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The premise of The Idea of You might sound familiar: a middle-aged mother/creative and a twentysomething British boy-bander fall in love, much to the media and fans' chagrin. I am, of course, referring to the endlessly discussed romance between Harry Styles and Don't Worry Darling director Olivia Wilde. However, the source material, the Robinne Lee novel of the same name, dates back to 2017 — years before Spitgate, Miss Flo, and salad dressing Instagram Stories. But Styles did inspire Lee to write the novel.

SEE ALSO: 'The Idea of You' review: Anne Hathaway dazzles in rom-com inspired by Harry Styles fandom

The book garnered its own devout readers during the height of the pandemic, when Styles' popularity skyrocketed. It follows the romance between 39-year-old Los Angeles-based art gallerist and mother Solène and superstar Hayes Campbell.

What with all the fanfare around the similarities between the story and Styles and Wilde, fans of the book and beautiful people appreciators ran the trailer numbers for the film adaptation up to a record-breaking 125 million views, making it the most-watched trailer for a streaming movie to date.

Now, with the movie coming to Prime Video, you might be wondering how much screenwriters Jennifer Westfeldt and Michael Showalter (who also directed) strayed from the source material. Here are the biggest differences between The Idea of You's novel and movie.

How much of The Idea of You is inspired by Harry Styles?

In 2017, Lee told blogger Deborah Kalb, "I was up late surfing music videos on YouTube when I came across the face of a boy I’d never seen in a band I’d never paid attention to, and it was so aesthetically perfect, it took me by surprise. It was like … art." She told her husband about her newfound love and he encouraged to write a book about it. Later, during the book's pandemic resurgence — partially due to Styles' skyrocketing popularity — Lee told Vogue about the inspiration for the love interest, "I made him into my dream guy, like Prince Harry meets Harry [Styles]."

Hayes has a "wide mouth, full lips, perfect teeth, dimples" and is covered in tattoos that scream "This is how I'm spending my first-ever big paycheck!" His boy band, August Moon, is a quintet that doesn't dance, wears tight black jeans, engages in roughhousing on stage, and releases albums with questionable names, like Wise of Naked. Sounds similar to a band that starts with "one" and ends with "direction," no? The main difference is August Moon is a "posh boy band," while the members of One Direction all came from a working class background.

The movie not only handles the Harry elephant in the room, but Westfeldt and Showalter improve upon the book, transforming it into something anyone, not just horny Styles fans, can enjoy.

Aging up lead characters lessens the cringe

In the book, Hayes (Bottoms' Nicholas Galitzine) and Solène (Anne Hathaway) first meet when she brings her 12-year-old daughter Izzy to a meet-and-greet in Las Vegas for his band, August Moon. Their secret affair spans about a dozen August Moon tour stops, with time spent in Paris, Miami, and the Hamptons. The primary conflicts of the book are Solène's guilt over abandoning her tween daughter to have crazy sex with someone 20 years younger, and the stress when the band's fans and the media discover their relationship.

The adaptation outright fixes many of the book's problems, like Izzy's obsession with Hayes and comments about Hayes being "barely legal" by bumping both Hayes and Izzy's ages up four years to 24 and 16, respectively. By doing so, there's immediately less conflict between Solène and Izzy (played by Ella Rubin), because Izzy isn't harboring a schoolgirl crush on her mom's famous beau. Additionally, the film lingers on establishing their rock-solid mother-daughter bond through several heartwarming scenes where the duo sings along to August Moon and King Princess in the car together. 

Besties! Credit: Alisha Wetherill / Prime

The film also course-corrects some of the classicism inherent in Lee's book. For example, Lee wrote that the members of August Moon met at an Oxford/Cambridge feeder prep school. In the book, Solène and Hayes bond over their "good breeding."

Showalter and Westfeldt knew that wouldn't fly in 2024. So they set Solène's life in Silver Lake rather than Malibu; omitting all the luxury brand name-dropping also makes Solène much more down-to-earth, though still wealthy enough to be able to take a weeks-long break from running her gallery. Hathaway's natural charm elevates these changes. She turns Solène into a quirky rom-com heroine that you can't help but root for. 

The Idea of You isn't fan fiction; it's a rom-com.

Showalter and Westfeldt transform a wish-fulfillment fantasy about not-quite Harry Styles fingering an older woman in a series of glamorous locations (Rome! Paris!) into a bona fide rom-com, which means a charming "meet-cute" is required. This demands a stark change from the novel, where Hayes and Solène meet across the table in Vegas, with her tween daughter in tow.

In the book, Hayes asks during this brief encounter for Solène to bring her 12-year-old-daughter and her friends to the boy band's afterparty. It's later revealed when he saw Solène in line for the meet-and-greet, he whispered in his bandmate's ear, "I just want to fuck her mouth."

The movie takes a less sleazy approach, setting up a meet-cute away from Izzy altogether. In both the book and the film, Solène is not a fan of the boy band. She only takes Izzy and her friends to meet August Moon because her cheater ex-husband flakes at the last minute. Because of the age change, in the film, this gift is misguided because 16-year-old Izzy now finds August Moon "so seventh grade."

In the film, Solène barges into Hayes' trailer — thinking it's the VIP bathroom. And he's so charmed by her that — in true 24-year-old fashion — he asks, "Do you want to hang out?" But he's quickly caught up with his wardrobe team, and she slips out the door. Mere hours later, they reunite at the fan event, where he flirts and peppers her with questions. During August Moon's headlining set, Hayes announces, "I met someone tonight," and dedicates the band's song, "Closer" to her.

Hayes Campbell is not fanfic Harry Styles 

While movie Hayes is still British with a patchwork of ill-advised tattoos, he's decidedly not Styles. Hayes' characterization in the book relies on the sexed-up fan-created persona of Styles often found in fan fiction. Lucky for viewers, Showalter and Westfeldt's Hayes is entirely his own boy-bander. First of all, he can dance.

After Solène and Hayes finally have sex in the movie, the film cuts to Hayes ordering chicken fingers from room service. In perhaps the most charming scene of the film, he proceeds to dance around in his underwear with the chicken fingers, joined by Solène — something that would never happen in the book. Showalter and Westfeldt's writing chops add extra dimension to flat characters, and their leads' charisma certainly doesn't hurt.

Film Hayes is a guy whose biggest fear is that he's a joke to people, not that he'll get his DNA on an underaged girl. Yes, that's a genuine conversation Solène and Hayes have in the book. 

Izzy finds out... and the ending is dramatically different.

Solène and Hayes' whirlwind romance gets complicated in both the book and movie when Izzy — and the world — find out about it.

In the book, Izzy freaks out when she finds out about Solène and Hayes, because she is 12 and believes she is in love with him. In the movie, Hayes isn't even Izzy's favorite of the August Moon boys. After much consolation and Izzy moving back in with her dad, she accepts Solène and Hayes' relationship, only to be bullied at school.

The exact same incident is the breaking point for Solène in the book and movie: A group of older girls asks Izzy for a photo of Hayes' "dick," and her crush asks her to "tell her mom he's almost 18." After a final rendezvous with Hayes in Japan, Solène breaks it off for good and returns to her life at the gallery and with Izzy.

In the film, this older Izzy is more supportive. The news of their romance breaks the day Solène picks Izzy up from summer camp — after Solène has already broken up with Hayes. Izzy is disappointed that Solène lied to her, but quickly forgives her. She even encourages her mother to give Hayes another chance, urging, "Why would you break up with a talented, kind feminist?!"

However, the harassment of both Solène and Izzy by Hayes' rabid fanbase and Izzy's classmates — which is the same as in the book — becomes too much for their family. Solène breaks it off with Hayes again. However, he suggests that in five years, once Izzy is in college and "living her best life," they will give their romance another chance. 

Where in the book, Solène must choose between her love life and her child's well-being, the movie doesn't force her into such a corner. The novel includes lots of heavy-handed commentary about older women becoming invisible, and ends with the heroine returning to a quiet existence to protect herself and her family.

The movie rejects this theme of invisibility, perhaps because Hathaway (who also produces) is far from it. All the book's attempts at late 19th-century feminist messaging are undermined by its ending, which asserts mothers can't have it all. But the film's ending resists the idea that mothers must choose between their happiness and the happiness of their children. You can get the (famous) guy and a stable childhood for your daughter — at least in the movies.

The Idea of You will debut on Amazon Prime Video on May 2.

In Michael Showalter’s The Idea of You — which sees a middle-aged mother falling for a youthful pop star — fan-fiction fantasy collides with reality in clunky ways. The result, however, is breathtaking for one reason in particular: a career-highlight performance from Anne Hathaway, who also serves as the movie’s producer.

The rom-com is seldom considered a venue for such luminous on-screen work, but Showalter’s film (penned by Kissing Jessica Stein's Jennifer Westfeldt) affords the Oscar-winning actress a fun, freeing, and occasionally melodramatic part. While the movie too lazily expresses its social commentary through verbose declarations about double standards for women in the public spotlight, Hathaway frequently speaks with her eyes, bringing the story’s more complicated emotions and desires to the fore in silent, considered moments.

SEE ALSO: How 'The Idea of You' movie compares to the book

It's a rush of energy at times, and its weakest moments are only fleeting inconveniences. Bottoms' Nicholas Galitzine holds his own opposite Hathaway in a role that — though shallowly written — provides him with a star-making turn. But enough cannot be said about what a tremendous performance Hathaway delivers here, practically warping the movie around her blazing screen presence, until The Idea of You becomes a personal mission statement about the kind of roles she will very likely command in the near future. (In her own words: “I want to have fun, dammit. It speaks to me.”)

What is The Idea of You about?  

Based on the 2017 novel by actress Robinne Lee, The Idea of You expands on the burgeoning cottage industry of film based on lightly-disguised fan fiction of One Direction’s Harry Styles. Where the five-movie After series — released between 2019 and 2023, based on a series of 2014-15 novels — features international college student Hardin Scott (Hero Fiennes Tiffin), The Idea of You has the more straightforwardly Styles-esque Hayes Campbell (Galitzine), a 24-year-old English heartthrob who ostensibly leads the boy band August Moon.

The group, now nearly a decade old, is still popular with tweens and mothers, but to high-schooler Izzy (Ella Rubin) and her friends, they’re already a nostalgia act ("They’re so seventh grade," she groans). When Izzy’s father, Daniel (Reid Scott), splurges on VIP tickets to the band’s Coachella meet-and-greet, she politely agrees to attend — while her mother Solène (Hathaway) is unexpectedly called in to chaperone.

SEE ALSO: 'The Idea of You's August Moon gives us the boy band bops we deserve

Solène is a 40-year-old art dealer in Los Angeles's hipster chic Silver Lake, and isn’t particularly enthused about hordes of screaming fans of August Moon — a band she knows little about. However, a misunderstanding leads to a meet-cute in Hayes’ trailer, during which the young Brit is instantly smitten with the beguiling mom. Solène is more amused than swooning. But the fact that she doesn’t seem to really know who he is — and that she isn’t flustered or overwhelmed by his celebrity — is refreshing to Hayes.

He pursues her with oodles of charm, leading to a secretive whirlwind romance on his European tour. Unfortunately, a celebrity affair can only stay secret for so long. The dam inevitably breaks, revealing a flood of misogyny directed Solène’s way through social media. 

This leads to a somber detour, during which the film insists on stopping to explain its underlying social dynamics in broad, preachy statements for the camera, even when it doesn’t need to. Hathaway’s quiet responses to each evolving scenario carry enough nuance to get the point across, ensuring that The Idea of You remains tethered to its emotional core even when it verges on sermonizing. There’s rarely a moment where the actress isn’t utterly convincing as a woman trying to fend off venomous media scrutiny as she attempts to live her best life. It’s a fitting role for Hathaway, given what she’s been through herself — Hathahaters gonna hate — but this is just one of several elements that makes her performance so unmissable.

Anne Hathaway is absolutely stunning in The Idea of You.

The plot might seem run-of-the-mill, but the dramatic tensions between Hayes and Solène — stemming from their differing lifestyles, and the disparity in what they want and how they read various situations, given their 16-year age gap — are deftly expressed through wordless glances. You could watch the film on mute and still feel 100 percent of the electricity between its leads (though you’d miss out on the movie’s earworm soundtrack in the process, a fitting mix of classic rock and August Moon "originals").  As it's being released straight to Prime Video, it’s a shame The Idea of You won’t see a proper theatrical release, because listening to (and more importantly, feeling) an entire audience being swept up in the movie is one hell of a fun experience. It’s the kind of film that draws not only raucous laughter from a crowd, but excited hooting and hollering when things get hot and heavy. 

The couple’s hesitance is palpable, but so is their mutual lust and their deeper, more fulfilling connection. Showalter builds their respective desires through scenes of what they lack, or what they can’t find elsewhere. Hayes attempts to tune out the overzealous energy of screaming fans, and Solène tries her best not to be bogged down by the mundane, divorcé energy of men her age. He wants something more mature, and more stable, while she yearns for the kind of free-spirited adventure she never had as a young mother who married right after college. These desires are at odds, but can they meet perfectly in the middle?

Nicolas Galitzine is no Harry Styles. 

As a stage performer in The Idea of You, Galitzine lacks the pop prince's high level of panache. But he is committed to rounding out the character with hidden layers behind closed doors. However, he frequently brushes up against issues in the film’s writing and editing. 

We rarely see the deeper, non-celebrity self of which he frequently speaks, and which draws Solène to him in the first place. His interiority is more discussed than revealed. Still, their dynamic is immediately enrapturing because of Hathaway’s suppressed excitement. Even if you never feel a thing for Hayes during the movie’s 115 minutes, all you need is one look at Solène’s reactions to his longing stares in order to be convinced. The way she smiles with her eyes tells an entire story on its own: of a woman who yearns to be seen and adored, and who finally gets these things whenever Hayes walks into a room.

It's a thrilling performance, and it proves to be heartbreaking even when the movie speeds through its interpersonal drama to skip between rom-com tropes, including the inevitable rift between the lovers. Hathaway makes these rushed plot elements feel whole, turning Solène’s insecurities inward in the form of fear, and outward as impulsive, self-destructive decisions. It’s as though Solène, having been hurt by men in the past, is so terrified of love’s possibilities that she has no choice but to stop the movie dead. But no matter what direction it takes, Hathaway fills it with life.

How fantasy and reality collide in The Idea of You.

Showalter tends to lack visual flair as a filmmaker, which surprisingly (perhaps accidentally) works to his advantage in initial scenes. Before Hayes and Solène meet, the frame always seems noncommittal, both in its staging and its use of color. It’s never aesthetically offensive, but it doesn’t do much beyond take an unobtrusive, uninvolved, flatly lit look at Solène’s daily routine.

However, once Solène gives into temptation (after allowing herself to feel the giddy rush of youthful anticipation), she gets swept up in Hayes’ lifestyle, and cinematographer Jim Frohna turns the frame warm and intimate. His camera captures each arousing first — their first touch, their first kiss, and Solène’s steamy first orgasm — with ecstatic energy, as the characters get lost in passion. But they also simply enjoy each other’s company behind closed doors, and get swept up in joy and laughter far away from watchful eyes.

When the weight of reality comes crashing down on them, in the form of invasive celebrity gossip and online vitriol, the effects on Solène’s psyche are stark. But the impact of their relationship on Izzy ends up a key factor in the film’s trajectory. In aging Izzy up to 16 (she’s 12 years old in the book), she becomes a much more self-aware part of the story, with her own thoughts and her own conflicting objections and acceptance. The film employs her as a sly mouthpiece for its gender commentary — much like Barbie did with its opinionated teenager —but how seriously it takes her input seems to change from scene to scene.

On the plus side, The Idea of You never falls victim to the brash, reductive framing of art and artistry found in many mainstream films — especially romance films, where couples bond over their distaste for perceived pretentiousness. What starts out as a scene of Hayes and Solène making fun of modern, interpretive art takes on a much more meaningful tone as they find connection in the abstract. Solène loves art, after all, and Hayes even learns to take it as seriously as she does. Conversely, whenever Hayes’ artistic insecurities bubble to the surface, Solène takes him seriously too, despite his seemingly frivolous public persona. It helps that the music he produces — whether his soulful acoustic solos, or the group’s mainstream chart-toppers, which have a bit of a Maroon 5 kick — is genuinely worth listening to. 

The ideas these two people have of each other may be idealized at times, as is the case with any new relationship. But the movie reckons with this as well. It brushes up against the expectations of romantic comedies, at times subverting them by delving deeper than expected into its couple’s personal complications (in this case, stemming from Hayes’ dreamlike stardom). However, The Idea of You is also entirely unapologetic about its genre, despite verging on deconstructive in its final act. It wants to have its cake and eat it too, and it mostly succeeds.

Lee’s book was criticized by several readers for its sudden, arguably unpleasant ending. The movie doesn’t avoid this aspect of the source material, but it does expand on it in satisfying ways, which are anchored by Hathaway’s riveting performance, resulting in a final shot destined to be remembered among the actress’s career highlights. She’s consistently delivered during her 23-year career, whether in her Oscar-winning role in prestige musical Les Misérables, or in traditional dramas like Brokeback Mountain and Rachel Getting Married. However, her work in rom-coms isn’t remembered quite as fondly. While this may be understandable for less acclaimed films like Bride Wars and Valentine’s Day, even 2010’s Love & Other Drugs, which earned her a Golden Globe nomination, is seldom mentioned in the same breath as her strongest work. She hasn’t starred in a rom-com in nearly a decade and a half, so The Idea of You marks a triumphant return to a genre in which she hasn’t received her due, making it a crowning moment for someone who’s always had the potential to be a rom-com queen.

It’s a performance that not only works within the lighthearted confines of the rom-com, but one that demands more rigorous dramatic work as well: a cinematic synthesis that requires an actress of her caliber. She’s so phenomenally in-tune with the material that she practically transforms The Idea of You into a career rebirth, where she’s able to fashion a genre otherwise considered disposable fluff into something deeply moving, writing a new chapter for herself as a character who wrestles with whether or not she deserves a new lease on life. The answer, for both Hathaway and Solène, is an emphatic “yes,” and seeing them get everything they deserve is cinematic wish-fulfillment at its finest.

The Idea of You premieres on Prime Video May 2.

UPDATE: May. 1, 2024, 3:43 p.m. EDT "The Idea of You" was originally reviewed out of SXSW 2024.

The story so far: In July 2023, the Instagram-based app Threads exploded with a burst of enthusiasm from users desperate to flee Elon Musk's X, the app formerly known as Twitter. That faded in the first few months, when the number of daily active users (DAUs) halved. Still, Team Threads was working diligently to add many of the features a disgruntled Twitter user could desire — a web version, a reverse-chronological timeline — while Musk seemed to be doing his best to tank his own service.

"Don't be surprised if Threads becomes the go-to place for all things trending by the end of 2023," I wrote in August. This was a risky prediction. Musk himself mocked it, and that guy knows a thing or two about missing predictions.

Now here's what we learned this month: "Threads DAUs in the US passed X in December 2023 and it has not looked back," according to Apptopia, a company that tracks app usage. Had my prediction had come to pass, just under the wire? Not exactly, because the picture is a little more complicated: X is still ahead in monthly active users (MAUs) — even allowing for what researchers believe are inflated numbers from the now-private company — while DAUs are notoriously difficult to parse.

What is undeniable: it is springtime for Threads. Millions of users came back after the August dip. In Meta's earnings report in April, CEO Mark Zuckerberg trumpeted 150 million Threads MAUs, a 50% increase on the July high, and 30 million more than it saw in February. Zuck's service, unlike other Twitter alternatives, is picking up media buzz along with users: "Is Threads the Good Place?" the New York Times opinion page wondered in March.

Meanwhile, Musk's service has turned into a sleazy bot-filled soup of misinformation and dull promoted comments from pay-to-play "blue tick" accounts. Advertisers have fled as their content shows up on literal Nazi accounts reinstated by Musk, while the timeline for regular users who refuse to pay has never seen more misleading low-rent ads. It isn't working. Usage is declining, even by Musk's own admission; more unbiased reports suggest usage is down by a quarter since he took over. And the patient continues to bleed out.

Tweet may have been deleted

Equally undeniable: Threads, at least for partly-reformed Twitter addicts like me, isn't quite there yet.

On the surface, it is indeed the Good Place — a kind of heaven for some of the greatest accounts you might recall from the 2010s, back in the days of peak Twitter. And it is easier to share their output with friends: iPhones now recognize Threads links, so that witty meme or clever cat can be seen right there in Messages without clicking through.

But that doesn't mean the content itself is equally shareable. Look at both X and Threads over this past weekend, and there was no question which one had the most viral activity. Kristi Noem, the Republican governor of South Dakota, tried to explain away that whole puppy shooting thing on Twitter. If you wanted to tell the governor what a monster she was, that's where you had to go: the Bad Place.

Meanwhile, over in the schadenfreude section of the social media giant, Derek Guy, known as the menswear guy, took apart some tasteless influencer who thought he dressed like Cary Grant, nailing their stylistic differences in dozens of expertly-tailored tweets. Now, Guy does post on Threads — but only 10 times in all of April. He deconstructed his target on Twitter, because that's still where you go to do verbal battle in front of both friends and foes.

In an age when we are ever more siloed, Twitter is still the arena where all sides meet. Just about.

Drop the algorithm, Zuck

Why isn't Threads the arena with the must-read conversations? In part, the answer has to do with Zuckerberg's weird skittishness about centering news stories. But there's something else. The longer a Twitter veteran spends on Threads, the more they notice what might be described as big Meta energy — and that's not a good thing.

"Replies here feel way more like Facebook comments than Twitter replies," one user wrote this weekend, responding to another who complained about all the overly earnest responses she was receiving to half-baked thoughts on Threads. "Every time I post an idle thought or complaint I’m flooded with a ton of accounts I’ve never interacted with trying to give me unsolicited advice or tell me how it’s all my own fault."

A former colleague and social media veteran concurred, in more brusque terms: Threads users could do with understanding the concept of shitposting, she wrote. "I swear the majority of Threads users have only used normie internet and it shows."

There's something off, something very not-Twitter about the feel of the conversation, but why? In short, and a little more politely, too many Threads users are coming direct from Instagram and unwittingly relying on the Meta algorithm's pick of the Threads it wants them to read — regardless of whether they actually follow the accounts posting them. You may know it better as the "For You" tab.

Or you may not know it at all, because the current design of the Threads app on your phone hides the fact that you can switch to "Following," a.k.a. the classic reverse chronological timeline that made peak Twitter the must-read creative maelstrom it was. You have to know to tap the logo at the top of the page to reveal "For You" and "Following." And the damn app defaults to "For You" every time you open it. No wonder the writer of that Times piece seemed not to even know there was another option.

SEE ALSO: Algorithms control your online life. Here's how to reduce their influence.

Musk may be putting his fingers more heavily than Zuck on the scale within his "For You" option, an algorithm which often seems to center Musk's favored accounts — but at least on Musk's iPhone app, you can still see "For You" and "Following" by default.

It isn't rushing to judgment to say Zuck wants to center the algorithm in Threads. This is the Facebook playbook: let the algorithm grow large and in charge, let it learn all the ways we like to be engaged and outraged, let it be (or look like) the only option. For six years the algorithmic option swallowed the chronological option on Instagram, which became a tangle of ads and posts from "suggested accounts". Instagram restored the Following option in 2022 — but again, you don't know if you don't tap the logo.

If Threads becomes just another bloated, bland wasteland of provocative content from accounts you're not even choosing to follow, Threads will simply be Instagram with fewer pictures. It will never capture the elusive energy of peak Twitter. Creative Twitter types will simply give up on producing the constant stream of content that made the service compelling.

Musk will remain in control of the social media arena, even as it crumbles like the Colosseum. To choose another Roman metaphor for these hapless gladiators: it's time to see if at least one of Zuck's apps can cross the Rubicon into the risky territory of reverse-chronological news. If he can focus on Following, a permanent boost in users will follow.

This column reflects the opinion of the author.

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 May 2 SEE ALSO: 'Wordle' today: Here's the answer hints for May 2

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Thursday, May 2, 2024:

AcrossFruit with a large, flat pit

• The answer is mango.

How storybooks are read to children

• The answer is aloud.

Super-enthusiastic, as a fan

• The answer is rabid.

Get a whiff of

• The answer is smell.

Like Crocs and Swiss cheese

• The answer is holey.

DownBoggy area

The answer is marsh.

Car rental agency

• The answer is Alamo.

Malala Yousafzai is the youngest person ever to win one (at age 17)

• The answer is Nobel.

Cunning intelligence

• The answer is guile.

In an unusual way

• The answer is oddly.

Stephen King often recommends shows he likes on X (formerly Twitter), but it's not often he writes a whole essay about them.

That's exactly what the horror master has done for Baby Reindeer, Richard Gadd's limited Netflix series based on his own experience of being stalked.

SEE ALSO: 'Baby Reindeer' has seen a wave of armchair detectives. The creator called a halt.

"I have an essay about BABY REINDEER in the London Times," posted King. "I can’t believe they paid me for writing about such a cool show, but they did."

Tweet may have been deleted

The essay sees King talking about how he discovered Baby Reindeer, which he goes on to compare and contrast with his own novel Misery.

"Unlike most streaming series’ episodes, which can feel bloated at 50 minutes — or even longer — the episodes of Baby Reindeer, each about 30 minutes, are like short, swift stabs administered by a very sharp knife," King writes.

The essay is essentially a very positive review, with King even saying that the penultimate episode is "one of the best things I’ve ever seen on television (or in the movies, for that matter)."

The show already has a very high score on Rotten Tomatoes and a large viewership — but a glowing essay from one of the world's most successful writers isn't something you get every day.

How to watch: Baby Reindeer is now streaming on Netflix.

Stephen King often recommends shows he likes on X (formerly Twitter), but it's not often he writes a whole essay about them.

That's exactly what the horror master has done for Baby Reindeer, Richard Gadd's limited Netflix series based on his own experience of being stalked.

SEE ALSO: 'Baby Reindeer' has seen a wave of armchair detectives. The creator called a halt.

"I have an essay about BABY REINDEER in the London Times," posted King. "I can’t believe they paid me for writing about such a cool show, but they did."

Tweet may have been deleted

The essay sees King talking about how he discovered Baby Reindeer, which he goes on to compare and contrast with his own novel Misery.

"Unlike most streaming series’ episodes, which can feel bloated at 50 minutes — or even longer — the episodes of Baby Reindeer, each about 30 minutes, are like short, swift stabs administered by a very sharp knife," King writes.

The essay is essentially a very positive review, with King even saying that the penultimate episode is "one of the best things I’ve ever seen on television (or in the movies, for that matter)."

The show already has a very high score on Rotten Tomatoes and a large viewership — but a glowing essay from one of the world's most successful writers isn't something you get every day.

How to watch: Baby Reindeer is now streaming on Netflix.

If you don’t feel like you have a career purpose, that’s okay; focus on finding meaning instead. While purpose represents an overarching goal, meaning is the feeling of satisfaction you get from your work. Here’s how to discover the meaning in your work. Start by identifying what brings you joy in the course of your […]

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TL;DR: Watch Marseille vs. Atalanta in the Europa League for free on ORF. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Anyone who has ever visited the Stade Vélodrome will tell you that the Marseille fans are electric. There aren't many stadiums that can match the passion on display from the dedicated supporters of this famous club.

We're not suggesting that you pack your bags just yet, because you can experience some of this impressive atmosphere without stepping foot outside. If you want to watch Marseille vs. Atalanta for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Marseille vs. Atalanta?

The first leg of the Europa League semi final between Marseille and Atalanta kicks off at 3 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. BST on May 2. This fixture takes place at the Stade Vélodrome in Marseille, France.

How to watch Marseille vs. Atalanta for free

Marseille vs. Atalanta is available to live stream for free on ORF.

ORF is geo-restricted to Austria, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These powerful tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Austria, meaning you can access ORF from anywhere in the world.

Unblock ORF by following these simple steps:

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

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

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

4. Visit ORF

5. Stream Marseille vs. Atalanta in the Europa League for free

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) $99.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to provide free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to ORF without committing with your cash. This is not a long-term solution, but it gives you plenty of time to stream Marseille vs. Atalanta before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for ORF?

ExpressVPN is the top choice for streaming live sport on ORF, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including Austria

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Live stream Marseille vs. Atalanta for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Watch AS Roma vs. Bayer Leverkusen in the Europa League for free on ServusTV. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Is it possible for anyone to actually beat Bayer Leverkusen this season? It doesn't look that way, as the Bundesliga champions just keep winning. And on the rare occasions that it does look like they might taste defeat, they somehow pull through with an equaliser right at the death.

They might look unbeatable, but AS Roma will still fancy their chances in the Europa League. If you want to watch AS Roma vs. Bayer Leverkusen for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is AS Roma vs. Bayer Leverkusen?

AS Roma vs. Bayer Leverkusen will begin their first-leg match at 3 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. BST on May 2. This fixture takes place at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, Italy.

How to watch AS Roma vs. Bayer Leverkusen for free

AS Roma vs. Bayer Leverkusen is available to live stream for free on ServusTV.

ServusTV is geo-restricted to Austria, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These powerful tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Austria, meaning you can access ServusTV from anywhere in the world.

Unblock ServusTV by following these simple steps:

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

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

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

4. Visit ServusTV

5. Stream AS Roma vs. Bayer Leverkusen in the Europa League for free

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) $99.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to provide free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to ServusTV without committing with your cash. This is not a long-term solution, but it gives you plenty of time to stream AS Roma vs. Bayer Leverkusen before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for ServusTV?

ExpressVPN is the top choice for streaming live sport on ServusTV, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including Austria

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Live stream AS Roma vs. Bayer Leverkusen for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: The Ultimate 2019 Microsoft Bundle (Office, Project, Visio, and Windows 11 Pro) is on sale for £63.88, saving you 91% on list price.

Whether you're using them for work or school, apps you have to pay for every month aren't exactly economical. It also means a missed payment could limit how you can use your computer. If you want to ditch the subscriptions and upgrade your computer while you're doing it, check out the Ultimate Microsoft 2019 Bundle. This four-part bundle comes with the 2019 versions of Microsoft Office, Project, and Visio, along with Windows 11 Pro. Each app can be installed on one computer once for life, and it's on sale for £63.88. 

Microsoft Office 2019 comes with Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, Publisher, and Access. If you need Teams, then you may want to go for a newer version of Microsoft Office, but the rest of the apps still work great and could come in handy for school or work. 

Microsoft Project 2019 is a project management tool that lets you create timelines, access project templates, submit timesheets, and even visually represent complex schedules. 

Do you have some complex data you need to communicate with a quick, accessible image? Try Microsoft Visio. This data visualisation app comes with a huge library of images and templates so you can craft everything from charts and graphs to seating arrangements and furniture layouts. 

Don't forget to check out all the changes that come from upgrading to Windows 11 Pro. Those include security features like Bitlocker device encryption, support for biometric login, and wake and lock, among many other exciting changes. 

One software bundle could set your computer up for work, school, and more. For a limited time, get the Ultimate 2019 Microsoft Bundle including Microsoft Office, Project, and Visio along with Windows 11 Pro for just £63.88. 

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Ultimate 2019 Microsoft Bundle £63.88 at the Mashable Shop Get Deal

TL;DR: Watch Sunrisers Hyderabad vs. Rajasthan Royals in the IPL for free on JioCinema. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The 2024 season of the IPL is well underway, and there's still plenty of action to come. The next fixture will see the Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rajasthan Royals face off in the 50th match of the league. The spotlight will be on team captains Pat Cummins and Sanju Samson as they prepare to go head-to-head.

Want to tune in? You can watch Sunrisers Hyderabad vs. Rajasthan Royals for free from anywhere in the world, as we have all the information you need.

When is Sunrisers Hyderabad vs. Rajasthan Royals?

Sunrisers Hyderabad vs. Rajasthan Royals starts at 3 p.m. BST on May 2. This fixture will be played at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad, India.

How to watch Sunrisers Hyderabad vs. Rajasthan Royals for free

You'll find live streams of every IPL cricket match this season in 4K resolution on the JioCinema app.

JioCinema is geo-restricted to India, but you can unblock this free streaming service with a VPN. A VPN is a tool that can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in India, so you can access JioCinema from anywhere in the world and stream all the IPL fixtures you want.

Unblock JioCinema to stream the IPL 2024 by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

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

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

4. Visit JioCinema (you will need an Indian phone number to subscribe)

5. Watch Sunrisers Hyderabad vs. Rajasthan Royals for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) Learn More

Most of the best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer free trials or money-back guarantees. By taking advantage of these offers, you can watch IPL live streams without committing with your cash. This is clearly not a long-term solution, but it does mean you can watch select IPL fixtures for free.

What is the best VPN for JioCinema?

ExpressVPN is the best service for unblocking JioCinema, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including India

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for £82.82 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Stream the IPL for free with ExpressVPN.

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

If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for May 2's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

Where did Wordle come from?

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

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

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

What's the best Wordle starting word?

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

What happened to the Wordle archive?

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

Is Wordle getting harder?

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

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

A piece of pizza pie.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no letters that appear twice.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter S.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. The Wordle answer today is...

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

Drumroll please!

The solution to Wordle #1048 is...

SLICE.

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

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

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

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for May 2's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

What is Connections?

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

Tweet may have been deleted

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

Tweet may have been deleted

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

Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: The GOAT

• Green: How to fix a flat

• Blue: Movies starring the famous Phoenix brother

• Purple: Music words that aren't music

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

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

• Yellow: Highly Skilled

• Green: Used To Fix A Flat

• Blue: Joaquin Phoenix Movies

• Purple: Words Starting with Music Genres

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

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

Drumroll, please!

The solution to Connections #326 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Highly Skilled: ACE, CRACKERJACK, EXPERT, HOTSHOT

• Used To Fix A Flat: CHOCK, JACK, TIRE, WRENCH

• Joaquin Phoenix Movies: GLADIATOR, HER, JOKER, SIGNS

• Words Starting with Music Genres: POPCORN, RAPTURE, ROCKETRY, SOULMATE

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

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

In 2020, Apple banned the popular video game Fortnite from the App Store. The game's publisher, Epic Games, attempted to get around paying Apple its 30 percent commission for in-app purchases of the game's V-Bucks currency. In response to Fortnite's workaround that sent users outside of the App Store to make a purchase, Apple kicked the game out of the App Store.

Fast forward to 2024 and it looks like TikTok has now deployed a similar tactic in its iOS app. The question now though: is TikTok breaking Apple's rules?

As first reported by TechCrunch, developer David Tesler shared screenshots on X on Tuesday showing that TikTok was urging users to purchase coins through the app, but not via Apple's in-app store purchase system which would provide the iPhone-maker with a 30 percent commission. These screenshots show that TikTok is explicitly asking its users to make a purchase via its website, which it then sends users to within the app so that they can buy coins.

Tweet may have been deleted

"Try recharging on tiktok.com," reads the TikTok app pop-up prompt shown in the screenshot. "You can save the service fee and get access to popular payment methods."

TikTok users purchase these coins in order to send tips to their favorite creators.

SEE ALSO: Apple already unbans Epic Games, will allow Fortnite on iPhone in EU

When a user selects a coin purchase option, TikTok informs users that making this purchase through the website will enable them to save around 25 percent due to a "lower third-party service fee." Of course, TikTok means it's able to pass on the savings it makes to consumers due to not having to share 30 percent of its revenue with Apple.

Now, as previously mentioned, Fortnite was famously banned years ago from the App Store due to similar tactics from Epic Games. However, numerous lawsuits and policy changes over Apple's App Store rules have occurred between the nearly 4 years since Fortnite was given the boot. Since then, Apple has softened its rules pertaining to apps sending users to alternative payment methods.

As TechCrunch points out, certain "reader" apps can provide digital products without having to go through Apple's in-app purchase system with approval from Apple. However, if an app does this, it cannot also provide in-store purchases through Apple too. TikTok is currently still doing the latter.

Furthermore, as 9to5Mac reports, Apple has another fairly new policy which allows such external linking to alternative payment systems. However, this program still provides a commission to Apple, albeit, with a commission that drops from 30 percent to 27 percent for an app like TikTok — a savings on commissions for TikTok, if this is indeed what it's doing, but not a very impressive one.

Apple and TikTok did not offer any statement on this, but Mashable will update this piece if we hear back.

As Tesler explained, TikTok's prompt circumventing in-app purchases is not currently showing for all users. Is this a test from TikTok? Did it get permission from Apple? Or do we have another Fortnite situation on our hands? For now, it's unclear exactly what's going on here.

But, one thing is surely happening: TikTok is, in at least some cases, avoiding Apple's 30 percent commission fees.

Anthropic's Claude is arguably the best consumer-facing large language model at the moment, with its top-tier version having bested OpenAI's GPT-4 in at least one major benchmark test and on a popular LLM user evaluation site. So it's only natural that Anthropic would take advantage of the halo effect by releasing a Claude iOS app. 

After all, if Anthropic had kicked this can down the road a few months, it most likely would have been releasing an app to promote a language model that had just been beaten up and shoved in a locker by GPT-5. 

The app, called Claude, was released on the App Store on Wednesday, May 1, and it works with both free and paid versions of Claude. The experience of using it is hampered a bit by the experience of trying to download it, which requires you to navigate through a swamp of spammy off-brand Claude apps. If you find the one from creator "Anthropic PBC," you've found it.

SEE ALSO: Anthropic introduces Claude 3: Haiku, Sonnet, and Opus

After messing with it a bit, Mashable can officially report that the Claude app is pleasant to use, but, as with all AI apps, its limitations will become clear almost immediately. It's also a little less feature-rich than OpenAI's ChatGPT app, even if you're giving Anthropic money for access to Claude Pro.

The overall app experience with Claude is nice Credit: Mashable screengrab from Anthropic's Claude

Just like the browser version of Claude, the mobile version clearly wants you to feel like you're dealing with a concierge, not a word-barfing robot. I wouldn't be the first person to point out that Claude is just a hair more personable than ChatGPT as an LLM, and thanks to the little time-based greeting it provides when you fire it up, the app has nice vibes, too. It also makes a difference that there's a slightly lighter, earth-tone-tinted aesthetic that makes ChatGPT's austere black-and-white seem antiseptic. 

Still, to be clear, we are comparing two soulless machines and praising one for its superior paint job.

You'll notice Claude's rate limit more easily than on desktop Credit: Mashable screengrab from Anthropic's Claude

Claude seems to change its rate limits from time to time, but it's never bothered me in the past. Even as a paying user, I had never found the current limit of 30 generations per day with Claude 3 Opus to be a particularly onerous restriction. I'm a big fan of toying around with AI, but before I had access to Claude on mobile, I never reached the limit. Testing the app out today, however, I crashed into the limit pretty quickly and had to switch from the elite Opus model to the slightly inferior Sonnet model. 

Such are the hazards of testing an app for a hands-on article, but I'm positive I'll bump up against this problem in the near future as well. Joking around with chatbot apps in social situations is a different experience from using one in a desktop browser, leading to profligate (and sometimes chemically enhanced) usage. A mobile app practically guarantees that people will take Claude to happy hours and birthday parties and go wild with it. This will lead to frustration as Pro users downgrade to the free-tier models, and free users find themselves locked out completely.

Prompting Claude with images is seamless and quick, but...

Unlike unpaid ChatGPT users, free-tier Claude users can prompt the model with images on the go. This is far and away the most fun you'll have using the Claude app, and a good reason for everyone to give it a try. 

Credit: Mashable screengrab from Anthropic's Claude

Claude's friendly writing voice aims to delight, and even I occasionally fell prey to its charms, like when I asked it do evaluate my dog for physical beauty. Yes Claude, my dog does indeed have a "sweet face and inquisitive gaze." Thank you for noticing. 

By prompting the chatbot with smartphone images, you can ask Claude to help you navigate the world, and it can occasionally be genuinely helpful, like when I asked it if I could throw a pair of AirPods into my garbage bin. 

Credit: Mashable Screengrab from Anthropic's Claude

You're not supposed to do this because AirPods have batteries in them, and Claude got that right.

However, when you ask it to combine an image with its knowledge of the world and demand that it also throw in a bit of logic, it may fall on its face, as when I asked it if I could park in a spot that, according to this sign (which is cropped out by the app in this image) had become fair game a few minutes earlier.

Credit: Mashable screengrab from Anthropic's Claude

Claude correctly ascertained that it was Wednesday, the day parking is partly forbidden on my street. Unfortunately, even though it was able to figure out that the sign said no parking was allowed from 8 a.m. until 10 a.m., it couldn't seem to glean that it was 10:15 a.m. at that moment, and erroneously told me that "parking is prohibited on this street at the current time." Bad Claude. 

Other minor gripes about Claude

Much as the app could, if the developers chose to allow it, base its response on information pulled from my phone's system clock, it could also, in theory, act like a wearable AI assistant and pull in my GPS location. It could then incorporate that into an answer, allowing users to prompt it with questions like, "What are some tourist attractions nearby?" or "Where is the nearest playground?" This isn't really a complaint, but it's a noticeable limitation. 

After all, if we aren't supposed to use these apps as competitors for more robust "AI assistants," then what are they for? On the other hand, AI assistant devices like the Rabbit R1 and the Humane Ai Pin are generally regarded as junk, at least for the time being, so the big AI companies probably don't feel an urgent need to incorporate their fancier features.

Another thing the Claude app doesn't have — and probably doesn't need: the option to have answers read out loud, like ChatGPT. It also doesn't have anything like ChatGPT's fun but odd "ChatGPT Voice" feature, which allows you to have a spoken conversation with the bot. Again, it's just as well. 

Claude is nice to use, and it puts Anthropic's top-of-the-line multimodal language model on your smartphone. It doesn't do anything else, and that's fine. 

Mashable supervising producer Mark Stetson joins the cast of Unfrosted for a game of Choose Your Squad.

Can you feel that? Like the tremor that runs through the earth when a T-Rex tromps about, the oncoming summer is shaking us up!

Summer movie season means all kind of things: Pulse-pounding thrills! Heart-racing romance! Blood-curdling horror! Brain-melting plot twists! And summer 2024 is full of films that are sure to excite and entertain. Whether you're looking for epic action sequences (Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga), superhero mayhem (Deadpool & Wolverine), bombastic buddy comedy (Bad Boys: Ride or Die), tender true stories (Jim Henson Idea Man), enthralling animation (Inside Out 2), or ruthlessly scary horror (A Quiet Place: One Day), we've got you covered.

But hey, the best thing about summer can be the surprises along the way. So be sure to check out our full guide for the indie treasures and hidden gems that'll be hitting amid the could-be blockbusters.

Everything you need to know about summer movies 2024 is below: What films are coming? When? Why should you care? And where can you to watch 'em?

The Idea of You

Anne Hathaway and One Direction make for one of this summer's most winning combinations in the rom-com The Idea of You.

Directed by Michael Showalter (The Big Sick) and based on Robinne Lee's 2017 novel (which in turn draws inspiration from Harry Styles), this swoon-worthy flick follows the romance between 40-year-old mother Solène (Hathaway) and 24-year-old boy band star Hayes Campbell (Nicholas Galitzine, Mary & George). Their chance meeting at Coachella swiftly spirals into something more — but can their relationship withstand heightened scrutiny and judgment from the general public? Tune in for the surreal One Direction similarities, stay for Hathaway and Galitzine's sparkling chemistry, then get way too invested in the many bops from fictional band August Moon. (Stream "Dance Before We Walk" for clear skin.) — Belen Edwards, Entertainment Reporter

Starring: Anne Hathaway, Nicholas Galitzine, Ella Rubin, Annie Mumolo, and Reid Scott

How to watch: The Idea of You premieres on Prime Video on May 2.

Turtles All the Way Down

YA fans, get pumped! Author John Green's work returns to the screen in the upcoming Turtles All the Way Down, directed by Hannah Marks.

As with many Green works, Turtles All the Way Down takes us inside the mind of a teenager navigating life's countless wonders and woes. This time around, that teenager is Aza Holmes (Isabela Merced, Madame Web), a young woman with OCD who is constantly navigating a stream of intrusive thoughts. As she and her best friend Daisy (Cree, And Just Like That…) embark on an adventure to claim a reward for a missing billionaire, she'll reconnect with her childhood crush (Felix Mallard, Ginny & Georgia), find solace in a professor's (J. Smith-Cameron, Succession) lectures on consciousness, and re-evaluate her own potential for love, friendship, and happiness. — B.E.

Starring: Isabela Merced, Cree, Felix Mallard, Judy Reyes, Maliq Johnson, J. Smith-Cameron, Poorna Jagannathan

How to watch: Turtles All the Way Down premieres on Max May 2.

The Fall Guy

Stunt man turned director David Leitch is campaigning hard for stunts to finally get their rightful due at the Academy Awards with this love letter to movie magic and madcap stunt work. Inspired by the 1980s TV show about a stunt performer who moonlighted as a bounty hunter, The Fall Guy is an action-packed romantic comedy that stars Ryan Gosling as Colt Seavers, the eponymous hero, and Emily Blunt as the movie director he's fallen for. When her directorial debut is put in jeopardy by an MIA movie star (Aaron Taylor-Johnson), it's up to Colt to hunt him down, save the day, and not get killed along the way. 

In Mashable's review out of SXSW, I wrote of this romp, "Together, Gosling and Blunt create a could-be couple that's alluring not only for their looks but also their awkwardness. Dumb jokes and fumbling flirtations shrewdly undercut what could be a glossy, unnatural rom-com to make a movie that's endearing and entertaining." — Kristy Puchko, Entertainment Editor

Starring: Ryan Gosling, Emily Blunt, Winston Duke, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Hannah Waddingham, and Stephanie Hsu

How to watch: The Fall Guy opens in theaters May 3. 

I Saw the TV Glow

In 2021, director Jane Schoenbrun earned critical praise for their trippy thriller We're All Going to the World's Fair. Earlier this year, their follow-up, the mind-bending I Saw The TV Glow, got radiant reviews out of Sundance. In Mashable's review, Siddhant Adlakha declared the eerie thriller "a new queer and transgender classic." But what's it all about?

Justice Smith and Brigette Lundy-Paine star as a pair of misfit teens who bond over their love for a fictional TV show called The Pink Opaque. Playing as a cross between Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Are You Afraid of the Dark?, the YA series gives them space to connect and imagine a world beyond their depressing lives in the cage that is suburbia. But could there be more to this show than meets the eye? Find out when I Saw the TV Glow plays on the big screen. — K.P.

Starring: Justice Smith, Brigette Lundy-Paine, Ian Foreman, Helena Howard, Danielle Deadwyler, Lindsey Jordan, and Fred Durst

How to watch: I Saw the TV Glow opens in theaters May 3. 

Lost Soulz

Having premiered at Tribeca Film Festival last year, Lost Soulz is finally hitting cinemas. The film follows aspiring Texas rapper Sol (Sauve Sidle), who joins up with a collective of hip-hop artists touring America — a journey penned by director/writer Katherine Propper from Sidle's own experiences. Even watching the trailer, with dreamy cinematography from Donald Monroe and lo-fi SoundCloud rap running through every scene, makes you want to join this crew on the road. — Shannon Connellan, UK Editor

Starring: Sauve Sidle, Siyanda Stillwell, Aaron "Seven" Melloul, Krystall Poppin, Alexander Brackney, Micro TDH, Malachi Mabson, Tauran Ambroise

How to watch: Lost Soulz is in cinemas May 3.

Evil Does Not Exist

Drive My Car director Ryusuke Hamaguchi's latest film was a critical standout and Grand Jury Prize of last year's Venice International Film Festival, the tale of a man trying to protect his alpine home outside Tokyo from thoughtless development. Reviewing for Mashable, Lex Briscuso wrote, "Evil Does Not Exist is a sobering folk tale of the power of the natural order — and what humans must do to heed it, lest we pay the price. Hamaguchi is undoubtedly back with a strong, well-earned precision in this work, unafraid to show us what we stand to lose." 

In Evil Does Not Exist, Takumi (Hitoshi Omika) finds his village life with his daughter, Hana (Ryo Nishikawa), disrupted by the arrival of a glamping company, which has little time to care about the environmental impact it will have on the community and the surrounding ecosystem. — S.C.

Starring: Hitoshi Omika, Ryo Nishikawa, Ryuji Kosaka, Ayaka Shibutani, Hazuki Kikuchi, and Hiroyuki Miura

How to watch: Evil Does Not Exist opens May 3.

Prom Dates

Best friends making pacts about prom is a bit of a trope, but Kim O. Nguyen’s film promises to breathe new life into it. Prom Dates sees the Never Have I Ever/Survival of the Thickest director bringing best friends Jess (Ginny & Georgia's Antonia Gentry) and Hannah (High School Musical: The Musical: The Series' Julia Lester) up to the day before their finale high school hurrah, when they both break up with their dates. Is prom ruined, or will they figure out it's not the worst thing in the world? — S.C.

Starring: Julia Lester, Antonia Gentry, Kenny Ridwan, JT Neal, Jordan Buhat, Zión Moreno, Terry Hu, John Michael Higgins, Chelsea Handler

How to watch: Prom Dates premieres on Hulu May 3.

Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes

If Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire whetted your appetite for ape action, you'll want to mark your calendar for the fourth installment of the rebooted Planet of the Apes franchise. Set generations after 2017's War for the Planet of the Apes, this sequel sets up after the age of Caesar to a time of feral decline. Here, a young chimpanzee named Noa (Owen Teague) calls into question the ways of this planet. With a human sidekick known as Mae (Freya Allan), this brave hero will go on a journey that changes the future of ape and mankind forever.

The Maze Runner trilogy director Wes Ball takes the helm, promising rousing action and serious drama.* — K.P.

Starring: Owen Teague, Freya Allan, Kevin Durand, Peter Macon, and William H. Macy

How to watch: Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes opens May 10.

Poolman

Not every movie on this list will be a winner, but sometimes you've gotta see for yourself what the fuss is all about.. The directorial debut of Chris Pine, Poolman failed to make a splash out of its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival last fall. The noir-comedy about a pool cleaner who stumbles onto a conspiracy in Los Angeles earned only a wave of bad buzz. 

From Mashable's review: "That the plot barely makes sense might’ve been forgivable if Pine could elicit from his performers the kind of exhilarating energy and distinctive wackiness we’ve seen in the works of the Coens and Anderson. Instead, his cast, while charismatic, dances between a blurry line of broad comedy and nuanced parody that can't find its footing. Theirs is a world vaguely interesting but never sharply realized. And as such, we, the audience, are always treated as outsiders." — K.P.

Starring: Chris Pine, Annette Bening, Danny DeVito, DeWanda Wise, Stephen Tobolowsky, and Jennifer Jason Leigh 

How to watch: Poolman opens in theaters May 10.

Gasoline Rainbow

A coming-of-age road trip movie drenched in youth, promise, and freedom, Gasoline Rainbow created quite a buzz out of its premieres at Venice International Film Festival and SXSW last year. It's from the directorial duo behind the lauded documentary Bloody Nose, Empty Pockets, the Ross Brothers, who wrote the screenplay, handled cinematography, and edited the film, too. Having finished school and with their whole lives ahead of them, five Oregon teens hit the road in a van to drive along the Pacific Coast, chatting shit the whole way through the vacillating landscapes of America's West. — S.C.

Starring: Tony Aburto, Micah Bunch, Nichole Dukes, Nathaly Garcia, and Makai Garza.

How to watch: Gasoline Rainbow opens in cinemas May 10.

Babes

Pamela Adlon (Better Things) makes her feature directorial debut with Babes, a comedy about female friendship fronted by Survival of the Thickest's Michelle Buteau. Broad City's Ilana Glazer co-stars and co-wrote the script with Josh Rabinowitz. Playing besties since childhood, these fiercely funny queens of comedy explore some complicated and comical issues of being a grown-up in New York City. This includes everything from the (literal) shit show of homeownership to the excruciating awkwardness of small chat with your gynecologist, not to mention the whole wild ride of pregnancy and parenting toddlers. And it does all this with the outlandish humor we've come to expect from all three of these badass babes.

In our review out of SXSW, I cheered, "Babes is a comedy that is unabashedly outrageous and rambunctiously heartfelt. While you may howl with laughter and gasp at a gross-out gag, you'll also walk away with a big smile — and maybe a bit more appreciation for your own quirks." — K.P.

Starring: Ilana Glazer, Michelle Buteau, Hasan Minhaj, Stephan James, and Oliver Platt

How to watch: Babes opens in theaters May 17.

Back to Black

Amy Winehouse's songs "Back to Black," "You Know I'm No Good," and "Rehab" demanded the world sing along, but do you know of the real-life pain behind them? Director Sam Taylor-Johnson reunited with screenwriter Matt Greenhalgh, who penned the script for her John Lennon biopic Nowhere Boy, for this take on the Camden icon. Industry's Marisa Abela stars as the beehived Brit who rocketed to fame with jazzy, endlessly catchy songs and an unforgettable style before dying tragically young in 2011.

Back to Black offers a look at the behind-the-scenes drama in Amy's life as she goes from struggling chanteuse to global sensation caught in a tumultuous relationship. This biopic is made with the support of The Amy Winehouse Estate and Sony Music Publishing.* — K.P.

Starring: Marisa Abela, Jack O'Connell, Eddie Marsan, and Lesley Manville

How to watch: Back to Black opens in theaters May 17.

IF

Having handed off the reigns to A Quiet Place, writer/director John Krasinski has turned his sights to monsters who are less menacing and more whimsical. Krasinski offers a family-friendly adventure about a little girl (Cailey Fleming) who discovers she can see everyone's imaginary friends (IFs for short). See, when we grow up, we can't see our Imaginary Friends any more. But far from the horror scenario of Imaginary, IF offers a story of reclamation, as this little girl could help these lost friends find new buddies. 

Steve Carell, Krasinski's co-star from The Office, is just part of a star-stuffed ensemble lending their voices to a variety of wacky imaginary besties, while Ryan Reynolds plays the IFs' (imaginary friends) ally. — K.P.

Starring: Ryan Reynolds, John Krasinski, Cailey Fleming, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Louis Gossett Jr., Emily Blunt, Matt Damon, Maya Rudolph, Jon Stewart, Sam Rockwell, Sebastian Maniscalco, Christopher Meloni, Richard Jenkins, Awkwafina, and Steve Carell

How to watch: IF hits theaters May 17.

The Strangers: Chapter 1

They're baaaaaack. The three masked killers who first terrorized Liv Tyler and Scott Speedman in 2008's The Strangers have gotten a remake for the kickoff to a new trilogy. Madelaine Petsch and Froy Gutierrez star as a road-tripping couple who hope a rustic cabin will be a great setting for romance. Instead, a home invasion with some very familiar elements turns their night-in into a nightmare.

Renny Harlin, who directed such '90s action romps as Cliffhanger, Cutthroat Island, The Long Kiss Goodnight, and the shark-infested Deep Blue Sea, is set to helm all three chapters of this horror relaunch. So, expect some expanded lore from what little we know about the titular intruders. — K.P.

Starring: Madelaine Petsch, Froy Gutierrez, Gabriel Basso, Rachel Shenton, Ella Bruccoleri, Ema Horvath, and Richard Brake

How to watch: The Strangers: Chapter 1 hits theaters May 17.

Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga

Thanks to the rip-roaring success of 2015's Mad Max: Fury Road, breakout badass Furiosa is getting her very own spinoff prequel. Fury Road director George Miller is back in the fray for what's sure to be a summer blockbuster, and he's brought along Anya Taylor-Joy to slap on the greasepaint for the starring role. Chris Hemsworth is also on board as the warlord Dementus, bearded and nearly unrecognizable. This saga focuses on Furiosa's early life, after she's kidnapped from the Green Place of Many Mothers but before the events in Fury Road.

It's hard to imagine how Miller might top his last Mad Max epic. But from the trailer, it looks like Furiosa will have action fans feeling very shiny and chrome, indeed.* — K.P.

Starring: Anya Taylor-Joy, Chris Hemsworth, Alyla Browne, and Tom Burke

How to watch: Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga opens in theaters only nationwide on May 24.

The Garfield Movie

Our favorite feline from the Sunday funnies is returning to the big screen with a new computer-animated adventure from Mark Dindal, of Chicken Little and The Emperor's New Groove acclaim. Chris Pratt makes the leap from The LEGO Movie and The Super Mario. Bros Movie to The Garfield Movie, continuing his tireless campaign at voice-acting domination.

Pratt voices the titular cat as he goes on a wild outdoor adventure with his long-lost dad, Vic (Samuel L. Jackson), a street cat who is even bigger and stripier than our lasagna-loving hero. We also learn about his origin story, which involves a fiasco at an Italian restaurant. Along with riling his owner Jon (Nicholas Hoult) and pestering poor pup Odie (Harvey Guillén), Garfield sets forth on an adventure with Vic that gets him way outside of his comfort zone. We assume hijinks ensue. — K.P.

Starring: Chris Pratt, Samuel L. Jackson, Hannah Waddingham, Ving Rhames, Nicholas Hoult, Cecily Strong, Harvey Guillén, Brett Goldstein, and Bowen Yang

How to watch: The Garfield Movie opens May 24.

Hit Man

If you loved watching Glen Powell deploy his rom-com chops in Anyone But You (or in 2018's delightful Set It Up), brace yourselves for the charm bomb that is his performance in Hit Man.

Powell co-wrote Hit Man with director Richard Linklater (Before Sunrise, Boyhood) in their fourth collaboration. He also stars as Gary Johnson: mild-mannered psychology teacher by day, fake assassin-for-hire by night. Gary takes on these fake hit man personas for sting operations, but when he finds himself catching feelings for Madison (Adria Arjona, Andor), a woman who wants him to kill her husband, he'll have to work overtime to keep his many secret identities in check. What follows is, as Siddhant Adlakha wrote in his Mashable review, "nothing short of a perfect crowd-pleaser." — B.E.

Starring: Glen Powell, Adria Arjona, Austin Amelio, Retta, Sanjay Reo, Molly Bernard, and Evan Holtzman

How to watch: Hit Man opens in theaters May 24 and hits Netflix on June 7.

The Dead Don't Hurt

Viggo Mortensen clearly loves Deadwood, because when it came time to cast his Western, The Dead Don't Hurt, he peopled the ensemble cast with the show's stars, including Garret Dillahunt, W. Earl Brown, and Ray McKinnon. However, this Wild West set tale of romance and revenge doesn't play like the HBO epic. Mortensen, who also wrote the script, headlines as Danish carpenter Holger Olsen, who finds love with Vivienne Le Coudy, a spirited French immigrant who makes her life on the American plains in the 1860s. But harsh terrain and the lure of war aren't the couple's biggest trouble. That would be a spoiled gunslinger with an eye for Vivienne. 

Following its festival run, The Dead Don't Hurt will come to theaters to offer a character-driven Western that's moving — but not best suited to a date night. — K.P. 

Starring: Viggo Mortensen, Vicky Krieps, Garret Dillahunt, W. Earl Brown, Ray McKinnon, Solly McLeod, and Danny Huston

How to watch: The Dead Don't Hurt opens in theaters May 31.

Flipside

On its surface, Flipside is about a record store, once important but now quietly dying in relevance and solvency. But on the flipside, this daring documentary is about that jarring time in middle-age when you look back at your life and wonder what happened to you — and those youthful ambitions. 

Documentarian Christopher Wilcha takes a personal approach to art and getting older — or maybe the art of getting older. Tying together a bunch of his abandoned past projects and interviews with luminaries like comedy master Judd Apatow, Deadwood creator David Milch, and fan favorite podcaster Starlee Kine, Wilcha offers a story that is surprising, funny, and thought-provoking. As I wrote in my review out of TIFF, which is quoted in the above trailer, “It's beautiful and inspiring, and it might just spur you into some mind-fucking self-reflection." — K.P. 

Starring: Judd Apatow, David Milch, Starlee Kine, Christopher Wilcha, Ira Glass, Herman Leonard, and Uncle Floyd

How to watch: Flipside opens in theaters May 31.

Jim Henson Idea Man

Who was the man behind the Muppets? Director Ron Howard explores the genius and humanity of Jim Henson in this documentary, which will feature interviews with some of the puppeteer's closest friends and family. Looking back on a legacy that includes The Muppet Show, Sesame Street, Fraggle Rock, The Dark Crystal, and much, much more, Jim Henson Idea Man will undoubtedly be a must-see for every Muppet lover. — K.P.

Starring: Jim Henson

How to watch: Jim Henson Idea Man debuts on Disney+ on May 31.

Robot Dreams

Pablo Berger's animated film Robot Dreams promises a heartfelt ride through the power of loneliness and the giddy highs of a new friendship. Even if it's a DIY one. Based on Sara Varon's graphic novel, the dialogue-free film follows Dog, a New Yorker who decides to order a buddy to build — that's Robot. Set in '80s Manhattan, the film weaves the tale of inseparable bond between canine and robot over the summer of a lifetime, through Central Park, the subway, and those unmistakeable streets. — S.C.

Starring: Ivan Labanda, Albert Trifol Segarra, and Rafa Calvo

How to watch: Robot Dreams hits cinemas May 31.

Backspot 

Bring It On, but raise the stakes. The intense world of professional cheerleading lies at the heart of Backspot, the new sports drama from debut director D.W. Waterson, who co-wrote the film with Joanne Sarazen. Reservation Dogs' Devery Jacobs plays Riley, a talented cheerleader who is picked for the all-star squad known as the Thunderhawks along with her girlfriend. Leading the squad is formidable coach Eileen McNamara (Evan Rachel Wood), whose need for perfection clashes with Riley's anxiety. — S.C.

Starring: Devery Jacobs, Evan Rachel Wood, Noa DiBerto, Kudakwashe Rutendo, Thomas Antony Olajide, Oluniké Adeliyi, Wendy Crewson, Shannyn Sossamon, Adrianna Di Liello, and Marlee Sansom.

How to watch: Backspot opens in cinemas May 31.

Bad Boys: Ride or Die

Will Smith and Martin Lawrence first thrilled audiences with their buddy cop action-comedy Bad Boys way back in 1995. This hit and its sequel Bad Boys II were helmed by Michael Bay, and brought with them the action auteur's signature explosive style. In 2020, however, Bay handed over directing duties for Bad Boys for Life to emerging directing duo Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah. They turned in a threequel that made over $426.5 million at the box office.

Often billed as Adil & Bilall, the pair were set for a super-powered follow-up with a Batgirl movie. But Warner Bros./Max infamously canceled the movie despite it being in post-production, leaving its final cut never to be seen. Bad Boys: Ride or Die is Adil & Bilall's return to theaters, and a backhanded chance to prove to Warner Bros. just what they're missing out on. This go-round, Miami PD detectives Mike and Marcus are out to clear the name of their trusted captain (Joe Pantoliano) when he's posthumously accused of corruption. Naturally, there will be much action and punchlines, hitting hard and hilariously. — K.P.

Starring: Will Smith, Martin Lawrence, Vanessa Hudgens, Joe Pantoliano, Tiffany Haddish, Alexander Ludwig, Paola Núñez, and Eric Dane

How to watch: Bad Boys: Ride or Die opens in theater June 7.

Cora Bora

One of our faves out of SXSW 2023, Cora Bora stars Hacks scene-stealer Megan Stalter as an aspiring musician whose long-distance relationship is fizzling out. To revive it, she goes back to her hometown to reconnect with her girlfriend (Jojo T. Gibbs). But once there, she must confront some stressful complications, including a new girl in her partner's life.

In our review out of SXSW, I wrote, "On this quest of self-love and reclamation, Cora will fumble into group sex, accidental dognapping, and wonky flirtations with a suspiciously kind while hot stranger (The Good Place's Manny Jacinto). The circumstances are absurd yet familiar, because we all have that friend who can turn a simple errand into major drama. (If you don’t have that friend, I regret to inform you that you may be that friend!) Whatever her wobbles, the film roots for her, even as we may cringe at her catastrophic social interactions." — K.P.

Starring: Megan Stalter, Thomas Mann, Chelsea Peretti, Manny Jacinto, Margaret Cho, and Jojo T. Gibbs

How to watch: Cora Bora opens in theater June 14.

Inside Out 2

In the 2015 hit Inside Out, much Joy and Sadness was explored inside the head of a young girl named Riley who was trying to cope with moving across the country — and the terrible pizza she finds there. Now, the feelings crew is back as Riley hits puberty, and so comes a new array of emotions!

The first teaser introduced Anxiety, voiced by Maya Hawke (Stranger Things). Then the second trailer (seen above) revealed Envy, Ennui, and Embarrassment. As Riley attends a hockey camp and confronts some tough decisions about friends, the old emotions and the new get into a power struggle. And as you might predict, that conflict expresses itself through some emotional meltdowns on Riley's part.

It's OK, girl. We've all been there! And good luck, Riley. As Turning Red showed with its Red Panda plotline, growing up can be a wild ride. — K.P.

Starring: Amy Poehler, Phyllis Smith, Lewis Black, Tony Hale, Liza Lapira, Maya Hawke, Ayo Edebiri, Adèle Exarchopoulos, Paul Walter Hauser, and June Squibb

How to watch: Inside Out 2 opens in theaters June 14.

The Watchers

Summer 2024 means family fun — specifically Shyamalan family fun. The Watchers is not only the latest film produced by mind-bending moviemaker M. Night Shyamalan, it's also directed by his daughter Ishana Night Shyamalan, who wrote the screenplay, adapted from the A.M. Shine novel. So, we're expecting this horror thriller to get twisted. 

Dakota Fanning stars as Mina, a young woman whose life is derailed when she is stranded in a forest in Ireland. There, she is taken in by a band of humans who live to perform for unseen creatures, the watchers. What they are — even what they look like — is unknown by their captive players. But if Mina wants to escape, she'll need to disrupt this gnarly nightly ritual of voyeurism and torment. — K.P. 

Starring: Dakota Fanning, Georgina Campbell, Oliver Finnegan, and Olwen Fouéré

How to watch: The Watchers opens in theaters June 14.

The Bikeriders

If Dune: Part 2 has you yearning for more Austin Butler as a badass fighter, you won't want to miss The Bikeriders. For his latest, writer/director Jeff Nichols — who has delivered such riveting character-focused dramas as Take Shelter, Mud, and Midnight Special — found inspiration in the Danny Lyon photo book The Bikeriders, which captured portraits of a 1960s Chicago-based motorcycle gang.

In the film, Butler stars as a biker named Benny who runs with a gang led by the surly Johnny (Tom Hardy). As teased in the trailer, much of the story's insights come from Benny's best girl, Kathy, played by Killing Eve's Jodie Comer, conquering another tricky accent with aplomb. Together, this ensemble ignites onscreen, bringing to life a time of machismo, rebellion, and fatally impulsive decisions. — K.P.

Starring: Jodie Comer, Austin Butler, Norman Reedus, Tom Hardy, Mike Faist, and Michael Shannon

How to watch: The Bikeriders opens in theaters June 21.

Fancy Dance Isabel Deroy-Olson and Lily Gladstone star in “Fancy Dance.” Credit: Apple TV+

Following an Oscar-nominated turn in Martin Scorsese's Killers of the Flower Moon, Lily Gladstone stars in Fancy Dance, the directorial debut of Native American filmmaker Erica Tremblay. 

The drama, set on the Seneca–Cayuga Nation Reservation, follows Jax (Gladstone), a woman desperately trying to hold her family together once her sister goes missing. While helping her niece Roki (Isabel Deroy-Olson) prepare for an upcoming powwow, Jax also seeks to discover what happened to the girl's missing mom. And when Roki's dad (Shea Whigham) threatens to take custody of her, auntie and niece hit the road in search of their missing family member. With rave reviews out of film festivals, Fancy Dance seems sure to be treasured this summer. — K.P. 

Starring: Lily Gladstone, Isabel Deroy-Olson, and Shea Whigham

How to watch: Fancy Dance opens in theaters June 21; premieres on Apple TV+ June 28.

Janet Planet

Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Annie Baker makes her directorial debut with Janet Planet, a remarkable mother-daughter story.

In the summer of 1991, 11-year-old Lacy (newcomer Zoe Ziegler) observes her mother Janet (Julianne Nicholson, Mare of Easttown) as she connects with boyfriends and old friends. This simple slice of life set-up allows Baker to explore the layers of Lacy and Janet's very close relationship, one that can seem sweet one moment, cloying the next. Boasting Baker's trademark silences and standout performances from Nicholson and Ziegler, Janet Planet's quiet thoughtfulness makes for a nice bit of counterprogramming to summer blockbuster fare. — B.E.

Starring: Julianne Nicholson, Zoe Ziegler, Elias Koteas, Will Patton, and Sophie Okonedo

How to watch: Janet Planet hits theaters June 21.

Kinds of Kindness

Hot off their much acclaimed and Oscar-winning collaboration on Poor Things, director Yorgos Lanthimos and Academy Award-winning actress Emma Stone have reteamed for Kinds of Kindness. Honestly, that alone is enough for the Mashable team to be stoked about this one. The cast list (seen below) is just gravy.

But if you want some sense of a plot, here's the official log line:

Kinds of Kindness is a triptych fable, following a man without choice who tries to take control of his own life; a policeman who is alarmed that his wife who was missing-at-sea has returned and seems a different person; and a woman determined to find a specific someone with a special ability, who is destined to become a prodigious spiritual leader.

— K.P.

Starring: Emma Stone, Jesse Plemons, Willem Dafoe, Margaret Qualley, Hong Chau, Joe Alwyn, Mamoudou Athie, and Hunter Schafer

How to watch: Kinds of Kindness opens in theaters June 21.

Thelma

Imagine if Mission: Impossible were about a nonagenarian retiree determined to get her stolen money back from a batch of scammers in Los Angeles. The delightful and daffy result is Thelma, in which June Squibb and the late Richard Roundtree dodge concerned family members and aid workers to pursue their destiny! 

In Mashable's review out of Sundance, I wrote, "Following in the footsteps of action-comedies like the sports spoof Shaolin Soccer and the student heist flick Bad Genius, Thelma treats its low stakes with a tongue-in-cheek intensity. Action sequences — like a mobility scooter chase around a retirement home — are less nerve-rattling and more rib-tickling. Remarkably, the joke is never on the old folks at the movie's heart." — K.P.

Starring: June Squibb, Richard Roundtree, Fred Hechinger, Parker Posey, and Clark Gregg

How to watch: Thelma opens in theaters June 21.

The Devil's Bath

Austrian filmmaking team Veronika Franz and Severin Fiala first knocked horror fans out with their unforgettably chilling tale of twin terror, 2014's Goodnight Mommy. (Not to be confused with its underwhelming English-language remake!) Afterward, they delved into anthology horror with a vignette in The Field Guide to Evil, then delivered icy frights with The Lodge. Now, well, they have us hooked by the title alone: The Devil's Bath. 

SEE ALSO: Comparing ‘Goodnight Mommy’: remake vs. original

But hey, if you need a plot to get pumped, here goes: A young bride is initially pleased to wed her beloved. But when the reality of the duties of being a rural wife sink in, she feels trapped. Could an act of horrid violence be her only way out? — K.P. 

Starring: Anja Plaschg, Maria Hofstätter, David Scheid, and Natalija Baranova

How to watch: The Devil's Bath hits Shudder June 28.

A Quiet Place: Day One

After the success of A Quiet Place and A Quiet Place Part II, the frightening franchise is expanding with this prequel. While director/star of the first two, John Krasinski, has a "story by" writing credit, Day One centers around new characters and has a new writer/director in Michael Sarnoski, who brought us the tense and unique culinary thriller Pig in 2021. 

Bringing together stars from Stranger Things, Hereditary, and Us, this prequel is set in New York City, where the noise-chasing creatures arrival brings absolute havoc. How can anyone survive in this city that never sleeps? We'll find out this summer. — K.P.

Starring: Joseph Quinn, Alex Wolff, Djimon Hounsou, and Lupita Nyong'o

How to watch: A Quiet Place: Day One opens in theaters June 28.

Gassed Up

The Hard Stop director George Amponsah teams up with writers Archie Maddocks and Taz Skylar for Gassed Up, a London-set crime drama about a group of teens who find themselves turning to robbery. The film hinges on Ash (Boiling Point's Stephen Odubola), who finds his way into a gang run by Dubz (Skylar). It's a means to provide for his younger sister Jas (Rawdat Quadri) as his mother struggles with addiction. But things quickly get more hectic than they began — first stealing smartphones on mopeds but quickly moving up to bigger things. — S.C.

Starring: Stephen Odubola, Taz Skylar, Craige Middleburg, Rawdat Quadri, Mohammed Mansaray, and Tobias Jowett

How to watch: Gassed Up opens in cinemas and VOD June 28.

Horizon: An American Saga

Fresh from the immensely popular Yellowstone series, Kevin Costner's back in the director's chair. Following 2003's Open Range and 1990's Dances with Wolves, Costner's about to launch a two-part Western epic, Horizon: An American Saga. Co-written with Jon Baird, the films are set during a 15-year period that includes pre-and post-Civil War expansion and the settlement of the American West. Notably, this includes the war's impact on Indigenous nations, communities, and families. — S.C.

Starring: Kevin Costner, Sienna Miller, Sam Worthington, Jena Malone, Owen Crow Shoe, Tatanka Means, Ella Hunt, Tim Guinee, Danny Huston, Colin Cunningham, Scott Haze, Tom Payne, Abbey Lee, Michael Rooker, Will Patton, Georgia MacPhail, Douglas Smith, Luke Wilson, and Isabelle Fuhrman

How to watch: Horizon: An American Saga will be released as two films, the first of which is in cinemas June 28, the second out Aug. 16.

Despicable Me 4

You can't stop the Minions or their extended family. Chris Renaud and Patrick Delage have been part of this franchise in one way or another since the beginning, and now they're co-directors on this fourth installment.

Despicable Me 4 brings the audience back into Gru's house, where he (Steve Carell), his partner Lucy (Kristen Wiig), his adopted daughters Margo (Miranda Cosgrove), Edith (Dana Gaier), and Agnes (Madison Skyy Polan), and their lovable Minions are joined by a bouncing baby boy named Gru Jr. But their idyllic life is thrown into chaos when an old enemy resurfaces. Naturally, this will lead to a heist and much hijinks, as well as the age-old battle of baby versus badger. — K.P.

Starring: Steve Carell, Kristen Wiig, Miranda Cosgrove, Dana Gaier, Madison Skyy Polan, Will Ferrell, Sofia Vergara, and Steve Coogan

How to watch: Despicable Me 4 opens in theaters July 3.

Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F

Eddie Murphy's Axel Foley returns for the fourth film in the Beverly Hills Cop franchise, paired with new partner Detective Bobby Abbott (Joseph Gordon-Levitt). With Axel's daughter in trouble in Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F, the detective calls on some old friends — Billy Rosewood (Judge Reinhold) and John Taggart (John Ashton) — for assistance. Directed by Mark Molloy, the film was written by Zack Snyder's Justice League/Aquaman scribe Will Beall with Tom Gormican and Kevin Etten, who wrote The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent (which Gormican directed). — S.C.

Starring: Eddie Murphy, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Taylour Paige, Judge Reinhold, John Ashton, Paul Reiser, Bronson Pinchot, and Kevin Bacon.

How to watch: Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F hits Netflix July 3.

MaXXXine

First Ti West and Mia Goth brought us the sexed-up slasher X. Then came their campy prequel, Pearl. Now, the final entry in the X trilogy is going to make summer hotter than ever.

Goth reprises her role as the first movie's sole survivor, Maxine Minx. This time, far away from the blood-soaked Texas farm, this porn starlet is chasing her dreams of fame in Los Angeles. But with the notorious serial killer known as the Night Stalker on the prowl, her brush with brutality is far from over. What fresh hell does West have in store? We can't wait to find out. — K.P.

Starring: Mia Goth, Elizabeth Debicki, Moses Sumney, Michelle Monaghan, Bobby Cannavale, Lily Collins, Halsey, Giancarlo Esposito, and Kevin Bacon

How to watch: MaXXXine opens in theaters July 5.

Fly Me to the Moon

Talk about star power! Scarlett Johansson and Channing Tatum reteam up for Fly Me to the Moon, a romantic comedy set against the backdrop of the 1960s Space Race. Directed by Greg Berlanti (Love, Simon), this movie boasts a stellar premise. He's the hard-nosed director of NASA, prepping for the much anticipated launch of Apollo 11. She's a sassy marketing specialist, looking to give the government agency a glow-up — which includes plotting a fake moon landing in case the launch goes sideways. 

With a wonderfully wacky premise, A-list movie stars, and plenty of '60s flare and fashion, Fly Me to the Moon seems to harken back to the winsome rom-coms of Audrey Hepburn, Cary Grant, Rock Hudson, and Doris Day. Tatum and Johansson have shown their appreciation for classic Hollywood before in the Coen Bros comedy Hail, Caesar! So, we're confident this romantic reunion will be out of this world. — K.P. 

Starring: Scarlett Johansson, Channing Tatum, Nick Dillenburg, Anna Garcia, Jim Rash, Noah Robbins, Colin Woodell, Christian Zuber, Donald Elise Watkins, Ray Romano, and Woody Harrelson

How to watch: Fly Me to the Moon opens in theaters July 12.

Longlegs

Director Osgood Perkins has brought horror fans such wicked treats as The Blackcoat's Daughter, I Am the Pretty Thing That Lives in the House, and Gretel & Hansel. Next up, he offers Longlegs, a cryptic tale of a serial killer. 

It Follows star Maika Monroe headlines as FBI agent Lee Harker, investigating an unsolved homicide case in 1974. Is the occult involved? Does her past give her a clue to the undiscovered killer? And what role does Nicolas Cage play in all this? We can't wait to find out! — K.P. 

Starring: Maika Monroe, Nicolas Cage, Alicia Witt, and Blair Underwood

How to watch: Longlegs opens in theaters July 12.

National Anthem Charlie Plummer and Eve Lindley fall in love in "National Anthem." Credit: TIFF

Directed and co-written by Luke Gilford, National Anthem is a tale of queerness in a rural setting. Drawing from his own experiences, Gilford spins a story of a young cowpoke (Charlie Plummer) who is working tirelessly to support his little brother and single mom. But when he comes across a ranch where a chosen family of LGBTQ+ folk aren't just surviving, they're thriving, his eyes are opened to a life-changing romance with a beguiling cowgirl named Sky (Bros' Eve Lindley).

In Mashable's review out of TIFF, I wrote, "Grounded by vulnerable yet effervescent performances, National Anthem is a celebration of rural queerness. It's not a rallying cry, but instead a firm declaration of existence and the pursuit of happiness. Wrapped in the sunny hues of the New Mexican desert and floating on the charisma of a sexy and vulnerable ensemble, this drama charts its own path with clear eyes and queer hearts." — K.P.

Starring: Charlie Plummer, Eve Lindley, Mason Alexander Park, Rene Rosado, and Robyn Lively

How to watch: National Anthem opens in theaters July 12. 

Sing Sing

Hot off his Oscar-nomination for Rustin, Colman Domingo returns with Sing Sing, a moving drama based on a true story of men who are incarcerated and found a new lease on life through an in-prison theater program. Director Greg Kwedar explores identity and the healing power of creation with a cast led by Domingo and people who were formerly incarcerated. 

Out of film festivals, Sing Sing has been gathering rave reviews. Siddhant Adlakha wrote for Mashable out of SXSW that the film had a boldly documentary feel and a humane approach, concluding, "Kwedar, through his gentle visual approach, affords each imprisoned character (and formerly imprisoned actor) the room — and just as importantly, the time — to tell their own stories, in ways that cinema seldom does. The result is a heartrending, visually enrapturing balm for the soul." — K.P. 

Starring: Colman Domingo, Clarence Maclin, Sean San José, and Paul Raci

How to watch: Sing Sing opens in select theaters July 12, with a nationwide debut to follow.

Touch

Icelandic filmmaker Baltasar Kormákur has got serious range. Not only does he helm gripping action movies like the heist hit Contraband and the buddy action-comedy 2 Guns, but also he's brought to the big screen the stranger-than-fiction true story of survival that was Adrift. So, following the Idris Elba-fronted man-versus-lion thriller Beast, it's hard to guess what he might have coming next. But would you have wagered a tender tale of romance and regret?

Based on Ólafur Jóhann Ólafsson’s best-selling novel of the same name, Touch centers on Kristofer, an Icelandic man who once found love with a Japanese woman named Miko in 1960s London. Decades later, he looks to reconnect with this lost love, setting forth on a new adventure while reflecting on his past. As some in the trailer asks bluntly: What if he can’t find her? Oh. But what if he can?! — K.P.

Starring: Egill Ólafsson, Kōki, Pálmi Kormákur, Masahiro Motoki, Yoko Narahashi, Meg Kubota, Tatsuya Tagawa, Charles Nishikawa, Sigurður Ingvarsson, Benedikt Erlingsson, Kieran Buckeridge, Ruth Sheen, María Ellingsen, and Masatoshi Nakamura

How to watch: Touch opens in theaters July 12.

Twisters

Back in 1996, audiences went wild for the cow-flinging disaster movie Twister. Now, 28 years later, Warner Bros. is stirring up a franchise with this standalone sequel helmed by Lee Isaac Chung, who won critical praise and an Oscar nod for his semi-autobiographical family drama Minari.

As a powerful tornado threatens to touch down, a squad of storm chasers ready for action. The first trailer teases a look at the weather-centered drama, a windstorm romance, and a star-studded cast led by Normal People's Daisy Edgar-Jones and Hit Man's Glen Powell. But that's not all. As the title teases, this isn't just one twister. As one excitable adventurer cries in the above trailer, "We've got twins! TWINS!" — K.P.

Starring: Daisy Edgar-Jones, Glen Powell, Katy O'Brian, Anthony Ramos, Maura Tierney, Brandon Perea, Daryl McCormack, Sasha Lane, Kiernan Shipka, and Nik Dodani

How to watch: Twisters opens in theaters July 19.

Deadpool & Wolverine

Who would have ever thunk watching the detested X-Men Origins: Wolverine that Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds would once more reprise these roles together? After a pair of successful R-rated Deadpool movies, Marvel is risking this gambit for a team-up that's sure to be absolutely outrageous.

SEE ALSO: 'Deadpool & Wolverine' Super Bowl trailer promises to save the MCU

The teaser for this new adventure shows Wade surrounded by loved ones (and familiar faces) when trouble comes literally knocking at his door. Now officially a Disney character, Deadpool has come to be — uh — "Marvel Jesus" and save us from superhero fatigue. How does that connect to Wolverine? Hard to say at this point! But Reynolds has been having a blast online sharing cheeky "leaked" photos from set. Sure, they're fake, but they suggest that the irreverent fun of previous Deadpool movies is going strong in this one too. — K.P.

Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, Morena Baccarin, Brianna Hildebrand, Karan Soni, Emma Corrin, and Jennifer Garner

How to watch: Deadpool & Wolverine opens in theaters July 26.

Kneecap Credit: Obscured Pictures

Winner of the NEXT audience award out of Sundance 2024, Kneecap is a raucous comedy that unfurls the stranger-than-fiction origins of the Irish hip-hop band for which it's named. 

Big picture: the Belfast band Kneecap was coming up as the debate around their mother tongue was becoming a hot topic. Their rap lyrics, which integrated English and Irish with a flurry of curse words and references to sex and hard drugs, became an unexpected point of pride for the "ceasefire babies." But don't let the political element of this movie fool you. In his directorial debut, writer/helmer Richard Peppiatt brings early Guy Ritchie energy (think Lock, Stock, and Two Smokin' Barrels) to his high-energy romp. Even more compelling, band members Mo Chara, Móglaí Bap, and DJ Próvaí play themselves in the film, and do a bang-up job — even when appearing opposite a sneering Michael Fassbender as a tough-as-nails dad. Trust us: this one rocks.* — K.P. 

Starring: Naoise Ó Cairealláin ("Móglaí Bap"), Liam Óg Ó Hannaidh ("Mo Chara"), JJ Ó Dochartaigh ("DJ Provaí"), Josie Walker, Fionnuala Flaherty, Jessica Reynolds, Adam Best, Simone Kirby, and Michael Fassbender

How to watch: Kneecap opens in theaters Aug. 2.

Borderlands

For those who love the action role-playing video game, which has gained fans for its addictive loot-and-shoot missions, the Borderlands movie promises to be a giddy celebration of violence and spectacle. For those who are new to this world of alien monsters, eccentric bandits, and unchecked mayhem, it seems the stuff of a Hollywood Mad Libs.

Two-time Academy Award-winner Cate Blanchett teams up with 13-time Teen Choice Award nominee Jack Black and gory horror director Eli Roth for this riotous video game adaptation. In the film, Blanchett stars as a flame-haired bounty hunter named Lilith whose latest gig is finding the daughter of an infamous outlaw. Unfortunately, this requires her to return to Pandora, "the most chaotic planet in the galaxy." Jack Black voices Claptrap, an absurd robot sidekick from the game. And it just gets weirder from there.

With a trailer full of color, attitude, and Guardians of the Galaxy vibes, Borderlands is looking to deliver a bombastic popcorn movie this summer. — K.P.

Starring: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Hart, Olivier Richters, Jack Black, Jamie Lee Curtis, Gina Gershon, Ariana Greenblatt, Edgar Ramirez, Bobby Lee, and Cheyenne Jackson

How to watch: Borderlands opens in theaters Aug. 9. 

Cuckoo

Body horror, an isolated mountain resort, and Euphoria's Hunter Schafer in full scream queen mode? Say no more, Cuckoo. I'm hooked.

Director Tilman Singer's upcoming horror film stars Schafer as Gretchen, a moody teenager on a family trip to a mysterious resort in the German Alps. The strange owner (Dan Stevens, Abigail) hooks her up with a receptionist job to pass the time, but it's not long before strange things begin to go bump in the night. Chilling screeches erupt from the nearby forest, and a red-eyed woman chases Gretchen — what sinister secrets could this resort be hiding? — B.E.

Starring: Hunter Schafer, Dan Stevens, and Jessica Henwick

How to watch: Cuckoo opens in theaters Aug. 9.

Trap

M. Night Shyamalan, who brought us such dark thrills as The Sixth Sense, Signs, and Knock at the Cabin, returns with Trap. And he's bringing terror to a frenzied space. With Beyoncé's Renaissance tour and Taylor Swift's Eras tour, parents around the world scrounged up big bucks to treat their daughters to a show-stopping concert they'd never forget.

This is what one devoted dad (Josh Hartnett) is looking to do when he brings his rosy-cheeked daughter (Ariel Donoghue) to see her fave performer, Lady Raven (Saleka Shyamalan — M. Night's real-life daughter!). But something sketchy is going on behind-the-scenes as security is out in force and police seem to be congregating. Turns out, the cops got a tip that the on-the-loose serial killer "The Butcher" is at this concert, and they've set a trap to catch him. Where some filmmakers might center on a panicked dad looking to keep his kid safe from a known murderer, the trailer for Trap suggests this dear ol' dad is that killer. But with Shyamalan pulling writing and directing duties, we're assuming there's more than meets the eye here. — K.P. 

Starring: Josh Hartnett, Ariel Donoghue, Saleka Shyamalan, and Hayley Mills

How to watch: Trap opens in theaters Aug. 9.

Alien: Romulus

It's a face-hugging, chest-bursting kind of summer, because we're getting a new film in the Alien franchise.

Alien: Romulus, directed by Fede Álvarez (Don't Breathe), promises another tale of spacefarers versus Xenomorphs. This time, we're tagging along with a group of young space colonizers as they undertake a scavenging mission on an abandoned space station. Only it may not be quite as abandoned as they thought! The film's trailer teases plenty of alien encounters, not to mention star Cailee Spaeny (Priscilla, Civil War) embracing her inner Ripley. Bring it on (and be sure to keep your mouth shut around any face huggers you may meet). — B.E.

Starring: Cailee Spaeny, David Jonsson, Archie Renaux, Isabela Merced, Spike Fearn, and Aileen Wu

How to watch: Alien: Romulus opens in theaters Aug. 16.

Close to You Elliot Page stars in "Close to You." Credit: Greenwich Entertainment

Elliot Page headlines and produced this family drama, in which he plays a trans man returning to his hometown after years of estrangement from his family. Page is also credited as a co-writer alongside Close to You's director Dominic Savage. However, as our review out of the film's world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival noted, the movie is largely improvised, boasting an ambitious 53-minute take that was considerably cut down to fit into the frictional story of a fractured family reunion. While the drama is raw and the intimacy admirable, the lack of structure and script can make for a very uneven viewing experience.

Still, fans of Page will be at rapt attention. — K.P.

Starring: Elliot Page, Hillary Baack, Andrew Bushell, Daniel Maslany, and Wendy Crewson

How to watch: Close to You opens in theaters Aug. 16. 

The Crow

It's been 30 years since The Crow awed audiences with its stirring tale of love and revenge — and an absolutely epic soundtrack. This summer, Eric Draven returns in this curious reboot, with Bill Skarsgård donning the iconic black-and-white face paint for his performance as the murdered rocker returning to wreak havoc on those who killed him and his beloved Shelly (FKA twigs).

Director Rupert Sanders (Snow White and the Huntsman, Ghost in the Shell) will be bringing a different spin to the source material, James O'Barr's cult-adored comics. Could this resurrect a franchise that's already boasted a string of sequels and a short-lived Canadian TV series? We'll find out this summer. — K.P.

Starring: Bill Skarsgård, FKA twigs, and Danny Huston

How to watch: The Crow opens in theaters Aug. 23.

Kraven the Hunter

When the trailer for this Spider-Man spinoff hit last summer, we were quick to rejoice. Where the MCU has been wallowing in grief post-Snap and the DCEU got bogged down in dramas onscreen and scandals off, Sony was chasing the weird spirit behind the Venom movies with this story about an animalistic anti-hero who oozes sex appeal and rips off his foe's noses without blinking an eye. And we've been stoked to see it since then, even though it got bumped nearly a full calendar year without explanation.

Sure, Madame Web (another Spidey spin-off) got thrashed in theaters and online. But hey, it was better than Morbius. So even with this delayed release, we're cautiously optimistic. — K.P.

Starring: Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Russell Crowe, Ariana DeBose, Fred Hechinger, Alessandro Nivola, and Christopher Abbott

How to watch: Kraven the Hunter opens in theaters Aug. 30. 

Oddity Credit: Shudder

One of our favorites out of SXSW 2024, Oddity is an Irish horror film from emerging auteur Damian McCarthy, who gave us the terrifically creepy 2021 movie Caveat. This follow-up, which seems set in the same sinister world, begins with an impossible predicament: Stay in a home where an intruder may lurk or flee with a stranger who came knocking at night. 

Combining elements of ghosts, slashers, witchcraft, folk horror, and psychological thriller, Oddity gives viewers plenty of scares. As I wrote in my review, "McCarthy takes each of these elements and uses them as a hue in his distinctive palette of horror. He blends them beautifully and harrowingly, pulling us in with their mystique and making us howl with their darkest revelations." — K.P. 

Starring: Gwilym Lee, Carolyn Bracken, Tadhg Murphy, and Caroline Menton

How to watch: Oddity opens in theaters in August.

* denotes that this blurb appeared in a previous Mashable list. 

Claude, Anthropic's ChatGPT competitor now has a free iOS app.

The artificial intelligence company shared the announcement on its blog today, in addition to a new Teams plan — a paid subscription with strict safety and privacy guardrails and collaborative features.

SEE ALSO: Anthropic releases Claude Pro, a paid version of its ChatGPT rival

While OpenAI's large language models have held ChatGPT at the top of the leaderboard since the start of the generative AI craze, Anthropic's Claude models shouldn't be underestimated. Anthropic was founded by former OpenAI employees including siblings Dario and Daniela Amodei who are now the CEO and President respectively. The Anthropic founders reportedly left OpenAI over "differences over the group’s direction" after taking investment from Microsoft in 2019 and founded Anthropic as the reliable and safe alternative that balances profit and purpose with its organizational status as a public benefit corporation. For the record, Anthropic has investment from Google.

But how do the Claude models stack up against ChatGPT? In a comparison conducted by Anthropic, the lightweight Claude Haiku, medium Claude Sonnet, and powerful Claude Opus scored similarly to GPT-4 and GPT-3.5 on common benchmarks. Claude Sonnet which is included in the free plan — and now available on iOS surpassed GPT-3.5 on all benchmarks.

The Claude Pro subscription, which costs $20 will also get you access to Anthropic's most powerful model Claude Opus.

Specs for the iOS app include syncing across mobile and desktop and vision capabilities, which means it can understand, analyze, and contextualize images shared with the app. Unfortunately, the Claude iOS app lags behind ChatGPT in image generating. For ChatGPT Plus subscribers, users can access DALL-E 3 on mobile and desktop, whereas Claude doesn't offer those capabilities yet.

iOS users can download the Claude app through this link. Good luck trying to find it otherwise, because there are a lot of other copycats on the app store. You'll know you've found the right one if it says it's by Anthropic PBC.

SAVE 24%: The Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite (64GB) is on sale for $249.99 at Amazon, marked down from the usual price of $329.99. That's a savings of $80.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite (64GB) $249.99 at Amazon
$329.99 Save $80.00 Get Deal

A tablet used to mainly be a way to watch your favorite show on a screen that was bigger than your phone. But today's tablets are fully capable of serving as a portable and compact laptop. If you're looking to upgrade your tablet to be more work- and gaming-ready, Amazon has a great deal today.

As of May 1, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite (64GB) is on sale for $249.99 at Amazon, down from the normal price of $329.99. That's a 24% discount or a savings of $80.

SEE ALSO: The best tablets: iPads are great, but have you tried literally anything else?

Last month we saw Amazon essentially mark down the price of this tablet by offering it with a free $100 Amazon gift card. May's deal looks a bit different with a savings of $80 instead of a gift card, but what remains is the functionality of the Samsung tablet.

With a 10.4-inch screen, the Samsung Galaxy S6 Lite focuses on power and portability. With Samsung's DeX platform, you can include the Galaxy S6 Lite in your workstation by sending windows across Samsung devices, then control them from the Tab S6 Lite. This model comes with 64GB of storage and 4GB of memory, but you can add more storage space if desired thanks to the MicroSD capable of a 1TB expansion. The battery is also designed to impress, getting up to 14 hours of use on one charge.

Samsung mentions this model is also great if you want to use a tablet as a streaming device thanks to its clear display and Dolby Atmos surround sound. The included S Pen means you can add notes to documents, sketch your latest idea, or highlight important text.

If your tablet current tablet needs an upgrade or you're ready for a more portable workstation, save $80 today on the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite and enjoy ultimate portability and function from a reliable tablet.