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Netflix has unveiled some exciting details for their upcoming animated projects Stranger Things: Tales From ʼ85 and InYour Dreams at Annecy Festival. Details from Stranger Things: Tales From ʼ85 : Releasing next year. Remains in Hawkins. The main characters from the main series will appear including El, Mike, Dustin, Lucas, Max and Will. A new character named Nikki will be introduced. The tone is inspired by Scooby Doo and Ghostbusters . The animation style is inspired by Into the Spider-Verse and Arcane . It takes place between Season 2 and 3 of the main series. Realistic character looks were illustrated by Meybis Ruiz Cruz. CG Animation was made by Flying Bark. New batch of creatures will appear: Pumpkin Zombies, Snowshark and Human Monster Hybrids Details from In Your Dreams : Releasing November 14. Teaser trailer will release on June 12. It follows two siblings: Stevie and Elliot. In the clip shown Elliotʼs bed started walking, running and flying. Stevie is looking for Sandman. There is a breakfast town with breakfast food as characters. Everything turns rotten if it's a nightmare.

When Exceptional X-Men  was first announced, I’ll admit I wasn’t particularly excited. I’ve always enjoyed Emma Frost—she’s consistently a compelling presence—but I’ve never been the biggest Kitty Pryde fan. And as for the new generation of young mutants? We’ve seen their kind before: introduced with promise, only to quietly disappear over time. But ten issues in, I can confidently say that Eve Ewing has completely won me over with this cast. What makes Exceptional X-Men  so special is how it channels the spirit of classic X-Men  comics: a pitch-perfect balance of action, humor, emotional weight, and social commentary. Issue #10 especially shines as a character study of Emma Frost—brilliant, complex, and always burdened by the shadow of her past. In the previous issue, we saw just how far she would go to protect her students, even if it meant sacrificing herself. To save the mutant Axo, Emma used the last of her psychic strength to break his hold from Sinister’s control, ultimately trapping herself in the villain’s twisted psyche. The story opens with Emma reflecting on her evolution—on who she was and who she’s become—with the help of the people around her. Kitty, Bobby, and the students in her care have changed her in ways she never fully expected, and in turn, she’s impacted them just as deeply. While Emma remains lost in Sinister’s mind, the rest of the team faces his deadly traps, fighting for their survival and hers. The emotional core of the issue comes when Axo—who once seemed uncertain and adrift—steps up. He willingly reconnects with the device Sinister used to exploit his powers, risking everything to bring Emma back. It’s a powerful, heartfelt moment that highlights just how much she’s come to mean to this group in such a short time. More than a team, as Emma herself says—they’re a family. And I’ll admit, I got a little misty-eyed at that. The characters and their bond have grown on me more than I expected, and the final confrontation with Sinister was incredibly satisfying. The teamwork, the payoff, even the return of a lost ally—it all felt earned. This was, in every sense, an exceptional issue and a fantastic conclusion to the arc. The young mutants introduced in issue #1 have developed beautifully, and what once felt like a shaky leadership dynamic has evolved into something truly inspiring. Ewing captures each character’s voice and personality with clarity and care, while Carnero and Mancin’s artwork remains consistently gorgeous and expressive throughout. The word “Exceptional” doesn’t just describe the team—it describes the book itself. I’m fully onboard, and I can’t wait to see what comes next. Release Date:  June 11, 2025 Written by:  Eve Ewing Art by: Carmen Carnero, Federica Mancin Cover by: Carmen Carnero Page Count: 26 Synopsis :  Melee, Axo and Bronze still feel like newbies, but no X-Man gets to choose the timing of their own fates. Ready or not, they face the fight of a lifetime, leaving Emma forced to make the ultimate sacrifice to save her students.

When it comes to complicated backstories in the X-Men  universe, few characters can rival Illyana Rasputin. Both a mutant and a sorceress, she’s endured a traumatic past filled with kidnapping, demonic realms, corrupted childhood, and even death. That she’s still standing — strong, sharp, and self-aware — is a testament to her resilience. But no matter how far she’s come, going back is never easy. Although Illyana has temporarily stopped the threat of Liminal, her problems are far from over. Her relationship with longtime friend and ally Dani Moonstar is strained after their last mission, and now she finds herself entangled once again with the politics of Limbo—specifically, with its current ruler: the Goblin Queen, Madelyne Pryor. During the events of Dark Web , Illyana handed control of Limbo over to Madelyne, hoping both to give Pryor a fresh start and to distance herself from the trauma tied to her former realm. But now, Limbo’s demons are rebelling against their new queen, and Illyana is forced to step back into the chaos she tried to leave behind. What follows is a surprisingly introspective and, at times, darkly funny adventure. Illyana and Madelyne, more alike than either would care to admit, are forced to confront how manipulation, trauma, and power have shaped their identities. Both have been twisted into darker versions of themselves—made to hurt the people they love. It’s a sobering truth, and one that lingers long in thought, even after the last panel. Yet, they share more than pain. Both women are fiercely strong-willed. When the demons attempt to forge a “soul blade” to claim Limbo for themselves (a thread subtly teased back in Storm  #9), Illyana and Madelyne join forces to stop them. The new blade, a potent artifact tied to Limbo’s essence, ultimately falls into Illyana’s hands, and together, the two dispatch the traitorous demons in a display of power and unity. Magik  #6 is a strong issue—both thematically and narratively. It reminds us just how far Illyana has come, while still acknowledging the deep scars of her past. It’s also a welcome reminder that the Goblin Queen and the world of Limbo remain rich, layered corners of the X-Men  mythos. Ashley Allen clearly understands Illyana not just as a mutant or hero, but as a full, complex person. The final-page cliffhanger, teasing Dani’s return, is especially exciting. Illyana and Dani have always been excellent foils—two warriors with very different kinds of strength—and I’m eager to see what happens when they’re reunited, for better or worse. If the start of this arc is any indication, we’re in for something special. Release Date:  June 11, 2025 Written by:  Ashley Allen Art by: Jesus Hervas Cover by: Pablo Villalobos Page Count: 26 Synopsis :  Guest-starring Madelyne Pryor, the GOBLIN QUEEN! The Goblin Queen comes to Magik for help to retain control of Limbo. But what kind of threat requires two queens of Limbo to defeat it? And what kind of trouble can Magik and the Goblin Queen get into together?!

As I dove into Phoenix  #12, I quickly realized this issue wasn’t going to be what I expected. Rather than focusing on Jean Grey’s reaction to her emotional reunion with her long-lost sister, Sara, the story instead shifts perspective—showing us who Sara Grey is, was, and what she’s endured since her last appearance in the comics decades ago. While I initially hoped for a more Jean-centered narrative, I had to step back and consider that, while I’m familiar with Jean’s history—and by extension, Sara’s—many readers are not. For Stephanie Phillips to tell the story she’s crafting now, it makes sense that she would take a moment to fill in the blanks. This issue sets the stage not just for the future of the Grey family, but for the wider circle of characters affected by their lives and legacies. We learn that while Sara didn’t exhibit mutant powers like her sister, she was deeply involved in mutant affairs. Her activism for mutant rights eventually made her a target of the Purifiers, leading to her assimilation by the Phalanx. That’s where most fans believed her story ended. But here, we discover that Sara somehow survived, ended up off-world, and—according to her—developed the ability to awaken latent mutant powers in others. It’s a fascinating twist, though one laced with suspicion. On the one hand, readers like myself were excited by the prospect of Jean reconnecting with a family member—especially after the Shi’ar Death Commandos decimated the Grey bloodline years ago. On the other hand, Sara’s sudden reappearance raises a lot of questions. Why hasn’t anyone heard from her until now? Why were her powers never known before? Can we trust her story? These uncertainties come to a head in the issue’s final pages, when Cable arrives and directly attacks Sara, accusing her of deception and demanding she reveal the truth. It’s a jarring but compelling cliffhanger that throws everything into question. Ultimately, not much happens here in terms of Jean’s arc—she only appears briefly toward the end. While that initially felt disappointing, I’m reserving judgment. This issue may not push Jean’s personal story forward, but it builds a foundation for something larger and more emotionally complex for Phoenix's future. Stephanie Phillips has already proven her skill at weaving character-driven narratives with long-term payoffs, and I trust that what feels like a detour now may soon hit with the kind of emotional weight that defines the best X-Men  stories. Release Date:  June 11, 2025 Written by:  Stephanie Phillips Art by: Roi Mercado Cover by: Lucas Werneck Page Count: 25 Synopsis :  THE SECRET ORIGIN OF SARA GREY Protecting the cosmos as PHOENIX, Jean Grey has experienced near-limitless mystery and wonder - a universe of perpetual possibility! But nothing so magnificently unexpected as this: Her sister, SARA GREY, has returned to life. Murdered by the Phalanx many years ago, another in a long line of Greys to lose their lives in untimely, violent ways, Sara nonetheless stands before Jean, alive and well. But - when?! Why?! How?! All of these are questions worth asking. And Jean Grey probably should. Needless to say…this would be a very different story if she did.

The Miraculous Corp have shared some exclusive clips from the series and sneak peeks of their upcoming projects at Annecy Festival. Miraculous World Rio teased: "Magic is all around you but you need to look inside to become a hero." Cinematic feel in the environments was a focus for Miraculous Season 6. Season 6 clip with Luka having a pretend girlfriend and vacationing in Rio, teaching Marinette guitar through video calls. Lukaʼs pretend girlfriend secretly has powers and birdlike wings. Season 6-7-8 are already being planned as an arc. Season 7 poster featured someone mysterious with a pair of green eyes and purple skin. Season 8 poster was an 8 made out of magic/smoke. Miraculous World, Tokyo Stellar features Power Rangers style hero costumes. Handrawn 2D animation. It is Japanese animation inspired. One of the main character is very asocial and deadpan. "If I succeed, you will be my friend for two weeks,” she says before accepting a challenge. A full season of Miraculous Chibi is coming Holiday 2025. This story is still developing.

Disney’s new anime-inspired series Dragon Striker brings magic and sports together. The series is produced by French animation studio La Chouette Compagnie (Chouette Studios). This year at Annecy Festival, La Chouette Compagnie has unveiled the first look at the series. Launching next year, Dragon Striker will consist of 22 episodes, each 22 minutes long. Taking place at a magical school called Kal Asterock, the show follows soccer teams made up of kids with special abilities. Each student has a tama, which is their special move and power. Key - main character, inherited the dragon striker ability from his mother. Ssyelle - has the ability to control time. Milo - has the inexplicable ability to control jelly. Odward - can duplicate himself. Ameline - can drain others. Ragno - has the power of telekinesis. There are five teams within the school, each with their own powers: The Bards, The Roses, The Shadows, The Knights, and The Dragons. While the show was originally going to be about rugby, the decision was made to change the sport to soccer in order to capitalize on soccer’s greater popularity. Nexus Point News will continue to follow and the development of Dragon Striker as more information becomes available. This story is still developing.

Warner Bros. Animation presented a work-in-progress version of The Ca t in the Hat at Annecy Animation Festival. The panel included several clips and a deep dive into the world building of the movie. The cat is assigned to Gabby and Sebastian after almost getting fired for endangering the kids he was assigned to. Gabby and Sebastian are unhappy after their mom gets a new job and they have to move to somewhere else, leaving everything they loved behind. The mom is voiced by America Ferrera. The film includes 3 worlds: the real world, Seussʼ world and the boxesʼ world. Seussʼ world is where he gets assigned to the kids. It has an absurdist aesthetic and wacky shapes. The whimsy of Seuss is heavily implemented here. Seussʼ boss sounded like Giancarlo Esposito. The boxesʼ world is the moving boxes of Sebastian, Gabby and the mom coming alive. Sebastian is into the ocean so his world is an ocean world. Gabbyʼs world is a reflection of her old life before moving. She sees her old street through heavy nostalgia which makes it look better than it actually was. More details to come...

Sony Pictures Animation’s upcoming film Goat has unveiled its cast, as announced at the Annecy Animation Festival. Caleb McLaughlin will voice Will Harris, the titular “goat.” Will is seen as too small to play Roarball (the film’s take on basketball) and is constantly taunted by other, larger animal players with jeers like “smalls can’t ball.” Gabrielle Union joins as Jett Fillmore, a black leopard and member of the Thorns team. Jett has a slightly antagonistic role, as she strongly opposes having a tiny goat on her team. Jennifer Lewis will portray Florence Everson, the owner of the Vineland Thorns. Determined to end her team’s losing streak, Florence finds renewed hope after seeing a video of Will playing basketball. David Harbour has been cast as Archie Everhardt, a rhino and fellow Roarball player, while Nick Kroll will voice another player, Modo Olachenko. Nicola Coughlan will play Olivia Burke, a vain ostrich Roarball player who spends a worrying amount of time on her phone. Making his animation debut, Stephen Curry will voice Lenny Williamson, a giraffe and roarball player. Goat will release in theaters on February 13, 2026. This story is still developing.

This review contains major spoilers for The Life of Chuck . © Neon It’s no secret by now: anything Mike Flanagan touches becomes a haunting, beautiful tragedy and when you hand him Stephen King, you get pure magic. With The Life of Chuck , Flanagan adapts King’s novella into something truly wonderful. At first glance, the title sounds straightforward. Maybe you expect a tidy, linear biography: the story of Chuck, told from start to finish. The film unfolds in reverse: Third Act, Second Act, First Act. And threading through it all is Nick Offerman’s unmistakable narration which provides an unexpected comfort, almost like a friend telling you a ghost story by the fire. We open with an ending as the world itself is unraveling. Civilization is crumbling at the seams. Skies darken, the continents collapse, lights flicker and die, and there’s this all-consuming sense that the universe is running out of time. People respond in their own fractured ways to the catastrophe. At the heart of this apocalypse, Flanagan gives us two souls to anchor to: Felicia (Karen Gillan) and Marty (Chiwetel Ejiofor), a divorced couple drawn together by the world’s unraveling. Their chemistry is subtle and aching; you feel their shared history in every glance. Through their eyes, the end feels intimate. We sense their confusion, their fear, their quiet hope as they search for meaning in chaos. We know as little as they do. The rules of this world, and the reasons for its collapse, are left unexplained. David Dastmalchian and Matthew Lillard, though only on screen for brief moments, also leave a lasting impact with their performances. However, Chuck himself is a mystery as he is absent from the action, but present everywhere in the form of billboards, news flashes, and cryptic advertisements: “39 Great Years, Thanks Chuck.” The city is plastered with his name, yet nobody knows who he is. He’s like a ghost haunting the end times. Then the lights in the world go out completely. Chuck’s face appears, ghostlike, in windows and screens across the city. But he’s not beaming; he looks haunted, anxious, and tired. You are left feeling unsettled as the act ends. © Neon Only then do we finally meet Charles “Chuck” Krantz, the man himself, played by Tom Hiddleston in a charming performance that’s equal parts warmth and sorrow. Here, the film breathes in and lets you see the light Chuck brought to those around him: moments of joy, flashes of kindness, a radiant dance sequence that feels like a celebration and a farewell all at once. We witness the little ways he lights up the world, and we start to understand why the world might be grateful for “39 great years” of Chuck. Yet just as quickly, the story pivots and reveals Chuck’s battle with cancer. It’s here that the emotional weight settles in. On his deathbed, Chuck’s wife sits by his side and whispers, “39 great years. Thanks Chuck.” It lands with a quiet finality, heavy with love and loss. The lights go out again and the act ends. And then, the story folds further back into Chuck’s childhood. He’s an orphan, raised by his grandparents, Albie (Mark Hamill, gentle and wise) and Sarah (Mia Sara, nurturing and warm). These scenes feel tender and luminous, showing how love and small joys shaped Chuck into the person we’ve glimpsed. Sarah teaches him how to dance; Albie fills his world with curiosity and wonder while also making him face the reality of life. In these quieter moments, the puzzle pieces start connecting. Characters from earlier acts reappear: Felicia and Marty, first seen in the chaos of the end times, are revealed as figures from Chuck’s youth. Albie and Chuck watch Carl Sagan together, with Sagan saying the exact words that were quoted by Marty in the third act. There’s a beautiful sense of interconnectedness in how every person and memory is woven into the fabric of Chuck’s life. © Neon Everything the film is building toward quietly clicks into place in a classroom scene. A teacher (Kate Siegel) is reading Walt Whitman’s “Song of Myself, 51,” and young Chuck is the only one really listening. After class, Chuck asks her about what Whitman meant with “i contain multitudes.” She tells him that his mind is a universe all its own — that every face, every object, every moment he experiences lives within him, shaped by his memories and imagination. It’s a simple idea, but it echoes through the entire film. Time passes and now Chuck is all alone in the world. Chuck finally opens a terrace door he’s always been forbidden from entering. For a moment, there’s only emptiness. But then, as he turns to leave, he hears the same beeps Felicia heard in the film’s first act (which is actually the third act), and sees himself — older, fragile, dying. In this confrontation with his future, Chuck makes a silent promise to live as fully as he can. And with that, the entire film comes full circle. We realize that the apocalypse of the first act is the collapse of Chuck’s own universe as he dies. The strange, disjointed world, the faces and memories drifting through it... They’re fragments of a life, a consciousness in its final moments. The “Thanks, Chuck” messages aren’t random, they’re his wife’s final words to him, echoing through his mind. Even as the world fades, his life is being celebrated, his memories shining bright in the darkness. The Life of Chuck is a meditation on mortality, memory, and the quiet power of human connection. It’s about the way our lives echo outward, touching others in ways we’ll never fully know. The end doesn’t erase the beauty of a life well-lived. If anything, it magnifies it by making every moment feel luminous and important. This is a story that lingers after the credits roll, urging you to reflect on your own life, your own “multitudes.” It’s a celebration of existence, of love, of family and of the little things that make it all worthwhile. Heartbreaking, beautiful, and unforgettable — The Life of Chuck is exactly the kind of film that makes you grateful for your own fleeting, great years. Rating: ★★★★★ The Life of Chuck . © Neon About The Life Of Chuck Premiere Date:  June 13, 2025 Executive Producer: Mike Flanagan, Trevor Macy Writer: Mike Flanagan Adapted from: Stephen King Director: Mike Flanagan Production:   Intrepid Pictures, FilmNation Entertainment, QWGmire, Red Room Pictures Distribution:  Neon Cast:   Tom Hiddleston, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Karen Gillan, Jacob Tremblay, Benjamin Pajak, Matthew Lillard, Kate Siegel, Mia Sara, Annalise Basso, David Dastmalchian, and Mark Hamill. Synopsis: Charles "Chuck" Krantz experiences the wonder of love, the heartbreak of loss, and the multitudes contained in all of us.

Apple TV+’s new sci-fi adaptation Murderbot isn’t just a showcase for Alexander Skarsgård’s formidable talent , it also highlights a standout performance from David Dastmalchian. In the series, Dastmalchian plays Gurathin, an augmented human who is intensely suspicious of the titular Murderbot, especially since it originates from the corporation he deeply distrusts. His portrayal brings nuance and vulnerability to a character caught between logic, fear, and a complicated form of love. Nexus Point News spoke with David Dastmalchian about bringing Gurathin to the screen, exploring the emotional depth of the character, his electric dynamic with Alexander Skarsgård, and the exciting projects he has on the horizon. Demet: Murderbot touches on ideas of autonomy, trust, and found family. What themes resonated most with you personally when you first read the script and stepped into Gurathin's shoes? David: There were two themes that really struck me when I first read the scripts that Paul and Chris adapted so incredibly well from Martha Wells' brilliant books. The first, which you already mentioned, was autonomy. I'm fascinated by the concept of autonomy as a human being — the idea of being my own source, primarily of safety and support. It's something that is challenging to say the least as a human being in a world that constantly pushes and pulls us in lots of different directions. So that leads me to the other theme that really hit home for me as Gurathin, particularly, which is I, David, know how it feels to love people the way Gurathin loves the family that he has in PresAux, the way he loves Doctor Mensah and to want them so badly. What I think is best to do, what I say is best, to want to control the person I've loved or the group because I think I know what is best for everyone. And that is a form of relationship that is problematic. Gurathin, I had the honor of playing, comes to many painful discoveries because, even though Gurathin deeply loves the people around him and he believes he knows what's best for them, he has a very difficult time letting go of control, of making himself vulnerable. And when SecUnit becomes such a priority for them — when they seem to look at SecUnit as an entity equal of Gurathin's worth or value — it shatters his mind. That was fascinating. Demet: Yeah. In many ways, Gurathin is uniquely equipped to understand Murderbot's programming and then the emotional needs of the human team, but he is also somehow isolated from both. How did you explore that aspect of his character, the isolation part? David: Do you know the term FOMO? Demet: Yes. David: Gurathin is this paradox. He is, in my opinion and the choice I made with the character, constantly experiencing a set of feelings that revolve around FOMO because the people he loved so much are so connected in ways that he has a difficult time connecting with them. And they feel a special bond to SecUnit — which, to Gurathin, is a piece of equipment. If you'll notice, I keep referring to it as "it," whereas they refer to it as they/them because they see it as a non-binary entity. It hurts my feelings as Gurathin to be like, "Why are you all putting all this energy and attention over there when I'm right here? I care about you. I love you. I know things. I'm smart." He's almost like John Cazale in The Godfather movies. He's like, "No one pays attention to me." That obstacle as an actor was really wonderful to play around with and get to explore because, from the beginning, I know there is something not right about SecUnit. So I'm not coming at it as a villain. I'm not coming at SecUnit as like some bad guy. I'm coming at SecUnit because I love PresAux. I love my family. I love Doctor Mensah. And I want to protect them from this threat that, to me, quite obviously is not operating properly. Alexander Skarsgård and David Dastmalchian in Murderbot . © Apple TV+ Demet: The dynamic between Gurathin and SecUnit is also electric. I just couldn't get enough of it. What was it like developing that chemistry with Alexander Skarsgård? Did you have any kind of rehearsal process to shape that dynamic? It's just magic. David: As soon as I met Alex, it was on. I was in love at first sight. I've been a fan of his for such a long time. I've always thought he was so interesting as an actor. He's so complex and fascinating, and he does so much with so little. I've seen his performances be completely soft and sweet. I've seen him be terrifying and monstrous. The spectrum that this guy possesses within him is astounding. So I knew I was gonna learn a lot, and I was fucking right! As soon as we showed up, we met in Toronto, Chris and Paul brought all of us into the room together so we could talk and work through stuff and explore — share ideas. The first day of filming was like kind of a big group scene. It was pretty simple; it was like showing up at the habitat and stuff like that. Day 2, the first day of like real heavy lifting acting was the big scene in episode 2 where Gurathin and Murderbot square off, and Gurathin knows something's up. And I was so nervous going into it cause I'm like, "This guy is such a fine actor. He's so talented. Am I just gonna get gobbled up? I've got to make strong choices. I've got to go for him. I've got to see if I can tip him off his balance and see how I can get inside of Murderbot's mechanics so that I can prove my theory," and we start working. And Alex is that very special kind of actor who every single take brings something entirely new. Even when we would find like magic and gold, you never got the sense that Alexander was out there trying to recreate or remanufacture something. He lets every take go where it needs to go, and so we started playing. And I felt all the feelings as Gurathin. I felt intrigued by Murderbot. I felt a sense of kindred connectivity with Murderbot. I felt deeply resentful and suspicious of Murderbot. And the writing, the way it was directed and the way that ultimately it was played by Alex... What a gift, man! I've been so lucky as an actor. I've gotten to do so much cool stuff, but Murderbot is like... it's really it for me, man. Noma Dumezweni, Tamara Podemski, David Dastmalchian, Tattiawna Jones, Akshay Khanna and Sabrina Wu in Murderbot . © Apple TV+ Demet: Yes, it's my new comfort show. I've already started rewatching it. David : I love that — comfort show Murderbot. Who would have thought that a show called Murderbot would be your new comfort show? I love that! That warms my heart, because boy, is it a beautiful, incredibly moving show that also makes you laugh your ass off. I love that about it. Demet: Yes, it is charming. So you convey so much of Gurathin's inner turmoil through subtle expressions and posture. What kind of physical or emotional preparation went into playing someone with so much unspoken trauma, and so many emotions? David: Most of the time, I build my characters from the outside in. I think about the environment in which they exist or have existed. I think about the way that they exist in space and how they would physically exist around others. Gurathin is so closed off, so the way I positioned my feet, the way I walked, I wanted to constantly feel like a person that was looking for an explosive device at any corner, like, "What's the thing that shouldn't be trusted in this room? What's the thing that is potentially going to harm me in this space?" That's how I energetically moved with Gurathin, which then caused muscles to start to develop through the course of performing, that kind of shaped the way I felt like Gurathin would stand, would hold posture... I don't know if you've ever noticed this — I do — depending on different circumstances or situations, I find myself, in the way that I move my mouth, is really distinct. And I'd never really done much consideration of that in character work, at least not as specifically as I did with Gurathin. So I started to really like — because he's so cerebral — so much of his way of defending himself and exploring the world is through ideas and words. I really started to think about what it feels like in Gurathin's mouth — that's a strange quote, but it made sense to me at the time. Demet: Yeah, I mean, you just masterfully brought Gurathin into life. It's always a delight to see you in a project. Which of your upcoming projects are you excited for people to see? David: Oh my gosh! All of them! I mean, seriously... I know we're doing press, and you're a journalist and I'm an artist, and so blah blah blah, but I'm so excited for people to see Murderbot . I talked to my therapist about it. I talked to my support group about it. I talked to strangers about it, and I'm so excited for people to see the potential. It's the thing that Apple does so well with all genres, but especially when you go like, "Oh my God! Science fiction... there's never been a show like this out there," and that makes me so excited. And then I jump into the next feature that's coming out, which is The Life of Chuck , written and directed by the legend Mike Flanagan, which — I've never seen a movie like that. Is it a ghost story? Is it scary? Is it a drama? Is it an apocalypse story? All of the above. It's so fascinating. I'm really proud of and excited for people to see what we got to do with Dexter: Resurrection . I can't talk much about that yet, but I am telling you, it's wild and so awesome. I have this talk show/podcast called Grave Conversations , and we're getting ready to shoot a round of really cool new interviews where I get people to climb into a casket with me. We talk about the end of life. And sometimes it's very funny, and sometimes it's very emotional. It's always really meaningful to me because I love the opportunity to try to normalize conversations about death and dying because it's something we just don't talk very much about, except in movies. And the last thing I'll say is — 'cause I don't need to say anything about One Piece . Everyone's excited about that; it's gonna be awesome! I did a film called Dust Bunny with Brian Fuller that is, yet again, unlike anything I've ever really seen or been a part of before. And I think it's a very special experience. So I'm swimming in gratitude today. People have given me so many awesome opportunities, and when I hear you say something like, "Oh, Murderbot 's my new comfort show," that's the greatest gift 'cause I could feel it when we were making it. I felt like we were making something special. But now it's out of our hands —now it's in the audience. Demet: You have no idea! I tell everyone I know to watch Murderbot so I can get the second season. I'm like, "Please watch it, please watch it for me. You will love it." So thank you so much for speaking with me today. It was wonderful! David: That was really great. Thank you so much! This interview has been edited for clarity. Murderbot  is now streaming on Apple TV+. Murderbot . © Apple TV+ Murderbot Premiere Date:  May 16, 2025 Episode Count:  10 Executive Producer/Showrunner: Chris Weitz, Paul Weitz, Alexander Skarsgård, Andrew Miano, David S. Goyer, Keith Levine Director: Chris Weitz, Paul Weitz, Toa Fraser, Aurora Guerrero, Roseanne Liang Production:   Paramount TV Distribution:  Apple TV+ Cast:   Alexander Skarsgård, Noma Dumezweni, David Dastmalchian, Sabrina Wu, Akshay Khanna, Tattiawna Jones, Tamara Podemski Synopsis: Based on Martha Wells’ bestselling Hugo and Nebula Award-winning book series, “Murderbot” is a sci-fi thriller/comedy about a self-hacking security construct who is horrified by human emotion yet drawn to its vulnerable clients. Murderbot must hide its free will and complete a dangerous assignment when all it really wants is to be left alone to watch futuristic soap operas and figure out its place in the universe.

This review contains spoilers for Poker Face . © Peacock What happens when a film buff who’s never had so much as a parking ticket finds himself in the middle of a real-life heist? According to Poker Face , it’s funny, tragic, and brilliant. One Last Job  invites us into the life of Kendall (Sam Richardson), a store worker who lives for movies and has never broken a law in his life. After he’s fired from Super Save by his close friend and boss Bill (James Ransone), he’s approached by a thief, Juice (Corey Hawkins), with a tempting but dangerous proposition: help rob the store’s Black Friday takings. If they succeed, they’ll be rewarded with $200,000 split down the middle. Easy, right? Wrong. It’s never that simple. There’s more than double the expected cash. Juice vanishes. Bill gets shot. And suddenly, Kendall, whose only prior crime was watching too many films, is in way over his head. What follows is a spiralling mess of a cover-up, panic, further murder, and misplaced good intentions. It’s soon revealed that Kendall and Bill have been close since fourth grade, and Bill only fired him because he believed Kendall was destined for more. That belief gets him killed. It’s so preventable, this time it hurts. Meanwhile, Charlie is working at a local restaurant in the area and unwittingly gets swept into the whole mess via her blossoming flirtation with Bill. He keeps ordering takeout deliveries just to see her, and that interest is returned. Geraldine Viswanathan’s hopeless romantic coworker is fully invested in the ‘rom com’ she thinks is playing out in real time. Bridget Jones’s Diary  and Pride and Prejudice  are literally playing in the background. It’s sweet, but you know it can’t and won’t last. When Bill asks Charlie out on his birthday, she sets out to buy him a small birthday gift. She even asks Kendall for advice, planning to buy Bill something meaningful. She settles on a guardian figure to ward off evil spirits for his bike. It's such a Charlie move, but this time is tragically useless. Bill is dead before it can even work. What does work, however, is the romance. While short-lived, Natasha Lyonne adds a vulnerability to Charlie that we’ve not seen before. Even though she’s more of a nomad, and the other half doesn’t survive the episode, you’ll fall for what could be. The storytelling here is masterful. If last week’s episode felt like a return to quality, the seventh episode of the second season feels like a turning point for the show. It should cement Taofik Kolade as a consistent writer should Peacock renew Poker Face for a third season. It’s soon Cyber Monday, and Bill hasn’t called. Their date was before Black Friday, and now days have passed. However, Charlie thinks she’s in luck when a delivery addressed to Super Save comes through. When she arrives, she soon learns the order is for a police officer investigating what they believe was a sole robbery, orchestrated by Bill, who they cannot find. His body has been hidden, and he’s being framed for the whole thing. Ever consistent, Charlie knows  instantly it couldn’t be him.Perhaps the most horrific part of the episode is the reveal that Bill’s body has been stuffed into a Santa costume in the store. If you weren’t invested before (How?), you will be now. I won’t spoil the rest of the episode, but the deeper we go into full heist territory, the stronger the episode becomes. You’ll be glued to the screen, clichés and all. After an incident with Juice that I won’t spoil, Charlie investigates Kendall’s locker and finds the stolen money just as he walks in. Gun in hand, he threatens to kill her if she doesn’t drop the cash, put her hands up, and step away. We’re now deep into full heist movie territory - clichés and all - but you’ll be glued to the screen. One Last Job  is an incredible episode of television. It’s equal parts engaging, funny, and gut-wrenching. It has everything that makes Poker Face so good and provides even more depth for Charlie – something you won’t realise you needed. Here’s hoping the season can build on this high in future episodes. Rating: ★★★★★ About Poker Face Poker Face . © Peacock Premiere Date:  May 8 2025 Episode Count:  12 Executive Producer/Showrunner: Tony Tost, Ram Bergman, Nena Rodrigue, Adam Arkin, Nora Zuckerman, Lilla Zuckerman Writer: Laura Deeley, Alice Ju, Natasha Lyonne, Wyatt Cain, Tony Tost, Kate Thulin, Taofik Kolade, Megan Amram, Tea Ho, Raphie Cantor, Andrew Sodroski Director: Rian Johnson, Natasha Lyonne, Miguel Arteta, Lucky McKee, John Dahl, Adam Arkin, Mimi Cave, Adamma Ebo, Clea Duvall, Ti West Production:   Animal Pictures, T-Street Distribution:  Peacock Cast:   Natasha Lyonne, Adrienne C. Moore, Alia Shawkat, Awkwafina, Ben Marshall, B.J. Novak, Carol Kane, Cliff "Method Man" Smith, Corey Hawkins, Cynthia Erivo, David Alan Grier, David Krumholtz, Favionte "GaTa" Ganter, Ego Nwodim, Gaby Hoffmann, Geraldine Viswanathan, Giancarlo Espositio, Haley Joel Osment, Jason Ritter, John Cho, John Mulaneyy, Justin Theroux, Katherin Narducci, Katie Holmes, Kevin Corrigan, Kumail Nanjiani, Lauren Tom, Lili Taylor, Margo Martindale, Melanie Lynskey, Natasha Leggero, Patti Harrison, Rhea Perlman, Richard Kind, Sam Richardson, Sherry Cola, Simon Helberg, Simon Rex, Taylor Schilling Synopsis: Poker Face  is a mystery-of-the-week series following Natasha Lyonne’s Charlie, who has an extraordinary ability to determine when someone is lying. She hits the road with her Plymouth Barracuda and with every stop encounters a new cast of characters and strange crimes she can’t help but solve.

Disclaimer: This review contains spoilers for ‘Immortal Thor’ #24. © Marvel The end is nigh! We are on the penultimate issue of Immortal Thor , and the stakes are higher than ever. After defeating Kemur, the god of rule, in issue #23 , Thor and his companions find themselves finally able to escape the metaphysical clutches of Utgard, and the “unforgiving city” of NRGL (aka, land of the missing vowels). The city and the realm will not give them up so easily, however. Utgard-Loki is still a powerful foe and stands between Thor and escape. In true Thor fashion, he chooses to send his companions ahead. Fearing for the wellbeing of the injured Heimdall, and determined to defeat Utgard-Loki once and for all, Thor sends Hermod, Heimdall, and Skurge ahead to the Black Bridge, a back door into Asgard. Luckily, in Asgard itself, Gatekeeper Sif has sensed the shifts and is ready to usher them back into the Realm Eternal.  In the last issue, Loki Laufeyson appeared just in time to defeat Kemur. Here, he disappears just before Thor finds himself facing Utgard-Loki and Mejed alone. Like previous issues, it seems as though Loki is providing the narration, but his motives are becoming particularly suspect, especially when Utgard-Loki demands adherence to the oldest rule of storytelling: “Thor must pass his trial.” Throughout the Immortal Thor  run, Loki the story-god has been challenging Thor and setting up trials for him to pass. Early on, he asked Thor to trust him, even if he acted as Thor’s enemy. Now, the trials are becoming more difficult, by orders of magnitude. By leaving Thor alone to fight Utgard-Loki, Laufeyson’s role of a shifty ally is once again in question.  Thor’s last stand © Marvel The visual imagery and emotional core of Thor choosing to sacrifice himself to save his friends are reminiscent of the scene in Avengers Infinity War  when Thor holds the forge open, taking the full blast of a dying star. He knows he is outmatched, knows he will likely die, and knows he was foolish to take on the burden alone. Still, Thor will always be Thor and will always be the one to sacrifice himself for the greater good.  He fights against Mejed, “god of ghosts and mysteries”, sent by Utgard-Loki and the city of NRGL itself. Mejed represents those things that are difficult for Thor: the unknown, and the mysterious. Still, Thor fights back with everything at his disposal; he may have sent his companions to safety, but he still has the power of the storm. It is always thrilling when Thor brings the full brunt of his powers to bear on his enemies, especially when he has clearly been either purposely holding back or has been reserved with his power because of his own self-doubt.  His battle with Mejed is visually delightful. The art by Jan Bazaldua and coloring by Matt Hollingsworth looks fantastic in the high-stakes fight, making Thor appear somehow both vulnerable and unstoppable as he demonstrates the full might of his powers. The mirroring of his expression and Sif’s when it becomes clear the battle has been won is a great palate cleanser for what happens next. In the very last panel, of the second-to-last issue, Thor is murdered by the very same spear that defeated Kemur, wielded by the same trickster god. If Loki’s motives were suspect before, they’re incomprehensible now. This isn’t like the 2018 Thor  comic run where Thor purposefully gets Loki to kill him in order to lead the Valkyries against the daughter of Surtur. This is an action Loki has, seemingly, taken solely on his own and for his own reasons.  I trust Al Ewing to steer away from Loki making a full return to villain-hood. After all, he is the author of the popular Loki: Agent of Asgard  series, which is where Loki obtained the moniker of “God of Stories” in the first place. Thus, whatever the scheme, it seems likely that Loki’s actions are part of a larger plot. What that plot is, and what it means for Thor, will hopefully be explained as Immortal Thor  draws to a close.  Rating: ★★★★☆ © Marvel About Immortal Thor #2 4 Release Date: June 4, 2025 Written by:  Al Ewing Art by:  Jan Bazaldua Cover by: Alex Ross Page Count:  23 Pages Synopsis: THE LAST STAND! The omens could no longer be denied. The prophecy could no longer be delayed. The hour had come. Now the Odinson stood between the Gods of Utgard and all they would break asunder...and he stood alone. This is the story of the IMMORTAL THOR...and how he faced his end.