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This review contains minor spoilers for 'Alien: Earth' Episode 5. Alien: Earth  © FX Noah Hawley so far has already created a show that makes me confident enough to believe it’s the best Alien media we’ve gotten since Aliens , outside of the video game Alien: Isolation and the recent Alien: Romulus , which felt almost like a return to form. Although Noah Hawley brings us to a setting like Earth, which is uncharted territory for the franchise, he is still able to keep the heart and identity of the franchise, which “In Space, No One…” perfectly does. “In Space, No One…” is a flashback episode, and while those can sometimes tend to ruin the structure of a series, Hawley chooses the perfect time to take us back to when the Maginot crash-landed in Prodigy territory, filling in the gaps from the first episode. The title of the episode itself, “In Space, No One…” is an homage to the iconic tagline “In Space, No One Can Hear You Scream” that derives from Alien . This episode feels like a respectful recreation of the original. With the crash of the Maginot being given its own episode, it stops Alien: Earth from gaining negative feedback and being labelled a copycat of the original Alien ; instead, Hawley uses this structure to still make his own mark while showing his love for where it all began. This episode in all its glory highlights Babou Ceesay’s role in delivering an all-time performance as Morrow, who takes the spotlight in this episode. From the previous episodes, we look at Morrow through a lens that truly sees him as the villain as he blackmails literal children to ensure he gets his way, but in “In Space, No One…” we finally get to learn partially about his backstory. The daughter who tragically died in a fire continues to be his driving force to ensure that he completes his mission; otherwise, what was the point to all of this? Babou Ceesay as Morrow in Alien: Earth © FX That’s not the only piece of information that we gain. From the conclusion of the first episode, we were left in the dark about how the Xenomorph came to be on the ship, and to no one’s surprise, Boy Kavalier (Samuel Blenkin) is the mastermind behind it all. While Morrow and the crew have to deal with a Xenomorph on the loose later in this episode and some newer alien creatures which are out to kill them, Boy Kavalier is proven to be the biggest threat in Alien: Earth .  It wasn’t hard for Boy Kavalier to persuade Petrovitch (Enzo Cilenti) to sabotage the Maginot and ensure it lands in Prodigy territory. The idea of being put in a hybrid body is the first step to immortality, and this was a first look at how high the demand was and how big of an investment Boy Kavalier had on his hands. Hawley gets to create his own Alien movie with this episode, and while it feels familiar in places with the crew trying to outlive the alien creatures on board, he explores Morrow in a way that we normally don’t get to see done with the Alien movies. He’s trapped within the confines of a major corporation, and until he completes his mission, he won’t be free. There’s the question of if Morrow would even want to be free, and if he was, would he allow the corporations to continue controlling other people like they’ve done with him? This is the beauty of a show set within the Alien universe; it gives the time needed to explore all of these possibilities that would not be possible within a singular movie. Alien: Earth Episode 5, “In Space, No One…” is Noah Hawley’s attempt at recreating the original Alien movie and letting audiences know that he’s more than capable of creating an Alien movie if he were handed the reins. This is such a heart-wrenching episode as we learn about Morrow’s past and what drives him to complete this mission. He’s broken and isn’t the villain that he was thought to be in the earlier episodes. It’s hands down the best Alien media since Aliens and the best episode so far of Alien: Earth . While it still retains its horror aspects and the tension that comes with being trapped on a space vessel, Hawley takes this chance to also create a character study on Morrow, allowing for Babou Ceesay to deliver his best performance yet as the character. Rating: ★★★★★ Alien: Earth © FX About Alien: Earth Premiere Date:  August 12, 2025 Episode Count:  8 Executive Producer/Showrunner: Noah Hawley Writer: Noah Hawley, Bob DeLaurentiis, Bobak Esfarjani, Lisa Long, Maria Melnik, Migizi Pensoneau Director: Dana Gonzalez, Ugla Hauksdóttir, Noah Hawley Production:  FX Distribution:  Hulu Cast:  Sydney Chandler, Alex Lawther, Essie Davis, Samuel Blenkin, Babou Ceesay, Adarsh Gourav, Erana James, Jonathan Ajayi, David Rysdahl, Diêm Camille, Moe Bar-El, Timothy Olyphant, Kit Young, Sandra Yi Sencindiver, Lily Newmark, Adrian Edmondson, Amir Boutrous, Lloyd Everitt Synopsis: When the mysterious deep space research vessel USCSS Maginot crash-lands on Earth, Wendy (Sydney Chandler) and a ragtag group of tactical soldiers make a fateful discovery that puts them face-to-face with the planet's greatest threat in FX’s Alien: Earth .

As announced today by DC Studios co-CEO and chairman, James Gunn, his next project for the DC Universe will be titled Man of Tomorrow. The film will serve as a direct follow up, but not a sequel, to Superman .  Sources tell Nexus Point News that production is aiming to begin in the summer of 2026, specifically in June. Gunn will write, direct, and produce the film. DC Studios’ co-CEO and chairman, Peter Safran will produce along with Gunn. David Corenswet and Nicholas Hoult are set to reprise their roles as Clark Kent/Superman and Lex Luthor, respectively and will serve as co-leads of the film. Although the film will continue their rivalry and feature Lex as an antagonist, rumors suggest they will also join forces as well. Although unverified, sources also tell NPN, that Supergirl (Milly Alcock), Lobo (Jason Momoa), and Peacemaker (John Cena) will have roles in the film as well. On Instagram, Isabela Merced hinted at her return as Kendra Saunders/Hawkgirl saying “See you soon.” Superman released on July 11, 2025 as the first feature film from DC Studios and the first film of the newly launched DCU. In addition to Superman and Luthor, the film introduced fans to the DCU’s Lois Lane (Rachel Brosnahan), Jimmy Olsen (Skyler Gisondo), Mister Terrific (Edi Gathegi), Guy Gardner/Green Lantern (Nathan Fillion), Hawkgirl, Supergirl, Perry White (Wendell Pierce), and more. The film had a $225 million budget and has earned $612 million so far in its global theatrical run. Threads of the storyline introduced in Superman  will be explored in season 2 of Peacemaker , which is currently airing on HBO Max. Future DCU projects include HBO’s Lanterns and Supergirl  which are currently in post-production and Clayface  which is currently shooting in Liverpool. Man of Tomorrow  will feature both Superman and Lex as leads and rumors point to the characters teaming up to face a shared threat. Some ideas could be characters like Brainiac or the Authority. We can potentially see them recruiting a team as well and that’s where Supergirl, Lobo, and Peacemaker could fit in. The need for a team to protect the world from threats could potentially also plant the seeds for the formation of the Justice League in a future project. DC Studios’ Man of Tomorrow is set to be released by Warner Bros. Discovery on July 9, 2027.

This review contains minor spoilers for 'Magik' #9. Magik © Marvel Comics Illyana Rasputin has been through it all since issue one. Between confronting the Darkchilde, battling Liminal, and falling out with her best friend, there hasn't been a moment of peace. Thankfully, the previous issue gave us a long-awaited resolution, as Illyana and Dani finally reconciled. The two are back on the same page—just in time, because the Society of the Eternal Dawn has decided to strike. The fight between Illyana, Dani, and the Society’s Exemplars spills into the streets of Vegas in a dazzling display of mutant powers and sorcery. Watching Magik clash with magical dragons, cast powerful spells, and shatter wards is a highlight of the issue. Once again, her skill as both a mutant and a sorceress takes center stage. It would be fascinating to see Dani begin to explore magic herself, though I realize there may not be room for that in this arc. But maybe someone would be able to take her there in the future. Magik © Marvel Comics Determined to save Cal—whose body still contains Liminal—the group takes the battle to the Society’s base. To bring him back, they need his heart, which means facing Embodiment, the Society’s leader. In a twist that genuinely caught me off guard, Embodiment is revealed to be a mutant with powerful precognitive abilities. She sees Magik’s actions and claims she foresaw the fall of Krakoa and chose not to intervene. This would imply that she’s at least as powerful as notable precogs like Destiny, whose visions many relied on in the past. This revelation adds a new layer to her character. Embodiment is not just a powerful mage, but a mutant who has lived a long, calculated life. The events of the Society and its success are all guided by her gift. She presents a serious threat, even after Magik unlocks Liminal’s full strength. In the end, Illyana, Dani, and Liminal are forced to retreat, cornered within the Society’s inner sanctum and outmatched. This issue delivers on action, character growth, and narrative depth. The restored trust between Illyana and Dani gives emotional weight to the chaos, while Embodiment emerges as a compelling and dangerous villain. Once again, Allen and the creative team craft a strong installment. With the stakes higher than ever, I can’t wait to see how our heroes fight their way out. Magik © Marvel Comics About Magik #9 Release Date:  September 03, 2025 Written by:  Ashley Allen Art by: Matt Horak, German Peralta Cover by: Pablo Villalobos Page Count: 27 Synopsis :  THE DRAGON SLAYER! How did Magik wind up defending one of her newest and most loathsome foes? And can she save him from a literal dragon?

This review contains minor spoilers for 'The Uncanny X-Men' #20. The Uncanny X-Men © Marvel Comics Gail Simone brings the Uncanny X-Men back this week with a revealing issue centered on Valentin Correa. Like the other Outliers, his past remains largely a mystery, and issue #20 begins to unravel that thread, piece by piece. The story opens in an unexpected setting: Graymalkin Prison. We reconnect with Dr. Ellis as she initiates a conversation with Monet St. Croix, one of the inmates briefly seen back in issue #9. Ellis tries to manipulate her way into a friendship, but Monet—ever the sharpest mind in the room—quickly sees through the act and shuts it down. Her reveal that she’s known about Ellis and her family for some time, followed by her dramatic breaking of the inhibitor collar, stands out as one of the issue’s best moments. The Uncanny X-Men © Marvel Comics From there, the focus shifts back to the Uncanny X-Men, zooming in on Valentin as he receives a troubling call from his half-brother. In a dramatic scene with Wolverine and Gambit, they discuss the burdens of family. The visuals here deserve praise—Benicio’s fight is beautifully illustrated in the background panels, unfolding as the dialogue plays out in the foreground. Eventually, Logan persuades Valentin to check on his brother, sending them both to Argentina. Their search for the Word of Strength cult, who Benicio is involved with, leads them to a bar where a brutal fight erupts. During the brawl, Valentin reflects on his emotional struggles, hinting at depression. The dramatic activation of his mutant powers is also revealed, in a memory of Valentin being shot as a young boy as a result of his parents not paying his kidnapper's ransom. This moment lands with emotional weight, enhanced by Vecchio and Wilson’s dynamic artwork paralleling the internal and external conflicts. The issue closes with the surprise introduction of Valentin’s father, teasing a potential team-up in the next chapter. Overall, this was a strong, character-driven entry that digs into one of the more intriguing Outliers. Hopefully, issue #21 continues to explore Valentin’s complexity and the depth he clearly has to offer. The Uncanny X-Men © Marvel Comics About The Uncanny X-Men #20 Release Date:  September 3, 2025 Written by:  Gail Simone Art by: Luciano Vecchio Cover by: David Marquez Page Count: 28 Synopsis :  The two baddest brawlers of the Louisiana X-Men buddy up to go undercover in faraway Argentina...to chase and destroy a legendary X-villain! Two-fisted fury as only WOLVERINE and RANSOM can bring it, and it's a rough, roaring ride for anyone who gets in their way!

This review contains minor spoilers for 'Ultimate X-Men' #19. Ultimate X-Men © Marvel Comics From the very beginning, it was clear that Ultimate X-Men wasn’t going to be a traditional mutant story. Gone were the familiar names like Charles Xavier, Cyclops, and the rest of the classic team. Instead, Peach Momoko set out to build a world around a group of young girls wrestling not only with their own emotional struggles, but also the weight of being mutants targeted by a cult eager to exploit them. It’s been a bold, unique journey, and with issue #19, we finally arrive at the kind of explosive team conflict that defines so many memorable X-Men arcs. The issue picks up with Surge and the Children of the Atom clashing against Maystorm and her X-Men, featuring some of Momoko’s most stunning work to date. The fluid motion, the burst of color from mutant powers in combat, and a full-page spread of Natsu (this universe’s Cyclops) unleashing her optic beam—it all makes for a visual experience that lingers long after the page turns. The battle, however, is abruptly interrupted by the arrival of Maester, now transformed after injecting himself with the MY-X formula in a bid for power. Ultimate X-Men © Marvel Comics Thanks to the formula, Maester appears in a shadowy, monstrous form, overwhelming both the X-Men and Hisako, who arrives to aid the fight. But the most surprising return is Kageyama, as the story briefly pivots to reveal he survived the raid on the Children of the Atom’s base. He doesn’t seem happy that his power was and is being used, which is fair. He was manipulated after all.  Realizing how deeply he’s been used, Kageyama takes control of his fate and reaches out to the Maester who’s been using his powers and ends the Maester’s life in a brutal but redemptive moment. While the artwork and character moments shine, the ending left me a bit conflicted. On one hand, it’s cathartic to see Kageyama gain closure after everything he’s endured. On the other hand, it feels abrupt, leaving a massive vacuum in the world’s power structure. Still, with the fall of the Children of the Atom and a fractured landscape ahead, the story is wide open, and I’m eager to see where Peach Momoko takes the X-Men from here. Ultimate X-Men © Marvel Comics About Ultimate X-Men #19 Release Date:  September 03, 2025 Written by:  Peach Momoko Art by: Peach Momoko Cover by: Peach Momoko Page Count: 30 Synopsis :  SHADOWS OF THE KING AND THE ASTRAL PLANE! Has Hisako been saved?! A climactic battle between Armor and Shadow King in the Astral Plane! But what secrets does Kageyama still hold? And what of the Children of the Atom's dependence on his power?

The Runarounds © Amazon Prime Video The Runarounds might be the introduction to the greatest "futhermuckers" the world has ever known. Prime Video's new series is about young love, music, and chasing the dream when almost everyone wants you to wake up. The teen pop-rock drama chronicles a band on the heels of a new genesis, graduating from high school, and risking it all to face the trials and tribulations of the music industry in hopes of making a name for themselves one day. Along the way, the youths deal with rejection, heartbreak, and betrayal, but learn to use all of that as fuel to make better music, not only as a band, but as a family of their own. The Runarounds is filled with music that anyone can rock out to, featuring new talent with the potential to make a significant impact in the entertainment industry. The plot is relatable, especially to Generation Z, but the drama still needs more time to marinate. Run Around With The Runarounds ! Neil (Axel Ellis), Wyatt (Jesse Golliher), Topher (Jeremy Yun), Charlie (William Lipton), and Bez (Zendé Murdock) in The Runarounds. © Amazon Prime Video William Lipton, Axel Ellis, Jesse Golliher, Jeremy Yun, and Zendé Murdock are the best dudes to play The Runarounds. They have to be, considering how their characters are based on themselves. They may have different names in the show, but make no mistake, these are the real Runarounds. Jonas Pate, the creator of Netflix's Outer Banks , saw something special in this band that compelled him to tell their story using their original voices. That decision to go organic pays off. The bandmates, despite having no prior acting experience, deliver the most authentic performances possible. It never feels like they're acting; they are simply following a script while remaining true to themselves. Slow Down... Just a Bit Pete (Maximo Salas), Bez (Zendé Murdock), and Topher (Jeremy Yun) in The Runarounds © Amazon Prime Video While the acting deserves high praise, the writing needs to be fleshed out a bit more. The story exhibits potential in chronicling the lives of these teens. We see how their parents burden them with the weight of their expectations, and how some kids have more broken homes than others; however, the pacing of those scenes does not give us enough time to truly resonate with them. Without going into spoiler territory, there is a predictable subplot involving the band's frontman. The writers seem to be aware of that, as they leave very little room for doubt, opting to confirm suspicions in what feels like five minutes, to get back to the band rocking out. Their personal lives almost feel like afterthoughts. They are established to show the contrasts among the main characters, but there is little room left for exploration. As soon as we see any of the stars face a dilemma, we see a quick transition to the next scene until we see the band together. The story beats are so rapid that they restrict the Runarounds from standing on their own, individually. The Next Big Thing The Runarounds © Amazon Prime Video Despite the story's rushed and predictable elements, the series remains entertaining, relatable, and cathartic, thanks to the magnetic leads doing what they do best with their love language: music. The Runarounds' raw talent carries the show, with their chemistry, bravado, and determination. Those qualities are amplified by their music, as their vocals, melodies, and personalities fuse to create an addictive auditory bliss, no different than nirvana. The entire soundtrack is a wild trip down memory lane to a time when we all felt invincible and vulnerable all at once. Whether you are Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X, or whatever generation, the music will make you remember the taste of adolescence's paradoxical nature fondly. Rating: ★★★☆☆ © Amazon Prime Video About The Runarounds Premiere Date:  September 1, 2025 Episode Count:  8 Showrunner: Jonas Pate Writers: Nora Kirkpatrick, Jonas Pate, David Wilcox, Ilana Wolpert Director: Jonas Pate Production:   Rockfish Films, Amazon MGM Studios, Skydance Television Distribution: Amazon Prime Video Cast:   William Lipton, Axel Ellis, Jeremy Yun, Zendé Murdock, Jesse Golliher, Lilah Pate, Maximo Salas, Kelley Pereira, Marley Aliah, Mark Wystrach, Brooklyn Decker, Hayes MacArthur, Shea Pritchard Synopsis: The Runarounds follows a tight-knit group of young adults from all walks of life who come together to form a rock band the summer after graduating from high school. Against the backdrop of Wilmington, North Carolina, The Runarounds will have to choose between succumbing to the pressures of real life or risking it all to become the greatest band of all time.

This review contains minor spoilers for Episodes 1-5 of ‘Peacemaker’ Season 2. Following the critical and commercial success of Superman , his first cinematic entry in the new DC Universe (DCU), James Gunn and team play another blinder with Peacemaker  Season 2.  Fans of the first season will naturally find a lot to love for this second go around, but what makes this follow-up particularly impressive is in its increased capacity for restraint and reflection.  That is not to say that it is not without its potential turn-offs for certain viewers - this is resolutely still a James Gunn production, love him or hate him - but its heady mix of thrills, heart and endearing character dynamics make this series a smoother ride than its predecessor.  Like the title character himself, by the time its first five episodes have transpired, Season 2 feels more singular, assured of its identity and what it wants to say - without losing the aspects that caused fans to fall in love with the character in the first place. © DC Studios x Warner Bros. Entertainment From the offset, we are eased in with a recap of the first, titled ‘Previously on the DCU’ - with some amusing tweaks which will be apparent to those that watched the first season (let me just say that they are super in nature) without impeding the understanding of anyone going in blind.  We find John Cena’s Chris Smith, otherwise known as Peacemaker (or “the Peacemaker”, as other characters sporadically call him) striving to fulfil his yearnings to be a hero following his journey of redemption in saving the world from mind-controlling alien butterflies in Season 1, still dealing with the trauma from his childhood and the innocents he killed without remorse.  He cuts a piteous figure after being dismissively rejected by the Justice Gang, a corporate superhero team, drowning his sorrows in flesh and drink.  Chris also pines for a meaningful relationship with Emilia Harcourt (Jennifer Holland), an ARGUS agent who worked alongside him during a previous mission but finds herself blacklisted from every intelligence service.  Through a series of events in the first episode involving a quantum unfolding chamber in his house (think the TARDIS in Doctor Who  crossed with Batman’s garage in The Dark Knight ), Peacemaker is offered a chance for a clean slate in a world where he is treated as the hero he truly hopes to be.  However, the energy surges prompted by his use of this chamber catch the attention of newly-installed ARGUS head Rick Flag Sr (Frank Grillo), who blames Peacemaker for killing his son Rick Flag Jr (Joel Kinnaman, as depicted in the events of The Suicide Squad ).  There is something of a game of cat and mouse here, with Peacemaker’s motley crew of friends and kind-of friends attempting to thwart Flag Sr’s attempts to track down Peacemaker, whilst Chris finds himself toying with the possibility of taking a shortcut to heroism without truly reckoning with the consequences of his actions. © DC Studios x Warner Bros. Entertainment Across its first 5 episodes (episodes 6-8 were not submitted to critics for review), the new season threads the needle in terms of serving as a reward for fans of Gunn’s previous DC work ( The Suicide Squad , Peacemaker season 1 and Superman ), whilst simultaneously being accessible for new fans.  If someone wanted to, they could quite easily watch this season on its own terms without feeling fatally in the dark, with necessary backstory deftly sprinkled in without being egregious.  Much has been made in discourse around comic book media these past few years from entertainment journalists and social media obsessives alike around franchise media of franchises being bloated monoliths, tangled up in the barbed wire of their own lore.  Such a charge can be justifiably made against a range of camps, including the Marvel Cinematic Universe and Star Wars (fuelled by Disney’s often scattershot and inconsistent approach to streaming television entries).  Lest people forget, DC underwent multiple regime changes over the past decade alongside a chequered success rate (from audiences and critics).  James Gunn’s rise to creative steward and co-CEO of the recently-formed DC Studios, however, symbolised an opportunity for new beginning and a fresh start, heralded by 2024’s Creature Commandos  and last month’s Superman .  Which naturally begs the question: What is Peacemaker still doing here?  With the undeniable logic of a clean slate approach, I will admit that was quite sceptical of Gunn’s decision to cater to his personal whims by retaining Peacemaker as a character in the mainline universe, being lukewarm on his brash and immature characterisation in his previous appearances despite the many plaudits Cena has received for his performances.  However, Gunn does not shy away with the question in the narrative of the show itself - nor does he oblige viewers to watch or read anything prior for the sake of ‘homework’. © DC Studios x Warner Bros. Entertainment Peaces of the Puzzle James Gunn is no stranger to ensemble casts - in fact, he has built his name upon them to great success, to the point that he has received flak from certain corners (not unreasonably so, in this writer’s view) for staying too much within his comfort zone.  Superman  represented something of a detour from his house style in many respects and demonstrated that yes, James Gunn can make a superhero film focused on one character after all.  However, there remained the question of whether, whilst sliding back into a show ostensibly more positioned within said comfort zone, Gunn could still entertain and surprise.  The biggest surprise to be found here is that, whilst still an ensemble show, Season 2 feels more strongly a show about  Peacemaker rather than just named it - or more aptly, about Chris Smith (Cena gets more wear out of his red-white-and-blue suit and chrome toilet bowl in the press junket than in the show itself).   People know that Cena excels in his role, but the actualisation on display made it finally hit home for me personally just how great he is, as an erstwhile cynic towards the character.  The major puzzle piece (or should that be puzzle peace ?) which made it click for me was that Gunn has clearly made the conscious decision to centre Peacemaker’s vulnerability to an even greater extent, giving Cena more dramatic scenes and relying less on humour.  Of course, the jokes are still there, threaded throughout the episodes - often gratingly so (I typically enjoy Gunn’s projects in spite of his sense of humour, not because of it - however, Peacemaker is no longer the primary conduit for them.  The weight is distributed more broadly across the rest of the cast, who gamely take on the load.  Special mention must go to Tim Meadows’ Agent Fleury, assigned by Flag Sr to monitor Peacemaker.  At first a fly in the ointment of John Economos (Steve Agee), Peacemaker’s friend and ARGUS agent, Fleury reveals himself to be the source of some of the most uproarious moments in the show, without prolonging the jokes to an agonising degree (this happens now and again, but refreshingly less so than Season 1, or in Gunn’s Guardians  films).  © DC Studios x Warner Bros. Entertainment In terms of the wider supporting cast, Gunn gives them relatively little to do beyond being ciphers or plot devices, with some landing more successful than others.  One character who is thinly-drawn but superbly performed comes from David Denman (who I spoke to last month ), giving shape to the adult version of a certain character in the other world who provides Peacemaker with one of his primary reasons to abandon his main life. Auggie, aka White Dragon, bristly played by Robert Patrick, returns but is given little to do for much of round two.  Nonetheless, it is evident that these characters will come into greater prominence in the remaining three episodes of the season, so they are not to be dismissed from the offset.  Despite arguably biting off more than he can chew in terms of juggling a particularly large ensemble here, Gunn most importantly does not forget that again, this is a show about Peacemaker - its greatest strength. Do You Really Wanna Taste it (Again)? Returning to the question of whether this show is solely for DC diehards, James Gunn fanatics or peacephiles without any room left for the casual viewer - make no mistake, Season 2 is a remarkably accessible story with lots to love, elevated by Cena’s bravura performance and an abundance of style and energy.  If the first episodes of this season are any indication, we are in for a treat with what is to come - for Peacemaker, and the DCU as a whole. Rating: ★★★★ Peacemaker © DC Studios x HBO Max About Peacemaker Season 2 Premiere Date : August 21, 2025 Episode Count : 8 Executive Producer/Showrunner : James Gunn Writer : James Gunn Director : James Gunn, Greg Mottola, Peter Sollett, Althea Jones Production : DC Studios, Troll Court Entertainment, The Safran Company Distribution : HBO Max Cast : John Cena, Danielle Brooks, Jennifer Holland, Freddie Stroma, Steve Agee, Robert Patrick, Frank Grillo, David Denman, Sol Rodriguez, Tim Meadows Synopsis : In season 2, Peacemaker discovers an alternate world where life is everything he wishes it could be. But this discovery also forces him to face his traumatic past and take the future into his own hands.

With Caught Stealing , Darren Aronofsky grapples with undoubtedly one of the knottiest dilemmas of his directorial career: How far will you go for a cat that is not even yours?  Add in a grimy presentation tempered by flecks of bathos and a colourful cast of characters, and you have yourself a gripping ride. We are presented with something ostensibly conventional and potentially throwaway, but find it elevated in a way that once again demonstrates why Aronofsky is a cut above as an auteur. This film is quintessentially unflinching in both its depiction of violence and its examination of human vulnerability.  Based off Charlie Huston’s 2004 novel of the same name, Caught Stealing  tells the story of Hank Thompson (Austin Butler), a burned-out former baseball player who schleps each day to work behind a bar in late-90s New York City.  Hank, along with his paramedic girlfriend Yvonne (Zoë Kravitz), find themselves landed with cat-sitting duties when his Mohawk-laden neighbour Russ (Matt Smith) asks them to keep an eye on ‘Bud’ whilst he apparently has to return to London to care for his sick dad.  Hank and Yvonne are on the cusp of deciding whether to truly commit to a relationship as a couple. Whilst the pair are onto a good thing, Yvonne needs Hank to deal with his drinking habits so he can truly be a dependable guy.  Yet, in a flash, Hank finds himself confronted in his hallway by a group of Russian thugs who assail him with kicks until his kidney ruptures and he is forced into hospital.  These Russians, under the command of a Puerto Rican gangster played by Benito Martinex Ocasio (aka Bad Bunny, delivering delicious menace), are owed a substantial amount of money from Russ and want it back.  This kicks off a chain of events which spiral increasingly out of control, with Hank forced to enlist help from Yvonne, his bar’s curmudgeony manager Hank (Griffin Dunne) and Regina King’s probing cop Roman. Some have categorised this as a ‘dark comedy drama’.  However, it should not be said that this is a comedy first - the archetypical character types are there, make no mistake, but they are not callously flattened in service of laughs. One of the most welcome decisions taken by Aronofsky is his refusal to depend upon the tactics of many contemporary crime capers over at least the past decade from filmmakers such as Ritchie or Matthew Vaughn.  Comedy in this film is situational rather than rhetorical.  This dereliction of quotable quips means that humorous moments feel more organic rather than manufactured; the kind of things which may provide a wry chuckle from time to time without detracting from the ever-ratcheting tension.  With that being said, the aforementioned archetypes on display may fundamentally be too broad for some, with some aspects coming on a bit too strong (though the lamp-shading at moments does leaven it slightly, and it does not come at the sacrifice of believability). This is a world away from Black Swan,   mother!  or The Whale  - and considerably more likely to please the average punter in search of a rip-roaring time at the movies rather than a major Aronofsky fan (Aronofskyite? Aronofan?) wanting the auteur to break boundaries of form once again. This is the man operating on easy mode, but in a way that has produced his most accessible film to date. Zoë Kravitz and Austin Butler in Caught Stealing . © Sony Another key factor that prevents this film from falling into the dustbin of obscurity in such a crowded field is in how the violence feels purposeful, rather than a spectacle solely for the audience’s gratification.  Hank goes through the wringer, but the camera does not linger so long that it feels exploitative.  Comparisons may be drawn to Tarantino in some aspects of this film, particularly its twistiness - however, the same gleeful revelry in humanity’s capacity to inflict pain is not on display here.  That said, the sound design is top-notch here and a few moments were particularly winsome through that alone - one scene has Russian thugs unpick Hank’s sutures using pliers and the clipping sounds alone paint a picture. This is a picture that truly benefits from being experienced through a top-notch cinema sound system.  Aronofsky knows how to build tension, reel the audience in and keep them wanting more, aided by the deft editing of Andrew Weisblum (the pacing it this film allows moments to breathe but refuses to sag) and the lens of Matthew Libatique.  Special mention to Libatique’s work here - he and Aronofksy have proven an effective team ever since the director’s 1998 debut Pi , but he manages to imbue even the most mundane moments with a kind of elegiac beauty without being overwrought.  The grime and glitter co-exist as we, like Hank, are dragged through it by the scruff our neck - it does not get in the way of showcasing the many beauties to be found in New York.  Those also come in the form of touching asides from time to time, most notably the short but relevant inclusion of Bubbe (Carol Kane), matriarch of two Hasidic brothers Lipa and Shmully (Liev Schreiber and Vincent D’Onofrio).  The pair also end up on Hank’s tail, leaving chaos in their wake - until circumstances start to shift and Hank fights himself dining with the family, in one of the few moments he gets to catch his breath.  In Kane’s inimitably raspy tones, Bubbe tells Hank to hide his teeth if he is not going to bite, sensing that he is a gentle soul not accustomed to fighting in the gutter.  Butler aptly embodies such a tortured but fundamentally good-natured fella fighting against not just his inner demons, but the hard cards which life has unexpectedly dealt him in this moment.  He finds himself understandably hardened by his experiences, but Butler never lets that block us from seeing what is going on behind his eyes. Regina King and Austin Butler in Caught Stealing . © Sony Intriguingly - and rather anachronistically - the soundtrack is provided by the contemporary British post-punk band IDLES, with scoring duties supported by.  It would have been all too easy for Sony to make Aronofsky pack the film full of 90s rock classics. However, it is the distinctively British flavouring in this cinematic hotpot which gives the whole thing even more bite - reminiscent of how Danny Boyle only recently worked with Young Fathers on 28 Years Later . Here, however, it feels somewhat eyebrow raising but ultimately natural. It is something of a musical manifestation of Russ’ impact on Hank’s life - crashing in unexpectedly into a space to which it does not traditionally belong and shaking everything up. Aronofsky also does the same himself with this film - playing in a genre and world he has less experience of and creating (at least by his own standards) a remarkable conventional film.  Whether that is a slight or not will ultimately depend upon what you are looking for from this film - but for this critic, Aronofsky has hit a home run.  Rating: ★★★★☆ Caught Stealing . © Sony About Caught Stealing Premiere Date:  August 29, 2025 Producers: Jeremy Dawson, Dylan Goldeno, Ari Handel, Darren Aronofsky Writer: Charlie Huston Production:   Columbia Pictures, Protozoa Pictures Distribution:  Sony Pictures Cast:   Austin Butler, Regina King, Zoë Kravitz, Matt Smith, Liev Schreiber, Vincent D'Onofrio, Bad Bunny, Griffin Dunne, Carol Kane Synopsis: Hank Thompson (Austin Butler) was a high-school baseball phenom who can’t play anymore, but everything else is going okay. He’s got a great girl (Zoë Kravitz), tends bar at a New York dive, and his favorite team is making an underdog run at the pennant. When his punk-rock neighbor Russ (Matt Smith) asks him to take care of his cat for a few days, Hank suddenly finds himself caught in the middle of a motley crew of threatening gangsters. They all want a piece of him; the problem is he has no idea why. As Hank attempts to evade their ever-tightening grip, he’s got to use all his hustle to stay alive long enough to find out…

Last week, we got the return of Peacemaker , the continuation of the DCU James Gunn has envisioned. It was an episode that washed away the worries of how it would continue with the plot points that started in films/shows originally made for the DCEU. It was quite simple; the DCU is just a timeline where certain events may have played out differently than we remembered. The first episode took a slower approach to the storytelling, which fits the overall tone of this second season and takes a more focused look at the dilemmas the 11th Street Kids find themselves facing after the conclusion of the first season. The end of last week’s episode brought tragedy upon Chris (John Cena) as he accidentally killed his Earth-2 self; we now find him reeling in the aftermath of this trauma, which only adds to the heavy burden that has been dragging him down. There was a lack of Adrian/Vigilante (Freddie Stroma) last week, which left his fans slightly disappointed, but he has a larger presence as he’s reunited with Chris to help aid him in disposing of Earth-2 Chris’s body. It’s harrowing seeing somebody like Chris, who has killed so many people, feel haunted and disgusted by his recent act. There’s a struggle as Chris tries to chop the body into parts, with him vomiting every now and then. Thankfully, Adrian is here to help his best friend, which starts to bring in the humour to this dark moment, highlighting the contrast between the two characters as Adrian has the time of his life spending quality time with his best friend while Chris tries to get through a moment that will forever be ingrained into his brain. Adrian thrives in the chaotic incident that now haunts Chris’s every movement, but what this scene perfectly nails is that Adrian only cares to spend time with Chris. Last episode, we heard him ask about Chris and how we got him complaining about not being invited to that shocking orgy. Not because he loves sex but because sex is an opportunity for him to bond with his best friend. There’s a lot of story to tell with Adrien’s personality and how he connects with people, and Freddie Stroma does an excellent job of portraying this character, so there’s only hope that James Gunn doesn’t leave Adrian in the dust in a season that is more focused on the feelings of our characters. Freddie Stroma and John Cena in Peacemaker Season 2. © HBO Max While Adrian is happy to be there for Chris, he’s not the answer that he’s looking for. If your life was crumbling apart before your very own eyes, you’d also be tempted to go over to the alternate reality where everything seems to be perfect so far. It’s an upsetting story that we’re following with Chris because while he may find his answers in this alternate reality, it doesn’t fix the relationships in his reality and will likely make it harder for him. This week’s episode opens up with a flashback, and we see Economos (Steve Agee) showing Rick Flag Sr. (Frank Grillo) to his new office, as he has been appointed the acting director of A.R.G.U.S. after Amanda Waller’s little incident. His first command on the job is to finally see the classified documents that involve his son’s death. With flashbacks to the horrific moment as he reads through the files, we finally get to understand the bigger picture of where Rick Flag Sr.’s priority lies. Rick Flag Sr. and Chris are two sides of the same coin. They’re both being haunted by a past that’s weighing them down and taking charge of their entire life. Chris is struggling to see how his choices affect the people around him, and Rick Flag Sr. is putting A.R.G.U.S. at risk by using their resources in his vendetta to get revenge against Chris. There’s more on Economos in this episode, as he’s been assigned a partner to watch over him, Agent Langston Fleury, as Sasha Bordeaux (Sol Rodriguez) and Rick Flag Sr. worry about his allegiance with Chris. Thanks to Adebayo (Danielle Brooks), Chris is made aware that he’s being monitored thanks to his Quantum Unfolding Chamber but unfortunately isn’t aware of how. The 11th Street Kids reunite for a rooftop party later in the episode, for which Sasha Bordeaux takes precautions to ensure that Chris will be attending so that she can send Fleury and some agents to investigate the Quantum Unfolding Chamber. Steve Agee and Danielle Brooks in Peacemaker Season 2. © HBO Max If you thought it was a lot of fun watching Krypto be chaotic, then you need to make way for Eagly. He’s not just here for pure comedic effect like he was in the first season; he’s become a supporting character who gets an entire action sequence to himself where he kicks complete bird ass. He’s his own character, and we finally get to see him in complete control of the situation. Peacemaker Season 2 might continue to provide a lack of action with the characters we truly love, such as Peacemaker himself or Vigilante, but Eagly brings that action that we yearn for and is a welcome addition compared to the last season. Peacemaker Season 2 shines some light on Adebayo and her relationship with Keeya, but it feels like a water drop in comparison to everything else taking place. With Vigilante, there’s some relevance to his issues, similar to Harcourt and Economos, but Adebayo’s storyline doesn’t match in comparison, although Danielle Brooks brings a warm feeling to the show with her relationship with Chris. Last week’s episode would’ve benefitted from a double premiere episode alongside this to help with the slowness of the first, but as an individual release, this episode continues to excel in keeping its storyline grounded and focused, although there’s still time for everything to go haywire once we step further into that alternate reality. Rating: ★★★★☆ About Peacemaker Season 2 © HBO Max Premiere Date : August 21, 2025 Episode Count : 8 Executive Producer/Showrunner : James Gunn Writer : James Gunn Director : James Gunn, Greg Mottola, Peter Sollett, Althea Jones Production : DC Studios, Troll Court Entertainment, The Safran Company Distribution : HBO Max Cast : John Cena, Danielle Brooks, Jennifer Holland, Freddie Stroma, Steve Agee, Robert Patrick, Frank Grillo, David Denman, Sol Rodriguez, Tim Meadows Synopsis : In season 2, Peacemaker discovers an alternate world where life is everything he wishes it could be. But this discovery also forces him to face his traumatic past and take the future into his own hands.

Insidious 6  has found its lead with Amelia Eve, sources tell Nexus Point News. Details of the upcoming installment in the Insidious franchise are being kept under wraps, but the film is expected to be another prequel to the first film. Lin Shaye will be reprising her role as “Elise Rainier.” Details surrounding Eve’s character are sparse but she is set to portray the lead, a single mother who suffers from a traumatic past. Eve is best known for her role in the Netflix series, The Haunting of Bly Manor , where she portrayed “Jamie,” the manor’s gardner and love interest to Dani (VIctoria Pedretti). Her credits also include Peacock’s Leopard Skin and the Duck Dynasty biopic, The Blind . Insidious 6 will be directed by Jacob Chase ( Bad Boy ), with a script written by David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick ( Aquaman , Orphan ). Insidious  creators, James Wan and Leigh Whannell, will be producing the film alongside Jason Blum and Blumhouse. Production is expected to commence in Melbourne this Fall. Insidious and Insidious: Chapter 2  revolved around the Lambert family as they attempted to rescue their comatose son who was captured by demons in the astral plane. Insidious: Chapter 3 , served as a prequel to the franchise with a mostly new cast and was followed by Insidious: The Last Key , another prequel and sequel to the third film. The franchise’s fifth entry, Insidious: The Red Door , took the franchise back to the Lambert family and served as a direct continuation to the second film. The film also served as Patrick Wilson’s directorial debut. Insidious 6  is set to release on August 21, 2026 and will be distributed by Sony Pictures.

As reported by Nexus Point News, Ryan Murphy’s Monster  is set to adapt the Lizzie Borden murders. Sources tell Nexus Point News that Charlie Hunnam has joined the cast of the series. Hunnam is set to portray Andrew Borden, the father of Lizzie Borden (Ella Beatty). This marks Hunnam’s second role in the Monster  series, following his leading role as Ed Gein in the upcoming season 3 of Monster . Hunnam is best known for his role as “Jax Teller” in FX’s Sons of Anarchy . Other notable credits include his roles in The Lost City of Z , King Arthur: Legend of the Sword , and Triple Frontier . Hunnam is repped by Brillstein Entertainment Partners, CAA, and Sloan Offer. Borden was the suspected killer of her father and stepmother, Andrew and Abby Borden’s murders. The murders occurred on August 4, 1892 in Fall River, Massachusetts. Borden was tried for the crimes and later acquitted. She went on to live the rest of her life free until her death in 1927.  Monster  first aired in 2022 and followed Jeffrey Dahmer. Season 1 of Monster  titled, Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story , starred Evan Peters in the titular role and Niecy Nash as Glenda Cleveland, Dahmer’s neighbor. Season 2 titled, Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story , starred Cooper Koch as Erik and Nicholas Alexander Chavez as Lyle. Javier Bardem and Chloe Sevigny portray their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez. Season 3 which is titled, Monster: The Original Monster  is set to follow Ed Gein. Charlie Hunnam portrays Gein and will be joined by Laurie Metcalf as Augusta Gein, Tom Hollander as Alfred Hitchcock, Olivia Williams as Alma Reville, and Suzanna Son in an undisclosed role. Production on Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story is set to begin in October in Los Angeles.

The legendary Genndy Tartakovsky has brought to Netflix his passion project, Fixed , which is about a Staffordshire Bull Terrier that learns he’s about to be neutered. It’s an adult animation, which we don’t get so often, but Genndy is accustomed to developing R-rated animation such as Primal and Unicorn: Warrior Eternals . I had the pleasure of speaking with Genndy Tartakovsky, where we spoke about finally having his 16-year project out for people to watch, the lack of adult animated films, if we’ll ever see his Superman short return in any form and if Dexter’s Laboratory could make a possible return. Watch our interview below: Fixed is now streaming on Netflix.