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Prime Video has unveiled the first look at season four of the sci-fi comedy series “Upload,” set to premiere on Aug. 25. The fourth season will consist of four episodes premiering exclusively on Prime Video.

“Upload” follows a society of humans in 2033, where they can choose to upload themselves into a virtual reality afterlife of their choosing. After computer programmer Nathan Brown (Robbie Amell) unexpectedly passes away, he is uploaded to Lakeview, where he finds himself living with his girlfriend Ingrid (Allegra Edwards) who is still alive. When Nathan begins to fall for his living customer service rep Nora (Andy Allo), Nathan finds himself questioning everything he knew about his death.

Season 4 of “Upload” will follow as “sentient AI rapidly turns evil, threatening to wipe out Lakeview and the world. On top of greedy executives, lingering mysteries, plus heartbreak in VR and Irl, our characters are tested like never before. The...

From All Of Us Strangers to Hundreds Of Beavers to The Zone Of Interest, last year was by all metrics a banger of a year for cinema — just check out our 20 Best Movies of 2024 if you need any further reminder. And as your friendly neighbourhood Empire has pored over what the next twelve months has in store on screens both big and small, we've found a lot of movies that you simply must see in 2025. 133 to be exact.

In a year that's set to see James Gunn's Dcu take flight with Superman; Ethan Hunt take on quite possibly his last impossible mission; Yelena Belova return to our screens in Dark Av— er, Thunderbolts*; James Cameron whisk us away to Pandora in Avatar: Fire And Ash; Ryan Coogler and Michael B. Jordan scare us up good and proper with Sinners; and new movies fly at us from seasoned auteurs, buzzy new filmmakers,...

Just over a year ago, it was announced that Michael Chernus (Severance) had been cast to play serial killer John Wayne Gacy in the Peacock limited series Devil in Disguise, which is inspired by the 2021 Peacock docuseries John Wayne Gacy: Devil in Disguise, produced by NBC News Studios. Now, Peacock has revealed (via The Hollywood Reporter) their intention to release all eight episodes of the show on Thursday, October 16th – and along with the premiere date confirmation comes the unveiling of a teaser trailer for the show! You can watch the teaser in the embed above, and check out an image of Chernus in character as Gacy at the bottom of this article.

Chernus is joined in the cast by Gabriel Luna (The Last of Us), James Badge Dale (1923), Michael Angarano (Red State), Chris Sullivan (Mercy), and Marin Ireland (Hell or High Water). Luna plays Detective Rafael Tovar, Dale plays Chief of Detectives Joe Kozenczak,...

Something Wicked is coming to NBC.

A two-hour Wicked event special, in which Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande are joined by co-stars and surprise guests to “perform many songs from the first movie — and maybe, just maybe, a little bit from the upcoming [sequel]” — will air Thursday, Nov. 6, at 8/7c, and stream next day on Peacock.

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The primetime event precedes the...

Fans of Apple TV+'s critically lauded Severance should be prepared to witness the shocking transformation of one of the show's stars. Michael Chernus, known for his portrayal of Dr. Ricken Lazlo Hale, a quirky motivational author who serves as a source of comic relief in Severance, is stepping into a radically different role. Peacock has just unveiled a first look at Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy, an eight-episode scripted series premiering on October 16, where Chernus stars as the infamous "Killer Clown."

The just-dropped teaser for Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy focuses primarily on the crawl space beneath his home, where John Wayne Gacy buried the bodies of 26 of his victims. Chernus' Gacy is briefly shown towards the end of the teaser. You can check it out below.

Gacy was a respected community member: he was a successful contractor, involved in local politics, and even volunteered at children's hospitals,...

Peacock has released the first official teaser trailer for its new crime drama series, Devil In Disguise: John Wayne Gacy, which premieres on October 16, 2025. The series was produced by Patrick Macmanus, best known for his work on Dr. Death, and stars Michael Chernus as the notorious serial killer, John Wayne Gacy.

Devil In Disguise: John Wayne Gacy will run for eight episodes on Peacock. Alongside Michael Chernus, who played Dr. Ricken Hale in the Apple TV+ series, Severance, Devil in Disguise also stars Gabriel Luna, Marin Ireland, James Badge Dale, Chris Sullivan, and Michael Angrano. Watch the official teaser trailer for the series here:

What Peacock's Teaser Trailer Means For Devil In Disguise The Teaser Indicates A Dark Retelling Of Gacy's Infamous Crimes

Peacock's teaser trailer for Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy explores how, between 1972 and 1978, John Wayne Gacy abducted, tortured, and murdered 33 young men and boys, disposing of...

A new limited series based on the story of real-life serial killer John Wayne Gacy is heading to Peacock. Set to debut on streaming this fall, the series stars Michael Chernus as the "Killer Clown" himself, and a first look at the actor in character has been revealed.

Called Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy, the eight-part series is heading to Peacock on Oct. 16, 2025. On Tuesday, Peacock debuted a new teaser trailer for the series along with some first-look images. They include a look at Chernus as he'll appear in the series as Gacy. The teaser and photos can be viewed below.

Peacock's official description of the series reads, "From 1972-1978, thirty-three young men were kidnapped, murdered, and buried in a crawl space beneath their killer's house. And no one was the wiser. Not for all those years. Why? He was charming and funny. Had a good, All-American job. Was a community leader.

Peacock has revealed the premiere date, teaser, and tease art for Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy. All eight episodes of the limited crime drama will be available to stream on October 16.

From 1972-1978, thirty-three young men were kidnapped, murdered, and buried in a crawl space beneath their killer’s house. And no one was the wiser. Not for all those years. Why?

He was charming and funny. Had a good, all-American job. Was a community leader. He even volunteered to entertain sick kids… while dressed as a clown.

Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy peels back the twisted layers of Gacy’s life while weaving in heartrending stories of his victims, exploring the grief, guilt, and trauma of their families and friends, and exposing the systemic failures, missed opportunities, and societal prejudices that fueled his reign of terror.

The cast includes Michael Chernus, Gabriel Luna, James Badge Dale, Michael Angarano,...

In the past few years, some of the most popular shows on streaming services have been those centered on true crime stories. Whether they are documentaries or documentary series based on a real events or adaptations of chilling true crime stories, audiences have become engrossed in series that are ripped from the headlines. Another must-watch true crime series is coming this fall.

Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy release date on Peacock

Peacock has officially set a release date for the new true crime limited series Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy, which will premiere on Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025. Rather than releasing new episodes weekly, the streaming service will drop all eight episodes of the series at once. Each episode is about one hour in length, making for a quick binge-watch this fall.

While other limited series that center on serial killers have been criticized for exploiting the victims, Peacock insists...

Peacock has ordered up their own limited scripted series based on the John Wayne Gacy murders, “Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy,” and an eerie new teaser brings an unsettling first look.

“Devil in Disguise” premieres on Peacock on October 16, 2025.

The official synopsis: “From 1972-1978, thirty-three young men were kidnapped, murdered, and buried in a crawl space beneath their killer’s house. And no one was the wiser. Not for all those years. Why? He was charming and funny. Had a good, All-American job. Was a community leader. He even volunteered to entertain sick kids… while dressed as a clown. Devil In Disguise: John Wayne Gacy peels back the twisted layers of Gacy’s life while weaving in heartrending stories of his victims; exploring the grief, guilt, and trauma of their families and friends; and exposing the systemic failures, missed opportunities, and societal prejudices that fueled his reign of terror.

Severancestar Michael Chernus takes on the role of one of America's most infamous serial killers in Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy. The first teaser for the series, as well as newly-released images, give a first look at the series, which will comprehensively depict the life of a man who seemed to be a respectable community pillar and neighbor until his horrific crimes were unearthed. All eight episodes of the series will premiere on Peacock on October 16.

The spare, chilling teaser consists mostly of shots of Gacy's infamous suburban Chicago home, its facade of normality occasionally interrupted by reminders of the crimes committed by its resident. In one shot, blood seemingly spatters in a sink, until a dollop of blue reveals that it's actually clown makeup; Gacy performed as a clown for charities and children's hospitals while living a double life as a serial killer. Later, the camera lingers on...

Michael Chernus is unveiling his John Wayne Gacy.

The Severance and Orange Is the New Black star plays the hiding-in-plain-sight serial killer in Peacock’s true-crime series launching this fall, and Chernus makes a brief appearance in the role at the end of the eerie teaser trailer released Tuesday (below).

All eight episodes release Thursday, Oct. 16, on Peacock.

Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy is executive produced by showrunner Patrick Macmanus (Dr. Death, The Girl From Plainville). Alongside Chernus, the series stars Gabriel Luna (The Last of Us), Michael Angarano (Oppenheimer), Chris Sullivan (This is Us) and Marin Ireland (The Irishman).

Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy will explore the heartbreaking stories of Gacy’s victims and the immense grief and trauma that their families endured while his crimes went unnoticed for so long.

Chernus said he was initially hesitant to take on the role. “Absolutely in no way did...

Amazon MGM Studios has found its partner for its ambitious international theatrical exhibition plans in Sony Pictures. The two studios have struck a multiyear distribution deal that will see Sony release films “After the Hunt,” “Mercy,” “Crime 101” and “Project Hail Mary” overseas.

The deal comes as Amazon’s international distribution deal with Warner Bros. Pictures ends. After the aforementioned slate of films has been released, Amazon MGM will release its titles overseas directly, but the deal gives the studio time to set its international plans.

Indeed, Luca Guadagnino’s “After the Hunt” will start the partnership off with an Oct. 10 limited release before going wide on Oct. 17. The psychological drama was given a prime awards season date and stars Julia Roberts, Ayo Edebiri, Andrew Garfield, Michael Stuhlbarg and Chloë Sevigny. Longtime Guadagnino collaborators Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross are also returning as composers.

Then on Jan. 23, 2026, Timur Bekmambetov’s sci-fi thriller “Mercy” will release.

Amazon MGM Studios has tapped Sony to release a handful of its upcoming high-profile movies at the international box office as it goes about building its own foreign operation.

Under the pact, Sony will handle overseas duties for After the Hunt, Mercy, Crime 101 and Project Hail Mary, according to a statement released by the two studios.

Following those releases, Amazon MGM will directly distribute theatrical titles in territories overseas where it launches its own offices, with Sony supporting the studio in other international markets. This doesn’t include the next James Bond movie, which will be handled overseas by Universal.

Director Luca Guadagnino‘s psychological thriller After the Hunt, which opens in select theaters on Oct. 10 before expanding on Oct. 17, stars Julia Roberts as a woman who must confront her own past when a prominent student (Ayo Edebiri) levels accusations against one of her colleagues (Andrew Garfield). After the...

Amazon MGM Studios and Sony Pictures Entertainment have inked a multi-year deal for Sony to distribute the former’s upcoming titles After the Hunt, Mercy, Crime 101, and Project Hail Mary abroad.

Yes, Amazon MGM is continuing to build its own international theatrical distribution infrastructure. The new deal will fill the gap as Amazon MGM Studios’ international deal with Warner Bros ends, and the shopping site-streamer-theatrical distributor looks for a chief executive to lead its new foreign distribution arm.

Following those theatrical releases, Amazon MGM will directly distribute its slate in territories overseas where it launches owned and operated offices, with Sony supporting the studio in other international markets.

Luca Guadagnino’s thriller After the Hunt, will world premiere at the Venice Film Festival, followed by a release in select theaters on Oct. 10 and expand on Oct. 17. The pic, written by Nora Garrett, stars Julia Roberts, Ayo Edebiri, Andrew Garfield,...

Callina Liang has been cast as Chun-Li in the new live-action Street Fighter movie from Legendary, according to sources who spoke with Deadline. Liang, known for her role in Steven Soderbergh’s supernatural thriller Presence, will take on one of the most famous characters from the popular video game series by Capcom.

Legendary has not shared details about the movie’s story yet, and representatives for the studio declined to comment on Liang’s casting. Chun-Li, a strong martial artist and Interpol officer, first appeared in Street Fighter II back in 1991 and has become one of the franchise’s most iconic fighters.

Liang joins a growing cast that already includes Andrew Koji, Noah Centineo, Jason Momoa, Roman Reigns, and Orville Peck. The film will be directed by Kitao Sakurai, who previously worked on Bad Trip.

Related: Street Fighter 6 Amiibo and Cards Coming to Switch 2 – Features, Price, and Release Date

Street Fighter...

The long-awaited return of Street Fighterto the big screen has cast another iconic character from the video game franchise. Chun-Li will be making her presence known in the new film, which has already cast several major characters that longtime fans will instantly recognize.

According to Deadline, Presence star Callina Liang has joined the upcoming Street Fighter reboot as Chun-Li. She joins a star-studded cast that includes Andrew Koji as Ryu, Noah Centineo as Ken, Jason Momoa, Roman Reigns, and Orville Peck. In the source material, Chun-Li is known as a martial artist and Interpol officer who seeks revenge against the murderer of her father, the franchise's main antagonist, M. Bison. Her inclusion likely means that audiences will see Bison on the big screen after Raul Julia portrayed the character in the 1994 cult classic. Street Fighter is set to be directed by Kitao Sakurai (Bad Trip).

Chun-Li was previously featured in...

Exclusive: Callina Liang, star of Steven Soderbergh’s recent supernatural thriller Presence, has landed the female lead role of Chun-Li in Legendary’s live-action Street Fighter movie, based on the video games from Capcom, sources tell Deadline.

Reps for Legendary declined to comment, and the film’s plot remains under wraps. One of the most iconic characters in the franchise, Chun-Li is a skilled martial artist and Interpol officer who first appeared in Street Fighter II in 1991. Liang joins a cast that includes the previously announced Andrew Koji, Noah Centineo, Jason Momoa, Roman Reigns, and Orville Peck. Bad Trip‘s Kitao Sakurai is the flick’s director.

Launched in 1987, Street Fighter is a series of fighting games revolving around intense one-on-one battles between a diverse cast of martial artists. The games often center around a global fighting tournament organized by M. Bison, the leader of the evil organization Shadaloo. Street Fighter...

Now entering its eighth edition, Filming Italy Sardegna is gearing up for what looks set to be its buzziest event to date. Founded by Tiziana Rocca, the film and television event kicks off June 19, 2025, at Forte Village in Cagliari, Sardinia.

The festival will present more than 70 films, many of which are Italian or world premieres. Notable titles in the line-up this year include Steven Soderbergh’s Presence, starring Lucy Liu and Chris Sullivan; Reflection in a Dead Diamond, the critically acclaimed spy thriller from Hélène Cattet and Bruno Forzani; and Karate Kid: Legends, directed by Jonathan Entwistle. The festival will open with the film Poveri Noi by Fabrizio Maria Cortese, starring Paolo Ruffini on Thursday.

“The lineup is incredibly rich and diverse, spanning multiple genres, regions and perspectives,” says Rocca, who also returned this year as artistic director of the Taormina Film Festival, which wrapped June 14. She says that Sardegna...

Caught by the Tides

Jia Zhang-ke’s elegiac and poetic feature revolves around a woman (Zhao Tao) who journeys from her home in a fading industrial city in search of a vanished former boyfriend. The movie looks back on China’s recent history, but also on Jia’s filmography, echoing themes, geographical features, techniques and structural elements while incorporating footage shot at various intervals from 2001 through 2023 — an approach that gives it a kind of kinship with Richard Linklater’s Boyhood. — David Rooney

Ghost Trail

Centering on a Syrian exile tracking down his former torturer in France, Jonathan Millet’s film is a work of visceral intensity and formidable control. Millet has a shrewd grasp of paranoid-thriller mechanics; a refreshing preference for intimacy and clarity over distancing stylistic or narrative fussiness; and two fantastic actors: soulful, movie-star-magnetic lead Adam Bessa and Tawfeek Barhom as a villain whose humanity is the most chilling thing about him.

“The Nanny” star and SAG-AFTRA president Fran Drescher, Jane Seymour, Luke Wilson and Joe Manganiello are the latest additions to the robust roster of Hollywood stars set to attend the upcoming eighth edition of the Filming Italy Sardegna festival, which will be held June 19-22 on the island of Sardinia.

Sarah Michelle Geller, Andy Serkis and the “The O.C.” star Mischa Barton are also expected to make the trek to the event, which combines film and TV with an emphasis on women in the biz and creating a bridge between the Italian and U.S. film industries.

As previously announced, Alec Baldwin — who has recently been seen in the ill-fated Western “Rust” and in numerous appearances on “Saturday Night Live” — and Heather Graham are also headed to Sardinia, where they will be members of the fest’s jury dedicated to short films by female directors.

“From a practical standpoint, Filming...

Lucy Liu is raging on the screens once again, though this time, she’s there to have her fans screaming. Out of all the different genres she has starred in, in all those different roles, the 56-year-old actress is gaining significant attention for her latest horror flick that is currently dominating the Hulu charts: Presence.

Although the movie, which was created with director Steven Soderbergh at its helm, wasn’t met with tremendous acclaim at its release and didn’t prove to be that massive of a box office success back then, the supernatural thriller is now turning the tables and pretty much establishing Liu as the queen of the Horror era on Hulu.

Lucy Liu is raging as the Queen of Horror on Hulu Lucy Liu as Rebecca Payne. | Credit: Presence / Hulu.

After originally premiering at the Sundance Film Festival more than a year ago, on January 19, 2024, Presence was finally released in U.

In a crowded field, Hulu is fast-becoming one of the must-have streaming services. 2025 has been a good year for Hulu subscribers, with Chloe Fineman's critically-acclaimed comedy "Summer of 69" dominating the streamer's charts in May and Best Picture winner "Anora" doing the same back in March. We've also seen Timothée Chalamet's Bob Dylan biopic "A Complete Unknown" rocking the Hulu rankings, while Pamela Anderson's overlooked 2024 drama "The Last Showgirl" finally found an audience on the platform in late May. Considering how often these charts get clogged with some of the worst examples of streaming-age sludge, that's a pretty good run for Disney's streamer, and now we've got yet another interesting and unique entry on the Hulu charts in the form of "Presence."

The big conceit of Steven Soderbergh's supernatural thriller is that it's shot entirely from the point of view of a ghost haunting a suburban family home.

Gia Coppola will be honored by Italy’s Filming Italy Sardegna festival where “The Last Showgirl” director will receive the event’s Women Power Excellence Award.

In a statement Tiziana Rocca – the marketing guru and current Taormina Film Festival chief who also heads the event in the Italian island of Sardinia – praised Coppola as a fresh voice in international auteur cinema who has been able to depict “with a unique and deep look the contradictions of the human soul and the transformations of contemporary society.”

“Her presence is a source of great pride for our festival and a tangible sign of the increasingly strong link between American cinema and our country,” Rocca added.

“The Last Showgirl,” which stars Pamela Anderson as Shelley, a veteran showgirl who finds herself at a crossroads with her stage production on its last legs, was released in Italy in April by Be Water Film in collaboration with Medusa Film.

Lucy Liu's groundbreaking horror movie Presence makes its streaming debut on Hulu this week. Director Steven Soderbergh's box office hit shatters genre expectations by using a first-person Pov in its depiction of a haunting.

Presence is one of several horror movies coming to Hulu this week and will premiere on the streaming service on Tuesday, June 3. The project reunites Soderbergh with screenwriter David Koepp following their collaboration on the 2022 thriller Kimi. Presence was made in complete secrecy and not announced until a month before its worldwide premiere at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2024.

Presence Debuts on Hulu on Tuesday

Soderbergh's unsettling movie uses a first-person perspective in its chilling story of a family convinced there is an otherworldly presence in their new home. Parents Rebekah and Chris Payne (Liu and Chris Sullivan) must protect their children from forces beyond their understanding as nightmarish events unfold in their supposed dream home.

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This June, we are getting a ton of content from the much-anticipated conclusion of Squid Game and return of the beloved series The Bear on streaming, to the release of some of the most anticipated movies of this year, such as Brad Pitt‘s F1, and the much-awaited 28 Years Later. This upcoming month will see the release of many great movies, so we thought of compiling a list of all the best movies that are coming straight to streaming.

Presence (June 3) – Hulu Credit – Neon

Presence is a supernatural thriller drama film directed by Steven Soderbergh from a screenplay by David Koepp. The 2024 film follows the Payne family as they move into a suburban home and discover that the house is haunted by a spirit. Presence stars Lucy Liu, Chris Sullivan, Callina Liang, Eddy Maday, West Mullholland, Julia Fox,...

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Hulu is ready with an entertainment-packed June this year. The upcoming month will see the release of the much-anticipated adult animated film Predator: Killer of Killers and the return of one of the most popular series of recent times, The Bear. Just like every month, Hulu is ready to overload you with great content. So, we’re here to tell you about the 10 new movies and TV shows coming to Hulu in June 2025.

Presence (June 3) Credit – Neon

Presence is a supernatural thriller drama film directed by Steven Soderbergh from a screenplay by David Koepp. The 2024 film follows the point of view of a ghost who haunts a house as the Payne family moves into it. Presence stars Lucy Liu, Chris Sullivan, Callina Liang, Eddy Maday, West Mulholland, Julia Fox, Natalie Woolams-Torres, and Lucas Papaelias.

I, Addict Season 1 (June 4) Credit – Disney+

I,...

There are certain companies known for producing and/or distributing horror content that consistently push the boundaries of the genre. Studios like A24, Neon, and IFC have developed loyal followings by backing films that range from mainstream thrill rides to daring, experimental nightmares. Whether it's a low-budget indie gem or a genre-defying spectacle, these companies have earned their place as reliable names for horror fans chasing their next jolt of fear.

At the beginning of this year, Neon kicked off its 2025 horror slate with a brand-new title releasing in theaters. This film had previously premiered at the Sundance Film Festival back in January 2024, but only those at the festival were able to experience it firsthand. Fortunately, Neon saw the movie's potential and acquired its distribution rights for $5 million. The indie powerhouse would then release the film in U.S. theaters in January 2025. That movie is Presence, a supernatural horror that...

Alec Baldwin, Heather Graham, Simon Baker and Cuba Gooding Jr. are among the Hollywood talents booked to attend the upcoming eighth edition of the Filming Italy Sardegna festival, which will be held June 19-22 on the island of Sardinia.

Baldwin, who has recently been seen in the ill-fated Western “Rust” and in numerous appearances on “Saturday Night Live,” and Graham will be members of the fest’s jury dedicated to short films. Also on the jury of the fest’s shorts competition – which is the event’s only competitive section – are Italy’s Micaela Ramazzotti (“Like Crazy”), who is the jury’s president; Spain’s Rocío Muñoz Morales; Italy’s Riccardo Milani, Aurora Giovinazzo and Giacomo Giorgio; as well as professor Massimo Arcangeli, Andrea Minuz and Tiziana Rocca, the marketing guru and current Taormina Film Festival chief who launched the Sardinia event eight years ago.

Among announced films premiering locally...

Peacock unveiled a bold programming slate ahead for the NBCUniversal-owned streamer, headlined by the September premiere of “The Office” spinoff “The Papers” from creators Greg Daniels and Michael Koman.

The comedy series, starring attendees Domhnall Gleeson (“About Time”), Sabrina Impacciatore (“The White Lotus”) and Oscar Nunez (“The Office”), unveiled a first look as part of NBCUniversal’s upfront presentation on Monday. Set in the same universe as “The Office,” the show features the same documentary crew following the staff of a Toledo newspaper, The Truth Teller, and its eager publisher fighting to bring it back to life. An exact premiere date is yet to be revealed.

The show headlines a slate presentation for the streamer, which also boasted new unscripted releases and interactive features to come for their livestreams of NBA games starting this fall. The company also touted its streamer’s first-to-stream deal with Universal Pictures with upcoming releases like “Jurassic Word: Rebirth,...

Amazon MGM Studios' Wednesday night presentation at CinemaCon 2025 was filled with plenty of new updates for upcoming films. Luca Guadagnino took the stage to talk about his newest upcoming thriller, After the Hunt, starring Ayo Edebiri and Andrew Garfield, and there was also a new look at the live-action Masters of the Universe film, among a myriad of other projects. One such project is the techno-thriller film Mercy, starring Chris Pratt, with a January 2026 release date. Mercy boasts an unconventional but intriguing premise, and to sell the film to attendees further, Chris Pratt recreated a part of the film on stage at CinemaCon by strapping himself onto a chair.

Timur Bekmambetov directed Mercy from a script written by Marco van Belle, and it tells the story of a detective (Pratt) who is accused of killing his wife. Taking place in the future where capital crime runs rampant, the justice system works very differently,...

Chris Pratt is stepping out to promote his new sci-fi thriller!

The 45-year-old actor attended the presentation for his movie Mercy at CinemaCon 2025 Wednesday night (April 2) held at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.

In the movie, Chris plays a detective who is accused of murdering his wife and forced to prove his innocence in front of the Mercy Capital Court,” according to The Hollywood Reporter. “Powered by artificial intelligence, the court forces his character to prove his innocence above a certain threshold and he must do so in a specific amount of time. As Pratt’s detective reveals, he helped create the Mercy program so he knows how it works. He must use the high-tech tools to solve the mystery and find out who killed his wife before he’s executed himself. The footage showed Pratt’s character fighting for his life in some tense tech scenes...

Hot on the heels of the release of Netflix’s big-budget sci-fi pic The Electric State from Netflix, Chris Pratt turned up in Las Vegas to talk up his next film Mercy and beg for some from the CinemaCon crowd.

The Timur Bekmambetov-directed film got a spin in the spotlight during the Amazon MGM Studios’ presentation Wednesday night inside the Colosseum at Caesars Palace. First, some high-octane footage showed on the big screen followed by Pratt turning up in the same chair as his character is stuck in for the majority of the picture.

Set in the near future when capital crime has increased, Mercy, penned by Marco van Belle, casts Pratt as a detective who is accused of murdering his wife and forced to prove his innocence in front of the Mercy Capital Court. Rebecca Ferguson, Annabelle Wallis, Kali Reis, Chris Sullivan, Kylie Rogers, Jeff Pierre, Rafi Gavron,...

More often than not, the reaction from the moviegoing public seems to parallel the critical response to a given picture. This isn’t a hard and fast rule. However, it’s still safe to say that critics and film lovers align more often than not.

I imagine that comes down to the fact that a good movie is a good movie. Full stop. The key difference between a critic and your average movie lover is that the critic might have an easier time articulating what makes the film good. However, almost anyone who appreciates cinema can tell the difference between a dud and a gem. Accordingly, it makes a lot of sense that film scholars and movie buffs often see eye to eye in their respective ratings.

There are exceptions to every trend, of course. Mickey Reece’s 2021 horror film Agnes is one such example. The film has a 68% ‘fresh...

Steven Soderbergh’s stripped down ghost story, ‘Presence,’ is an impressive evolution and subversion of the popular low-budget found-footage ghost trend.

“My boy…he came back to save you.”

Ghost stories and poltergeists are such a fascinating horror subgenre that have the power to really connect and get under the audience’s skin in a way that’s not possible with other monsters. The idea of an unfulfilled spirit that can’t – or won’t – move on is easier for many people to buy into than zombies, vampires, or a living doll. Ghosts exist out of time and have the potential to know everything, but also nothing. It’s a poetically beautiful tragedy that makes ghosts such rich – and misunderstood – material for horror movies.

There’s a certain power to ghost movies and how they operate as the ultimate voyeur stories, especially when the spirit and the camera become one.

“Presence” is a Supernatural Thriller movie, released in U.S. theaters on January 24, 2025. Currently available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video and will be on Hulu. ♦ No Suburban Home is Complete Without a “Presence” In “Presence“, a typical family of four got just what they expected when they moved into their typical suburban home. An uninvited occupant: a poltergeist. No home is complete without one! The Paynes are your average family. Meaning? Meaning every family member has “issues”. Rebekah, the wife and mother, is a thief! She’s committing financial fraud at the company where she works. Chris, the husband and father, would like to get a divorce Chloe is a teenager grieving the loss of a friend, and she gets involved with a boy who doesn’t have good intentions Tyler is sort of “normal”; he’s a champion swimmer, but he’s arrogant Then there’s the “Presence...

Based on Soderbergh’s personal experiences, ‘Presence’ promises a unique and immersive ghost story that explores the intricacies of the human psyche. Ghost stories have always intrigued humanity. Whether it is an urban legend such as La Llorona that terrifies children across all throughout the entire Mexican country or the deified spirits that were the Cihuateteo in Aztec Mythology. Every culture in human history had its belief in some sort of afterlife, and therefore, its belief in those who were not able to go to the afterlife being stuck in our realm to the end of times. From the famed ‘Ghostbusters’ franchise to the classic horror film ‘The Shining’. The ghost genre has seen many interpretations and evolutions across the years. Yet, as the genre rose in popularity, the plots and storylines began to feel somewhat repetitive and “cliché”, with a slight few sliding away from the established norm. Starring Lucy Liu as Rebekah Payne,...

It’s Oscars weekend, which means that very soon there won’t be any more contenders to stream, only winners and past nominees. We have some suggestions if you’re looking for award-contender movies to watch on streaming or video on demand at the last minute before the Oscars this weekend. Our list includes an Oscar-nominated top pick that recently became available on subscription streaming; two other new releases on VOD, one of which is an Academy Award nominee; a past Oscar winner that would make for a nice double feature with the top pick; and a past Oscar nominee that’s on Netflix for the first time.

Top pick: September 5

Writers Moritz Binder, Tim Fehlbaum (who also directs), and Alex David are up for the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay for this journalism thriller’s tight script. It’s the film’s only nomination, but it’s deserved.

Popeye The Slayer Man Comes to Theaters this March: "Director Robert Michael Ryan’s much buzzed-about horror feature Popeye the Slayer Man is set to sail into theaters and on VOD via Vantage Media on March 21, 2025.

Directed by Ryan from a screenplay by John Doolan (Remains), the horror feature was filmed in New York State and is a co-production between Salem House Films, Millman Productions, Ron Lee Productions, and Otsego Media. Jeff Miller (The Toybox), Cuyle Carvin (Ouija Witch), and Ryan also contributed to the story. Producers include - along with Miller, Carvin, and Ryan - Alexander Tucker, Nathan Todaro, and Alysa Blasetti.

Reads the synopsis for Popeye the Slayer Man, 'A group of friends sneak into an abandoned spinach canning factory to film a documentary on the legend of ‘The Sailor Man,’ who is said to haunt the factory and local docks, only to find out that the legend is all-too true.

Award-winning film studio Neon is excited to announce the release of Steven Soderbergh’s Presence for digital purchase and rental, beginning February 25th. The film will also be available on 4K Uhd, Blu-ray and DVD starting May 20th.

After Neon acquired the film at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival, Presence went on to receive even more critical acclaim at the Toronto International Film Festival and has since generated significant buzz thanks to a unique marketing campaign. The campaign began with a captivating Julia Fox realtor billboard stunt in downtown Manhattan, featuring a phone number that received over 1,500 voicemails. Presence is certified fresh on Rotten Tomatoes and has grossed nearly $7 million in theaters.

It moves through the house, uneasy and unseen, a witness to the most painful and unguarded moments of the troubled family within. And with a growing urgency, the Presence gradually pieces together what it needs to do. An unusual,...

Steven Soderbergh‘s Presence will be available for digital purchase and rental tomorrow, February 25, from Neon.

The film movie will also be released on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, and DVD on May 20.

A family moves into a suburban house and becomes convinced they’re not alone in the unconventional haunted house movie told from the perspective of a ghost.

It moves through the house, uneasy and unseen, a witness to the most painful and unguarded moments of the troubled family within. And with a growing urgency, the Presence gradually pieces together what it needs to do.

Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes with an 88% rating, Soderbergh directs from a script by David Koepp.

Lucy Liu, Chris Sullivan, Callina Liang, Eddy Maday, West Mulholland, and Julia Fox star.

Meagan Navarro wrote in her review, “Presence pulls you in, terrifies you, then leaves your heart on the floor. This ghost story doesn’t scare in the conventional sense,...

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Sweet Magnolias is a romantic comedy-drama series created by Sheryl J. Anderson. Based on the novel series of the same name by Sherryl Woods, the Netflix series is set in South California and it follows three women who have been best friends since childhood. They try to support each other through life’s various complexities, including career, family, and love. Sweet Magnolias stars JoAnna Garcia Swisher, Brooke Elliott, Heather Headley, Logan Allen, Anneliese Judge, Carson Rowland, Chris Klein, Jamie Lynn Spears, Dion Johnstone, Brandon Quinn, and Chris Medlin. So, if you loved the small-town vibes, feel-good story, and lovable characters in Sweet Magnolias, here are some similar shows you should check out next.

Virgin River (Netflix) Credit – Netflix

Virgin River is a romantic comedy-drama series created by Sue Tenney. Based on the novel series of the same name by Robyn Carr,...

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Watson is a medical mystery crime drama series created by Craig Sweeny. Based on the characters by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the CBS series follows Dr. John Watson after Moriarty kills Sherlock Holmes. Watson continues his medical practice in Pittsburg, working with a brilliant team of doctors to diagnose unidentifiable illnesses. Watson stars Morris Chestnut, Eve Harlow, Peter Mark Kendall, Inga Schlingmann, Ritchie Coster, and Rochelle Aytes. So, if you loved the thrilling mysteries, medical drama, and compelling characters in Watson, here are some similar shows you should check out next.

House M.D. Credit – Fox

House M.D. is a medical dark comedy-drama series created by David Shore. The Fox series follows Dr. Gregory House, a misanthropic and cynical man who works with a team of brilliant residents to diagnose even the most difficult illnesses. House M.D. stars Hugh Laurie,...

Quick LinksNeon Hits Another Home Run with PresencePresence Isn’t the First of Its KindIt Seems Like This Trend is Here to Stay

Please note that this article contains spoilers for Neon's 2025 horror movie, Presence.

Over the last few years, one horror trend has subtly been on the rise. Horror movies that are told from the perspective of the slasher killer or the ghost haunting a house have become steadily popular in recent years. This isn't a brand-new trope by any means. Plenty of movies have explored this idea in some way or another, even if only for a scene or two, but lately, filmmakers have been dedicated to telling the entire story from the perspective of the character who would traditionally be a villain or antagonist.

Neon's newest horror film, Presence (2025), follows this trend to the letter. Presence follows a family of four as they move into...

Editor's Note: The following contains spoilers for Presence.When Rebekah (Lucy Liu) and Chris (Chris Sullivan) move into a new home with their teenage children, Tyler (Eddy Maday) and Chloe (Callina Liang), Chloe feels something. Her family writes it off as a trauma response to the death of her best friend, Nadia, but the audience knows Chloe is right. Stephen Soderbergh’s Presence takes a step outside the haunted house genre with the bold choice to tell the story from the ghost's point of view. The camera moves – and sometimes breathes – as the presence itself. Despite this subversion of form, the film relies on an old and tasteless trope.

Julia Fox appearing on a billboard isn’t news. But seeing her promise to help you “find your forever home” is.

A sly billboard outside a vape shop at 202 Mott Street in Manhattan — very much the stomping grounds of the downtown actress, model and part-time brat summer muse — boasts Fox as “Cece” from Specter Realty, the #1 realtor in New Jersey, along with a website and phone number.

Of course, this is actually a nifty new ad from Neon and Steven Soderbergh’s haunted house film Presence. (“Specter Realty” is a nice touch.)

The phone number (908-905-cece) connects to a voicemail and a rep from Neon tells me they’ve received over 1,500 messages. Most are from people in on the joke, playing around “in character” with Cece, somewhat remarkably, since no one calling had seen the movie when The Hollywood Reporter reached out last week.

“Hi Cece, I’m waiting to hear back.

Tuesday update: Lionsgate’s Flight Risk soared to the top spot at the box office — earning $11.5 million in its opening weekend. The action-thriller starring Mark Wahlberg held off Disney’s Mufasa: The Lion King, which finished in second place with $8.5 million, bringing the film’s total gross to $220 million domestically. Rounding out the top five were Sony’s One of Them Days with $8 million, Paramount’s Sonic the Hedgehog 3 with $5.3 million, and Disney’s Moana 2 with $4.1 million. Universal’s Wolf Man took this biggest hit, dropping 70 percent from the week prior, finishing in seventh place with $3.2 million.

Original story published Jan. 24, 2025: What will be the winners and the losers this week at the U.S. box office? Lionsgate’s suspense-drama Flight Risk, IFC Films’ thriller Inheritance, and Neon’s horror flick Presence open in theaters this Friday. They’ll be facing off against the current top five money-makers: Mufasa: The Lion King,...

Before his career-altering castings on This Is Us and Stranger Things, Chris Sullivan’s biggest break came courtesy of one Steven Soderbergh. In 2013, the Palm Springs-born, Sacramento-raised actor joined Soderbergh’s period medical drama, The Knick, in the series regular role of shifty ambulance driver Tom Cleary. A decade later, in the midst of the SAG-AFTRA strike and Sullivan’s 2023 run on Broadway, the prolific filmmaker called his former collaborator to offer him his most notable film role to date in an inventive supernatural thriller known as Presence. (Soderbergh acquired an interim agreement so the $2 million self-funded enterprise could film during the strike. Neon then purchased the rights out of Sundance for $5 million.)

Penned by decorated screenwriter David Koepp, Soderbergh’s 34th feature film chronicles the Payne family as they settle into a new home following the accidental overdose of daughter Chloe’s (Callina Liang) best friend. As other challenges present themselves,...

Steven Soderbergh, the acclaimed director of Contagion, Ocean’s 11, and Traffic, has made a highly anticipated return to theatrical releases with Presence, a supernatural horror film that hit UK and Irish cinemas on Friday, 24th January. This marks the filmmaker’s first widespread cinema release in years, after a series of streaming-first projects.

Presence promises a unique perspective on the horror genre, being told entirely from the point of view of a ghost. The film stars Lucy Liu (Charlie’s Angels), Julia Fox (Uncut Gems), and Chris Sullivan (This Is Us), and has already garnered an impressive 91% score on Rotten Tomatoes following its debut at Sundance last year. With a script penned by David Koepp, the screenwriter behind Jurassic Park and Spider-Man, Presence blends gripping storytelling with the atmospheric tension Soderbergh is known for.

Shot during the challenging conditions of the 2023 writers’ and actors’ strikes, the production was made possible through...

This article contains spoilers for "Presence" and Mike Flanagan's "The Haunting of Hill House."

Breaking through to the other side and witnessing things from a ghostly plane isn't new for the horror genre. Films like "Haunter," "The Others," and "The Sixth Sense," to name a few, have all provided viewers a glimpse into the afterlife. Director Steven Soderbergh's new horror film "Presence" (check out our review here) offers a different kind of supernatural experience, as we view the entire story from a first-person paranormal perspective, featuring a ghost that only reveals itself after a death in the final act.

Early in "Presence," a medium visiting the house explains that the afterlife doesn't follow the same rules of time as ours, and the spirit is unaware of who they are or when they exist. This sets up the twist that the ghost is, in fact, Tyler Payne (Eddy Maday...