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We know why you're here, and that's to access more content from around the world with the help of a VPN. You can use these popular services to binge-watch all of the movies and shows you want, even if they're not usually available in your location. Once you've connected to a VPN, you'll be able to override streaming geo-restrictions and unblock everything on offer.

You've already got a lot of options when it comes to streaming, with the likes of Netflix, Prime Video, and Disney+ pumping out masses of great entertainment at the moment, but sometimes these sites can be cruel. We've all been in the same situation: you sign up to a service to watch a particular show, only to realise that it's not available in your location.

This is when a VPN can help.

What is a VPN?

Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) are valuable tools for improving your online security. They help you to stay safe and anonymous online by shielding your personal data from the prying eyes of authorities and hackers.

These clever services work by hiding your IP address and rerouting your internet traffic through an encrypted VPN tunnel. This secures your bank transactions, protects your digital identity, and lets you work safely on public WiFi networks. This process also means that you can trick leading streaming sites into thinking you are based in another country, meaning you can watch all the extra content that is normally locked to that location.

What should you consider when subscribing to a VPN?

There are plenty of things that you should consider when it comes to streaming with a VPN, and we have highlighted a selection of the most important things to think about before subscribing:

• Bandwidth — There are some VPNs out there that place monthly caps on network bandwidth, meaning you can only download a certain amount of data. You should avoid these services, unless you're on a free trial. If you're paying for a VPN, you should be able to download and upload as much as you want.

• Connection speed — A VPN is going to produce a drop in your connection speed, but you shouldn't accept anything that results in painful buffering. If you're going to be streaming with a VPN, you obviously don't want anything that will impact your connection speed to the point that you can't watch a film or show without frustration.

• Encryption — There are different levels of encryption, and whilst it's important to take note of the grade provided by your VPN, the best options will all offer powerful protection for your data. You are likely to come across terms like "military-grade" and "enterprise-grade," which just means that you can rely on it to do its job.

• Number of connections — The best VPNs let you connect an unlimited number of devices with the same account. At the very least, you should opt for a service that offers multiple simultaneous connections. This means you can stream securely on all your devices.

• Privacy policy — It's worth paying special attention to the data-handling, storage, and usage practices of the VPN you are planning on using. These practices should be laid out in a privacy policy, and if they aren't clear, it's best to avoid. Most VPNs require access to your IP address, online transactions, and browsing history, plus your personal details when you sign up. If privacy is the objective, it's absolutely essential that your VPN is not going to store these details. If it does, the whole thing is kind of pointless.

• Server network — The best VPNs provide access to thousands of geographically diverse servers, which means you should always be able to find a stable and speedy connection for streaming. If you want to unlock content from a particular location, you should make sure a VPN has servers in that country.

There are absolutely loads of things to consider when subscribing to a VPN, and we wouldn't expect you to remember everything. The most important things to keep in mind when searching for a streaming-friendly VPN are connection speed and server network. The rest is a bonus.

Should you use free VPNs?

The good news is that there are plenty of free versions of popular VPNs, plus free trials of VPNs with full access to everything you get with a premium plan. Alternatively, you can pay for a VPN. So which option is best for you and your lifestyle?

As with most things in life, you get what you pay for with VPNs. There tends to always be a catch with free versions, and it's normally in the form of limited data usage. If you're just an occasional user, these plans will work fine. But if you're going to be streaming or downloading, this isn't going to work. Free trials are a little bit different: they come with everything you get in a paid plan, but obviously they don't tend to last very long. Trials are great for testing out a service before committing, but this isn't a long-term solution.

What we're saying is that the best option for streaming securely and accessing the online world without restrictions is with a paid subscription to a VPN. To gain access to advanced security features without limitations on usage, you need to pay up. The best VPNs are generally the most expensive, but there are plenty of cheap plans out there, especially if you're willing to commit to a lengthy contract.

What is the best VPN for streaming?

A VPN is the safest, fastest, and most reliable way to gain access to your favourite shows, movies, sporting events, and videos. This does not mean that every VPN is great for streaming however, and some services are better suited to the job than others.

Finding a VPN for streaming is not a simple task, and that's why we've helped you out by lining up a selection of your best options. We know that everyone has a different set of priorities when it comes to connection speed, security, and customer support, and that's why this line-up offers a bit of everything.

We checked out everything on offer, and ExpressVPN, NordVPN, CyberGhost VPN, Surfshark, and more have made the cut. It's really down to you to decide on your favourite option, and we recommend taking your time and carefully considering everything on offer.

These are the best streaming VPNs in 2024.

"Is that totally, like, street legal?"

This is the question Jamie Dornan pain-whispers after suffering through Da Bomb on his Hot Ones episode, shortly before describing it as "a violent leap off a cliff" and telling host Sean Evans he never wants to see him again.

Aside from that he manages to keep things fairly calm, answering questions about his lowest moment auditioning, the times he nearly gave up on acting, and his new season of The Tourist while munching through increasingly spicy wings.

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: NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for March 8 SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Here's the answer and hints for March 8

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Friday, March 8, 2024:

AcrossPut away in the overhead bin

• The answer is stow.

Pair for a skier

• The answer is poles.

Confuse

• The answer is addle.

With 9-Across, noted product of Vermont

• The answer is maple.

See 8-Across

• The answer is syrup.

Liquid-absorbing substances

• The answer is sops.

DownSends incessant messages to

• The answer is spams.

Bad Wordle to spoil

• The answer is todays.

Seasoned hand

• The answer is oldpro.

Begin to cry

• The answer is wellup.

Slowly drips out

• The answer is seeps.

The best deals for watching the Oscars live without cable: BEST LIVE TV STREAMING SERVICE YouTube TV free trial, then $62.99 per month for 3 months (save $30) Get Deal BEST BUNDLE OPTION Hulu + Live TV (includes Hulu, ESPN+, and Disney+ with ads) $76.99 per month Get Deal MOST AFFORDABLE LIVE TV STREAMING SERVICE Sling Blue $20 for your first month, then $40 per month (save $20) Get Deal BEST FOR STREAMING THE NEXT DAY Hulu with ads free 30-day trial, then $7.99 per month Get Deal BEST NON-STREAMING OPTION Gesobyte Digital Antenna $29.90 at Amazon Get Deal

Last year was full of movie magic. With Barbenheimer launching a massive return to cinema and streaming services throwing their hats into the ring, we were blessed with some truly exceptional films in 2023. On March 10, Hollywood honors those films we've fallen so hard for at the 96th Academy Awards ceremony. The Oscars will take place at Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, with Jimmy Kimmel hosting for the fourth time. For those who cannot attend in person (aka all of us), here's everything you need to know to tune into the ceremony live — with or without cable.

When are the 2024 Oscars?

The 96th Academy Awards will be held at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on March 10, 2024 and will air live at 7 p.m. ET on ABC, with the pre-show airing ahead of it at 6:30 p.m. ET. For those with cable or over-the-air TV, you can tune your TV to your local ABC station or watch online via ABC.com or the ABC app by logging in through your pay TV service provider. No cable access? No worries; we've rounded up the best ways to watch the Oscars live without cable below.

Who are this year's Oscar nominees?

It comes as no surprise that Barbie and Oppenheimer both scored a ton of Oscar nominations after the exceptional year each film had, with the latter earning 13, the most of any film. Yet despite its eight nominations, Barbie was also snubbed in major categories — neither Greta Gerwig (the film’s director) nor Margot Robbie (its star and producer) received individual nominations.

After Oppenheimer, Poor Things and Killers of the Flower Moon came out on top with 11 and 10 nominations, respectively. Bradley Cooper's Maestro managed to nab seven, while American Fiction, Anatomy of a Fall, The Holdovers, and The Zone of Interest each earned five — including Best Picture. See a full list of the 2024 Oscar nominations below in the FAQs.

How can I watch the Oscar nominees for Best Picture?

Want to get up to date on the best films of the year (at least by the Academy's standards) ahead of the ceremony? Here's a hint: you're going to need a lot of streaming services. American Fiction, Anatomy of a Fall, Poor Things, and The Zone of Interest are currently only available to rent or purchase on digital. Meanwhile, The Holdovers and Oppenheimer are streaming on Peacock, Barbie is streaming on Max, Maestro is streaming on Netflix, Killers of the Flower Moon is streaming on Apple TV+, and Past Lives is streaming on Paramount+ with Showtime. Learn more in our roundup of the best ways to watch all 10.

How to watch the Oscars live without cable

If you've cut the cord and committed to the world of streaming, you'll need a live TV streaming service in order to watch the Oscars live. These services essentially act as cable alternatives, allowing you live access to a well-rounded channel selection via your internet connection (rather than a cable connection). Unlike cable, these services are contract-free, so you can cancel whenever you wish. And as a bonus, many of them offer free trials — that means you could very well watch the Oscars live for free, then cancel before you're charged. But we'll leave that up to you. Here are the best options (and deals) for a live TV streaming service.

Best introductory offer: YouTube TV Opens in a new window Credit: YouTube YouTube TV free trial, then $62.99/mo for your first 3 months (save $30) Get Deal

YouTube TV's base plan includes over 100 live channels, including your local ABC network. You'll also get unlimited DVR space, three simultaneous streams, and up to six individual accounts with personalized recommendations. It's "arguably the best premium live TV streaming service out there," especially with the current introductory offer. For a limited time, you can get your first three months of YouTube TV for just $62.99 per month instead of $72.99 per month — that's $30 in savings. Not to mention, you can test the waters with a free 7-day trial.

Best for bundling: Hulu + Live TV Opens in a new window Credit: Hulu + Live TV Hulu + Live TV $76.99 per month Get Deal

Hulu + Live TV is pretty similar to YouTube TV, with access to over 95 live TV channels (including your local ABC network), personalized profiles, and unlimited DVR. It's a bit pricier, however, at $76.99 per month with no free trial. But we still recommend it because your subscription comes bundled with Hulu with ads, Disney+ with ads, and ESPN+ with ads (a $14.99 per month value). That's three premium streaming libraries on top of nearly 100 live channels all for just $76.99 per month.

Most affordable overall: Sling TV (only for select areas) Opens in a new window Credit: Sling Sling Blue package $20 for your first month, then $40 per month Get Deal

We love Sling for its a la carte setup and affordable pricing. You pick your package and channels depending on what you actually want to watch. In order to watch the Oscars, you'll need access to ABC, which is included in Sling's Blue base package. Unfortunately, since ABC is a local network, it's only available in some local markets. Check to see if your local market includes ABC before you pull the trigger — Chicago, Fresno, Houston, Los Angeles, and more are included. Typically, Sling's base package costs $40 per month, but with the current introductory offer, you'll pay just $20 for your first month.

Best for streaming later: Hulu with ads Opens in a new window Credit: Hulu Hulu with ads free 30-day trial, then $7.99 per month Get Deal

If you can properly avoid spoilers, a regular Hulu with ads subscription will give you access to the ceremony the day after the live show on March 11. It's by far the cheapest option: you can sign up for free for 30 days, then it'll cost you just $7.99 per month. You won't get all the excitement that comes with watching live, but if you don't mind that, this is your best bet.

Honorable mention: FuboTV Opens in a new window Credit: FuboTV FuboTV free 7-day trial, $79.99 per month Get Deal

Another live TV streaming service similar to YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV, Fubo is more-so geared at sports fans. It includes access to your local ABC network, as well as over 100 other live channels. Plus, you can test it out for seven days. After that, you'll have to pay $79.99 per month, making it one of the more expensive options on the list.

Honorable mention: DirecTV Stream Opens in a new window Credit: DirecTV Stream DirecTV Stream starting at $69.99 per month Get Deal

DirecTV Stream offers another reliable live TV viewing experience, with your local ABC network and other favorites. However, its plans can get pretty expensive due to hidden fees. They start at $69.99 per month for the 75+ channel plan.

Another option for watching live: get a digital antenna Opens in a new window Credit: Gesobyte Gesobyte Amplified HD Digital TV Antenna $29.90 at Amazon
Shop Now

If you live close enough to your local TV station broadcast towers, you can access broadcasts live and for free with a digital antenna. There are a ton of options on the market — check out these recommendations from our friends at PCMag (which is owned by Mashable's publisher, Ziff Davis) — ranging in price and style. Check the distance range before making a purchase. The closer you are, the clearer your local broadcasts will come through. For example, the one above by Gesobyte, which has over 33,000 5-star reviews, costs less than $30 and offers a 250-mile range.

Wondering how to make ChatGPT read its text responses aloud? In case you missed it, OpenAI announced the new feature on Monday.

The perk is rolling out to the Android, iOS, and web versions of the popular AI platform. But you may be wondering, "How do I activate this feature?" Allow us to show you in a few simple steps.

(Note that this feature is different from ChatGPT Voice, which lets you have full-blown conversations with the AI assistant.)

How to make ChatGPT read its responses aloud

As mentioned, you can prompt ChatGPT to read its responses aloud, which is particularly useful if it spits out a lengthy response. Instead of reading it yourself, you can make ChatGPT verbalize it for you.

In this tutorial, we'll be using the iOS ChatGPT app as our model.

Total Time

• 3 min

What You Need

• iPhone

Step 1: Launch ChatGPT

Fire up ChatGPT on Android or iPhone. (Make sure the app is updated before launching it.)

Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

Step 2: Ask ChatGPT a question to prompt a response

Fire off a question or statement to ChatGPT and wait for a response from the AI assistant.

Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

Step 3: Long press the response

After long pressing the response, a menu will appear. Tap on "Read Aloud." Soon after, you'll hear a voice read the message.

Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

The ChatGPT read aloud feature should be available to all users, whether you have a subscription or not. If you don't see the new feature yet, try updating the app. If you're still having trouble, don't worry. Wait a bit and try again — the new tool is rolling out to users gradually.

There are movies that grab you by the throat. There are movies that punch you in the gut. Love Lies Bleeding is both, and I fucking love it. 

From the mind of Rose Glass, writer/director of the 2020 stunner Saint Maud, comes a queer romance that's as packed with thrills as it is with raw sensuality and dazzling star power. Come for Kristen Stewart sporting a DIY mullet and a dirty mouth. Come for Katy O'Brian (Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania's scene-stealing warrior princess Jentorra) flexing not only her muscles but her range as a beguiling bodybuilder with a perm as big as her dreams. Come for Ed Harris and Dave Franco in roles both comedic and nerve-rattling. But come. 

Love Lies Bleeding is a gnarly masterpiece, and you're gonna want to see it on a big screen with the best sound system possible. 

What is Love Lies Bleeding about? Credit: A24

Set in 1980s New Mexico, Love Lies Bleeding centers on the kismet romance of Lou (Kristen Stewart) and Jackie (Katy O'Brian) The two cross paths at a grimy garage gym, the kind where the stink of sweat will never leave the cinderblock walls and cement floor. Handmade signs boast proclamations that "Pain is weakness leaving the body," and "If you believe it, your body can achieve it."

Stewart, who has dazzled on countless red carpets, begins the film elbow-deep in an overloaded toilet. Lou runs the gym, everything from checking in members to closing at night and cleaning the can. In a rundown town, she willingly lives on the fringe, not because she is queer but because she's had a brutal falling-out with her father, local kingpin Lou Sr. (Ed Harris). 

Jackie swans into town as if she's never had a bad day, her smile radiant, her hair bouncy, her muscles glorious. She knows she's a bombshell, and she relishes the attention from gym rats, sketchy would-be employers, and the surly "grade-A dyke" who runs the gym. After a shared glance, and then a shared cigarette, Lou and Jackie rush headlong into sharing more and more of themselves — their bodies, their dreams, and eventually their secrets. Jackie dreams of dominating a bodybuilding competition in Vegas that could change her life for the better. Lou dreams of a world where she doesn’t have to fear for her sister Beth (Jena Malone), who is the devoted punching bag of her abusive husband JJ (Dave Franco).

Their path to these dreams is one thick with violence, impulse, and regret. But the only way out is through. And so in an attempt to save them both from retribution, they must believe in each other and achieve more than they could ever imagine.

Kristen Stewart and Katy O'Brian are mesmerizing together. Credit: A24

Stewart, who was a child actor in adult fare like The Safety of Objects and Panic Room, found mainstream success via the Twilight franchise, but she's effortlessly swung between arty indies (Personal Shopper, Spencer, Love Me) and glossy studio flicks (Underwater, Happiest Season) throughout her career. In her latest, she wears a sneer of a haircut and a sulking disposition, spitting insults at a world that's only treated her badly. But the moment she and O'Brian share a frame, there's a kinetic transformation, a spark in her eyes reflected in her co-star's. Together, their chemistry is electrifying.

Love Lies Bleeding doesn't shy away from sex. Far from the glossy nonsense that plays to straight male fantasies, their fucking is raw, passionate, even clumsy. Close-ups of hands groping flesh and tearing away panties, dirty talk with lips bitten in response. These smoking hot scenes of sapphic love scoff at the tedious online outrage about sex and cinema. Sure, these scenes are titillating. But more than that, they exhibit the ravenousness of these misfits — their need for a connection to someone who really sees them. And they see each other with a definitely female gaze that recognizes warts and all. Or in this case, much blood, sweat, tears, and goop. 

Love isn't easy here. Melodrama flares up with both characters, grabbing on with a ruthless grip that makes every moment exhilarating. Who needs cardio or therapy when Rose Glass is making movies?

Visceral visual splendor and aural horror.  Credit: A24

Glass doesn't waste a frame while building her heady aesthetic. Love Lies Bleeding opens at the bottom of a deep canyon, lit red as fresh blood and looking up at a dark blue, star-studded sky. This proves a sign of what's to come; the same red hue colors flashbacks to a horrid memory. The stars twinkle like the light in Jackie’s eyes or the sequins on her competition bikini. A town caked in dirt, Jackie stands out in her pink and shimmery gym gear. Though built to take on any fight, she is a naive innocent in the seamy underbelly of Lou's family. 

The sound effects ripple with sounds of squelching and tearing. The wet amid the desert underlines the catastrophic collision of hard muscles and fragile emotions. Sometimes these squishing sounds give an expressive oomph to a moment of dramatic tension or to a physical transformation. Sometimes it's a gut-churning sound of violence to drive an offscreen blow right to the bone. Saint Maud also boasted a bold and unnerving soundscape and blood-curdling violence. Love Lies Bleeding proves its spiritual sister, not only in disturbing jolts but also in its ardent leap of faith. 

Love Lies Bleeding is a hopeless romantics' tale turned toxic.  Credit: A24

To follow a stranger home. To move in after one night together. To take on the powers that be. To dream of running away together. Every step of their love is a leap of faith. Though the film stretches into elements of the fantastical, Glass won't let the audience escape the grisly labyrinth of bloody sacrifices made in the name of love. 

Here's where supporting players lend a helping (or hurting) hand. Franco's breezy charm curdles beneath a stringy mullet and uncool dad mustache. Malone's signature sassiness is erased with a dopey broad smile, accented by a split lip and quivering stare. Playing a lovelorn local who'd die for Lou, Anna Baryshnikov (Dickinson) has the air of '60s-era Goldie Hawn on meth — sweet yet savage. Then there's the intoxicating horror of Harris's perturbing patriarch. 

With a long, thinning, gray crescent of hair, he instantly strikes an air of an aging tyrant holding onto flourishes that no longer suit him. Surrounded by bug terrariums and many, many guns, he's an eccentric figure who exudes menace to his underlings, speaking in a low, impatient growl or firing a shot by their heads if he catches them loafing. But in scenes with his daughters, the growl softens — even in the face of Lou's hate. And in this softness, he alludes to a long and complicated relationship, one where cruelty and commendations came with equal intensity. This makes his every syllable one to hang on. Because we, like Lou, know that at any moment the flip my switch. 

In every relationship within Love Lies Bleeding, Glass gives a sense of good and bad, daring audiences to find the line when enough is too much. 

Love Lies Bleeding is a must-see — full-stop.   Credit: A24

Incredibly among the life-or-death drama, lusty romance, and pulpy action, Love Lies Bleeding is wickedly funny. A moment of carefully planted levity here or lunacy there encourages the audience to revel amid moments of revulsion, reminding us of the couple's dizzying newlywed phase even in their darkest moments.

Weaving together tones this different with such grace, Glass is a marvel. Despite its provocative sex scenes and horrific violence, the most outrageous thing about Love Lies Bleeding might be that it's only her second film. Her confidence and trust in the audience would be laudable even if the film didn't work as well as it does. And it works so hard, the audiences leaves out of breath. 

By giving us leading ladies this enchanting, she makes it impossible not to root for Lou and Jackie, but she doesn’t let us off the hook for falling for them. Instead, she delivers an ending that is fearless, fun, and unforgettable. As harrowing as it is tender, as horny as it is horrifying, Love Lies Bleeding is one of the best films of 2024. 

Love Lies Bleeding opens in limited theatrical release March 8, then expands nationwide March 15.

So much of our lives are now lived online. From meeting partners via dating apps, starting a business from scratch and using social media to find clients, or attending work or education remotely, the online world is where we now spend a great deal of our time. But for women, girls, and marginalised people, the digital era also opened up new opportunities for harm and abuse.

Issues like image-based sexual abuse, deepfakes, sexist bias, and surveillance have come to the forefront of conversations around women and digital safety, but harms continue to persist as legislation is slow to catch up. But women are fighting back to ensure that the digital age serves women rather than excludes them, and to insist that the online world is one that we can exist in safely and unapologetically.

In honour of International Women’s Day, we’re spotlighting a list of the women and organisations that are working to make our digital world a safer and more empowering place for women and girls.

SEE ALSO: Deepfakes of Taylor Swift have gone viral. How does this keep happening? Seyi Akiwowo, founder of Glitch

At the age of 23, Akiwowo was elected as the youngest Black female Councillor in East London; a monumental achievement. For Akiwowo, what should have been a cause for celebration ended up being an experience which subjected her to viral online abuse. When the speech she gave to the European Parliament calling out racism went viral, she was met with the full force of online abuse. By using her platform to launch a campaign to "Fix the Glitch," this led her to found Glitch, a not-for-profit which delivers workshops on digital safety and wellbeing. Following their joint campaign with the End Violence Against Women Coalition, the UK government integrated women and girls’ safety into the Online Safety Act, and Glitch are now calling for all political parties to address online abuse in their political manifestos. Her book How To Stay Safe Online is a practical handbook for women and marginalised genders, equipping them with the tools to protect our digital wellbeing.

Seyi Akiwowo, founder of Glitch. Credit: Glitch Georgia Harrison, campaigner and reality TV star

Image-based sexual abuse went from being a personal battle that many victims battled in private to a national campaign when Love Island star Georgia Harrison took her ex-partner Stephen Bear to court for non-consensual sharing. In 2020, Bear had uploaded an intimate video of them on his OnlyFans account, and soon after ‘Georgia Harrison sex tape’ became a top Google search. But after taking the courage to waive her right to anonymity, her campaigning led to a monumental change in the law. It removed the need for intent to cause distress or humiliation for non-consensual sharing to be prosecuted, therefore making it much easier to prosecute and giving countless victims a better chance of justice against this type of digital abuse.

'Love Island' contestant, Georgia Harrison at a demonstration organised by Refuge outside the Houses of Parliament, Westminster, in April 2023, calling for specific protections to be included in the Online Safety Bill. Credit: Stefan Rousseau/PA Images via Getty Images Joy Buolamwini, founder of the Algorithmic Justice League 

Computer scientist Joy Buolamwini was a scholar at MIT’s Media Lab working on her first design project at the institution when she experienced first hand the impacts of racial bias on digital technology. Buolamwini created what she called the Aspire Mirror, which used face-tracking software to register the movements of the user and overlay them onto an aspirational figure. When she realised the facial recognition wouldn’t detect her until she was holding a white mask over her face, she was confronted face on with what she termed the "coded gaze". She soon founded the Algorithmic Justice League, which exists to prevent AI harms and increase accountability. Since then, she has written Unmasking AI, her debut bestselling book on redesigning and reclaiming AI for the good of humanity. In an age where algorithms are replacing humans, this accountability and transparency is essential to preventing technology from creating new risks or entrenching existing inequalities.

Joy Buolamwini, president of the Algorithmic Justice League, speaks during the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) annual meeting in New York in Sept. 2023. Credit: Michael Nagle/Bloomberg via Getty Images Elena Michael, Director and Co-Founder of Not Your Porn

Not Your Porn is a survivor-led organisation that supports women and girls who have experienced image-based sexual abuse. Michael got involved in Not Your Porn while at law school. Michael and Kate Isaacs, who started the campaign, got in contact over Twitter and since then Michael has gone on to run the campaign with two fellow campaigners. Michael directs Not Your Porn alongside her day job working in support services for neurodivergent children and adults.

In 2024, Not Your Porn will be launching their Survivor Network, which aims to provide a safe space for survivors and raise greater awareness of image-based sexual abuse. In Feb. 2024, Not Your Porn signed a joint letter to Ofcom alongside 43 other specialist organisations and experts, warning that they are not effectively tackling illegal content relating to stalking, harassment and image-based sexual abuse, which is preventing a safer internet for women.

European Sex Workers Alliance

When it comes to online safety, sex workers are often overlooked. Due to the criminalisation of sex work in many countries, the human rights of sex workers are often ignored and not upheld, meaning that they experience disproportionate harms and digital risks. European Sex Workers Alliance are using the lived experiences of sex workers to shape and influence EU and national policymaking, ensuring that sex workers’ voices are heard and their rights protected. 

SEE ALSO: Is WhatsApp banning sex worker accounts?

From their recent lobbying, they got big porn platforms included in the list of Very Large Online Platforms, meaning that the EU’s new Digital Services Act will impose the same accountability and transparency rules on large porn platforms that social media giants are subject to. In April 2024, they are hosting the first Convention on Sex Work, Technology and Human Rights: Digital Rights for All, to bring sex workers and digital rights activists together to learn and collaborate. 

Alice Hendy, Founder of R;pple

Any loss is immensely painful, but loss to suicide is something that changes you forever. Alice Hendy lost her brother Josh to suicide in 2020, when he was aged 21. After looking through his laptop, she realised that Josh was looking at harmful content online before his death, Hendy founded R;pple, a web browser extension that intercepts when people are at their most vulnerable. Once downloaded, if someone searches for content relating to suicide or self-harm, it signposts people to mental health resources and services that can help. 

The work that Hendy has done to prevent suicide and intervene when people are at their lowest is changing lives already; 24 individuals have come to them directly to say they’re still here because of R;pple’s interventions. Hendy was awarded an MBE this year for her services, demonstrating the transformative power that tech designed for good can have on our safety and wellbeing.

Sneha Revanur, founder of Encode Justice

At age 15, Revanur founded Encode Justice, a youth led AI-focused civil society group, to rally against the adoption of a risk-based algorithm in replacement of cash bail. In the three years since its founding, the organisation has grown from her home state of California, to an international movement of 800 members across 30 countries. Encode Justice has contributed to restriction of surveillance in multiple states, spearheaded advocacy for over 10 pieces of federal legislation and helped shape the White House’s Bill of Rights for an Automated Society and President Biden’s executive order on AI. Listed as one of TIME’s 100 AI, she is a groundbreaking Gen Z organiser, who recognises the radical potential and vital role that younger generations play in shaping our digital world for the better. 

Sneha Revanur speaks onstage during Unfinished Live at The Shed in Sept. 2022 in New York City. Credit: Photo by Roy Rochlin/Getty Images for Unfinished Live Black Girls Code

We are becoming increasingly aware of the importance of closing the STEM gender gap, in an age where technology shapes so many aspects of our lives. The gaps in representation in tech teams results in biased products, be it racist facial recognition software or sexist chatbots. Historically, women have been excluded from the tech industry, and women of colour in particular are historically underrepresented in tech, with just 3 percent of Black women making up the IT workforce. This is what led to the creation of Black Girls Code, which aims to get 1 million girls of colour in tech by 2040. Founded in 2011 by Kimberly Bryant, an African American electrical engineer, the organisation reached over 2.5 million girls and young women in 2023 alone. By closing the STEM gender gap and focusing on girls and women of colour aged between seven and 25, this organisation is making our digital world feminist by design. 

Kimberly Bryant, CEO Black Girls Code, speaking at Glamour Women Of The Year 2016 LIVE Summit in Hollywood in 2016. Credit: Mike Windle/Getty Images for Glamour Hera Hussain, founder of Chayn

Hera Hussain was born in the UK but grew up in Pakistan. After helping two friends escape abusive marriages and realising the challenges to finding basic information about their rights and how to cope with gender-based trauma. This led her to found Chayn, a survivor-led non profit organisation that provides women experiencing abuse with online resources and services in multiple languages.

The resources Chayn provides are free and written by survivors and trauma experts from around the world, ranging from guides on online safety to video courses on healing from image-based abuse and toxic relationships and getting one-to-one reflective support through chat from their Bloom project. More than 500,000 people have benefited from Chayn's services since 2013. In order to make technology safer by design, they also do research on how technology can be made trauma-informed so there’s less abuse.

Hera Hussain, founder of Chayn. Credit: Chayn

If you have experienced sexual abuse, if you are based in the U.S., call the free, confidential National Sexual Assault hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673), or access the 24-7 help online by visiting online.rainn.org. If you have had intimate images shared without your consent, call the Cyber Civil Rights Initiative’s 24/7 hotline at 844-878-2274 for free, confidential support. The CCRI website also includes helpful information as well as a list of international resources.

If you are based in the UK and have experienced intimate image abuse (aka revenge porn), you can contact the Revenge Porn Helpline on 0345 6000 459. If you have experienced sexual violence and are based in the UK, call the Rape Crisis helpline 0808 802 9999.

If you're feeling suicidal or experiencing a mental health crisis, please talk to somebody. You can reach the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988; the Trans Lifeline at 877-565-8860; or the Trevor Project at 866-488-7386. Text "START" to Crisis Text Line at 741-741. Contact the NAMI HelpLine at 1-800-950-NAMI, Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. ET, or email info@nami.org. If you don't like the phone, consider using the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Chat at crisischat.org. Here is a list of international resources.

The best streaming deals to watch 'Anatomy of a Fall': BEST FOR NEW SUBSCRIBERS Hulu (with ads) trial Free for 30 days, then $7.99/month (save 16%) Get Deal BEST BUNDLE DEAL Hulu and Disney+ (with ads) $9.99/month (save $5.99/month) Get Deal BEST FOR T-MOBILE CUSTOMERS Hulu Basic (with ads) Free on Go5G Next T-Mobile plans (save $79.99/year) Get Deal BEST FOR STUDENTS Spotify Premium for Students with Hulu Free one-month trial, then $5.99/month (save up to $12.99/month) Get Deal BEST FOR LONG-TERM SUBSCRIBERS Hulu (with ads) annual subscription $79.99 per year (save 16%) Get Deal BEST FOR WATCHING BEFORE THE OSCARS Rent 'Anatomy of a Fall' on Prime Video $5.99 Get Deal

Justine Triet's Anatomy of a Fall, one of our favorite movies of 2023, hits Hulu this month. The film took home the Palme d'Or at last year's Cannes Film Festival and is nominated for five Oscars this year, including Best Picture and Best Director. If you missed this explosive courtroom drama amidst the overflow of excellent cinema in 2023, now's your chance to get caught up.

While the movie won't hit streaming until after the Oscars on March 10, you can still watch it beforehand. Here's everything you need to know to watch Anatomy of a Fall at home.

SEE ALSO: How to watch all of the 2024 Best Picture nominees before the Oscars What is Anatomy of a Fall about?

The initial premise of Anatomy of a Fall is a mystery. Did the man lying dead in the snow below his family's cabin accidentally fall, intentionally jump, or get pushed?

Sandra (played by Sandra Hüller), a German novelist, is accused of killing her husband, Samuel (Samuel Theis) at their isolated French chalet. A year later, we see their relationship scrutinized and picked apart in the courtroom. "What follows is brutally tense and darkly funny, a riveting experiment in cinematic allegiance that sports brilliant performances from Hüller, Milo Machado Graner, Swann Arlaud, and one very good dog," Mashable entertainment reporter Belen Edwards writes in her synopsis.

Read our full review of Anatomy of a Fall.

Featured Video For You The (very) brief Oscars history of women nominated for Best Director How to watch Anatomy of a Fall

Want to watch Anatomy of a Fall before the Oscars? It's currently available to rent or purchase via video-on-demand retailers for around $5.99 or $14.99, respectively. Just note that with rentals, you'll only have 30 days to begin watching and just 48 hours to finish once you start.

Here are the quick links to rent or purchase the film on digital:

• Prime Video — $5.99 to rent / $14.99 to buy

• Apple TV+ — $5.99 to rent / $14.99 to buy

• Google Play — $6.99 to rent / $14.99 to buy

• Vudu — $5.99 to rent / $14.99 to buy

• YouTube — $6.99 to rent / $14.99 to buy

When is Anatomy of a Fall streaming?

Although you can still find it in select theaters nationwide, Anatomy of a Fall is set to make its streaming debut on March 22, 2024 exclusively on Hulu. Unfortunately, that's after the Oscars on March 10. If you want to watch it before the ceremony, you'll have to rent or purchase the film via a video-on-demand service, as noted above. If you don't mind the wait, you can stream the film on Hulu. Not a Hulu subscriber? Keep reading to learn the best ways to sign up, including a generous trial that could let you watch Anatomy of a Fall for free.

Where to stream Anatomy of a Fall: The best Hulu deals

If you want to stream Anatomy of a Fall come March 22, you'll need a Hulu subscription. Of course, it's not as cut and dry as you may think. There are monthly and annual options, ad-supported and ad-free tiers, free trials, third-party deals, and even bundles to choose from. Lucky for you, we've broken down all the details below to help you make the best choice for your streaming needs (and for your budget).

Best for new (or returning) subscribers: Hulu 30-day free trial Opens in a new window Credit: Hulu Hulu (with ads) Free 30-day trial, then starting at $7.99 per month Watch Now

If you're brand new or returning to Hulu after cancelling previously, you can get a 30-day trial period and easily watch Anatomy of a Fall (and plenty of other great films) for free. Just be sure to cancel before your 30 days are up if you want to avoid charges. If you decide to keep your subscription going after your trial, it'll run you $7.99 per month with ads or $17.99 per month without ads.

Best for long-term viewing: Hulu (with ads) annual subscription Opens in a new window Credit: Hulu Hulu (with ads) annual subscription $79.99 per year (save 16%) Watch Now

For those who don't qualify for the free trial, the best way to save some money on your subscription is to pay for a yearly plan instead of a monthly plan. It typically costs $7.99 per month for the ad-supported tier, but if you opt for an annual plan, that monthly fee drops to just $6.67 per month. Paying $79.99 up front is certainly an investment, but you'll end up saving about 16% over a year's time. If you plan on watching more than just Anatomy of a Fall, sticking around long term definitely gets you more bang for your buck.

Best for T-Mobile customers: Hulu (with ads) included for one year Opens in a new window Credit: T-Mobile / Hulu Hulu (with ads) Free with T-Mobile Go5G Next plan Watch Now

As of late January, T-Mobile customers on the Go5G Next plan can get Hulu with ads for free. To claim your free subscription, just head over to the T-Mobile website and choose "redeem now." Then, enter your T-Mobile number and account details to sign up for Hulu. After your initial 12-month promotional period, you will be prompted to take action to keep your Hulu subscription going. But otherwise, this deal is pretty direct.

Best for students: Spotify Premium for Students with Hulu Opens in a new window Credit: Spotify / Hulu Spotify Premium for Students with Hulu Free 30-day trial, then $5.99 per month Watch Now

Students have access to some of the best streaming deals around. When it comes to Hulu, there are a couple different ways to save. First up, there's Spotify Premium for Students, which includes access to both Spotify Premium as well as Hulu with ads for only $5.99 per month. Better yet, you can test it out for a month before paying anything. The only requirement is that you can prove you're a student through SheerID.

Another option is to sign up for a Hulu student account on its own. While there's no free trial, it'll only cost you $1.99 per month — that's 75% in savings compared to the usual monthly cost. Like the first option, you'll have to be able to prove you're a college student via SheerID in order to claim the deal.

Best bundle deal: Hulu + Disney+ (with ads) Opens in a new window Credit: Hulu / Disney+ Hulu + Disney+ (with ads) $9.99 per month (save 37%) Watch Now

This popular Disney bundle is the top streaming deal for most people. It may not be the best option for you if you're simply looking to watch Anatomy of a Fall, but if you want to watch as many TV shows and movies as possible, then look no further. With the Disney Duo bundle, you'll get access to the full Disney+ streaming catalog, as well as the full Hulu catalog (both with ads) for only $9.99 per month. That's just $2 more per month than paying for Hulu on its own (or 37% in savings).

Sports fans can also toss ESPN+ into the mix with the Disney Trio bundle for only $14.99 (44% in savings) per month. If you don't mind a few ads here and there and you want access to as much content as possible for your money, the Disney bundle has you covered.

TL;DR: Through March 10, get the WonderCube Pro all-in-one mobile keyring at an extra 20% discount with code ENJOY20.

Modern living means being able to video chat with your friends across the country at a moment's notice. It also means needing to carry around an arsenal of wires, chargers, and gadgets just to stay connected while on the go. The minds at WonderCube have given us an adorable solution for that, but don't let the size fool you.

The WonderCube Pro is made to be an all-in-one mobile solution for keeping your digital world afloat without too much clutter. And you can save an extra 20% when you use code ENJOY20 through March 10.

Packed with features and designed with portability and convenience in mind, it acts as a universal charger for all of your Android and Apple devices. It has a one-inch foldout USB cord. The gold-plated connectors with the USB charge offer easy, fast charging.

On top of the charging options, it can sync and transfer super fast, and it has tiny micro-suction cups that allow it to work like a phone stand in a pinch. A built-in flashlight and emergency charger round out the features.

Measuring just one cubic inch, WonderCube Pro is designed to be as small and portable as possible. Attach it to your keyring, backpack, or purse, and take it with you wherever you go.

Upgrade your on-the-go lifestyle to include this little wonder.

Get the WonderCube Pro Keyring while it's on sale for $35.19 when you use code ENJOY20 through March 10 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

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Opens in a new window Credit: WonderCube WonderCube Pro: All-In-One Mobile Keyring $43.99
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TL;DR: Through March 10, get a lifetime subscription to 20TB of Prism Drive Cloud Storage for just $71.98 with code ENJOY20.

Those low storage warnings are no fun, but it's hard to get rid of them for good when you're working with less and less space on your devices. You may have deleted everything you can delete, but sometimes there are files you don't necessarily use that you also don't want to get rid of. Whether they're family photos, old homework files from school, or important work documents, not every file has to be something you use every day. If you have one place to keep all your extra files, then you can clear some space on your devices and save everything you want. 

That's where Prism Drive comes into play. This lifetime cloud storage service gives you 20TB to use as you please, and it's only $71.98 if you purchase with this limited-time coupon ENJOY20.

20TB for life

Prism Drive is a secure solution for backing up your files. Whether you're using it for yourself or for the whole family, Prism Drive lets you keep all your files in one secure location that's all yours for life. 

Uploading your pictures isn't the same as locking them away in an old album. Prism Drive makes it easy to share your files with shareable links, so you can send anyone access to the photos you want them to see. 

This cloud service also makes it easy for you to do your own file management with tools like file previews. You can view photos or watch videos without downloading them, so they remain safely locked behind the 256-bit AES encryption. 

Free space on your hard drive

Stop letting pictures and old files clog your phone, tablet, or computer.

Until March 10 at 11:59 p.m. PT, get a Prism Drive Secure Cloud Storage 20TB lifetime subscription for just $71.98 with code ENJOY20. That's the best price online, too. 

StackSocial prices subject to change. 

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TL;DR: Through March 20, get an open-box officially licensed My Arcade Atari Game Station Pro for only $55.99 with discount code ENJOY20.

Whether you're playing with the same old gaming buddy or trying to show your kids what games were like when you were a kid, those old games never really get old. And it's a good thing they don't because you can still play them, but now you don't need an old TV and an ancient console to play them on. 

Instead, you can get a full library of games at the same time you get the console to play them on, and the whole thing is seriously marked down. The My Arcade Atari Game Station Pro comes with games already built in, and you get it for $55.99 with coupon code ENJOY20 through March 10.

Find your 'Player 2'

This console is licensed by Atari, so it's the real deal. The discount is because it's an open-box return, meaning it's in like-new condition but may have been a floor model or was returned having barely been out of the box. 

This game console features over 200 built-in Atari games. Relive the golden age of gaming with two 2.4 GHz wireless joysticks inspired by the original Atari design.

Just connect the console to your TV and enjoy a wide variety of classic titles like Asteroids®, Centipede®, PONG®, Breakout®, Missile Command®, and Warlords®. The console connects directly to the TV via HDMI, so you may not need any adapters or old-school cables. The joysticks are totally wireless. And though you may remember some games being unforgiving, this modern iteration gives you the option to save your progress whenever you want. 

200+ games pre-loaded and ready to play

The days of old-school couch co-op games aren't over. They're just retro now, but you can still grab your favorite gaming buddy and play some classic titles together with a few modern twists for convenience. 

Until March 20 at 11:59 p.m. PT, use code ENJOY20 to get the My Arcade Atari Game Station Pro for just $55.99. 

StackSocial prices subject to change. 

Opens in a new window Credit: My Arcade My Arcade Atari Game Station Pro: Video Game Console with 200+ Games (Open Box) $69.99
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If you spy a small red button on the lapel or dress straps of Hollywood's finest this weekend, know that it's not a stylish accessory or Oscars red carpet necessity, but instead the latest attention-garnering symbol of a humanitarian outcry.

The pins, which feature the image of a red, outstretched hand holding a black heart in its palm, are the official ready-to-wear symbol of the Artists for Ceasefire initiative, which began with an industry-wide letter signed by actors, musicians, and other creatives asking President Joe Biden to back a congressional call for immediate de-escalation and ceasefire in Gaza and Israel. 

Artists for Ceasefire is one of many campaigns, including those backed by political representatives, asking the U.S. government to take a stand against the deadly conflict. "Ceasefire now!" has become a rallying cry for outraged global citizens, and celebrities have adopted the phrase as both an indication of pro-Palestinian sentiment and as a general statement against violence.  

SEE ALSO: The Oscars social media frenzy fundamentally misunderstands 'Barbie'

Periods of ceasefire following widespread armed conflict are a throughline in the history of Israel and occupied Palestine, and represent a chance for humanitarian aid to more effectively enter the region. Following the events of Oct. 7 and a brief week-long ceasefire, global leaders have introduced several rejected proposals for a long-term cessation of conflict. Experts believe that U.S. leadership's call for a ceasefire may act as a catalyst for brokering a longer-term ceasefire, as the death toll climbs to upwards of 30,000. Thus, the global call for ceasefire is seen by many activists as a bare minimum humanitarian solution to curb ongoing violence and displacement taking over the region. 

On March 3, Vice President Kamala Harris finally vocalized support for a six-week long ceasefire, calling the conflict a "humanitarian catastrophe" displaying an "immense scale of human suffering." While the Academy Awards ceremony wields significantly less geopolitical influence than the White House, the event has seen its fair share of Hollywood elites cementing their political stances and actions on stage, from anti-war statements in the 1970s and early 2000s to calls for action during the AIDS epidemic and the ongoing climate crisis.

This year's red carpet offers similarly salient ground for continued public and social attention. 

Last year, celebrities took a similar, but differently aligned, stance at the 2023 Academy Awards ceremony in support of the Ukrainian refugee crisis. Main category nominees like Cate Blanchett and Dolly DeLeon pinned small, handmade blue ribbons to their outfits ahead of press photos, part of a United Nations–backed symbolic campaign. 

This time around, the movement is for the civilians of Gaza, where deaths climb and the UN warns that widespread famine looms unless aid is brought in. The Artists for Ceasefire campaign, launched in October, is backed by global anti-poverty organization Oxfam America and international social justice network ActionAid USA. 

Other consensus-gathering initiatives have appeared across industries, including a letter introduced by the Musicians for Ceasefire initiative, which has since gathered thousands of signatures. "We cannot be silent. We draw inspiration from Artists Against Apartheid that helped end apartheid in South Africa," the letter reads. "We refuse to let our music be used to whitewash oppression and human rights violations anywhere. We insist that all governments stop sending weapons and military funding to Israel and to any other state involved in crimes against humanity."

The recently announced Athletes for Ceasefire has gathered hundreds of signatures from current and retired professional athletes, as well, with the letter noting "the right of the Palestinian people to live in peace and security" and calling attention to the industry's history of activism: "In signing this letter, we continue a long legacy of athletes speaking up for the human rights of all people, such as Olympians John Carlos and Tommie Smith who raised their fists at the 1968 games in part to demand that apartheid South Africa and Rhodesia be held to account. We stand in the proud tradition of 'The Greatest' Muhammad Ali who stood for Palestinian freedom throughout his life both in word and deed."

Social media accounts like @Ceasefire_Tracker now document celebrities, politicians, governments, and organizations who have signed onto similar campaigns or made public statements calling for the cessation of attacks.

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This year's Grammys ceremony saw the first wave of public alignments with the Artists for Ceasefire collective, including the red lapel buttons sported by indie music phenoms Boygenius. That same night, singer Annie Lennox called for a ceasefire after an in-tribute rendition of the late Sinead O'Connor's "Nothing Compares 2 U." "Artists for ceasefire!" Lennox called out. "Peace… in the world!"

Subsequent industry events saw several other celebrities donning ceasefire apparel, as well. To the praise of many online, actor Joe Alwyn (you may recognize him as the ex-boyfriend of Taylor Swift) signed the letter and sported a button at last month's Pre-BAFTA Filmmakers Dinner.

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Among several other examples, star of FX's The Bear Ebon Moss Bachrach wore a pin to the Screen Actors Guild awards in February, as did actor Tony Shalhoub and Succession's Arian Moayed. Comedian and actor Joel Kim Booster was singled out as one of a few attendees wearing a ceasefire pin to the Independent Spirit Awards. 

Red carpets have also invited other forms of protest, including pro-Palestine gatherings outside of ceremonies and symbolic on-carpet statements. 

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The famed red carpet of the 2024 Academy Awards may be the biggest opportunity yet for Hollywood's celebrities to signal their support for the humanitarian cause, with tens of millions of viewers tuning into the main ceremony. In addition to growing positive sentiment for expressing support among their fans, some celebs could be compelled to join via their connections to other organizations. Many are UN ambassadors, and, much like last year's action, some may be motivated to join UNICEF's calls for an immediate ceasefire to facilitate humanitarian intervention. 

Whether or not someone will make a statement on the main stage depends on their willingness to go down in ceremony infamy. During her acceptance speech at the 1978 Oscars ceremony, actress Vanessa Redgrave faced industry ire for calling out defamatory remarks and death threats made against her by extremist Zionists and the Jewish Defense League— Redgrave had recently produced and narrated the documentary The Palestinian. In a comment directed to colleagues (like co-star Jane Fonda) and Academy members who defended her, Redgrave said, "I think you should be very proud that in the last few weeks you've stood firm and you have refused to be intimidated by the threats of a small bunch of Zionist hoodlums whose behavior is an insult to the stature of Jews all over the world and to their great and heroic record of struggle against fascism and oppression... I salute you, and I thank you, and I pledge to you that I will continue to fight against anti-Semitism and fascism."

Of the hundreds of signatories to the Artists for Ceasefire letter, only a handful are nominated for the night's big awards, including Lily Gladstone (nominated for Best Actress for Killers of the Flower Moon), Bradley Cooper (Best Actor for Maestro), America Ferrera (Best Supporting Actress for Barbie), Mark Ruffalo (Best Supporting Actor for Poor Things), and Jon Batiste (Best Original Song for American Symphony). Ramy Youssef, co-star of Best Picture nominee Poor Things, has signed the letter and already spoken out in support of the ceasefire at previous Hollywood events. Former winners Mahershala Ali and Lupita Nyong'o, who will present awards on the main stage March 10, have also joined the collective.

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Other red carpet familiar faces who have aligned with Artists for Ceasefire (and may make an appearance) include Academy Award winners like Jessica Chastain and Joaquin Phoenix; Emmy-winners Quinta Brunson and Sara Snook; previous nominees Florence Pugh, Andrew Garfield, and Oscar Isaac; and notable filmmakers like Jordan Peele, Alfonso Cuarón, and Ryan Coogler. 

While a good portion of viewers and fans will be keen to spot their favorite celebs and creatives donning buttons on Oscars night, other organizations are warning pro-Palestine supporters to be more vigilant. A group made up of campaigns Film Workers for Palestine and SAG-AFTRA Members for Ceasefire along with advocacy organization Jewish Voice for Peace issued a warning to their followers ahead of the ceremony, writing in a joint Instagram post: "March 10th is the Oscars, don’t let your self be distracted by the glitz and glam while the Israel launches their planned attack on Rafah, a place they deemed a 'safe zone'. Film workers and audiences, we cannot let ourselves be distracted! EYES ON RAFAH MARCH 10! The world is watching."

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Last month, many American Super Bowl viewers were shocked by post-game news that the Israeli government had opened fire on the city of Rafah, a southern "safe zone" home to millions of Palestinians. Many called the timing suspicious, alleging the alignment of the attacks with the live event was intended to steer attention away from the Israeli army's actions. 

With public attention to the Palestinian cause at a digital high, the stage is set for a night of red pins — if Hollywood chooses to poke holes in their shining attire.

TL;DR: Through March 10, get the Function 101 Button Remote (Siri Apple TV Remote alternative) for just $23.99 with code ENJOY20.

We love the Apple TV. The only downside is the remote. If you're tired of fumbling with your Apple TV remote, struggling to seamlessly navigate menus and control your favorite content, you are not alone. Enter this Function101 Button Remote for Apple TV and Apple TV 4K. You can get it for 20% off at just $23.99 when you use coupon code ENJOY20 through March 10.

The beauty of this remote is that it's made with traditional-style remote control buttons that are easier to manipulate. And there was thought behind the layout of the buttons, too, to offer you easier movement.

With dedicated buttons for essential functions like menu navigation, play/pause, a multi-functional power button, and volume control, the Function101 Button Remote simplifies the way you interact with your Apple TV. Whether browsing content, watching movies, or playing games, you'll appreciate the convenience and efficiency of this sleek remote.

It works with all Apple TV and Apple TV 4K models. The remote's infrared tech allows for a near-instant sync, so you can be up and running right out of the gate. You'll be able to use your remote up to about 39 feet away if necessary.

If you think you might enjoy your Apple TV better with a more traditional remote, this is a good time to try it.

Get this Button Remote for your Apple TV or 4K Apple TV for $23.99 with code ENJOY20 until March 10 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

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Opens in a new window Credit: Function101 Function101 Button Remote for Apple TV/Apple TV 4K $23.99
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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.

SEE ALSO: 14 best movies of 2023, and where to watch them

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.

SEE ALSO: 'Maggie Moore(s)' review: Jon Hamm and Tina Fey shine in this offbeat true crime comedy

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
Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: iRobot iRobot Roomba j7+ $799.99 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.

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