesn't lift it at all. (The newer Roomba Combo j9+ takes on that same retractable mechanism, while the more basic Roomba Combo i5+ and Roomba Combo j6+ have water tanks and mopping pads that need to be manually swapped out before going on a mopping run.)

The j7+ dock isn't bagless, unfortunately, but the bags are super easy to swap. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable Accessing the water tank doesn't require flipping the bot over. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable

Outside of mopping, obviously, the Roomba Combo j7+ essentially provides the same experience that the regular Roomba j7+ would: same suction power, same dual rubber brushroll system, same smart room mapping, same obstacle avoidance, and same automatic dirt disposal dock. Aside from a subtle crack on the top of the Combo j7+ that allows the mopping pad (which is flush with the top of the vacuum when not in use) to move, you literally wouldn't be able to tell the two vacuums apart.

Any difference in battery life between the two may fluctuate depending on how dirty the Roomba found your space that day. The Combo j7+ is also often doing double the work on hard floors and will need to return to the base to charge earlier than the regular j7+ would (that is if the current cleaning queue takes longer than an hour-ish).

Deciding between the two is pretty easy: Does your home have enough hard floors to justify spending around $300 more to get the j7+ that mops? For me, I found the Combo j7+ wickedly convenient in my current three-bed, three-bath apartment that is fully hardwood or tile (minus the rugs we've put down), but probably wouldn't have needed such a high-end mopper in any of my apartments that were fully carpeted outside of the small kitchen and bathroom. Even in a home with mostly carpeting, though, I could see the Combo j7+ being worthwhile if you have a large kitchen that sees a lot of foot traffic or spills.

SEE ALSO: A ton of robot vacuums claim to mop, but these 5 hybrids actually do the job

For reference if your budget is top of mind, the Roomba j7+ originally retailed for $799.99 and has been on sale for as low as $455 while the Roomba Combo j7+ originally retailed for $1,099.99 and has been on sale for as low as $799.99.

Obstacle avoidance is a non-negotiable for me now

People have been enjoying automated cleaning via robot vacuums for years before small object avoidance was a thing. They just simply accepted the pre-cleaning ritual of clearing cords, socks, pet toys, and such off the floor before sending the vacuum out. It's not that big of a deal, right?

False. I shouldn't have to clean before the thing I bought specifically to do to my cleaning for me does its job.

The convenience of a robot vacuum really starts to dwindle when you feel like you can't trust it to cover the whole home without eating something or getting stuck on a bath mat, which is especially annoying when you're not home to set it free. The clutchness of the j7+'s obstacle avoidance particularly set itself apart when I began simultaneously testing a robot vacuum lacking that technology — and felt my anxiety skyrocket when forcing myself to give the less-advanced vacuum a shot. If you've ever had to pry a precious phone charger from the jaws of a bumbling robot vacuum, you understand.

After being sure the floor was clear while the j7 mapped my apartment with obstacle avoidance off, I'll admit that ignoring the urge to pre-clean to test the true competence of PrecisionVision made me nervous. I accept that there has to be some room for error with any perceptive tech feature of this nature — but I was going to be pissed if my fast charging cable was eaten.

I'm proud to report that, in the six months I've spent with the Combo j7+, that it has never once not correctly identified a charger or the HDMI cord that's always lying in the living room. I'm equally proud to present you with my very first video-turned-GIF, which shows the j7 gently approaching and turning away from a charger in its path on my bedroom floor.

Via Giphy

Though PrecisionVision is impressive as hell, it's not perfect. It's still important to manage expectations and remember that even a front-facing camera physically can't pick up on items that basically lie flat on the floor. After doing my nails while watching TV, I completely forgot that I left my metal nail file on the living room floor. The j7+ tried its damndest to pick it up before I heard the clatter and rescued it.

While many of my cat, Sansa's, toys (like her mini stuffed mouse) got a pass, more ambiguous small obstacles like fake snow from our holiday decor and feathery wand toys were gobbled up. Actually, the first time I saw the ring light on top of the j7 light up red was due to a blockage between the on-board dustbin and dock dustbin caused by — wait for it — a damn feather. The app pinpointed the problem and a Youtube video showed me how to fix it, but Sansa says iRobot will be hearing from her lawyer.

Bath mats are also a perpetual problem for robot vacs, and even the j7 isn't completely immune. While it usually was able to successfully scale and clean my bath mats while only leaving a corner overturned, there was one instance where the j7 scrambled my bath mat to the point of getting completely stuck.

I wouldn't want the j7 to avoid cleaning my bath mats completely, but I feel like the wheels could have done more. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable It actually tried so hard to get off the mat that it shredded the grippy rubber side underneath. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable Mapping is accurate and floor coverage is (pretty) thorough

PrecisionVision builds on iRobot's already-great broad navigation abilities and smart mapping of rooms and specific areas of your home. Like the Roomba s series, the j series uses vSlam (optical-based navigation) to create a map of your home. You can label it and tweak the map to your liking, including drawing specific zones within a room that the Roomba can either go directly to or stay out of completely.

Of the robot vacs with smart mapping that I've tested, I think this Roomba produced the fullest and most accurate map on the first run. Barring a few tweaks to dividers for bedrooms, the j7+ was mostly able to regurgitate the general setup of walls in my 1,500-ish-square-foot apartment after its first trip around, including noting large pieces of furniture like the island. It even marked where our living room rug and kitchen runner sit as a note to increase suction on those areas.

Of course, I still had to tweak the map to move dividers around and label the rooms, as well as create zones. The iRobot OS app is super easy to use, though, so editing the map isn't a pain.

The space underneath my bed is so crammed with stuff that the j7 thought it was a wall. Credit: Screenshot: iRobot OS

Like obstacle avoidance, iRobot's smart mapping was super reliable the whole time. The j7 made it to the correct room or zone upon command (and back to its dock) and never got lost. Maybe this can be attributed to the amount of pausing and thinking it stops to do mid-sweeping. Once, it stopped in front of the the huge floor-length mirror in our living room — facing forward — and I think I witnessed an existential crisis. The vacuum resumed its job afterward, though.

The j7's cleaning isn't intolerably loud by any means, and is actually quieter on rugs than on hard floors. But I still find myself taking advantage of zone cleaning rather than hitting "clean everywhere" just to keep the incessant hum shorter. I'd argue that smart mapping and virtual boundaries (that actually work) are also must-have features since there are multiple spots that I feel need more frequent attention, like the area near the front door where all of the shoes step and in my bathroom where the litter box is.

The kitchen is an obvious staple zone, too, and not just to pick up after eating a crumby meal or tidying after some food prep remnants made their way to the floor. I also discovered the genius hack that is cleaning the countertop by simply pushing the crumbs or shredded cheese onto the floor and calling the j7 over to vacuum by the counter. The j7's hard floor cleaning is quite successful on debris ranging from spilled parsley flakes to kibble, and the side brush does a pretty good job of pushing peripheral debris into the cleaning path.

The j7 wove around these table legs to swipe (most of) the catnip that Sansa spilled. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable The j7 detailed the round border of the coffee table and was never tripped up by the decorative blanket tassels. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable

Furniture-wise, the j7 is quite good at getting right up against the edges of large obstacles without actually running into them. Our coffee table is a round half sphere (it's giving acorn) and the j7 was able to delicately detail the perimeter by backing up and making small adjustments to go around the bend. It also wasn't afraid to go between kitchen table chair legs and the legs of a table in the hallway, and was able to guide itself out without getting stuck.

I did notice the j7 randomly skipping a few feet of floor on the occasional zone cleaning that I know it covered the last time it cleaned that area. Annoying, but easy to prevent by opting to double up on passes in the app. (This also helped to ensure any debris that was missed the first time was grabbed.)

The mop doesn't provide much elbow grease, but it's better than nothing

A robot vacuum that mops is crucial for anyone whose eye twitches when a guest forgets to take off their shoes at the door. And after the Dyson V12 Detect Slim's laser showed me just how dusty my floors get even after daily vacuuming, I was even more sold on the premise of a wet mop to wipe my floors of what a vacuum doesn't always pick up.

The mopping pads on these hybrid models pretty much fall under one of two categories: They either scrub or they don't. Often called "sonic mopping," the scrubbing ones use some sort of forceful mechanism to push the mopping pad into the floor and vibrate to go after tougher, dried-on stains and footprints. The vacs without that mechanism just drag a wet pad across the floor, mostly tackling wet spills or loose surface-level gunk.

I was surprised to learn that the Combo j7+ was only in between these after seeing the price tag. (It exerts force between the pad in the floor, but doesn't vibrate back and forth like other hybrids.) iRobot's whole thing with the Combo j7+ is flexing the retractable mopping pad as "the world's only 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop that senses carpet then fully retracts to the top of the robot." The retractable mop isn't not cool, but to me, this statement kind of implies that the Combo j7+ is the only robot vac that senses carpet and lifts the mop — and that's not the case. I tested the Roborock S7 over a year ago and it also lifted the mop on soft floors, just not completely on top of the vacuum body like the j7. (And FWIW, I never experienced soggy rugs with that approach.)

These unidentified dried droplets showed up on the kitchen floor near the trash can. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable The j7's pad, though stationary, was able to wipe almost every drop up in one pass. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable

So I do wish that iRobot would have covered some sort of sonic scrubbing element in its premium debut 2-in-1. That aside, the mop's performance was satisfactory for daily brown sock prevention. I found it particularly handy for regular upkeep of the area near the front door and in my bathroom, which made me feel better about stepping out of the shower in bare feet onto the same tile that my cat steps on after exiting the litter box. The pad also lapped up assorted dried stains in the kitchen and did an OK job of making the hardwood near the door look less gray with shoe prints. At any rate, the j7 does seal the deal after dry cleaning, and I like that it's a rare hybrid option that can clean with water or one of iRobot's Bona hard surface cleaning solutions.

Downsides: Carpet cleaning should probably be more thorough at this price

FWIW, iRobot doesn't claim that the j7 is a deep carpet cleaner like the s9. The listings on iRobot's website officially state that the j series delivers 10 times the power-lifting suction of the baseline 600 series Roombas while the s series delivers 40 times that. So I'm not saying it's misleading marketing, but I still kind of expected the j7+ to be tougher on carpet and rugs.

Needing more than one pass to put the finishing touches on a carpet or rug job is understandable. Carpet fibers can act like velcro for debris, especially anything with rough edges that could latch on (like crunchy food crumbs) or pet hair that's been stepped on and matted into the floor. But on multiple occasions, even after the two passes that the app allows you to schedule at once, I found myself starting a completely new job for a third (or fourth) pass because the j7 still hadn't quite finished the job.

I smashed up some stale chips to see how the j7+ would handle the mess. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable Even after two or three passes, the j7+ still left a few crumbs behind. Credit: Leah Stodart / Mashable The j7+'s automatic emptying noise is short but so, so far from sweet

My audiologist friends would spiral if they knew that people stand near this thing mid-emptying and don't have earplugs in. I thought I was being dramatic until the Decibel X sound meter app clocked the peak of the Clean Base's cycle at around 85 db, which the CDC says is equivalent to city traffic (inside the car) or a leaf blower. (The j7's actual cleaning typically stayed under 60 db, which is like normal conversation or an air conditioner.)

You know it's bad when you find yourself opting to do the job yourself with a stick vacuum over running the Roomba just to avoid enduring the automatic emptying noise at the end. The very specific sound of the j7+ locking in on its dock and pulling in to charge sends shivers down my spine because I know the longest five seconds of my life are coming. Plugging my ears and warning my roommates of the impending plane takeover are subconscious reflexes at this point.

But no, the sound of the Clean Base (or any loud self-emptying dock) isn't bad enough for me to consider going without automatic emptying. That's just another one of those robot vacuum features that, once you live with it, you won't be able to live without it. Not having to empty the botvac's dust bin and potentially touch that gross gray ball of filth after every few cleaning runs seriously ups the advantage of automated cleaning.

I'll just say that the j7 being so self-sufficient saved me when it came to this noise issue. Because if you're going to bank on a robot vacuum cleaning when you're not home to avoid the noise, this is the robot vacuum with built-in babysitting to do it with.

Unlike LG's All-In-One cordless stick vacuum, which can be set to only empty the vacuum into the dock when you tell it to, the iRobot app doesn't have an option to switch automatic self-emptying off. That leads me to my last bone to pick.

The iRobot app is so intuitive except for one thing

iRobot OS is probably the smoothest experience I've had with a robot vacuum app. From WiFi setup and room labeling to daily scheduling and tweaking of specific cleaning runs, everything is straightforward — to the point where it wouldn't even be a pain for someone who hates messing with apps to use. I really like the option to bump to two passes instead of one, to adjust the water level for tougher messes, or to opt out of mopping all together.

So the fact that the app doesn't allow a queue of jobs once one job is in progress — such a non-intuitive hill to die on — is wild to me. If I send the j7 out to clean the kitchen and think "actually, let's do the entry way while we're at it," I have to let the j7 finish the kitchen, return to the dock, empty and hurt my ears, and then drive back to the zone one foot over from where it was originally cleaning. Note that you can line up a list of several rooms or zones to be cleaned in row, but after one job has started, you're screwed.

Speaking of zones, you have to create one any time you want to spot clean, which is a real buzzkill when you just want to quickly assign a random spot. I'd love to be able to draw a tiny target on a whim and have the bot go there without having to name the spot that'll never probably never need to be specifically cleaned again.

The competition

First, it's obvious to pit the Combo j7+ against iRobot's dedicated robot mop, the Braava Jet M6. But considering the Braava Jet M6 doesn't have obstacle avoidance and is so not an actual vacuum that it often comes bundled with Roombas like the i3+ and s9+, there's no question about the Combo j7+ being the winner there.

SEE ALSO: Breville’s indoor pizza oven is the best way to cook pizza without using actual fire

Fiercer competition comes from Roborock and Ecovacs. Roborock recently one-upped its own impressive S7 MaxV Ultra with the S8 Pro Ultra — both of which have phenomenal suction, sonic mopping, small obstacle avoidance, automatic emptying, and auto-washing mopping pads. The S8 Pro Ultra also dries the clean mopping pads to avoid that soggy washing machine smell — one feature iRobot skipped when designing the Combo j7+. The Ecovacs Deebot X1 Omni also does everything that the S8 Pro Ultra does, but is a good reminder that skills and a premium price point on paper don't always translate to a good experience. (Remember when the X1 Omni dragged my hair straightener all the way to the dock?) Both of these go for $1,599.99 at full price, while the X1 Omni goes on sale for as low as $999.99.

For $649.40 or $449.40 on sale, Shark's newest AI Ultra model omits small obstacle avoidance but still empties itself and scrubs. For just over $600 on sale, the slightly-older Samsung Jet Bot AI+ omits mopping but has decent small object recognition and, like the X1 Omni, also acts as a live pet camera.

Is the Roomba Combo j7+ worth it?

As the most expensive Roomba and one of the most expensive self-emptying hybrids, the Combo j7+ might look like overkill upon first glance. But after comparing the features it packs to the price of models that offer the most similar feature lineup, the Combo j7+ is actually a solid purchase. The one thing it lacks is the ability to wash its own mopping pads — but it's also a few hundred dollars cheaper than the models that do that, even when they're all on sale.

The thing about the Combo j7+ is that it's not a stellar sweeper or a stellar mopper, but it all comes together to make a pretty stellar overall cleaner. When both wet and dry aspects of cleaning performance are still satisfactory and supplemented by such reliable obstacle avoidance and home navigation, iRobot strikes a serious hands-off rating that ultimately is the whole point of getting a robot vacuum in the first place.

Opens in a new window Credit: iRobot iRobot Roomba Combo j7+ $1,099.99 at Amazon
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The naysayers were wrong. Wonka is wonderful. 

Now, admittedly, some cynicism around Wonka was warranted. Initially sold as a prequel to Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory novels (and the movie adaptations), this seemed an unneeded origin story in the vein of such groan-worthy affairs as Solo, Oz the Great and Powerful, or X-Men Origins: Wolverine. The casting of Timothée Chalamet also earned derision, since the stylish it boy is known chiefly for moody, dramatic roles. As vocal detractors chirped on X (formerly Twitter), if you're going moody, young Wonka, why not cast someone who actually looks like moody, young Gene Wilder, like The Bear's Jeremy Allen White? 

SEE ALSO: You're wrong about Timothée Chalamet in 'Wonka'

Things only got more vicious as promos for Wonka began to drop. The first image of Chalamet in costume spurred comparisons to Gonzo from The Muppet Christmas Carol. (Valid. But that Muppet is a style icon worth taking fashion cues from!) Next came the trailer, where Chalamet's jaunty attitude and curious accent spurred outright mockery. At the time, I defended these creative choices, arguing that the young actor was daring to delve into the vision of the movie's director. And that director was the brilliantly bouncy mind that gave us Paddington and Paddington 2. 

In Paul King, I trusted. And finally having seen Wonka (three times at this point), I can tell you my faith in him was justified. Because Wonka is a wondrous and weird gem sure to be treasured for generations to come. 

Wonka shouldn't work, but it does.  Credit: Jaap Buittendijk / Warner Bros.

Early social media reactions from the first critics' screenings laid out a preposterous plotline: After traveling the world for seven years as a scrubby ship's cook, Willy Wonka (Chalamet) lands in a bustling metropolis where he dreams of making his mark on the illustrious Gallery Gourmet, selling his unique chocolate confections — and at a price where everyone can enjoy them! However, standing in his way is a corrupt police chief (Keegan-Michael Key), a vicious chocolate cartel (Paterson Joseph, Mathew Baynton, and Matt Lucas), and a conniving landlady (Academy Award-winner Olivia Colman), the latter of whom has exploited Wonka's illiteracy to turn him into an indentured servant, destined to work in her wash house for 27 years. 

SEE ALSO: Paul King responds to internet snark over 'Wonka'

The plotline is outrageous — and also involves an intelligent-beyond-her-years orphan called Noodle (Calah Lane, holding her own), a giraffe named Abigail, a swarm of chocoholic monks led by a dastardly vicar (Rowan Atkinson), and a thieving Oompa Loompa (a divine Hugh Grant). But the narrative's audaciousness is a feature, not a glitch. 

Wonka enters a land that is grim and hopeless, with the greedy mistreating the needy religiously. With a suitcase stocked with outlandish ingredients — like liquid sunshine and the bittersweet tears of a Russian clown — and a tattered top hat that serves like Mary Poppins' bottomless purse, this magician/chocolatier not only brings sweetness into the lives of those poor souls around him, but also hope for something more — and song! Yes, in case you missed it in the marketing, Wonka is a musical. And unlike Disney's woesome misfire Wish, these numbers will have you singing along in no time. 

Timothée Chalamet is absolutely marvelous as Willy Wonka.  Credit: Jaap Buittendijk / Warner Bros.

The American ingendude has shot to superstardom playing teen boys who are mesmerizing, vulnerable, and or incredibly cool in movies like Lady Bird, Call Me By Your Name, and Little Women. Here, Chalamet shows us his theater kid side, giving himself over to an earnestness that may cause some to cringe. But from the movie's opening moments, where Wonka comes into view with a song on his lips, he is positively lovely, like he's got some bottled sunshine of his own. 

This Wonka is not the disillusioned shut-in from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. This Wonka is a wide-eyed dreamer, who thinks a pocketful of change and a headful of dreams are all he needs. And while the cold realities of this city hit so fast they freeze his hot cocoa, Wonka remains resilient. 

SEE ALSO: From 'Paddington' to 'Wonka,' Paul King reveals the risks and rewards of adapting childhood classics

Giddy and genuine, Chalamet is a prince of musical theater, whether dancing with a rousing ensemble or waltzing with a hat and coat on a walking stick as a stand-in partner. His voice is pretty and spirit-lifting as he sings silly rhymes of "noodle" and "doodle" or reaching into your "pockelet" to buy some Wonka chocolate. Like Hugh Jackman as P.T. Barnum, Chalamet is the Greatest Showman, commanding attention and wonder through his unguarded commitment to a larger-than-life character, who would just as easily chat with a giraffe and bargain with an Oompa Loompa as make squalling monkey sounds should the need arise. 

Considering Chalamet made his mark in movies and on the red carpet by being boyishly chic and endlessly charming, it's surprising to see him surrender the cool demeanor this way. But there's a blissful sincerity in Wonka that rewards his daring. And so, here is a new Wonka, distinctive and remarkable, and sure to spur a whole new generation of crushes, as his whimsical adventures and endless warmth are the stuff of daydreams. 

Wonka has one of the best comedy ensembles of the year.  Credit: Warner Bros.

Like Paddington 2, Wonka was scripted by King and Simon Farnaby, who both have storied careers in British television. As such, this mirthful movie is positively stuffed with familiar faces from series like Peep Show (Colman, Joseph, and Isy Suttie), Ghosts (Farnaby, Bayton, and Charlotte Ritchie), The Mighty Boosh (Rich Fulcher), Mr. Bean (Atkinson), Downton Abbey (Jim Carter), and The Windsors (Ellie White). 

This wealth of talent brings a sharp comedic timing to moments big and small, from the conspiring chocolate cartel's burlesque-like number about having a sweet tooth to a security guard getting tipsy on Wonka's liquor-laced "Big Night Out" truffle. As he was on Peep Show, Joseph is a particularly dastardly antagonist, relishing the power he has over his incessantly jolly adversary with a broad, wicked smile. Bayton is a daffy delight as a choco-baron who is so posh that the word "poor" makes him gag. Colman, whose range extends so far the James Webb space telescope can't keep up with her, relishes every moment of playing a Dickensian villain, who garishly pines for aristocratic splendor while subjecting others to squalor. Yet the best of a very strong batch of supporting players is Tom Davis. 

Playing Bleacher, the burly sidekick to Colman's scheming Mrs. Scrubbit, Davis is like a Wallace and Gromit character come to life. He has a voice low and growling but with a mischievous flair. Wearing false teeth, he bears a broken smile that is its own red flag. But when he's not silently threatening the washroom servants, he's hitting on Scrubbit with moves cliched yet sprightly comical. It's not just the flashy garb he chooses to wear to seduce his cohort, it's the physical humor of how Davis saunters around in them, convincingly feeling himself and unapologetically showcasing how any of us can look a fool for love. As he did as T-Bone the prisoner in Paddington 2, Davis came to steal scenes and be an absolute hoot. And he accomplishes both in Wonka. 

Wonka is one of the best movies of the year. 

Much like Barbie, on paper Wonka may have sounded like a horrid idea — an obvious cash grab meant to capitalize on audiences' long-established love of the source IP. King and Farnaby do include familiar Wonka iconography, from his top hat and familiar flute to a few moves snatched from Wilder and a dazzling chocolate/candy shop that feels like the prototype for Harper Goff's impeccable design of the fantastic factory in the original movie. Amid the new songs from Neil Hannon there are some familiar themes, like Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley's "Pure Imagination" and the Oompa Loompa's well-known tune. But King and Farnaby have built something fresh and dulcet from these inspiration points, rather than creating a soulless bauble full of allusions. (Cough Wish, cough cough). 

Chalamet as Wonka was an inspired choice, not only because he has the music in him, but also because there's a jolting joy in discovering this new side to his talents and range, as he gamely goes for goofy. Likewise, casting Grant as an Oompa Loompa might have seemed a bizarre call. But the snooty British air that Grant put on like a well-tailored blazer in Paddington 2 fits him just as well painted orange, topped with a green wig, and shrunk down by CGI. Far from the enigmatic finger-waggers of the Wilder movie, his Lofty is a figure of nose-in-air pretension, making it all the more hilarious that this dapper gentleman is chasing down a nomadic chocolatier for candy. 

The whole cast adds to this choir of song and comedy, bringing mighty emotion to victories and losses alike. King and Farnaby's script is so full of jokes that I caught new ones with each rewatch. And the songs have lingered with me, bringing a smile to my face with each remembered phrase. ("Sweet Tooth" is devilishly catchy.) 

In a year full of daring and dynamic cinema, this late entry is nonetheless a standout. Full of humor, heart, madcap music, and fantastic fun, Wonka is an absolute delight, sure to entertain the whole family — even the curmudgeons snarking at its existence. 

Wonka was reviewed out of its theatrical release. It is now streaming on Max.

There is no such thing as a universally best laptop. Whether a laptop works well for you — and there could be several that fit the bill — is a largely subjective decision that comes down to your primary use case(s), your preferred operating system, and your budget.

This is an annoying fact of life for both laptop shoppers and those of us doling out best laptop recommendations, since we can't make personalized judgment calls for every single individual in need of a new machine. (I would love to, but I've got a thing after this.) However, after spending countless hours reviewing popular laptops and identifying the specs that matter, we can confidently point you in the right direction. All of the standout models below tick those three aforementioned boxes. At the very least, we can narrow down your pool of options — don't start from square one if you don't have to.

Keep reading for Mashable's hands-on guide to the best laptops of 2024, including three exciting new top picks. The minty-fresh 15-inch M3 Apple MacBook Air has dethroned its M2 predecessor as our favorite MacBook for most people. The HP Spectre x360 14 (2024) has replaced the Lenovo Yoga 9i as our top 2-in-1 laptop. And the Razer Blade 14 (2024) has taken the best gaming laptop spot from the Lenovo Legion Slim 7i (Gen 8).

FYI: All listed specs and prices apply to each model's base configuration, but we may have tested different variants (noted when applicable).

Best deals on laptops this week

• Dell XPS 13 9315 Intel i7 512GB SSD 8GB RAM 13.4" Laptop — $699.00 (List Price 999.00)
• Dell Inspiron 16 Plus 7630 Intel i7 1TB SSD 16" 2.5K Laptop — $699.99 (List Price 1199.99)
• Asus Vivobook 16X Ryzen 7 512GB SSD 12GB RAM 16" Laptop — $499.99 (List Price 749.99)
• HP Pavilion 15t Intel i7 256GB SSD 16GB RAM 15.6" Laptop — $599.99 (List Price 1039.99)
• Asus ROG Zephyrus Ryzen 9 RTX 4060 512GB SSD 14" Laptop — $999.99 (List Price 1599.99)

Rivian had a lot to show at its launch event, and did a pretty good job of keeping it all under wraps ahead of the big unveil.

On Thursday, the company officially announced the Rivian R2, a mid-size electric SUV that looks a lot like a shrunken version of the company's R1S. We pretty much knew this one was coming, but the company continued with the shrinking and announced the even-smaller Rivian R3 compact SUV, as well as a more ruggedy version of the same car called the Rivian R3X.

Rivian R2 starts at $45,000 and starts shipping in 2016. Credit: Rivian

The R2 is a very Rivian take on competitors such as the Tesla Model Y and Ford's Mustang Mach E. That means it's still imposingly boxy and ready for adventure, though it lost one row of seats compared to the larger R1S. Inside, you'll find a wide, 15.6-inch display, and the entire infotainment setup should be very similar to the one in the R1.

Not all is known about the R2; we don't know the exact trim levels or options, nor their pricing. But we do know the car will come in three different basic configurations: A single-motor variant driving the rear wheels, a dual-motor, all-wheel drive version, and a performance-oriented, three-motor version. That last one should be powerful enough to push the R2 from 0-60mph in under 3 seconds.

Customers will be able to pair these motors with two different battery packs. The larger of the two, when combined with the single-motor variant, will have the most range — more than 300 miles. Charging will be compatible with the NACS and CCS standards (adapter required for the latter), and the car will charge from 10 to 80 percent in less than half an hour.

The 15.6-inch display will be the center of your infotainment experience in Rivian R2. Credit: Rivian

Even though the R2 is a smaller car than R1S, expect tons of storage space, including a generous frunk, and flat-folding seats in both rows.

As for the price, the company said the R2 will start at about $45,000, likely for the variant with only one, rear motor and the smallest battery. Expect that price to rise significantly higher if you opt for the more powerful, dual- or tri-motor version with a larger battery.

Yes, all of the seats fold flat. Credit: Rivian

The company expects the Rivian R2 to start shipping in the first half of 2026.

The Rivian R3 is the sort of SUV-like hatchback that's popular in Europe these days, only with a distinctively Rivian design. Yes, that means the oval "eyes" on the front and light bars both on the front and back. In this smaller package, typically imposing Rivian design actually looks...cute?

The smallest of the Rivians. Credit: Rivian

There are fewer details about the R3, which is coming in 2027. We do know that, just like the R2, it will come in three motor configurations, and have 300 miles of range in the least power-hungry variant.

Inside the R3X, you'll find funky materials such as cork. Credit: Rivian

The R3X will only come as a tri-motor version, and it will have a wider profile, more ground clearance, and tons of design details that yell "outdoors" at ya.

Just like the Rivian R3, but a little taller, and a little more ruggedy. Credit: Rivian

Customers in Canada and the U.S. can reserve their R2 on Rivian's website now, while reservations for R3, and R3X, as well as international reservations for the R2, will come at a later date.

Two years into the conflict this infographic data story reveals some of the harsh, hidden numbers around casualties, military budgets and foreign aid in the Russia-Ukraine war.

In times of war, data is difficult to validate, information hard to find. We polled a variety of sources – institutes, traditional media, independent media, civic groups – to find credible estimates and answers to key questions.

How many combatants have been killed and wounded?
What % of territory has been won or lost?
How much money is being spent on the war – and where does it come from?
How important is the USA’s continued support for Ukraine? (Short answer: very).

We hope this data brings a little clarity and shows, at the least, how ongoing international support for Ukraine against the Russian war machine is essential.

The securing of this support is Ukraine’s second front line in the war. The enemy? Other countries’ national interests, political controversies and upcoming elections…

» Explore the visualisation
» Check out the dataset

Sources: Kiel Institute, Mediazona, Ukraine Losses, Le Monde, CSIS, SIPRI, New York Times.

Some elements made with VizSweet

Uncertainty is a part of life—and business. But how can you lead people when inflections, disruptions, dislocations, and other threat conditions feel like they’re constantly compounding? Try these strategies to help you engage your team under the most tumultuous circumstances. Build trust. In a volatile environment, become a stabilizing force. This means being reliable, predictable, […]

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TL;DR: Find a wide range of free online courses from Stanford University on edX.

Becoming a student of Stanford University is probably really difficult, right? Wrong — it's easy.

Anyone can become a student of Stanford University with a little help from edX. This online course provider offers a wide range of free online courses from Stanford University, covering topics like Python, mathematics, computer science, and much more. What are you waiting for?

These are the best Stanford University courses you can take for free this month.

• Algorithms: Design and Analysis

• Communicating with Presence

• Compilers

• Computer Science 101

• Databases: Advanced Topics in SQL

• Databases: Modeling and Theory

• Databases: Relational Databases and SQL

• How to Learn Math: For Students

• How You Say It Matters: A Toolkit for Improving Communications About Academic Standing

• Introduction to Food & Health

• Introduction to the Natural Capital Project Approach

• Language, Proof, and Logic

• Quantum Mechanics for Scientists and Engineers 1

• Quantum Mechanics for Scientists and Engineers 2

• R Programming Fundamentals

• Semantics of First-Order Logic

• Statistical Learning with R

• Your Body Inside and Out: Using Exercise Physiology to Slow Aging

• Your Body in the World: Adapting to Your Next Big Adventure

The catch is that these free courses do not include certificates of completion. But you can still learn at your own pace with unlimited access to all the resources on offer, so the lack of certificate shouldn't hold you back. It's only a certificate.

Find the best free online courses from Stanford University at edX.

Opens in a new window Credit: Stanford University Stanford University Courses Free at edX Get Deal

TL;DR: The 2024 Java Programming Certification Bundle is on sale for £19.70, saving you 94% on list price.

Java may have been released in 1995, but it continues to be one of the most popular programming languages thanks to its flexibility and scalability, not to mention user-friendliness. Those looking to pivot to a career in software development can pick up Java without feeling intimidated, as it does away with sophisticated syntax. Even those without any prior coding background can find it easy to learn — but with the proper guidance, of course.

If you wish to learn the ins and outs of Java programming, this Java Programming Certification Bundle offers seven courses and nearly 90 hours of expert-led instruction. Whether you want to develop a game or build an app for your business, this training is aimed at equipping you with the skills to create whatever you want with Java. For a limited time, it's on sale for £19.70.

All seven courses are taught by Packt Publishing, an e-learning provider for IT professionals. Regardless of your skill level, this training collection will help you gain proficiency in Java and teach you how to utilise it to engineer various digital projects. Aside from theoretical lessons, you'll enjoy hands-on learning by embarking on practical tests to test your new skills. You can expect to learn how to write both simple and complex programs, create production-ready apps, build APIs, and more. While you'll be gaining technical skills, you'll also get to beef up your logical reasoning, critical thinking, and problem-solving prowess through these courses.

Make 2024 the year to explore a career in tech. You can start by learning Java with this training, which is on sale for only £19.70.

Opens in a new window Credit: Packt Publishing The 2024 Java Programming Certification Bundle £19.70 at the Mashable Shop Get Deal

The official trailer for upcoming horror Arcadian is here, and it looks like A Quiet Place — if it was loud and featured Nicolas Cage as a single dad.

Paul (Cage) and his sons Thomas (Maxwell Jenkins) and Joseph (Jaeden Martell) live together in a post-apocalyptic world where mysterious monsters attack at night. Living a relatively isolated existence, the family keep themselves safe by staying inside and fortifying the entrances once the sun goes down.

However, when Thomas fails to return to their farm before dark, Paul decides to go and search for him, facing the creatures that the family had been hiding from.

Arcadian arrives in theatres Apr. 12.

Oh hey there! If you're here, it must be time for Wordle. As always, we're serving up our daily hints and tips to help you figure out today's answer.

If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for March 8's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

Where did Wordle come from?

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

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

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

What's the best Wordle starting word?

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

What happened to the Wordle archive?

The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles used to be available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it. Unfortunately, it has since been taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times.

Is Wordle getting harder?

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

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

Arriving before the expected time.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no letters that appear twice.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter E.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. What's the answer to Wordle today?

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

Drumroll please!

The solution to Wordle #993 is...

EARLY.

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

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

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

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for March 8's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

What is Connections?

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

Tweet may have been deleted

Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer. If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.

Tweet may have been deleted

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

Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Sewing

• Green: Ways to keep food from spoiling

• Blue: Razor-sharp

• Purple: Birds but slightly misspelled

Featured Video For You Connections: How to play and how to win Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Things to Sew

• Green: Ways to Preserve Food

• Blue: Sharp Quality

• Purple: Birds Minus Last Letter

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

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

Drumroll, please!

The solution to Connections #271 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Things to Sew: DART, HEM, PLEAT, SEAM

• Ways to Preserve Food: CAN, CURE, DRY, FREEZE

• Sharp Quality: BITE, EDGE, PUNCH, SPICE

• Birds Minus Last Letter: CONDO, HAW, HERO, LOO

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

Is this not the Connections game you were looking for? Here are the hints and answers to yesterday's Connections.

There can be a very thin line between cute and creepy. Just look at Chucky, M3GAN, or the Cabbage Patch Kids. Not all of these are killer toys, but all of them could be believably beloved by children while giving grown-ups the heebie-jeebies. Coming to join their perturbing plaything ranks is Chauncey Bear in Imaginary. 

Plus, like Blumhouse's other recent killer toy offerings, M3GAN and Five Nights at Freddy's, Imaginary is PG-13, allowing budding horror fans to get in on the freaky fun. 

What's Imaginary about?  DeWanda Wise stars as a struggling stepmom in "Imaginary." Credit: Lionsgate

Written by a quartet of scribes — Greg Erb, Bryce McGuire, Jason Oremland, and director Jeff Wadlow — the plot line to Imaginary is a bit convoluted. Sure, at its creepy core, it's the tale of a girl and the teddy bear who might just kill her. But the framing has flourishes, maybe too many. 

DeWanda Wise, who is the best part of bad movies Poolman and Jurassic World Dominion, stars as Jessica, a celebrated childrens' book author tackling a new challenge: stepmom. Moving into her childhood home with her husband, Max (Tom Payne), his surly teen daughter, Taylor (Taegen Burns), and his sugary youngest, Alice (Pyper Braun), Wise has the chance to be the mother she never had. But she must also face the dark secrets of a past she's long forgotten. (Also, she'll deal with her musician husband going on tour, her elderly father suffering from some form of dementia, a nosy neighbor, and finding inspiration for her next book.)

SEE ALSO: 'Jurassic World: Dominion' review: A big, dumb animal that deserves extinction

All of those threads will tie back to Alice's new imaginary friend, Chauncey Bear, who loves scavenger hunts, is always hungry, and demands obedience. As Jessica begins to realize something is definitely wrong in her home not-so-sweet home, she must bond with her daughters to conquer a ravenous evil. 

Imaginary delivers satisfying scares. 

Wadlow, who's helmed such twisted slashers as Cry Wolf, Truth or Dare, and Fantasy Island, isn't breaking new ground with Imaginary. Scare setups rely on the old classics, like an out-of-focus figure lurking in the background of a dark basement. A creepy toy appears out of nowhere and moves inexplicably. But these oldies are still goodies, executed with terrific timing. So, a bump in the night leads to our horror heroine peeking under the bed for a jolting jump scare. 

Plot-wise, there are similarities with Mama, the Andy Muschietti horror treat, where a reluctant foster mom must protect two young girls from a mysterious, vicious force. But Imaginary is less haunting and more playful in its approach, inviting in younger audiences exploring their personal fear factors.

Creepy kid stuff makes its way in as Alice is influenced by Chauncey, leading to tense scenes of therapy and slight bloodshed. But much of the violence is offscreen or implied — a scream there, a pool of blood there. The PG-13 rating keeps gore at bay. Still, the creatures make this feature frightful fun. 

The design of the bear is smart; it's cuddly but ratty-looking, and it's features sometimes contort slightly to suggest something sinister at play. But in nightmares and a labyrinthian climax, bigger badder beasties come out. And while a grown-up's eye might see a man in a terrific costume (perhaps with some CGI enhancements), it's still delightfully devilish. Unnatural silhouettes, gaping maws, protruding claws, and hissing warnings paired with kids' fare like a music box and a twisted scavenger hunt offer a spooky twist on playtime. 

DeWanda Wise and Pyper Braun make Imaginary work.  Pyper Braun and Chauncey the Bear face off in "Imaginary." Credit: Lionsgate

The plotline gets cluttered with characters who feel more like plot points than people. A cocky teen boy shows up to be awful, then terrified. The requisite husband is sidelined comically early, so he'll be no help to the girls or hindrance to the plot moving along. Even a creepy neighbor, played by Carrie's Betty Buckley, feels awkwardly wedged in, dampening the surprise of her third-act involvement. 

Despite the clunky story, Wise and Braun ground their characters, making the movie undeniably compelling. (To her credit, Burns as the older daughter is earnest. But, saddled with lots of clichéd dialogue dripping in teen angst, her character is wincingly one-note.) Wise weaves her way through exposition dumps to create heartfelt emotion, whether Jessica is hit by a shock from her past or a crisis in her present. In scenes where she fears her own failure, the very real terror of being a parent brings chills. But Braun is the show stealer. 

As Alice, Braun is chipper and cheerful, with rosy cheeks and a smile that won't be denied whatever it requests (a paintbrush? A toy? Some payback?). But — as seen in the trailers — when Chauncey talks, he talks with her voice. There, Braun spits out the kind of scary voice you might expect from a kid, low and grumbly. Enhanced with audio effects, it becomes an ungodly echo that bellows horrid things, making for a tantrum that is terrifyingly next-level.

Overall, Imaginary is overstuffed with plot points, constructing not only a story of a fractured family but also a growing lore clearly intended to spark a new franchise that can appeal to a broad demographic. And yes, the PG-13 rating means Imaginary is fairly soft for horror. Its scares are more spooky than harrowing. However, Wadlow has a solid sense of timing his tension. Wise grounds the emotional stakes, while Braun gives us a child to worry over and a monster to shiver over. So, while a bit unwieldy, Imaginary is a playfully deranged movie that's sure to be a hit at slumber parties. But grown-ups can enjoy its spirited scares, too. 

Imaginary opens in theaters March 8. 

TikTok, the massively popular mobile viral video platform, has gone on the offensive to stop Congress from implementing a "total ban on TikTok." 

Users in the U.S., which account for more than 170 million monthly active TikTok users, were served a pop-up message on Thursday urging them to call their representatives in Congress to voice their opposition to a bill that would ban the app in the U.S.

SEE ALSO: Democrats score a major political win…over Disney and Hulu

And it appears these pop-ups worked. Congress has been bombarded with phone calls from TikTok users of all ages standing up for their favorite social media platform.

"Kids literally told our office they were calling from recess earlier today," one Congressional staffer told Mashable. The staffer asked to remain anonymous because they were communicating to the press without permission through unofficial channels.

While the callers' demographics may skew younger than usual, TikTok users of all ages responded to TikTok's call-to-action.

“It’s so so bad. Our phones have not stopped ringing," said one GOP staffer in a report from Politico. "They’re teenagers and old people saying they spend their whole day on the app and we can't take it away."

One staffer told the outlet that their office surpassed 1,000 calls specifically concerning the TikTok bill.

However, while Politico's report focused on Republicans, Mashable's source emphasized that Democratic members of Congress were hearing from TikTok users too. "It's everyone," the Congressional staffer told Mashable, and added, "The calls are OVERWHELMINGLY from children."

The bill to ban TikTok

TikTok is using its very powerful reach to rally its users against a proposed bill to ban Chinese apps in the U.S.

The bipartisan bill isn't being voted on yet, but it did just make its way through the House Energy and Commerce Committee where a unanimous vote advanced the legislation.

TikTok won't be outright banned by the bill, its supporters argue. It gives the company a choice to be sold off by Chinese-based owner ByteDance – Republican Representative Mike Gallagher of Wisconsin, a cosponsor of the bill, is framing it as a "divestiture" – or be banned from app stores in the U.S.

The White House has recently voiced its support for the bill to potentially ban TikTok – but did not endorse it. Still, it's an interesting move from President Joe Biden, who just joined the platform last month specifically to reach out to young voters.

There were attempts to ban TikTok under the Trump administration, but those plans appeared to fizzle out after a short time. In response to the data and privacy concerns, however, TikTok did go through with a partnership with the U.S.-based company Oracle.

Now, there's a renewed push to legislate against the company, and TikTok is proactively taking action with the help of its users. Will representatives consider its constituents who called in support of their favorite app? That remains to be seen more broadly, but the House Energy and Commerce Committee today was certainly not swayed.

While TikTok may be successful in rallying its troops, a source tells Politico that the calls may be "backfiring." The lines are so busy that some Republican Congresspeople are getting "incensed" and are now leaning towards supporting the bill.

Right from its opening moments, Damsel wants you to know it's not like other fairy tales.

SEE ALSO: 'You'll Never Find Me' review: A tense cat-and-mouse horror that keeps you guessing

As Millie Bobby Brown's Elodie tells us in voiceover, this film is not a story of a chivalrous prince saving a damsel in distress. Instead, we'll learn that it's a story of a brave young woman caught up in the schemes of a rotten royal family — and the hell she'll go through to escape them. Boasting some inventive twists and a heartfelt lead performance from Brown, Damsel may not be groundbreaking fantasy, but it is a thrilling ride.

Damsel starts like a fairy tale — but quickly becomes a nightmare. Millie Bobby Brown and Nick Robinson in "Damsel." Credit: John Wilson / Netflix

Damsel's first act plays out like a romantic fairy tale. Noblewoman Elodie accepts a marriage match that will bring prosperity to her starving people, putting duty over her own happiness. However, when she arrives in the island kingdom of Aurea, she finds that Prince Henry (Nick Robinson) is kind, handsome, and receptive to her worries. The two stroll through lush palace gardens, take a spontaneous horseback ride to the countryside, and discuss their joint hopes to travel the world. Perhaps this marriage won't be as miserable as Elodie initially feared.

Yet even as Elodie and Henry bond, Damsel leaves a trail of breadcrumbs that something is terribly, terribly amiss. Ominous dragon statues line the harbor. Henry's picture-perfect castle lies at the base of a towering mountain; its shadows engulf the castle at night in a fun case of visual foreshadowing. Perhaps worst of all is Henry's mother Queen Isabelle's (Robin Wright) cold treatment of Elodie's kind stepmother, Lady Bayford (Angela Bassett). While Lady Bayford wants to get to know Henry's family better, Isabelle claims this is just a marriage of necessity, and that the families won't be connected further. Let's just say the flags are redder than the robes of the mysterious red priestesses who prepare Elodie for marriage.

SEE ALSO: 'The Gentlemen' review: A messy rollercoaster that's too much filler, not enough killer

If the alarm bells were ringing softly before, they begin blaring when Henry takes Elodie to the top of the nearby mountain on a post-wedding trip. Why are the two greeted by nobles in gold masks? Why is Isabelle telling a story about a former king of Aurea sacrificing daughters to a local dragon? And — wait, why did Henry just throw his newlywed wife down a pit?

In a sickening turn of events, Damsel reveals that Elodie is the latest in a long line of young women ritually sacrificed to Aurea's dragon (voiced by Shohreh Aghdashloo). But like the many women before her, Elodie is not about to die without a fight. She'll have to muster every ounce of strength and wit if she is to make it out of the dragon's lair. This is where the real fun of Damsel begins, delivering what feels like Ready or Not's deadly game of hide-and-seek mixed with Bilbo Baggins's efforts to evade Smaug in The Hobbit.

Damsel is part clever survival thriller, part showcase for Millie Bobby Brown. Millie Bobby Brown in "Damsel." Credit: John Wilson / Netflix

As Elodie gets her bearings in the dragon's massive lair, Damsel guides us from cave to cave, building new rules for its heroine to follow. Previously sacrificed women have left clues as to how one can escape, along with writing their names on walls so the world can bear witness to their unjust deaths. Elsewhere, cavern features like crystals or glowworms prove to be useful tools. (The glowworms are useful to viewers as well, as they provide a break from stretches of murkily lit action.)

The film's most inventive tools come courtesy of Elodie's wedding outfit. Like Samara Weaving's wedding gown in Ready or Not, Elodie's dress is gradually torn to shreds over the course of the film — proof not just of her distress, but of her transformation into a hardened survivor. It's also a handy asset. Fabric can bandage wounds, or serve as hand and foot wrappings for climbing. Ornamental jewelry also proves helpful in some unexpected ways. Watching each element of the outfit come into play is deeply satisfying, as are Elodie's discoveries about the true history of Aurea and its dragon.

Of course, none of Damsel would work as well without Brown's steadfast lead performance. Tasked with carrying much of the film alone, Brown throws herself into action heroine mode with gusto. Between wielding a sword, falling down chasms, and scrambling up walls, she delivers a physically committed performance that speaks volumes. She's even able to sell most of the film's clunkier dialogue, including irritating sequences where everyone feels the need to call their scene partners by name or title.

Since Brown is so much fun to watch by herself, it's almost a shame when Damsel brings human intruders into the dragon's lair. The film works best when it's a two-hander between Brown and the often-unseen dragon, whose voice Aghdashloo imbues with menacing, seductive flair. Tension crackles between the hunter and her prey, especially when it seems like the dragon is simply playing with her food. By the time the damsel and the dragon have their final confrontation, it isn't one of brute force; it's between two characters who have carefully studied each other, and who have both learned that her adversary isn't quite what she seemed.

Yes, Damsel isn't like most other fairy tales. But with its blend of dark fantasy and themes of self-empowerment, it makes for a gripping story that's great fun to experience.

Damsel premieres March 8 on Netflix.

Here's how to easily deactivate your Instagram account if you're in need of a break, but not ready to say goodbye for good.

On Thursday, the Digital Markets Act (DMA) officially goes into effect in the EU. The new antitrust law aims to take on Big Tech's stranglehold of certain markets and industries, forcing companies to open their core platforms to competition.

However, on the DMA's very first day, Apple is in the hot seat. According to a new report by Reuters, EU regulators are looking into the latest battle between Apple and Fortnite developer Epic Games. 

Why are EU regulators targeting Apple?

On Wednesday, Epic Games went public with the news that Apple terminated the video game company's iOS developer account. Epic Games planned to open its own alternative marketplace, an App Store alternative that Apple has been forced to allow in the EU under the DMA. 

Epic Games already announced its intent to bring Fortnite back to iOS as part of this plan. The popular battle-royale game had been missing on the iPhone since Apple removed it from the App Store in 2020. Apple booted the Fortnite app from the App Store after Epic Games attempted to cut the iPhone-maker out of the in-app purchase system, avoiding Apple's revenue share fees.

However, all of Epic Games' iOS plans in the EU are now on hold after Apple terminated their developer account, citing Epic Games' past history circumventing Apple's rules and criticism of Apple from the company that allegedly breaks its terms of service.

"We have requested further explanations on this from Apple under the DMA (Digital Markets Act)," a European Commission spokesperson said to Reuters.

Apple isn't faring well under the EU's new regulations

While companies like Meta, Google, and Microsoft will all be affected by the DMA, no Big Tech company has made more headlines for its controversial response to the new regulations than Apple.

In preparation for the DMA, Apple announced updated policies in order to comply with the new rules. The company was criticized by its peers almost immediately for "malicious compliance," as Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney puts it.

Perhaps the most controversial decision Apple made was with its new App Store structure. Under the DMA, Apple has been forced to allow "alternative marketplaces" on iOS devices that compete with the App Store. Developers who don't want to follow Apple's App Store policies can release their apps on iPhone and iPad via third-party App Store competitors.

Earlier this year, Apple shared its rules for alternative marketplaces and developers who distribute apps through them. Among Apple's decisions was a fee scheme that saw app developers utilizing alternative marketplaces hit with a per-download fee that would even be applicable for free apps.

Under Apple's new policy, developers who accept these terms could find themselves paying Apple more than they would have under the company's old App Store terms. Meta, Microsoft, Spotify, and Epic Games all called Apple out for these policies, arguing that Apple was deploying DMA-inspired policies that acted against the DMA's actual intent.

In addition to the App Store rules changes, Apple also announced that it was killing off home screen web apps as a result of the DMA. However, Apple quickly walked that decision back after significant backlash.

Now, on the day the DMA officially goes into effect, EU regulators have already announced a preliminary investigation into Apple's termination of Epic Games' developer account. Happy Digital Markets Act (DMA) day, everyone!

When you open TikTok today, you might be faced with a pop-up message during your scroll.

"Congress is planning a total ban of TikTok," the pop-up reads. "Speak up now — before your government strips 170 million Americans of their Constitutional right to free expression. This will damage millions of businesses, destroy the livelihoods of countless creators across the country, and deny artists an audience. Let Congress know what TikTok means to you and tell them to vote NO."

The only button on the screen is "Call Now," so if a user doesn't want to do that, they have to quit the application and reopen it to keep scrolling. When users click "Call Now," a prompt asks users to enter their zip code to find local representatives in their area. Once you do that, the app gives the user their local representative's phone number and encourages them to call and "tell them to stop a TikTok shutdown."

TikTok didn't give a script or say exactly which legislation the company is referring to, but it's likely the new bill introduced to the House of Representatives on Tuesday that would potentially ban all Chinese apps based in China, North Korea, Russia, and Iran from U.S. app stores, which includes TikTok.

SEE ALSO: ACLU warns against proposed TikTok ban for violating the First Amendment

"This is my message to TikTok: break up with the Chinese Communist Party or lose access to your American users," Rep. Mike Gallagher, a republican, said in a press release earlier this week. "America’s foremost adversary has no business controlling a dominant media platform in the United States. TikTok’s time in the United States is over unless it ends its relationship with CCP-controlled ByteDance."

Gallagher introduced the Protecting Americans From Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act alongside Democratic Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, who said that "TikTok poses critical threats to our national security."

"Our bipartisan legislation would protect American social media users by driving the divestment of foreign adversary-controlled apps to ensure that Americans are protected from the digital surveillance and influence operations of regimes that could weaponize their personal data against them," Krishnamoorthi said in a press release. "Whether it’s Russia or the CCP, this bill ensures the President has the tools he needs to press dangerous apps to divest and defend Americans’ security and privacy against our adversaries."

If the proposed ban is passed, U.S. app stores could face fines of up to $5,000 per user on apps that are "controlled by a foreign adversary." In response, the ACLU warned that this bill could be a violation of the First Amendment.

"We’re deeply disappointed that our leaders are once again attempting to trade our First Amendment rights for cheap political points during an election year. Just because the bill sponsors claim that banning TikTok isn’t about suppressing speech, there’s no denying that it would do just that. We strongly urge legislators to vote no on this unconstitutional bill," ACLU senior policy counsel Jenna Leventoff wrote.

From potential statewide bans to executive orders intended to ban the apps, this kind of legislation — and generally confrontational vibes from lawmakers — isn't new to TikTok. 

Pixar digs into the nitty gritty emotions of puberty in Inside Out 2, which introduces a whole new slate of emotions to Riley's (voiced by Kensington Tallman) mind.

The film still reunites us with the emotions from the first film: Joy (voiced by Amy Poehler), Sadness (voiced by Phyllis Smith), Anger (voiced by Lewis Black), Fear (voiced by Tony Hale), and Disgust (voiced by Liza Lapira) are excited to continue helping Riley grow up. But wait, what's that on the horizon? Body changes, teenage hormones, existential crises about the tiniest social interactions... Oh no — it's puberty!

As Riley enters this new life stage, she's going to experience far more emotions. Enter Anxiety (voiced by Maya Hawke), Envy (voiced by Ayo Edebiri), Ennui (voiced by Adèle Exarchopoulos), and Embarrassment (voiced by Paul Walter Hauser). These four newcomers clash with Riley's original emotions, even stuffing them in a jar. ("We're repressed emotions!" Fear screams in the film's new trailer.) Will our core five be able to escape? And will they ever be able to join forces with Riley's new, more complicated feelings?

Inside Out 2 hits theaters June 14.