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Phillip Faraone/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty ImagesMacaulay Culkin seems tailor-made for a project like .The actor has long been associated with bold, even irreverent narratives, particularly in television. While he’s never taken on a project quite as high-concept as Fallout, Prime Video’s adaptation of the [game series] has been on Culkin’s radar for a while. His wife, actress Brenda Song, recognized he was Fallout material even before Season 1 had wrapped up.“About halfway through the season, she turned to me and said, ‘You should be on this show,’” Culkin tells Inverse. He agreed — and it wasn’t long before Fallout’s producers reached out to offer him a Season 2 role.Fans caught on early (thanks to a trailer snippet hinting at it) that he’d join Caesar’s Legion, a rough-and-tumble militia that loosely models its society after Ancient Rome. Showrunner Geneva Robertson-Dworet gave him leeway to explore “a range of performances” that shaped the “spectrum” of his character, Lacerta Legate.Culkin brings plenty of hilarious moments to Episode 3... but for those who challenge the Legion, it’s no joke — like Lucy MacLean (Ella Purnell), who’s literally crucified for defying its outdated, misogynistic rules. Meanwhile, a civil war has divided the Legion, which the Ghoul (Walton Goggins) exploits to stoke more chaos and violence. Culkin is at the center of it all in Episode 3, but this is just the start for his character. The actor chats with Inverse about his passion for Fallout lore, the detailed behind-the-scenes world-building, and what Season 2 has in store for fans.This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.Culkin fits seamlessly into Fallout’s quirky, brutal wasteland. | Prime VideoWere you a fan of the show or the games before landing this role?I was a fan of the games. I was more familiar with the games than anything else, really. But I also became a big fan of the show. I don’t have much time to watch a lot of things. With two boys at home, my partner and I barely make it through a pilot. But we really loved the show. About halfway through the season, she turned to me and said, “You need to be on this show.” And I thought, “You know what? You’re absolutely right.” Then we went to sleep, and I forgot all about it. A couple months later, they called, which was thrilling because this is my style. That’s the thing: She knows me, so she knew this would be up my alley. It’s my tone. It’s the kind of work I enjoy. I truly feel it’s a great fit.It’s a perfect fit — especially since, if I’m correct, you’ve never been in an apocalyptic project before.I don’t think I’ve ever been in an apocalyptic story, no. Not that I can recall. This is my first post-apocalyptic role — or even a future-set project, for that matter.Fallout’s producers gave Culkin room to explore his character’s full range. | Jojo Whilden/Prime VideoWhat were you most eager to explore in that context?Well, I knew I’d be part of the Legion. That was super exciting. With my knowledge of the lore, I knew exactly what they were referencing. When they sent me the script pages, it was all “Caesar, Caesar, Caesar…” and I thought, “You want me to say ‘kay-zer,’ right?” And they were like, “Oh, he gets it.”I was excited for that, but the show is also incredibly detailed. Their attention to detail is really impressive. There are so many elements, especially in the scenes I shot at the Legion camp. Some of those prop corpses are very specific. Even the stuff that barely makes it on screen — someone put a lot of care into it.I think that reflects the show’s overall approach — from background mannequins to shoes to hairstyling — it’s all very precise. On set, it can be a hassle sometimes, like “How many times do you need to adjust my hair?” You know? But it’s also “No, not a single hair out of place” — which shows the level of care they’re taking.Culkin has a short scene in Episode 3, but the Legion’s story isn’t over yet. | Prime VideoWhat was your preparation like? Did you do any combat training?No, I’d just finished a tour. I was out of town, so I came in, did a fitting for my entire costume that day, and was on set the next. It was that quick. To be fair, they’d already done a 3D scan of me, so the costume fit perfectly — and they said, “Great, thank goodness, because we have no time to alter it anyway.” So it was a bit of a last-minute production: There wasn’t much prep. When I read for the role, I knew the character had range, so I offered several different takes. When I arrived, I thought, “So, which one do you want?” But I never got a specific answer. I wanted to narrow it down, but I think they trusted me to figure it out — to at least deliver something they could use.I was just experimenting. You know? I’d try one approach, then another take would be different. Sometimes they’d give feedback... It was a bit of a free flow. It also depended on the other actor’s performance and how they reacted to me. There were moments like, “I got that reaction from you; now let’s try for something else.” It’s a different dynamic — a fluid back-and-forth.We see a small part of your character in Episode 3, but I hear there’s more to come. What can you hint at about his storyline?There’s a lot more of the Legion to come. Some key dynamics will play out. I can’t say too much, but rest assured, there’s more of this character in store. I can’t reveal if I survive or not — I’d have to “eliminate” you if I did… so that’s all I’ll say.Fallout Season 2 is streaming on Prime Video.

Warner Bros. PicturesWhether fairly or not, the Wachowskis’ body of work is often split into two groups: Matrix-related and everything else. The Matrix itself is a nearly universally praised film that revolutionized science fiction, and even its less impressive sequels have kept their cultural relevance and broad appeal. But every other project the siblings have created has split viewers and puzzled critics.Depending on who you talk to, is either a sugary, exciting adventure or an eyesore of a mess, a sharp critique of authoritarianism or a watered-down failed adaptation, and so-bad-it’s-good or just plain bad. Yet even among the Wachowskis’ less celebrated works, Cloud Atlas often gets pushed to the background—forgotten by many, but a topic of debate for others. This packed epic definitely has its flaws, but a new release from Shout Factory is giving it another shot in the spotlight.Directed jointly by the Wachowskis and Tom Tykwer (Run Lola Run), and adapted from David Mitchell’s novel—once thought impossible to film—Cloud Atlas uses its three-hour runtime to hop between six loosely linked tales spanning from 1849 to 2321. Many actors appear in most of these timelines, with stars Tom Hanks, Halle Berry, Jim Sturgess, Hugo Weaving, and Hugh Grant showing up in all of them, hinting at themes of rebirth and redemption as tiny choices made centuries ago ripple through time.What Did Audiences and Critics Think of Cloud Atlas When It First Came Out?The response was confusion. Cloud Atlas’ initial reception can be summed up by the fact that it landed on both multiple Best Of and Worst Of lists for the year. Roger Ebert was so intrigued he went to see the “” again, while Time’s Mary Pols described it as a “padded fantasy” that brought back memories of her “college conversations fueled by bongs.” To make matters worse, she John Carter and Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter.Cloud Atlas can definitely feel overwhelming, and Ebert’s positive review noted he stopped trying to track every detail and instead just let the visual spectacle wash over him. A problem was the trick of having actors play roles across eras—this led to Hugo Weaving using yellowface for the 2144-set Neo Seoul storyline, which (and looked absurd).This divide sparked a small cultural debate: bloggers argued back and forth, the Wachowskis , and the film’s European distributor resorted to the age-old excuse that Americans are just . Cloud Atlas ultimately struggled at the box office, though Mitchell gushed about the “magnificent” film , and it slowly became a cult classic.22nd-century Seoul is the movie’s most visually distinct setting. | Warner Bros. PicturesWhy Should You Watch Cloud Atlas Today?Whether you love it or hate it, Cloud Atlas is one of the most unique blockbusters you’ll ever see. It can be enjoyed by fixating on every plot point, or by following Roger Ebert’s lead and letting the stunning visuals envelop you. Plus, it’s the only movie where Ben Whishaw plays a composer grappling with his sexuality, while centuries later Hugo Weaving leads a rebellion of cloned fast-food workers and a tattooed Tom Hanks fully commits to lines like “Babbits bawlin’, wind bitin’ the bone” and “Prescients come barterin’ twice a year, their ships creep-crawlin’ on waves, just floatin’ on the Smart o’ the Old Uns.”Even those shocked by Ebert’s enthusiastic praise had to admit Cloud Atlas was, as he put it, “one of the most ambitious films ever made.” Thirteen years later, such ambition with a $100+ million budget feels increasingly rare. As studios cut spending and streamers churn out visually dull content, Cloud Atlas reminds us that letting creators bring their dream projects to life can yield truly captivating results.Ebert said he never bored watching Cloud Atlas, and chances are you won’t either. Its vast scope is remarkable, its visual creativity will shine in the 4K upgrade, and even though it can be cheesy at times, there are worse ways to end the year than with a reminder of our interconnectedness and desire for freedom.As you can tell from images alone, Cloud Atlas covers a lot of ground. | Warner Bros. PicturesWhat’s New in the 4K Blu-Ray Version of Cloud Atlas?Both the UHD and Blu-Ray discs feature a new 4K cut, with the UHD version offering richer colors via Dolby Vision. A third bonus disc is headlined by “What Is An Ocean… Reconnecting The Cast And Crew Of Cloud Atlas,” a full-length retrospective with interviews from stars, directors, costume designers, makeup artists, the stunt coordinator, and other crew members. The bonus disc also includes from previous releases exploring the movie’s ideas and craft.Cloud Atlas is now available to buy on 4K Blu-ray .

Amazon PrimeFallout: New Vegas is an expansive role-playing sandbox. It offers over 100 variations in ending cutscenes, though the game centers on four major faction conclusions. One of these branching narratives ends with Caesar’s Legion taking control of the New Vegas Strip after driving the New California Republic (NCR) from the Mojave Wasteland. introduces this imperialist faction when Lucy MacLean (Ella Purnell) accidentally stumbles into their encampment while escorting a female survivor. This is a notable turn, as Caesar’s Legion leads to one of New Vegas’ harshest endings—they bring brutality and chaos no matter your choices.Warning! Spoilers ahead for Fallout Season 2, Episode 3.When Lucy is taken to the Legion camp, we learn Caesar is dead. Unaware his successor’s name is written on a paper in his pocket, his men have split into opposing factions with self-appointed Caesars. Neither group is better—all of the Legion believes in totalitarian dictatorship, drawing values from the Roman Empire’s worst traits. Macaulay Culkin’s unnamed Legion centurion nails Lucy to a cross, and she’s saved only after the Ghoul (Walton Goggins) makes a deal with one of the Caesars.In Fallout: New Vegas, Caesar’s take on the Roman Empire wouldn’t pass a history class. | Bethesda SoftworksIn New Vegas, the player-controlled Courier can choose to work for Caesar by completing the “Render Unto Caesar” quest, which unlocks various Legion-related storylines based on your decisions. Caesar opposes the NCR because he thinks the faction ignores “the greater good,” yet his own barbaric policies are rooted in autocracy. What’s more, Caesar preys on his men’s ignorance by claiming to be Mars’ son and executing anyone who doubts him. His second-in-command, Legate Lanius, is even worse. Known as the Terror of the East, Lanius leads bloody conquests without remorse, loyal only to Caesar and caring little for the Legion’s hundreds of members.Pursuing the Legion ending means facing two major outcomes. In “Et Tumor, Brute?,” we discover Caesar has a fatal brain tumor and needs immediate surgery or a cure. There are several ways to handle this: travel to the ghoul-infested, irradiated Vault 34 for an Auto-Doc, or perform the surgery yourself. If you save Caesar and finish the Legion’s endgame quest, New Vegas ends with Caesar pushing the NCR out of their Mojave outpost and enslaving a large portion of the population. Every major location falls under Legion rule, and the Wasteland gains political stability—but at a terrible cost.Given how bleak Caesar’s victory is, his death can’t be worse, right? Well, New Vegas frames Caesar as the lesser of two evils. If you let Legate Lanius become his successor, Lanius leads a horrific occupation of major areas. He murders indiscriminately, with no regard for diplomacy. For example, Caesar keeps Arcade Gannon (a scientist and possible Courier companion) as a doctor, but Lanius crucifies him the moment he takes charge. The NCR Rangers get the same treatment under Lanius’ rule, as do the Followers of the Apocalypse—instead of being allowed to leave, they’re exterminated.As bad as Caesar is in New Vegas, Legate Lanius is worse. | Bethesda SoftworksIt’s too early to tell how the Fallout series will tackle the Legion, but the faction will almost certainly play a key role in an unavoidable civil struggle. By the end of Episode 3, the Ghoul double-crosses the Legion: he pretends to give them the location of the last NCR holdout in the area, then sets off explosives to spark a fight between the two Caesar factions—creating the perfect diversion to escape an impossible situation. We don’t know much about Culkin’s character yet, but he could be Lanius (we might see him in Legate armor later), Vulpes (a devout follower of Caesar’s dogma), or a totally new character.How Fallout chooses to develop the Legion remains to be seen, but right now, the Wasteland has bigger problems. Hank MacLean (Kyle MacLachlan) is on the brink of perfecting mind control chips, and Maximus (Aaron Moten) has unwittingly dragged the Brotherhood of Steel into all-out war. No matter what happens in Vegas, the future looks grim.New episodes of Fallout release on Wednesdays on Prime Video.

At the start of Fallout, origin stories held equal importance to the post-apocalyptic events. When we met Lucy McLean, we quickly discovered what life in the vault was like and how it began. When we met the Ghoul, it wasn't long before we learned about Cooper Howard's past life before everything occurred. However, the third main character, Maximus, a squire for the, was introduced without much context. While we learned about the general nature of the Brotherhood, the origins of Maximus - and the Brotherhood itself - had to be waited for until Season 2.In Season 2 Episode 2, we finally witnessed a flashback to Maximus' youth and how he survived the massacre of Shady Springs. But in Episode 3, we learn more about the origin of the Brotherhood itself, including its founder, Roger Maxson. But for fans of the games, this name is quite familiar. But who is Roger Maxson, and what does his inclusion as Fallout canon signify for the future of the show?Elder Cleric Quintus evokes the original rebellion of Roger Maxson in Fallout Season 2. | Amazon Prime VideoIn Fallout Season 2 Episode 3, the Brotherhood is on the verge of a momentous decision: with the help of the cold fusion reactors, the San Fernando chapter of the Brotherhood of Steel could stage an uprising against the powerful Commonwealth faction of the Brotherhood. However, everything changed when Xander Harkness, liaison for the Commonwealth, arrived and immediately quashed any rebellion.After that, Elder Cleric Quintus is faced with a dilemma: if he kills Harkness, as Maximus suggests, then he'll surely start a major conflict. But if he doesn't, then the other factions are certain to abandon the cause. In a last-ditch attempt, he mentions the foundation of the Brotherhood itself. "An ordinary captain was sent to a research center in California. Roger Maxson. And when he saw what they were doing there, depraved experiments on human subjects, well then, Roger Maxson had to ask himself who he served: his God or his government? He chose his god."While Roger Maxson doesn't appear in the Fallout games, his descendant Arthur Maxson does show up in Fallout 4. | Bethesda GamesThis is more or less precisely what happened in the Fallout game world as well. Faced with what the military was doing, Maxson staged a mutiny and founded what would later be known as the Brotherhood of Steel. He doesn't actually appear in the Fallout games, but his voice can be heard in holotapes throughout Fallout, Fallout 3, Fallout: New Vegas, and especially Fallout 76. "I declared ourselves seceded from the union," he says in one holotape in Fallout. "They remember Jefferson Davis. What will history say about me?"Apparently, he's going down in history with a better reputation than that guy, at least. But now that Maxson is canon, what's next? Unlike the games, the series has the ability to flash back to whenever is appropriate, so this mention could actually result in a major appearance in the future.Fallout Season 2 is now streaming on Amazon Prime Video.

NetflixWhen Stranger Things first debuted in 2016, it was an odd new supernatural series featuring . Yet within that same year, it seemed like everyone was referencing Demogorgons and Eggo waffles. Now, nine years later, Stranger Things has become a cultural giant, with its once-unknown young actors now parents, directors, and leading stars. Acknowledging its pop-culture influence, Netflix has arranged an unprecedented three-part release schedule for Season 5, with the grand finale itself set for the final hours of 2025. The Stranger Things finale is also doing something no other Netflix original has done before: it’s . Here’s all you need to know about the finale, from the earliest ways to watch it to what might unfold in the episode.What Is The Stranger Things Season 5 Finale Release Date? Earlier this year, Netflix announced that Stranger Things would conclude in 2025. That’s technically accurate, as Stranger Things Season 5 Episode 8, “The Rightside Up,” premieres on December 31, 2025. The episode will also be available in theaters on the same day.One way or another, Vecna’s schemes will come to an end. | NetflixWhat Is The Stranger Things Season 5 Finale Release Time? Similar to the first two volumes of Season 5, the Stranger Things finale will be available at 5:00 p.m. PT/8:00 p.m. ET. Running just over two hours, the finale means U.S. viewers can watch it in full and still have time left to ring in the new year. For most of the rest of the world, however, you’ll be watching in the opening hours of 2026.If you want to watch the finale as soon as possible, viewing at home is likely your best bet. Theatrical showings only start once the episode is available on Netflix, meaning commercials and trailers would delay the screening past when home viewers begin watching. Plus, snacks at home are more affordable.Is There A Trailer For The Stranger Things Season 5 Finale? Yes! As of Tuesday, December 30, Netflix released a final trailer for the movie-length series finale. You can watch it above.What Is The Plot Of The Stranger Things Season 5? This marks the final showdown between Vecna and the ever-growing Hawkins group. In Volume 2, we learned that Vecna has been hiding in the Abyss, where he’s holding Holly Wheeler and the rest of the kidnapped “vessels.” Our heroes have one last reckless plan to stop him, but given how these schemes typically go, it’s unlikely everything will unfold as they hope.Even if Vecna is destroyed, unanswered questions remain. What will become of these characters after the story ends? Will Kali and Eleven truly sacrifice themselves to permanently seal off the Upside Down? And will Vickie and Robin finally go on that dinner date?Will Stranger Things Continue After Season 5? In a way! Even after Vecna is (hopefully) vanquished, fans can still see Henry Creel in person via Stranger Things: The First Shadow, currently playing on Broadway. If traveling to New York isn’t an option, you’ll need to wait for Stranger Things: Tales from ‘85, an upcoming animated spin-off that will feature new adventures.The Stranger Things Season 5 Finale premieres at 5:00 p.m. PT/8:00 p.m. ET on Netflix and in theaters.

Nintendo2025’s busiest shopping period might have wrapped up, but there’s still time to pick up games you may have missed in year-end sales. Though it’s not as big as the , the Nintendo eShop still has plenty of great limited-time deals. And unlike PC games, first-party Nintendo titles rarely go on sale—making this the best chance to grab any you’ve had your eye on.With the launch of the , it’s also an opportunity to get upgraded game versions for Nintendo’s newest console, whether they’re new releases or updates for older titles. Here are our picks for the top deals in the Nintendo Switch holiday sale, which runs until January 4.6. Princess Peach: Showtime!Princess Peach: Showtime! is a clever sidescrolling adventure based on superpowered costume changes. | NintendoIt’s been ages since Princess Peach got a solo adventure, but 2024’s was worth the wait. This sidescrolling platformer gives Peach a closet full of outfit-based abilities in an adventure set in a magical theater. The wide variety of Princess Peach: Showtime!’s gameplay makes it worth checking out—even if its simplicity suits players looking for a lighter challenge better.5. Final Fantasy Tactics - The Ivalice ChroniclesThe long-awaited remake of Final Fantasy Tactics finally came out this year. | Square EnixA was rumored for years, and it finally became real in 2025. The new version of one of the most revered games ever adds voice acting and many gameplay changes—but also includes the original game for players who don’t want new additions. In either version, Final Fantasy Tactics’ combat and flexible job system still shine, as does its classic political intrigue story. The game’s for $47.99.4. Cult of the Lamb: Unholy EditionCult of the Lamb has more DLC coming in January. | Devolver DigitalBlending town builders and roguelike RPGs, puts you in charge of a cult while questing to defeat eldritch beings in the nearby woods. The Unholy Edition adds four DLC packs, which introduce new followers, town decorations, and quests to complete as you grow your influence.3. Hello Kitty Island AdventureHello Kitty Island Adventure adapts a mobile cozy game full of puzzles, quests, and cute characters. | SunblinkFirst launched on iOS, is now available on PC and Nintendo Switch. This Sanrio cozy game takes cues from Animal Crossing but adds deeper activities like puzzles and platforming challenges for a more varied life sim. It’s expanded a lot since its original launch, making Hello Kitty Island Adventure one of the most interesting cozy games around these days.2. The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of WisdomEchoes of Wisdom adds a new kind of puzzle-solving mechanic to the Princess’ adventure. | Nintendo was a huge shift for The Legend of Zelda, putting Zelda in charge and giving her a full suite of powers. Instead of traditional combat, it focuses on puzzle-solving—letting Zelda summon monsters and objects from Hyrule to complete her quest. Echoes of Wisdom is a divisive entry, but it’s bursting with creativity as a surprising change of pace from typical Zelda games.1. Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope Gold EditionMario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope is an excellent tactical RPG with a surprising set of characters. | Ubisoft is a few years old, but this deal is still so good it almost feels like a mistake. A turn-based tactical RPG starring Mario and friends (and Rayman’s rabbids) sounds like a recipe for failure—but both Mario + Rabbids games are surprisingly great. The Sparks of Hope Gold Edition includes a heap of DLC with extra missions and heroes, making it one of the best deals in the entire holiday sale.

HypergryphWhen you imagine a multiplayer shooter, bright colors, cute outfits, or flying cat robots likely don't come to mind, but that could change after playing Popucom. Initially launched in June 2025, this distinctive title arrived on Switch in December, delivering an unexpected blend of combat and puzzle elements to create one of the year's top multiplayer experiences.Initially, Popucom might be confused with another excellent title that subverts traditional shooter conventions. Its vibrant world and doll-like characters share considerable similarities with Nintendo's own adorable multiplayer shooter, yet the two games differ vastly in actual gameplay. While Splatoon focuses on competitive stage control, Popucom emphasizes cooperation, allowing up to four players to collaborate through a collection of ingeniously designed platforming levels.Popucom’s boss battles let its unique match-3 shooting shine. | HypergryphThe distinctive quality of Popucom lies in its fusion of shooter and match-3 gameplay, which truly excels in its two-player story mode. Throughout each stage, characters can alternate between two colors at the press of a button. Your currently selected color appears on your outfit, and shooting unleashes a matching colored blast. Encountering the game's blob enemies, firing a matching colored shot generates additional enemies of that color rather than destroying them, while connecting three identical enemies makes them vanish. This same principle works on environmental colored blocks, enabling you to match three of one color to eliminate them, or combine different colors to create bigger platforms.Combat hits its zenith during Popucom's boss encounters. These bosses appear as enormous clusters of multicolored blobs, demanding careful shot coordination between you and your partner as they retaliate with their own attack waves, transforming the experience into a sugary-sweet bullet hell.Multiplayer puzzle-solving is a blast in Popucom. | HypergryphHowever, Popucom truly excels in its puzzle design. Color serves as the central mechanic, with levels containing platforms and barriers matching your character's hue. You can safely stand on same-colored platforms or glide through matching lasers, requiring constant color-switching to progress. Teamwork proves vital, as early stages introduce all the tools needed for mutual assistance. A shield blocks same-colored lasers to protect your ally and can transform into a platform to ferry them across dangers or to elevated areas. Another gadget converts you into a bomb capable of clearing barriers and squeezing through narrow spaces. The most bizarre and best tool is a cat piloting a flying saucer, useful for whisking away enemies or hoisting obstacles to forge new routes.Though it looks approachable, Popucom offers substantial challenge. It never becomes maddening, yet its puzzles demand both rapid mental processing and swift reactions while you and your teammate traverse its hazardous, vibrant world. This multiplayer experience necessitates ongoing discussion about puzzle-solving strategies, making it ideal for local co-op or online play with voice communication.2025 has proven to be a strong year for multiplayer titles, with fascinating new releases gaining traction alongside established favorites. Popucom merits recognition among the finest multiplayer offerings, as its innovative genre-blending makes it the most unexpected co-op experience of the year.Popucom is currently available on Nintendo Switch and PC.

Marvel StudiosChris Hemsworth’s Thor is perhaps the most tragically misinterpreted character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. At the very least, he’s the most inconsistent: Marvel’s episodic storytelling hits him hardest, as every writer and director brings their own take on his identity. Kenneth Branagh introduced Thor as a brash young prince with a Shakespearean way of speaking; subsequent creators either played him for laughs or put him through the wringer, piling on tragedies instead of giving him real character growth.Every attempt to add genuine emotional depth—like his struggle with grief and defeat in Avengers: Infinity War—is quickly undercut by . He loses an eye fighting his half-sister Hela (Cate Blanchett), yet regains it two films later. After his legendary hammer Mjolnir is shattered, he embarks on a full odyssey to forge a new weapon, but Mjolnir returns not long after. Following his loss to Thanos (Josh Brolin), he slips into depression and becomes “Fat Thor,” only to reclaim his superhero physique in his next solo film. Marvel still has to answer for . but that’s an issue for another day. The key point is, nothing ever seems to stick for the God of Thunder… but his upcoming appearance could finally remedy all that inconsistency.The fact that was poised to be Thor’s swan song in the MCU felt like a mercy, even if it did . Its vision of an ending for Thor was somewhat satisfying, though it did saddle the character with another major change: fatherhood. Love and Thunder implies Thor has finally found peace, caring for Love (India Rose Hemsworth), the daughter of Gorr the God Butcher (Christian Bale). But with a new threat emerging in Doctor Doom (Robert Downey Jr.)—who bears a striking resemblance to Thor’s late Avengers teammate Tony Stark—that peace is now at risk.Fortunately, Avengers: Doomsday won’t treat his relationship with Love as an afterthought. In the latest trailer for the upcoming film ( planned to tease a major team-up), this bond is the reason Thor suits up again. Unlike the lively, tongue-in-cheek tone of the Love and Thunder trailers, Thor’s return here is quiet and serious. He’s praying to his late father Odin for good fortune in the upcoming battle. All he cares about is returning to Love and their new, peaceful life together—“a life untouched by the storm.”Doomsday won’t make Thor the butt of the joke again. | Marvel StudiosIf everything goes according to plan for Thor, Doomsday could be his true finale in the MCU. Love and Thunder couldn’t fully commit to the idea of his retirement—it showed him and Love diving headfirst into danger together—but the Russo brothers, returning to direct both Doomsday and Secret Wars, have made this Thor’s ultimate goal. Their version of Thor wants this fight against Doom to be his last, but crucially, he also wants to survive it. He longs to go home and teach Love “not battle, but stillness.” He’s even reclaimed his pseudo-Shakespearean way of speaking, hinting at a true return to Thor’s original tone.For the first time in a long while, the cumulative effect of Thor’s choices seems to matter again. Doomsday can’t fix every inconsistency in his character, but it can at least stay committed to the path laid out for him by previous films, rather than turning it into a joke. After 15 years of wasted or bungled character development, Thor could finally reach his full potential—and it’s not a moment too soon.Avengers: Doomsday opens in theaters on December 18, 2026.

Bandai NamcoOver the years, a small number of games have become synonymous with what “arcade games” represent. , Space Invaders, , and similar titles fall into this category. But if you grew up in the 1990s, you definitely spent time playing light gun shooters—grabbing a variety of quirky small plastic guns (which were almost certainly full of germs). While Time Crisis didn’t invent the light gun game genre, it did refine it to perfection—and an entire era of games simply wouldn’t exist without it. One of the most innovative games ever created, 30 years on, Time Crisis feels, ironically, timeless.Launched in arcades back in 1995, Time Crisis easily outshone its rivals for two main reasons: a bold, eye-catching style and the uniquely brilliant foot pedal mechanic.Time Crisis featured a vibrant, eye-catching art style that made it stand out immediately if you were browsing which arcade machine to play. | Bandai NamcoA key hallmark of the Time Crisis series is its surprisingly elaborate story, woven in between the high-octane shooting sequences. It’s somewhat like an anime-inspired James Bond or Die Hard—you play as elite agent Richard Miller, sneaking into a medieval castle to rescue Rachel MacPherson, the daughter of Sercia’s president. Rachel was abducted by terrorists after MacPherson became the country’s first democratically elected president, with support from the global spy agency V.S.S.E. This setup gives you plenty of motivation to fight your way through the castle, not worrying much about the villains you take down along the path.The campy, action-packed story fits perfectly with Time Crisis’s highly cinematic vibe, inserting high-quality cutscenes between its light gun shooting segments. Back in 1995, it was practically unmatched as an immersive arcade experience—the kind that devoured your quarters simply because you had to find out what happened next.Naturally, the game is incredibly fun to play—sharp visuals make enemies easy to spot, and the light gun controls feel straightforward and intuitive. But the secret ingredient that makes Time Crisis stand out is its foot pedal and cover system: a brilliant innovation that totally transformed how players approach this type of shooter.Time Crisis was quite imaginative with its settings, particularly in how it used the cover system. | Bandai NamcoEvery Time Crisis arcade machine had a foot pedal at the base; pressing it let you move in and out of cover. This system gave the game a distinct feel unlike any other arcade shooter of its era—a clever advantage that added strategy to reloading and engaging enemies. It also made the experience far more immersive, fitting seamlessly with the cinematic style. Importantly, this was years before cover systems became standard in console shooters—making it truly groundbreaking in every sense.The first Time Crisis’s success is evident in that it’s one of the rare arcade series to endure for decades. Over 20 years, the franchise released eight new titles, with the latest being Time Crisis 5 in 2015. And if you visit almost any arcade today, you’ll almost certainly find at least one Time Crisis machine—these games have become true staples of the arcade scene.Time Crisis is exactly what an arcade game ought to be: captivating, thrilling, and pure fun to play. Whether you spend five minutes or an hour on it, you’ll have a great time. Its innovative cover system inspired not only other arcade shooters but the entire shooter genre at large—and it’s impossible to overstate how crucial this small arcade game became to the broader world of gaming.

HuluStephen King's work remains perpetually relevant, and recently, every aspect of his creations—from the heartfelt () to the terrifying () and the dystopian ()—has been gaining attention. Meanwhile, on television, the HBO Max original series is offering a prequel narrative for the It films, substantially expanding King's universe in the process.However, long before Welcome to Derry, a different series tackled the "Stephen King universe" anthology concept in a far more ambitious manner—and both chilling seasons are now available on Netflix.In 2018, Hulu debuted Castle Rock, a horror-thriller series built on an intriguing concept: the majority of its cast had previously appeared in other Stephen King adaptations. Melanie Lynskey portrays real estate agent Molly Strand, having starred in the television movie adaptation of Rose Red; Sissy Spacek from Carrie plays adoptive mother Ruth Deaver; and several actors from 2017's It appear, including Bill Skarsgård.The narrative is a complex mystery that draws from many of King's signature themes, even weaving in familiar names like Shawshank. Yet this isn't a prequel like Welcome to Derry; it contains no origin stories or nostalgia-driven moments. Instead, the series constructs its own mythology and interpretation of King's world. The first season centers on Henry Deaver (Andre Holland), a prominent attorney who returns to his hometown and confronts mysteries spanning his past and present. The second season turns its attention to Castle Rock's take on Misery's Annie Wilkes (Lizzy Caplan), as she navigates a cult situation while grappling with family-related struggles.Yet Castle Rock's greatest strengths lie not in its seasonal storylines, but in its standalone episodes. Season 1, Episode 7, "The Queen," stands as not only the series' finest installment but was also acclaimed as one of 2018's best television episodes overall. It traces Spacek's Ruth Deaver through a non-linear, paradox-laden journey within her deteriorating memory, creating a haunting portrayal of dementia that folds inward in a deeply satisfying manner. The series understands that television episodes aren't merely book chapters—they're self-contained artistic works.Castle Rock’s “The Queen” is a revolutionary piece of non-linear storytelling. | HuluCastle Rock was discontinued after two seasons, though judging by 2025's trends, it was simply ahead of its time. Now streaming on Netflix, the series can be rediscovered by a fresh audience—and by a new generation of Stephen King enthusiasts.Castle Rock is now available on Netflix.