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When David Fincher directed “Se7en” in 1995, his reputation was strangely bifurcated. On the one hand, he was a supremely successful commercial and music video director at the top of his field, having helmed innovative and influential shorts for icons including Madonna, Sting, and Rick Springfield. On the other, his one attempt at feature filmmaking, “Alien 3,” had been a bust — a critical disappointment liked by virtually no one, including Fincher himself. Although it has since developed a bit of a cult following, Fincher disowned “Alien 3” and famously said that he’d rather die of colon cancer than direct another movie.

Luckily for him, and for us, Fincher changed his mind when he came across Andrew Kevin Walker’s script for “Se7en,” a perfectly calibrated blend of intellectual philosophizing and pulpy exploitation that ended up beautifully served by Fincher’s unerring ability to push the psychic trauma the story inflicted...

Good storytellers understand that realism doesn’t mean that the storytelling needs to be the most boring thing imaginable, while the worst storytellers make the mistake of associating blandness with realism. For example, David Fincher is probably one of the best directors working right now who has delivered some of the greatest crime dramas ever, e.g., Se7en, Zodiac, and Mindhunter. Now, Fincher rarely resorts to over-the-top action or melodramatic acting to spice up his narratives. He usually keeps things low-key, to the extent where some accuse his work of being “emotionless,” and yet manages to keep things engaging and thrilling. And even when some of his stories don’t reach a cathartic and climactic conclusion, the journey feels worthwhile. The same can be said about Memories of Murder, Blow Out, The Silence of the Lambs, Insomnia, The Long Goodbye, Ugly, Dahaad, and more. Then there’s this year’s The Breakthrough,...

Was Mark Ruffalo Initially Rejected From Zodiac? ( Photo Credit – Wikimedia )

Mark Ruffalo’s journey to the big screen was challenging—especially when it came to Zodiac. In fact, the actor who’d go on to become a beloved part of the MCU was once considered so unimportant by the studio they didn’t even bother to care.

In a chat with High Snobiety, Ruffalo spilled the beans. During the negotiations for Zodiac, the 2007 thriller about a serial killer stalking San Francisco, the studio flat-out told his manager, “Look, we don’t give a sh*t about Mark Ruffalo, we don’t even want Mark Ruffalo in this movie, so you’re going to take what we’re offering you or forget it.” That’s a cold one, no? But you’ve got to wonder—how do you go from that to becoming the heart and soul of a Fincher classic?...

The closing lines of David Fincher’s 1995 crime thriller Se7en reveal the bleak yet humane position that Morgan Freeman’s Detective Somerset takes after he witnesses a truly heartbreaking moment with his partner Detective Mills, played by Brad Pitt. Freeman says, “The world is a fine place and is worth fighting for. I agree with the second part.”

The bleak ending is preceded by Pitt’s discovery that his wife, played by Gwyneth Paltrow has been killed, and her dismembered head has been sent to him in a box. Though the audience never sees the contents of the box, it is implied that it is Paltrow’s head. David Fincher recently revealed what the box really had.

David Fincher reveals what exactly was in the box in Se7en Brad Pitt in Se7en | Credits: New Line Cinema

David Fincher was only one film old when he was tapped to...

Was Harry Potter going to have a rather creepy ending? ( Photo Credit – Wikimedia; Facebook )

David Fincher, you know, the guy who gave us the dark, twisted world of Se7en? Well, turns out, he nearly brought his signature style to Hogwarts. And we’re not talking about a slightly darker Harry Potter flick—we’re talking full-on, don’t go in the Forbidden Forest creepy.

In a recent chat with Variety, Fincher spilled the tea on his near-miss with the Harry Potter franchise. Apparently, Warner Bros. asked him how he would handle the world of magic, and his response? “I just don’t want to do the clean Hollywood version of it. I want to do something that looks a lot more like Withnail and I, and I want it to be kind of creepy.” Now, Withnail and I is a cult-classic black comedy, dripping with offbeat charm and a touch of madness.

David Fincher had his idea for the 'Harry Potter' film series rejected because it was too "creepy".The 62-year-old filmmaker met with Warner Bros. executives to explore the possibility of overseeing the beloved wizarding franchise but ultimately his vision was deemed too dark.He told Variety: “I was asked to come in and talk to them about how I would do ‘Harry Potter. “I remember saying, ‘I just don’t want to do the clean Hollywood version of it. I want to do something that looks a lot more like ‘Withnail and I,’ and I want it to be kind of creepy.’” The 'Fight Club' director explained producers didn't consider his take on the franchise as they had something more wholesome in mind for the adaptations of the J.K. Rowling novels. He added: “They were like, ‘We want Thom Browne schooldays by way of ‘Oliver’.’”David has previously...

Obsession over true crime stories have led to plenty of films and TV series.Netflix'All Good Things''All Good Things' featured Ryan Gosling and Kirsten Dunst.Movieclips/Youtube

Inspired by Robert Durst's life, director Andrew Jarecki's 2010 film All Good Things tells the story of a real estate heir suspected – and eventually convicted – of multiple murders.

It stars Ryan Gosling and Kirsten Dunst, who play the roles of David Marks and Katie McCarthy, respectively.

'Changeling''Changeling' is based on Walter Collins' case.Youtube

Changeling recounts the true story of the 1928 Wineville Chicken Coop murders in California. Starring Angelina Jolie, the 2008 mystery crime drama film explores the journey of Christine Collins, a single mother who, refusing to believe her son had been murdered, tirelessly searched for him until her death in 1964.

In addition to Jolie, John Malkovich, Jeffrey Donovan, Michael Kelly, Colm Feore, and Jason Butler Harner appear in the film.

'...

The wizarding world of Harry Potter could have looked a bit more like “Se7en” if a certain meeting had played out differently.

In a new interview with Variety, David Fincher recalled taking a meeting with Warner Bros. about directing a film in the “Harry Potter” franchise. The director explained that his vision for the series would have leaned into the darker elements of J.K. Rowling’s books.

“I was asked to come in and talk to them about how I would do ‘Harry Potter,’” Fincher said. “I remember saying, ‘I just don’t want to do the clean Hollywood version of it. I want to do something that looks a lot more like ‘Withnail and I,’ and I want it to be kind of creepy.’”

Fincher said that Warner Bros. was more interested in the warmer aspects of the books, so he never became involved: “They were like, ‘We want...

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This January, Paramount+ is bringing you a ton of entertainment with the highly anticipated new film in the Star Trek universe alongside a great new series based on Sherlock by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. However, for the purposes of this article, we are only including the films that are coming to Paramount+ this month and have a 90% or higher Rotten Tomatoes score. So, check out the 8 best films coming to Paramount+ in January 2025 with a 90% or higher Rotten Tomatoes score.

Arrival (January 1) Rotten Tomatoes Score: 94% Credit – Paramount Pictures

Arrival is a sci-fi drama film directed by Denis Villeneuve from a screenplay by Eric Heisserer. Based on the 1998 short story titled Story of Your Life by Ted Chiang, the 2016 film follows Louise Banks, a linguistic expert tasked with interpreting the language of aliens who have come to Earth in a giant spaceship.

Despite taking a darker tone with each iteration, David Fincher is one of the last filmmakers you’d expect to see at the helm of a Harry Potter movie. Famously known for directing stand-out thrillers like Seven, Fight Club, and Zodiac, Fincher’s style promotes a gritty, scarred look with film grain, imperfections, and striking mood lighting. Harry Potter’s journey to defeat Voldemort and prevent Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry from falling into ruin takes many dark turns. However, there’s still something about Fincher’s sensibilities that makes the thought of him tackling a Potter film perplexing. Then again, what do I know? According to David Fincher, he met with Warner Bros. about directing a movie in the Harry Potter series, though the project never materialized.

“I was asked to come in and talk to them about how I would do ‘Harry Potter,'” David Fincher told...

David Fincher, the director known for films like Seven, Gone Girl, and The Social Network, recently shared a surprising tidbit about his career. In an interview with Variety, he revealed that he was once approached to direct the Harry Potter movies.

However, his vision was much darker than what the studio had in mind. Fincher wanted to make the film feel more like the quirky, offbeat movie Withnail and I and less like the typical polished Hollywood version Warner Bros. had in mind. The studio’s idea, he said, was more aligned with a style inspired by the schooldays of Oliver!.

Throughout his long career, Fincher has worked on various projects, some of which never saw the light of day. These include two sequels to The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, an adaptation of Rendezvous with Rama, and a follow-up to World War Z.

Despite his involvement in these high-profile projects,...

These movies and TV shows revisited the notorious crimes in history that sent shivers down viewers' spines.NETFLIXAll Good Things'All Good Things' featured Ryan Gosling and Kirsten Dunst.Movieclips/YouTube

Inspired by Robert Durst's life, director Andrew Jarecki's 2010 film All Good Things tells the story of a real estate heir suspected — and eventually convicted — of multiple murders. It stars Ryan Gosling and Kirsten Dunst, who play the roles of David Marks and Katie McCarthy, respectively.

Changeling'Changeling' is based on Walter Collins' case.Rotten Tomatoes Classic Trailers/YouTube

Changeling recounts the true story of the 1928 Wineville Chicken Coop murders in California. Starring Angelina Jolie, the 2008 mystery crime drama film explores the journey of Christine Collins, a single mother who, refusing to believe her son had been murdered, tirelessly searched for him until her death in 1964.

In addition to Jolie, John Malkovich, Jeffrey Donovan, Michael Kelly, Colm Feore and Jason Butler Harner...

The end of the year offers ample opportunity to catch up on movies, and we’ve put together a curated list of some of the best new titles added to Amazon Prime Video this month. They include a new release from 2024 starring Austin Butler and Tom Hardy, as well as two Batman movies newly added to the streaming service that are well worth checking out, plus a bona fide classic for good measure.

Check out the best new movies on Amazon Prime Video below.

“The Bikeriders” Austin Butler in “The Bikeriders” (New Regency)

One of last year’s very best movies is now one of this year’s very best movies. After playing the fall festivals and getting a primo, made-for-awards-season slot at the end of the year, New Regency and Disney decided to table the movie, with Focus Features agreeing to distribute, with a juicier summer date. It wound up a sleeper hit.

Dexter: Original Sin has officially entered the scene, and it’s already giving NCIS: Origins a run for its money.

While NCIS: Origins explores the backstory of our beloved Leroy Jethro Gibbs, Dexter: Original Sin takes us back to the twisted beginnings of one of TV’s most iconic anti-heroes — Dexter Morgan.

On Dexter: Original Sin Season 1, Episode 1, we’re transported to 1991, where we witness the early formation of Dexter’s homicidal urges. And let me tell you — it does not disappoint.

(Photo Credit: Patrick Wymore/Paramount+ with Showtime)

Michael C. Hall is back, bringing his signature Dexter charm to the narration, reminding us why we fell in love with this character (and the Og series) in the first place.

And Patrick Gibson? He nails young Dexter — capturing everything from the eerie calm to the awkwardness that made the original Dexter such a compelling character.

It’s...

In the upcoming episode of “Expedition Unknown,” Season 14, Episode 5, titled “Code Breakers,” viewers are in for a thrilling journey as the mystery of the Zodiac Killer takes a dramatic turn. For years, the cryptic clues left behind by the infamous killer have baffled investigators, but in this episode, these codes are finally deciphered. As the puzzle pieces fall into place, the clues lead to a prime suspect, bringing new light to a case that has long haunted the public imagination.

Host Josh Gates delves deep into the investigation, uncovering key details and exploring the cryptic messages that have stumped experts for decades. As the codes are cracked, the show takes viewers closer to understanding who the Zodiac Killer might have been, offering fresh insights into one of the most notorious unsolved cases in American history.

Tune in to Discovery at 9:00 Pm on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, for an edge-of-your-seat episode of “Expedition Unknown.

Some of the greatest Hollywood collaborations have come about through chance encounters and random conversations. Such was the case with "Zodiac," David Fincher's critically acclaimed 2007 true crime thriller about the Zodiac Killer and the investigation surrounding him. The film features something of an ensemble cast, with the likes of Robert Downey Jr. playing journalist Paul Avery and Brian Cox playing celebrity lawyer Melvin Belli.

The two lead roles, though, are played by the duo of Mark Ruffalo and Jake Gyllenhaal, with the latter playing famed writer Robert Graysmith and the former playing detective Dave Toschi. While both actors are big-time stars today -- and already were in 2007, with Gyllenhaal a particularly hot item coming off "Brokeback Mountain" and "Jarhead" -- the pair might never have been put together for "Zodiac" if not for Jennifer Aniston.

"I was talking to Jennifer Aniston," David Fincher explains on the film's DVD commentary track.

The holiday season is here and that means there are lots of new releases coming out just in time to make the season bright. Below are some of the picks coming out sure to make the movie fan in your life smile. Whether it is an upgrade to a 4K edition, a reliable Blu-ray, or a special edition Box Set, this list has something for everyone!

One disclaimer: Deals as good as these can be fickle, so there’s no telling if and when a money-saving opportunity might end or if the price may change. So if you want something – snap that shit up quick! Don’t wait, only to have Festivus roll around and discover you’ve nothing to give or the price suddenly changed and you no longer have the bread. And remember that if you want to support JoBlo.com, please make all your purchases by initially clicking through our links,...

Netflix’s fifth and final original Christmas movie for 2024 is now streaming, and this one is animated. But you’re still going to recognize a whole lot of the cast.

Written and directed by Richard Curtis, who brought fans “Love, Actually,” the film centers on a group of people in a small town in the UK, getting ready to celebrate Christmas. Like “Love, Actually,” the story is told via vignettes, jumping around between different groups and pairings.

And as you meet those groups and pairings, you’re definitely going to recognize some of those voices. Here’s who we have.

Netflix/Getty Images Santa (Brian Cox)

The big man himself is voiced by Brian Cox, who you likely know from his time on “Succession,” or films including “X2: X-Men United,” “Troy,” “Red,” “Zodiac” and “Trick ‘r Treat,” among many others.

Netflix/Getty Images Lighthouse Bill (Bill Nighy)

Bill uses his lighthouse to help both Santa,...

“Cross” might be over, but that doesn’t mean you have to move on from gritty cop procedurals. TheWrap has eight titles for you to watch if you loved Prime Video’s thrilling drama.

If not for the groundbreaking police drama pioneer “Dragnet,” where would the genre be? “Cross” is the latest addition to the category, serving viewers with just as much action, drama, villainy and twisty mystery. Whether its a detective, a forensic scientist or an everyday cop on the job, there’s something exciting about the life of an officer that TV watchers just can’t get enough of.

Here are eight shows that will feed your crime thriller taste buds until “Cross” returns for Season 2.

“Bosch” (Credit: Prime Video) ‘Bosch’

Amazon kicked off its trend of successful detective shows with “Bosch,” an adaptation of the Michael Connelly book series that got the moniker “Dad TV.” But you...

The true crime genre has a Zodiac problem. Every time a cryptic note surfaces or a cipher goes unsolved, the Zodiac Killer’s shadow looms large. So, I’m weary, yet morbidly curious, about Investigation Discovery’s Before They Kill Again tackling a Zodiac copycat in its upcoming episode, “The Twelve Signs He Will Die.” The premise is […]

Before They Kill Again “The Twelve Signs He Will Die”...

After “The Good Place,” creator Mike Schur and star Ted Danson are back with another comedy to keep you laughing while tugging on the heartstrings with “A Man on the Inside.” The Netflix series stars Danson as Charles, a retired and widowed man bored with his daily routine who gets the opportunity to reinvent his life when he’s hired by a private investigator to infiltrate a retirement home.

Danson is joined by an ensemble full of familiar faces, from former Schur’s comedy regulars to seasoned character actors. Here’s your handy guide to the cast of “A Man on the Inside” and where you’ve seen them before.

(Netflix) Ted Danson as Charles

“The Good Place” star Ted Danson reunites with series creator Michael Schur for “A Man on the Inside.” Danson plays Charles, a retired professor who is thrilled for a new adventure when he gets the...

There are few films that can capture the forthcoming bad vibes of 2025 better than this one. Celebrating its 30th anniversary next year, David Fincher’s newly-remastered Se7en is returning to theaters. Set open theatrically worldwide with exclusive IMAX engagements in the U.S. and Canada beginning on January 3, and international theatrical engagements on select dates, the theatrical run will be followed by a 4K Uhd and digital release on January 7, 2025.

The 4K restoration of Se7en was completed at Warner Bros. Discovery’s Motion Picture Imaging (MPI) and was sourced from the original camera negative. The restoration was overseen by director David Fincher.

Scott Nye said at its TCM Classic Film Festival premiere earlier this year, “David Fincher’s 1995 triumph Se7en was restored in 8K for IMAX presentation and an eventual 4K disc release. Fincher appeared in person at the Tcl Chinese IMAX Theater to relay familiar anecdotes––the...

As we’ve previously mentioned, there’s currently a GoFundMe campaign to raise money to build a statue honoring late Monty Python member Terry Jones in his hometown of Colwyn Bay, Wales. In a rare moment of agreement, all the surviving Pythons have thrown their support behind the project, dubbed “A Python on the Prom,” which will possibly result in a detailed bronze replica of Jones playing the organ while completely naked.

The campaign has, at the time of writing, raised 83 percent of its goal, but organizers are hoping to make up the difference with a new exhibition celebrating Jones’ life. “The Life of Terry” will open in Colwyn Bay on December 12th, with all proceeds going toward the statue fundraiser. The exhibit will reportedly feature more than 100 items that have been loaned by Jones’ family and the Monty Python archive.

The items will include rare personal photographs, as well...

For the last 50 decades, the identity of the Zodiac Killer has remained one of the most puzzling cold cases in American true-crime culture. With countless suspects emerging and fading into obscurity, the serial killer struck terror throughout Northern California’s Bay Area in the late 1960s, inspiring countless podcasts, books, and even the 2007 Zodiac film starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Mark Ruffalo, and Robert Downey Jr.

For those who are unaware of the cold killer, the Zodiac Killer is an unidentified serial murderer who terrorized Northern California. He is infamous for his cryptic letters, taunting authorities with symbols, ciphers, and claims of several unsolved murders. The Zodiac Killer also claimed to have killed 37 people, but only five murders and two attempted murders have been linked to him. Despite extensive investigations, the Zodiac Killer’s identity remains a mystery, except, for Arthur Leigh Allen, a former elementary school teacher and convicted sex offender,...

Known for his jaw-dropping stunts and relentless commitment in the Mission: Impossible franchise, Tom Cruise almost shared the screen with Scarlett Johansson in the third installment of the franchise. However, the thrilling team-up never made it to the big screen, leaving fans to mourn the untapped chemistry and exhilarating action.

Mission: Impossible 3 | Credit: Paramount Pictures

The actress later reflected on the missed opportunity prompted by the filmmaker J.J. Abrams taking over the project after David Fincher stepped down as the director due to creative differences.

How J.J. Abrams Robbed Fans of a Tom Cruise And Scarlett Johansson Action Team-Up

Renowned filmmaker J.J. Abrams took over as the director for the 2006 film Mission: Impossible 3 after David Fincher stepped down due to creative differences, choosing instead to focus on his 2007 thriller Zodiac.

Tom Cruise and Michelle Monaghan in Mission: Impossible 3 | Credit: Paramount Pictures

However, when Abrams stepped...

El aclamado cineasta detrás de ‘Perdida’, ‘Seven’ y’ La Red Social’ llevará ahora los macabros juegos a suelo estadounidense. © Netflix

En diciembre vuelve El juego del calamar con su segunda temporada, y además ya ha sido renovada por una tercera y última temporada.

Ahora, según informa Deadline, el universo de esta popular serie de Netflix se expandirá con un spin-off dirigido por David Fincher, el aclamado cineasta detrás de películas como Perdida, Seven, Zodiac, La red social y The Killer.

Esta nueva serie no será un remake de la historia original (para quienes ya estéis pensando «¿otra vez?» o «¡que para eso están los subtítulos!»), sino una serie derivada ambientada en Estados Unidos y, siendo David Fincher el encargado, no puede (esperemos) salir mal.

¡SÍGUENOS!

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The post David Fincher dirigirá un spin-off de ‘El Juego del Calamar’, ambientado en Estados Unidos, para Netflix. first appeared on mundoCine.

David Fincher is reportedly making a Squid Game spin-off series for Netflix. But wouldn’t we rather see something original from the filmmaker?

From a comparatively small investment, Squid Game has become a huge money-spinner for Netflix. The streaming giant bankrolled South Korean writer Hwang Dong-hyuk’s dystopian TV game show concept when other studios wouldn’t, with the series eventually appearing on the platform in 2021. The budget for the series was a reported $21.4m; the show was such a hit with subscribers that it was said to have made something in the region of $900m for Netflix.

With numbers like that swirling around, it’s little surprise that Netflix wants more Squid Game. Series two is due to stream in December, while a third and final season will follow in 2025; to keep the show’s name at the front of subscribers’ minds, reality TV spin-off Squid Game: The Challenge streamed in 2023.

Meanwhile,...

David Fincher is the director behind influential movies like Se7en, Fight Club and Zodiac, not to mention having a hand in foundational series like House of Cards. The director has worked closely with Netflix in recent years, releasing solid movies like The Killer and great shows like Mindhunter. And now, Deadline has it that his next project may be an English-language remake of Squid Game.

The first season of Squid Game dropped back in 2021. It wasn't just a hit; it became Netflix's most-streamed show ever, which surprised a lot of people. Who expected a Korean-language drama about debt-ridden people battling for their lives for the amusement of sadistic billionaires would be this big of a hit? Makes you think.

Anyway, Netflix capitalized on the success of Squid Game with an unscripted reality show called Squid Game: The Challenge, not to mention a second season of the original show coming out this December.

Ahead of the Dec. 26 premiere of Squid Game season 2, there are already rumblings about what the future could hold for the Netflix franchise.

Now, we have known that Netflix renewed the series for a third and final season for quite some time, but there's currently rumors that an Academy Award-nominated director could be developing a new English-language series that would grow the universe.

According to Deadline, Netflix has begun to develop an English-language Squid Game series, likely paving the way to continue the franchise beyond season 3 and the second season of the reality competition series, and they're bringing in David Fincher to do so.

David Fincher might be working on new Squid Game series

The pairing would make sense considering Fincher re-upped his deal with Netflix earlier this year. Because the supposed series remains in early development, additional details are scarce beyond that fact that it's scripted, English-language, and likely set in the United States.

Movies Like Woman of the Hour on Netflix: Anna Kendrick has been working in Hollywood for over two decades, mainly known for her performances in comedy-dramas like “Pitch Perfect” and her Oscar-nominated turn in Jason Reitman’s “Up in the Air“. Now, with “Woman of the Hour,” she steps in as a director of a dark, psychological thriller. The film revolves around Sheryl Bradshaw, a young aspiring actress from the 70s, who entered a reality television show to find her next date. She was supposed to choose someone from the three male contestants trying to woo her.

One of these suitors was serial killer Rodney Alcala, who charmed Sheryl enough to select him as her date. As the film follows her journey, it offers glimpses into Rodney’s past encounters with his victims and survivors. It alternates between these different stories to give us a sense of his personality...

Netflix’s This Is the Zodiac Speaking spills some shocking facts about the case that continues to haunt America. The Zodiac killer was an unidentified serial killer who operated in Northern California in the ’60s. The killer mailed taunting messages to regional newspapers, with his last letter claiming that he had killed 37 victims. The new documentary focuses on the only suspect that authorities named publicly, Arthur Leigh Allen.

A still poster of This Is The Zodiac Speaking | Credits: Netflix

According to the documentary, people who knew Allen claimed that he had told them that he was the Zodiac killer. These people also revealed that Allen drugged them as children and may have even brought them along to his crimes. The documentary included interviews with David and Connie Seawater and several other former pupils who knew Allen.

Robert Graysmith, the journalist who wrote the book about the serial killer and was...

The Zodiac Killer, one of the most notorious serial killers in history, taunted authorities and the public with cryptic ciphers for over five decades. Among these was the Z340 cipher, a 340-character cryptogram that remained unsolved for 51 years, confounding both amateur and professional codebreakers.

However, in 2020, an international team of cryptographers successfully cracked this infamous code. The details of their breakthrough and the meaning behind the message offer a fascinating insight into the mind of the Zodiac Killer and the methods used to solve this enduring mystery.

The Z340 Cipher: A Half-Century Enigma One of The Zodiac Killer’s victims | Credits: Crime scene officer, San Francisco Police Departmentvia Wikimedia Commons, Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0

Between 1968 and 1969, the Zodiac Killer claimed the lives of at least five people in Northern California. During his spree, he sent a series of letters to local newspapers, often accompanied by cryptic ciphers. These ciphers were...

As the late evening grew darker, the shadows seemed deeper somehow. Even all these years later, the memory remained vivid—like it was only yesterday. We had sat together so many times before, chatting into the night as old friends are wont to do. But on this occasion, a heaviness lingered in the air between us, carrying on waves of recollection flooding back unbidden. Images long buried were unearthed, forcing eyes to witness horrors anew.

My friend’s face bore lines more pronounced in the low light, etched by time and experience. Their eyes, once full of warmth, had grown weary with wisdom. But within those gentle eyes also glimmered a determination—a need to revisit the darkness of the past, if only to help illuminate the present. And so they began to speak, sharing secrets long kept in the hope they might bring answers or even peace to others.

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Woman of the Hour is a crime thriller drama film directed by Anna Kendrick from a screenplay by Ian McDonald. Based on the true story of serial killer Rodney Alcala, the Netflix film is set in the late 1970s and it follows the story of The Dating Game show contestant Cheryl Bradshaw who aspires to become an actress until she crosses paths with a serial killer on the dating show. Woman of the Hour stars Kendrick in the lead role with Daniel Zovatto, Autumn Best, Kathryn Gallagher, Pete Holmes, Kelley Jakle, and Tony Hale starring in supporting roles. So, if you loved the thrilling story, a terrifying serial killer, and compelling characters in Woman of the Hour here are some similar movies you should check out next.

Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile (Netflix) Credit – Netflix

Extremely Wicked,...

Arthur Leigh Allen is a familiar name among amateur investigators who delve into the darker side of humanity. In this case, his name is frequently associated with one of the most notorious serial killers in U.S. History — the Zodiac.

In the grand scheme of things, the Zodiac Killer is small potatoes, outdone by the likes of Gary Ridgeway, Gerald Stano, Ted Bundy, and Dennis Rader, at least in terms of victims.

The only difference is, the Zodiac was never apprehended. All that remains of the Zodiac’s rampage between December 1968 and October 1969 is theory, circumstantial evidence, and innuendo.

(Courtesy of Netflix Trailer/Screenshot)

Americans are fascinated by serial killers and even more fascinated by the unknowns associated with them. Whether that’s a healthy obsession or not is a topic for another day.

With Netflix’s “This is the Zodiac Speaking” documentary release on the horizon, the trailers have...

This article contains spoilers for the latest episode of "The Penguin."

While I can't help but think of "The Batman" as "Seven" but not quite as good, there was still a lot to love about the film. Director Matt Reeves tried several new things with his take on the Dark Knight, turning Bruce Wayne from a millionaire playboy into a tortured shut-in inspired by late-career Kurt Cobain. While Reeves touted classic crime thrillers such as "Chinatown" as his inspiration, "The Batman" was also clearly working from a David Fincher rubric, with the aforementioned "Seven" providing the most obvious influence alongside "Zodiac," which partly inspired the look of Paul Dano's Riddler.

Elsewhere, one of the coolest changes Reeves made to Batman lore was the Bat-cave itself. In "The Batman," Robert Pattinson's vigilante works out of an abandoned train station beneath Wayne Tower in the center of the city. Such...

A new week has arrived and with it comes a few new movies and shows to Netflix. The new additions to the lineup include a new adventure drama series, a new horror movie, and a new documentary. While there aren't a ton of new things coming to the streaming service this week, there might be something you're interested in.

First up this week is Territory. The new show hits Netflix on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 and stars Anna Torv, Jay Ryan, Robert Taylor, and Sara Wiseman. The show follows the drama at the Lawson family cattle station, which has been left without an heir. With the family unsure what to do next, multiple Australian factions fight it out to see who will win the land and if it will finally be the end of the Lawson dynasty. This is giving Yellowstone vibes but down under.

Take a look at the trailer here:

Don't Move,...

One of the most perplexing figures of the last 50 years, the Zodiac Killer still inspires plenty of questions, theories, and obsession. The serial killer, linked to multiple murders across Northern California in the late ’60s, has been the subject of countless books, movies, and TV shows. “Zodiac was different,” Rita Williams, a former Ktvu reporter, says in the trailer. “He got away with it.”

Now, the three-part true crime docuseries This Is the Zodiac Speaking provides a new perspective on the case — with fresh evidence.

Here’s everything you need to know about This Is the Zodiac Speaking.

Over the course of their decades-long investigation, police have only ever publicly identified one suspect in the Zodiac Killer case, Arthur Leigh Allen, but they never found enough evidence to charge him. This Is the Zodiac Speaking revisits the case once more, with never-before-seen evidence and interviews with people who knew...

[Editor’s note: The following interview contains light spoilers for “Woman of the Hour.”]

When serial killer Rodney Alcala appeared on the hit game show “The Dating Game” in 1978, he was billed as one of three eligible bachelors competing for the affection of struggling actress Cheryl Bradshaw. Alcala ultimately won a date with Bradshaw, but the wily young woman refused to go out with him, mostly because she found him to be “creepy.”

She was right to feel that way: By the time of his appearance on the game show, Alcala had already killed at least five women, been listed as one of the FBI’s most wanted, and skipped his way around the country to avoid a variety of criminal investigations. “Creepy“? That was only the tip of the iceberg.

Such is the wild, horrifying true story at the heart of Anna Kendrick’s feature directorial debut (in which she also stars as Cheryl), “Woman of the Hour.” For screenwriter Ian McDonald,...

The opening sequence of the new Netflix film Woman of the Hour contains one of the most terrifying and shocking scenes in crime thriller history. A young woman, Sarah (played by Pitch Perfect’s Kelley Jakle), unburdens her ruminating regrets to a new friend and is subsequently attacked.

However, the perpetrator gives his victim life-saving cardiopulmonary resuscitation, only to attack her again.

On that note, let’s get right to the point: Anna Kendrick’s directorial debut is a thoroughly gripping and relevant crime thriller transcending the #MeToo film movement in powerful ways. Woman of the Hour explores themes that extend well beyond what hides in the shadows or, for that matter, in plain sight.

Tony Hale, Anna Kendrick, and Daniel Zovatto in Woman of the Hour (2024) | Image via Netflix Related “There was no chemistry there”: Blake Lively’s Awkward Second Interview With Kjersti Flaa While Anna Kendrick Kept...

John Carpenter’s Halloween has influenced everything from other slasher flicks to even music videos. With her new visual “Undone,” indie-pop artist Young Summer rips images from the iconic 1978 film for a tension-splitting story that guarantees to creep under the skin.

Young Summer (real name Bobbie Allen) stars in the video as a woman unaware of her surroundings. While out walking her adorable pooch Scrappy, a stalker (Miloš Šarenac) wearing all black lurks from the corners of each frame.

Everything about the brand new “Undone” music video, on which she worked with frequent collaborator and cinematographer Seth Dunlap, feels very 1970s. From long lens shots to a vibrant but muted color grading, Allen (director/editor) masterfully laces suspense by using various classic film techniques and equipment – namely the telephoto Canon Fd 50-300mm T/4.9 zoom Lens.

“I knew using that long zoom for the spy shots would make the stalking...

The new Netflix series Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, part of Ryan Murphy’s true-crime anthology, delves into the notorious case of the Menendez brothers, who murdered their parents in 1989.

The series boasts a talented cast portraying critical figures from the real-life events.

Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story has taken Netflix by storm, sparking debate about the infamous murder case.

The second season of the Monster anthology series, following Dahmer, it premiered on September 19, 2024.

While the performances were widely praised, critics offered mixed reviews, citing concerns over the season’s length, uneven tone, and depiction of the Menendez brothers’ relationship, which included controversial incestuous overtones.

Erik Menendez publicly condemned the series for its inaccuracies, particularly in portraying his brother, Lyle Menendez.

Here is everything we know about the talented cast of the Netflix series.

Nicholas Alexander Chavez and Cooper Koch shine as the Menendez brothers

Nicholas...

An immense yet slinking police procedural that slips with disturbing ease into its audiences’ subconscious, Fabrice Du Welz’s Maldoror owes a debt to many contemporary serial killer creepers to come before it but comes together as a formidable, restrained, uniquely resonant work that finds the director at the height of his powers in telling a story at once hauntingly personal and broad in scope.

In early ‘90s Belgium, impulsive young police officer Paul Chartier (Anthony Bajon) is preparing to marry his sweetheart, Gina (Alba Gaïa Bellugi) but is soon distracted when he’s tapped by his superior, Hinkel (Laurent Lucas) to participate in Maldoror – a secret operation to monitor a dangerous sex offender named Marcel Dedieu (Sergi López) and investigate the abduction of two pre-teen girls. But, as Chartier gets closer to uncovering the truth, he grows increasingly erratic and frustrated with the calcified bureaucracy of his department, jeopardizing...

The thrill of the chase meets an offbeat character study in Diego San Jose’s latest series “Celeste,” a six-part episodic set to bow at San Sebastian’s Velodrome on Sept. 22.

Produced by Movistar Plus+ and The Mediapro Studio’s 100 Balas, with The Mediapro Studio Distribution handling international sales, the slyly enthralling first season follows Sara, an uninspiring tax investigator inching through life. On the cusp of early retirement, she’s lured into staying on the job for one last case – running down Latin pop star Celeste, who’s rumored to be taking advantage of her status to evade paying dues.

Setting out to make a thriller he likens to “Zodiac” or “Seven” but with a twist, San José manages an act of rebellion certain to shake monotonous algorithms and pull a curious, rapt audience. While not a masochist, he admits to craving change – and as he crafted this wily,...

13Z by Mixed Realms is an upcoming hack and slash game that builds on the concept of roguelike games. Its roots lie in Zodiac folklore, introducing players to the Zodiac Trials – a test of reflexes and tact. It may ease you into its world with an art style that draws inspiration from cel-shading, and a soundtrack that keeps things cozy.

However, the gameplay loop is anything but simple. 13Z’s biggest strength lies in its combat system, which is filled with satisfying combos and fluid animations. Yet, its progression system that works on a roguelike model can feel quite punishing at times.

Fortunately, all of it works in 13Z’s favor. Even in its preview build, it shows the promise of being the perfect entry into a genre of gaming that’s for people who enjoy fast and rewarding gameplay that thrives on novelty.

Welcome to the Zodiac Trials Before the trials begin,...

It should be a stunt, hiring a man of Colin Farrell’s particular good looks and physicality to play the Penguin, a venal creature of the Gotham City underworld. Not because the Penguin is actually subhuman, mind you, but because his literal stature and appearance in various comics, cartoons and movies — short, squat, bald, pointed nose — features any number of physical attributes lacking in Farrell.

And to some extent, Farrell’s version of the character, first seen in the 2022 feature film “The Batman” and revived for HBO’s eight-episode companion series “The Penguin,” does come across as a feat of make-up, transforming a leading man into a supporting mobster.

The real magic of “The Penguin,” though, is how it then transforms Oswald Cobb back into a lead, albeit of the antihero variety. Despite all of the accouterments that come with playing Oswald — scarred face, a limp on a disfigured foot,...

Paramount+’s Peak Screaming collection returns to the service today with a monster-sized lineup of thrills for audiences to enjoy this Halloween season. The popular Peak Screaming collection expands each year and features more genre-defining hits and classics than ever before, with over 450 new originals, fan-favorite horror movies, and iconic Halloween episodes from beloved series.

The seasonal collection will include the debut of the Paramount+ original film Apartment 7A (September 27), a haunting prequel to the cult classic Rosemary’s Baby, and SpongeBob SquarePants: Kreepaway Kamp (October 10), a new hour-long special where, while at Kamp Koral for a reunion, SpongeBob and the gang are stalked by a mysterious figure lurking in the shadows as campers start disappearing one by one.

The curated Peak Screaming collection brings the household together by providing a scare for everyone with terrifying thrillers, spine-chilling films, and frights for the fainthearted, with 25 expertly curated carousels. New and returning...

Just in time for the Halloween season, the Peak Screaming Collection from Paramount+ has returned to the service today with a monster-sized lineup. The collection expands each year and this year features more genre-defining hits and classics than ever before, with over 450 new originals, fan-favorite horror movies and iconic Halloween episodes from beloved series.

The seasonal collection will include the debut of the Paramount+ original film Apartment 7A (September 27), a haunting prequel to the cult classic Rosemary’s Baby; and Spongebob Squarepants: Kreepaway Kamp (October 10), a new hour-long special where, while at Kamp Koral for a reunion, SpongeBob and the gang are stalked by a mysterious figure lurking in the shadows as campers start disappearing one by one.

The curated collection brings the household together by providing a scare for everyone with terrifying thrillers, spine-chilling films and frights for the fainthearted, with 25 expertly curated carousels. New and returning subgenres include the...

TV and film are different mediums. This isn't a radical thing to say, it's a simple fact. And yet, at some point, producers and showrunners got it into their heads to structure TV shows like very long movies. I personally don't have a problem with long movies — I will rewatch David Fincher's "Zodiac" any day of the week, gang! — but when I sit down to watch a TV series, I want a TV series. I don't want a seemingly endless film. "The Penguin," a new HBO series spun-off from Matt Reeves' excellent "The Batman," is the latest example of a show trying to be an 8-hour movie, and it suffers because of it. The pacing is detrimental to the series as a whole, so much so that I found myself losing interest as the story plodded along without a single standout episode.

Think back to the best shows of the so-called "peak TV era.

Netflix Lifers, we're closer than ever to spooky season, and we can hardly contain our excitement! This October, Netflix will be releasing many new horror titles on its platform, such as The Platform 2, It's What's Inside, Time Cut and many others. Now, we've just learned that a new true crime docuseries called This is the Zodiac Speaking will be released just in time for Halloween as well. The exact release date is Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024.

Based on the title of the docuseries, you probably already know what it'll be about. Yes, it's about the infamous yet still unidentified serial killer, the Zodiac Killer. From 1968 to 1969, the Zodiac Killer went on a killing spree throughout Northern California. While he has claimed to have killed 37 people, he's only been directly linked to five murders, with two victims surviving.

In Netflix's upcoming three-part docuseries, coming from Ample Entertainment and helmed and executive produced...