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Ariana Grande is Glinda and Cynthia Erivo is Elphaba in ‘Wicked’ (Photo © Universal Studios)

Wicked and Emilia Perez were named the best edited feature films of 2024 at the 75th Annual Ace Eddie Awards. Winners were announced on March 14, 2025 during a ceremony that was originally scheduled for January 18th. The devastating Los Angeles wildfires forced the delay, and the American Cinema Editors opted for a less formal ceremony that helped raise money for wildfire relief.

On the television side, awards season favorite Shogun, What We Do in the Shadows, and Frasier took home awards. Both What We Do in the Shadows and Frasier earned Ace Eddie Awards for their final seasons, while Shogun is set to return for a second season.

Wicked filmmaker Jon M. Chu was recognized with the Ace Golden Eddie Filmmaker of the Year Award during the ceremony. Maysie Hoy and Paul Hirsch were honored with the Career...

The teaser for The Life of Chuck has finally arrived. The feature, which is based on the Stephen King novella of the same name, is the latest King adaptation written and directed by Mike Flanagan, who also made Doctor Sleep and Gerald's Game. The upcoming The Life of Chuck, which is not a horror movie like Flanagan's previous adaptations, stars Tom Hiddleston in the title role as an ordinary man whose life is depicted in three parts, in reverse chronological order, beginning with his death. The cast also includes Chiwetel Ejiofor, Karen Gillan, Matthew Lillard, Harvey Guillén, and Mark Hamill.

Neon has now unveiled the first official teaser trailer for The Life of Chuck. The minute-long video opens with the sound of a clock ticking playing over a vast expanse of starry sky. The rhythm is then matched by other sounds from Chuck's (Tom Hiddleston) life, including a heart monitor and a blinking streetlight.

Just a few weeks after cameras began rolling in South Africa on the much-anticipated adaptation of the best-selling young adult fantasy novel Children of Blood and Bone, the Paramount Pictures production has announced a few more additions to its massively star-studded cast. Deadline reports that Zackary Momoh, who previously starred in Mike Flanagan's high-profile adaptation of Stephen King's Doctor Sleep as Abra Stone's father, has been tapped to join the film alongside Saniyya Sidney (Fences), Richard Mofe-Damijo (Namaste Wahala), Ayra Starr (Christmas in Lagos), Pamilerin Ayodeji (Mikolo), Shamz Garuba (Crime and Justice Lagos), Kola Bodund (Shadow), and Temi Fagbenle. First announced in 2022 after Paramount won a fierce bidding war, the film is being directed by The Woman King helmer Gina Prince-Bythewood and is due out in early 2027.

This article discusses events from the latest episodes of Solo Leveling and will contain spoilers.

A-1 Pictures' Solo Leveling is the hottest anime of 2025 thus far, sporting thrilling action and starring a protagonist with more hype behind him than his deadliest enemies can handle. Anime fans can't get enough of Sung Jinwoo because his journey is the ultimate underdog story. Thanks to a mountain of epic and heart-racing victories, he rose from zero to hero in the blink of an eye.

While Solo Leveling details a fascinating climb toward the top of the food chain, however, the hype and glory hide some rather dark truths about the world that Jinwoo lives in. He might make it look easy, but Jinwoo received a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to change his destiny. The hardest pill to swallow is that Solo Leveling's world is merciless, and not everyone can survive without the help of "the system.

To most fans of horror films and legendary author Stephen King, Doctor Sleep solidified writer/director Mike Flanagan as the best filmmaker to adapt King's works since Frank Darabont. Based on the novel of the same name, Doctor Sleep did the impossible: it succeeded in adapting the written sequel to King's original vision for The Shining, while also being the follow-up to Stanley Kubrick's famous but incredibly loose adaptation of that book. But as good as the film is, it still didn't sit right with purists.

For some, the film's biggest point of contention was that it drew more from The Shining's film rather than its source book, or the more faithful TV miniseries. One of the biggest changes Doctor Sleep made was sticking to Jack Torrance's villainous characterization in The Shining's film, whereas he was more tragic in the novels. But the more time passes, the...

Jamie Campbell Bower of Stranger Things fame has released a cover of Sleep Token’s “Euclid.”

The cover version was posted to Bower’s YouTube channel, with the actor teasing the release by posting the Sleep Token mantra to social media: “Worship.”

Bower, who portrayed Henry Creel/Vecna in Season 4 of the popular Netflix series, puts his vocal abilities to the test on the impressive rendition, which reaches the same grandeur as the original with its guitar flourishes and crescendos. The highlight of the piano-laden track is undoubtedly Bower’s performance, with the demanding material showcasing his singing talents.

“As a very Avid Sleep Token fan I gotta say, Jamie you killed it,” praised one YouTube commenter. “This was absolutely incredible.”

Bower’s career as an actor and musician has gone hand in hand, and he even admitted to listening to metal acts like Sunn O))) and Darkthrone to get...

Mike Flanagan has proven himself a master of horror stories with several hit shows and movies under his belt. Altough Flanagan is best known for his work on The Haunting of Hill House and The Haunting of Bly Manor, his filmography remains criminally underrated with movies like Oculus and Hush being some of the best horror-thrillers of the past two decade.

Doctor Sleep director Mike Flanagan (Credit: Netflix | YouTube).

After working extensively in the genre, Flanagan finally got a chance to adapt one of his favorite horror IPs when he helmed 2019’s Doctor Sleep, a sequel to The Shining, both based on works from Stephen King. During an interview, Flanagan discussed why actor Ewan McGregor was the right choice for the role of a grownup Dan Torrance. Here is what Flanagan had to say about McGregor’s casting in the movie.

Mike Flanagan explained why Ewan McGregor was perfect for...

Mike Flanagan, the modern master of psychological horror, has found his next big project, Clayface. The long-rumored film about Batman’s shape-shifting villain is reportedly in development at Warner Bros., with Flanagan set to write and direct.

Given his track record with films like Doctor Sleep and The Haunting of Hill House, expectations are sky-high. But there’s one major problem, we’ve already seen this story, sort of.

Clayface | Credits: DC Comics

Demi Moore is currently riding a wave of critical acclaim for The Substance, a body-horror thriller that explores transformation, identity, and the horrors of self-perception. The film, which wowed audiences at Cannes, follows a woman who ingests a mysterious substance that allows her to mold herself into a more ideal version. Sound familiar?

The parallels between The Substance and Clayface are impossible to ignore, and while Flanagan’s film may be rooted in a different mythology, it...

Hey, horror friends! I have not written a proper favorites list in a long time, and I am happy to be back with all of you, talking about horror and horror-adjacent things that happened this year. I tried my best to see Nosferatu (2024) before making this list, but, alas, I was not able to. My ticket is booked for the day that it comes out. One of my favorite horror films of all time is the original Nosferatu (1922).

My favorites from this year range from Osgood Perkins’ Longlegs to a Ghostface Chia Pet that I bought from Third Eye Comics while I was in Richmond, Va. So, please buckle up and take a brief journey with me as I recall the things I loved from 2024.

I have a strange relationship with Osgood Perkins’ Longlegs (2024). I came across a short teaser on YouTube, but did not know anything about the movie beforehand.

Exclusive: Danish heist pic The Quiet Ones, which debuted at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival, is set for a February 21 release in the U.S. via Magnolia’s Magnet label.

The film is based on the real life story of the largest heist in Danish history. Starring are Gustav Giese, Reda Kateb (Django) and Amanda Collin (Raised By Wolves).

The synopsis reads: “In 2008, a group of men from Denmark and across Europe pulled off the biggest heist of all time on Danish soil. Kasper, a boxer with few chances left in life, is offered the opportunity to plan the robbery by its foreign initiators. At the risk of losing his family and everything that matters to him, he takes on the challenge in a bid to break all records and secure his place in the history books.”

Producers are Kasper Dissing of Zentropa (Another Round) and Thomas Kristensen. Frederik Louis Hviid...

Hulu is kicking off 2025 with a bang by adding tons of new content for subscribers starting January 1. From popular movies like American Psycho, Heat, and John Wick to new series like Goosebumps: The Vanishing, there’s plenty to check out.

Here’s the full list of movies and TV shows coming to Hulu in January 2025:

January 1 Dick Clark’s Primetime New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2025: Special Premiere Kids Diana Show: Let’s Celebrate Together: Complete Season 1 Papa Jake: Epic Box Forts: Complete Season 1 After Earth (2013) American Psycho (2000) The Devil’s Own (1997) The Devil’s Own En Español (1997) Dirty Grandpa (2016) Empire Records (1995) Ender’s Game (2013) The Great Debaters (2007) Heat (1995) Insidious (2011) Insidious: Chapter 2 (2013) Insidious: Chapter 2 En Español (2013) Insidious: Chapter 3 (2015) Insidious: Chapter 3 En Español (2015) The Intouchables (2011) John Wick (2014) John Wick: Chapter 2 (2017) John Wick: Chapter 3 (2019) The King Of Comedy (1983) Little Manhattan (2005) Man of the House (2005) Man Of The House...

Hulu is starting 2025 strong as the platform will add a lot of new content for its subscribers starting January 1. From movies like American Psycho, Heat, and John Wick to new series like Goosebumps: The Vanishing, Hulu is bringing A Lot to watch.

Here’s every movie & TV show releasing on Hulu in January 2025:

January 1 Dick Clark’s Primetime New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2025: Special Premiere Kids Diana Show: Let’s Celebrate Together: Complete Season 1 Papa Jake: Epic Box Forts: Complete Season 1 After Earth (2013) American Psycho (2000) The Devil’s Own (1997) The Devil’s Own En Español (1997) Dirty Grandpa (2016) Empire Records (1995) Ender’s Game (2013) The Great Debaters (2007) Heat (1995) Insidious (2011) Insidious: Chapter 2 (2013) Insidious: Chapter 2 En Español (2013) Insidious: Chapter 3 (2015) Insidious: Chapter 3 En Español (2015) The Intouchables (2011) John Wick (2014) John Wick: Chapter 2 (2017) John Wick: Chapter 3 (2019) The King Of Comedy (1983) Little Manhattan (2005) Man of the House (2005) Man Of The House...

Fresh off the success of the HBO series “The Penguin,” DC Studios has officially greenlit a feature film centered around Clayface, the shapeshifting Batman villain, from a script written by “Doctor Sleep” filmmaker Mike Flanagan, according to a source with direct knowledge of the production. Plot details are scarce, but filming is expected to begin early next year.

Matt Reeves and Lynn Harris will produce through their company 6th & Idaho Productions.

Update (12/13/24): Warner Bros. has dated the film for Sept. 11, 2026.

Flanagan, who first pitched DC Studios on a Clayface project in 2023, tweeted in 2021 that he was “really keen to do a standalone Clayface movie as a horror/thriller/tragedy.” But he is already committed to write and direct a new take on “The Exorcist” for Universal, through Blumhouse and Morgan Creek, and he’s also developing a series adaptation of Stephen King’s novel “Carrie” for Amazon MGM Studios.

The American Cinema Editors’ Eddie Awards have announced their nominations in 14 categories honoring film, television, and documentaries. The winners will be announced live during the awards ceremony to be held on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025, at UCLA’s Royce Hall.

In addition to these competitive awards, “Wicked” director Jon M. Chu is set to receive the Ace Golden Eddie Filmmaker of the Year Award, recognizing a filmmaker “who exemplifies distinguished achievement in the art and business of film.” Meanwhile, film editors Maysie Hoy and Paul Hirsch will receive Career Achievement Awards “for their outstanding contributions to film editing.”

Some noteworthy Oscar contenders who made the cut at these awards include “Anora,” “Conclave,” “Wicked,” and “Emilia Pérez.” But despite having separate categories for dramas and comedies, a few major awards hopefuls were left out. “The Brutalist,” as of this writing Gold Derby’s Oscar frontrunner for Best Film Editing, was snubbed, as were “Sing Sing,...

The American Cinema Editors (Ace) announced its nominees for the 2025 Ace Eddie Awards which recognizes “outstanding editing in 14 categories of film, television and documentaries.”

Conclave, Dune: Part Two and Emilia Perez are among the drama feature film nominees while Anora, Challengers and The Substance were part of the comedy film nominees. In the TV categories, Only Murders in the Building, Fallout, Nobody Wants This and Shogun were nominated, among many others.

In the documentary categories, films Jim Henson Idea Man and Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story received nods, while series The Jinx – Part Two and Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV were nominated.

Winners will be announced on Jan. 18, 2025 at UCLA’s Royce Hall in Los Angeles, California.

It was previously announced that Wicked director Jon M. Chu would receive the Ace Golden Eddie Filmmaker of the Year Award, while film editors Maysie Hoy and Paul Hirsch...

Bright Eyes founder Conor Oberst has revealed himself to be one of Creed’s earliest haters. During a recent appearance on Rick Rubin and Malcolm Gladwell’s Broken Record podcast, the singer recalled his attempt at talking his former label out of releasing the oft-maligned band’s early music.

While sitting down with host Justin Richmond, Oberst remembered his days in the emo band Commander Venus during the mid-1990s. For their second album, 1997’s The Uneventful Vacation, the group was signed to Wind-up Records. He built a close relationship with the “eccentric” owners Alan and Diana Meltzer, who played him Creed’s music before it was released.

Get Creed Tickets Here

“They were sweet, but I remember them showing me Creed before it even came out,” Oberst said (via Exclaim!). “And I was like, ‘You guys — it sounds like a really bad Pearl Jam.'”

Despite his protestations, the Meltzers believed in Creed.

On Monday December 2 2024, PBS broadcasts Alma’s Way!

No Sleep ‘Til New Year’s; Nurse Alma Season 2 Episode 15 Episode Summary

The upcoming episode of “Alma’s Way,” titled “No Sleep ‘Til New Year’s; Nurse Alma,” promises to be an exciting adventure for viewers. This episode will air on PBS and features Alma and her friend Junior as they try to stay awake until midnight on New Year’s Eve. The excitement of the holiday will be in the air as they count down to the new year.

However, things take a turn when Eddie Mambo falls ill. Alma, known for her caring nature, steps up to help her friend get better. This situation adds a new layer to the New Year’s celebration, as Alma balances her desire to celebrate with her responsibility to help Eddie. The episode will showcase Alma’s problem-solving skills and her determination to make sure her friends are taken care of,...

Korean horror movies are characterized by their exploration of psychological and mythological themes that are premised on revenge narratives or culturally relevant folklore. The best Korean horror movies are bloody, violent, and quite extreme with gore, but fear tactics aren't the focus of filmmaking. Instead, the directors primarily concern themselves with contextualizing the sources of fear and grounding the scary narratives by paying attention to the experiences of flawed humans.

While special and practical effects, as well as jumpscares are employed to create a horrifying atmosphere for most of these films, the fear is made infectious by the incredible performances in Korean horror movies. Due to the focus on the experiences of the people, the movies affect viewers more because they aren't merely frightened by the terrifying scenes on the screen. They're indirectly experiencing the horror for themselves, becoming participants in the events of the movies with the characters. That's...

The daughter of Gisèle Pelicot, Caroline Darian, is the narrator of a gripping documentary that chronicles the trial of the mass rape case involving her parents and sheds light on the use of drugs to commit sexual abuse.

Titled “Chemical Submission, May Shame Change Camp,” the documentary is produced by the award-winning Paris-based company Capa and commissioned by French public broadcaster France Televisions. The feature-length documentary was written by Linda Bendali (“Crisis Cell”) and Andrea Rawlins Gaston. Bendali is directing, while Rawlins Gaston and Patrice Lorton are producing. Rawlins Gaston has directed many socially-engaged series and documentaries exploring issues such as incest, rape and harassment, including “Infrarouge” and “Inceste, Le dire et l’entendre.”

Darian became an activist after her life unraveled in November 2020 upon discovering that her beloved father, with whom she had a close relationship, had drugged and raped her mother along with dozens of strangers for over 10 years.

On Tuesday November 26 2024, ABC broadcasts Tamron Hall!

Pursuit of Perfect Sleep Season 6 Episode 57 Episode Summary

The upcoming episode of “Tamron Hall,” titled “Pursuit of Perfect Sleep,” promises to dive deep into the quest for a good night’s rest. Airing on ABC, this episode will explore how people are going to great lengths to achieve the perfect sleep. With the rise of viral hacks and new gadgets, many are eager to find solutions to their sleep troubles.

In this episode, a leading sleep doctor will join Tamron Hall to discuss the effectiveness of these trending methods. The doctor will provide insights into what really works and what might just be a passing fad. Alongside the doctor, a nutritionist will also share valuable information about how diet can impact sleep quality. Together, they will help break down common sleep issues and offer practical solutions tailored to different age groups.

Viewers can...

In the latest episode of Alma’s Way titled “No Sleep ‘Til New Year’s; Nurse Alma,” Alma and Junior are determined to stay awake until midnight on New Year’s Eve. The excitement of ringing in the new year fills the air, and the siblings are eager to be part of the celebration. However, things take an unexpected turn when Eddie Mambo, a friend of the family, falls ill just before the festivities.

Alma, ever the problem solver, takes matters into her own hands and decides to help Eddie feel better in time for the celebration. As she tries different remedies and solutions to cure his sickness, Alma learns valuable lessons about care, responsibility, and how to balance fun with helping others.

Tune in to Alma’s Way at 7:30 Am on PBS to see how Alma navigates her mission to help Eddie while trying to stay awake for the big moment.

Sleep Token kicked off their European arena tour on Tuesday (November 5th) in Zurich, Switzerland, but they were down two members.

Prior to the concert, the UK band announced that both their bassist, III, and guitarist, IV, had fallen ill and would not be performing that night. But rather than cancelling the gig, the show would go on via the use of pre-recorded tracks.

“The show will go ahead as planned, using pre-recorded tracks from both III and IV, captured during our recent tour preparations,” the band wrote in a post on Instagram. “We always endeavour to avoid cancelling a Ritual unless completely unavoidable, and we hope this outcome is more acceptable to you than a last-minute cancellation.”

Impressively, Sleep Token didn’t veer from the same 16-song set they played — as a full band — during their spring North American tour.

The setlist featured seven songs from 2023’s Take Me Back to Eden,...

In Hollywood, sometimes off-set dramas capture more attention and scrutiny than on-set ones. In actress Rebecca Ferguson’s case as well, a bombshell revelation that she made about her co-star has taken the media as well as the public by surprise. The Swedish actress known for her magnetic portrayals in projects like The White Queen and The Greatest Showman, detailed a very unsettling incident involving a co-star.

She went on record to say that this co-star publicly berated her and left her in tears. In the midst of all this, she did not reveal the name of that actor, further prompting the public to put their thinking caps on for a possible name.

Rebecca Ferguson in Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation | Credits: Paramount Pictures

Several names of notable A-listers were thrown in the mix, with the fans bringing every actor that Ferguson has worked with in the past. In this article,...

The creator of the most streamed classical album of all time on working with Margaret Atwood, enjoying Eurovision, and uniting people through music

Born in 1966 in Lower Saxony and brought up in Bedford, Max Richter is an award-winning classical composer. Working across live performance, film, dance, art and fashion, he has released nine solo albums, including 2015’s Sleep, an eight-and-a-half-hour work based on the neuroscience of sleeping; 2020’s Voices, inspired by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; and In a Landscape, released last month. A new ballet, MaddAddam, a collaboration between Richter and choreographer Wayne McGregor, with Margaret Atwood as a creative consultant, opens at the Royal Opera House on 14 November.

You’ve got a busy autumn ahead. Tell us about In a Landscape first – a more intimate, personal album for you.

It is. It’s an album about polarities, which are all around us in the world, and how we can reconcile them.

Warning! This article contains Spoilers for Salem's Lot (2024)!Max has a new streaming horror hit on its hands with the 2024 adaptation of Salems Lot, which shares a subtle connection to Mike Flanagans 2019 adaptation of Stephen Kings book Doctor Sleep. Stephen Kings books are known for often holding Easter eggs, implicit links, or direct connections to his other stories, with many of his Maine-set horror novels being related through references to characters and local events. One frequent source of connections for his stories is the location of Jerusalems Lot, which is known to house various evil entities and supernatural beings.

The Max Original movie Salems Lot, which became the streaming services top-trending movie after its premiere, is the latest take on Kings 1975 same-named book, which explores the titular town as it becomes overrun with vampires. Some of Salems Lots characters eventually appeared in other King stories, such as The Dark Tower,...

The Producers Guild of Korea (Pgk) launched an International Co-production Hotline at the Asian Contents & Film Market (Acfm) in Busan on Sunday (October 6), to aid collaboration between producers in Korea and overseas.

The initiative is aimed at international producers seeking Korean co-production, who will be able to submit a one-page proposal about their project. It will then be distributed to 250 Korean producers. Interested parties will have up to a week to respond directly to the proposal.

“There were many foreign producers who wanted to coproduce with Korea, but there was no practical channel for them to do so,” said Pgk...

The Producers Guild of Korea (Pgk) launched an International Co-production Hotline at the Asian Contents & Film Market (Acfm) in Busan on Sunday (October 6), to aid collaboration between producers in Korea and overseas.

The initiative is aimed at international producers seeking Korean co-production, who will be able to submit a one-page proposal about their project. It will then be distributed to 250 Korean producers. Interested parties will have up to a week to respond directly to the proposal.

“There were many foreign producers who wanted to coproduce with Korea, but there was no practical channel for them to do so,” said Pgk...

"Together We Can Overcome Anything" reads a decorative burnt wooden board in the efficient and modestly decorated apartment of the newlyweds Hyun-su and Soo-jin. The South Korean version of a "Live, Laugh, Love" portrait hanging on the wall of a couple's townhome somewhere in Maryland, perhaps, though Hyun-su and Soo-jin's family motto has a slightly more menacing bent to it. "What's to be overcome?" one might consider. And what if being together is itself the obstacle to be vanquished? South Korean director Jason Yu's directorial debut, Sleep, gets to the bottom of that fire-branded adage.

Sleep (2023)

Director Jason YuRelease Date September 21, 2023Writers Jason YuCast Kim Nam-woo, Hong Ha-na-im, Oh Yun-su, Park Hyun-jeong, Lee Dong-chan, Kim Jun, Kim Keum-soon, Lee Kyung-jin, Kim Kuk-hee, Lee Sun-kyun, Yoon Kyung-ho, Jung Yu-miCharacter(s) Soo-jin's Co-worker, Drama Actress, Park Chun-gi, Jin-hyeok, Soo-jin's Mother, Hyun-su, Soo-jin, Nurse, Doctor, Min-jung, Shaman, ReceptionistRuntime 95 MinutesGenres Mystery, Thriller,...

"I can't let it hurt my family!" Screambox has revealed the official trailer for their new horror anthology series called Tales from the Void, which will be streaming this month on the Screambox service. Ready to be scared? Tales from the Void is an episodic horror anthology series based on the most viral and haunting stories from the r/NoSleep community. With episodes directed by genre filmmakers Joe Lynch, Francesco Loschiavo, Maritte Lee Go, and John Adams & Toby Poser. They explain the concept: "For Tales From The Void, we curated a really special selection of No Sleep stories. Great horror stories can come from anywhere on No Sleep, whether from an established writer or even a first-time author, and we really wanted to have that ethos make it to the screen. Each week showcasing a new subgenre of horror celebrating the breadth and depth of the genre." This series initially...

Shirley Jackson once wrote in her journal: “who wants to write about anxiety from a place of safety? although, i suppose i would never be entirely safe since i cannot completely reconstruct my mind.” That verb “reconstruct” is an apt one for Jackson, whose most famous novel The Haunting Of Hill House...

Just when you thought your sleep talking and/or walking was bad, the late, great South Korean actor Lee Sun-kyun (Parasite) has a new performance out this week to prove you're no match for his character's troubles. There have been some wonderful films about insomnia released over the decades, but Sleep is a completely unique new addition to the canon. It dabbles in a mish-mash of genres and a handful of relatable themes tied to family dynamics, love sacrifice, and more.

Exhuma, another Korean supernatural-laced thriller, was released not too long ago and evoked a similar kind of supernatural vibe amid modern Asian culture. However, Sleep, written and directed by Jason Yu, is based on an entirely different tale, as a young couple expanding their family with a precious newborn is challenged at every turn once one of them starts acting erratically at a certain time of the day. Brace yourselves,...

Indie distributors are fretting about the current marketplace, specifically a glut of films vying for precious theater space and hard-to-snare audiences who, with exceptions of course, still seems mostly willing to come out for big ticket films.

While there are fewer wide studio releases than pre-Covid, theaters are giving them more space, up to 60%-70% of their real estate, a few indies execs said.

Meanwhile, it’s become cheaper to distribute films, which may be why new firms keep popping up to test the waters and in some cases open their movies on hundreds of screens, perhaps without a commensurate marketing effort.

“There is a lot of stuff being released, but nothing is performing,” says one indie distribution executive. Films like Deadpool or Beetlejuice Beetlejuice work, “but everything else is a crapshoot.

“Whether consumers are going to movies other than the big ones has been the question, and still is.

Jason Yu’s feature debut, “Sleep,” is a supernatural domestic thriller about a South Korean couple named Soo-jin and Hyeon-soo (Jung Yu-mi and Lee Sun-kyun) who are torn apart by his increasingly dark sleepwalking habits. As they welcome a baby into their world, things take a turn for the worse, and she investigates what is really causing her husband’s frightening behavior. Yu cut his teeth as Bong Joon-ho’s right-hand man during the two-and-a-half-year filming of “Okja,” and considers the director a mentor and inspiration for the project. He also counts Lee, who died in 2023, as a person who deeply influenced him as a filmmaker. Yu spoke with Variety about crafting his horror around a family drama, films that inspired him and the best advice he got from Director Bong.

Where did the idea for “Sleep” originate from?

I too have some very nasty sleeping habits. Not as nasty...

Writer-director Jason Yu's Sleep is something of a rarity in the contemporary horror landscape. It's a movie of immense softness with expected flurries of terror composed primarily of observations between Soo-jin (Jung Yu-mi) and Hyeon-soo (Lee Sun-kyun), a married couple expecting their first child. Understandably, these first-time parents are a little daunted by the notion of bringing new life into the world. To make matters a little more complicated, Hyeon-soo develops a sleepwalking problem that starts to take on a more ominous tone. With the potential endangerment of Hyeon-soo's life, along with his wife's and child's, the couple works together to find a solution however unorthodox it may be.

Jason Yu, who makes his directorial debut with Sleep, spoke with Cbr about the trials of navigating an industry with a shelf life, the lessons learned from his mentor, award-winning director Bong Joon-ho, and the importance of allowing a story to find its own rhythms.

Each week we highlight the noteworthy titles that have recently hit streaming platforms in the United States. Check out this week’s selections below and past round-ups here.

Between the Temples (Nathan Silver)

In a state of arrested development after his wife unexpectedly died from a freak accident, Ben Gottlieb (Jason Schwartzman) is suicidal, pleading to a truck to just run him over and begging that he be fired from his job as cantor at the local Jewish temple in upstate New York. While this set-up may not scream comedy, Between the Temples is in fact hilarious, packed with endless jokes and adoration for physical gags while we witness Ben find new meaning in life through an unexpected acquaintance. Above all, Nathan Silver’s feature, from a script he co-wrote with C. Mason Wells,is a thrillingly alive, nimble piece of filmmaking: shot on 16mm by Sean Price Williams with...

Hamburg-based production company Junafilm is marking its 15th anniversary this year with the world premiere of English-language thriller Spirit In The Blood on home turf at Filmfest Hamburg.

The Hamburg connection runs strong in Spirit In The Blood, which is directed by Canadian-born, Hamburg-based Carly May Borgstrom.

It was also backed by new Filmfest Hamburg director Malika Raballah in her previous job as head of funding at regional fund Moin.

“Malika had been a great supporter from the very beginning,” says Junafilm founder Verena Gräfe-Höft. “She saw the film in a very early phase at a test screening when she...

Directors Guy Maddin, Evan Johnson, and Galen Johnson are no strangers to the offbeat and profoundly bizarre. Rumors the trio's latest film (the second feature collaboration between Maddin and the Johnson Brothers; the third between Maddin and Evan Johnson) stars Cate Blanchett as Hilda Ortmann, the Chancellor of Germany and host to the other participants of the annual G7 Summit. For those who don't know, the conclave is framed thusly by a title card: "an intergovernmental political and economic forum consisting of the world's wealthiest liberal democracies." In short, these are the chosen few with the power to make decisions that will impact nations on a major scale -- if only they can remain focused on the task at hand.

Among the G7 attendees are Canadian Prime Minister Maxime Laplace (Roy Dupuis), French President Sylvain Broulez (Denis Mnohchet), Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Cardosa Dewindt (Nikki Amuka-Bird), Prime Minister...

Jason Yu, a South Korean director, has found critical and box office success with his first feature film, “Sleep.” The psychological horror movie tells the story of a couple whose relationship is tested when the husband begins sleepwalking. Yu created realistic and unsettling portrayals of sleep disorders and marriage to craft an exploration of human psychology.

“Sleep” opens in U.S. theaters on September 27, 2024. Acclaimed director Bong Joon-ho praised the film, calling it “the smartest debut I’ve seen in ten years.” Yu started in an unlikely genre for a first-time director, as he was easily scared by horror movies himself. However, the subject matter of sleepwalking demanded the psychological horror format. Yu studied classics like “The Shining” and “Rosemary’s Baby” to inform his direction.

Lee Sun-kyun and Jung Yu-mi, known for “Parasite” and “Train to Busan” respectively, take the lead roles. Their characters resemble Yu’s own relationship with...

Sleep

Loving couple Hyun-su (Lee Sun-kyun) and Soo-jin (Jung Yu-mi) find their lives turned upside down when the former begins sleepwalking – and not just that, but engaging in unconscious behaviour which could be very dangerous to himself or others. Questions of identity and belief come to the fore in Jason Yu’s Sleep, a film which straddles the lines between horror and romance whilst presenting a complex portrait of two people in crisis, trying to hold on to what they’ve built together despite being beset by anxieties and doubts. Now ready for release in US cinemas, it’s a film that has enjoyed rave reviews around the world, with Parasite director Bong Joon-ho calling it “the most unique horror film and the smartest début film I've seen in 10 years.”

Jason Yu Photo: courtesy of Magnet Releasing

In the run-up to release, I had the chance to chat to Jason,...

The feature film debut of South Korean filmmaker Jason Yu, Sleep comes with big praise from Parasite director Bong Joon-Ho, who calls it “the smartest debut I’ve seen in ten years.”

And that debut horror film arrives this week. Magnet Releasing will unleash Sleep in theaters and on Digital on September 27, 2024.

The film stars veteran actors Lee Sun-kyun (Parasite) and Jung Yu-mi (Train to Busan) as a couple whose newlywedded bliss transforms into a nightmare when the husband’s new sleepwalking problem turns dangerous.

“I think it was two things,” the filmmaker said of landing on horror for his feature debut. “First, was that the subject matter itself sort of dictated itself into becoming a horror genre story. I couldn’t really see it any other way: a sleepwalking husband is wreaking havoc on the household. It felt suitable to become a horror film.

“Although, as an audience member,...

Available later this week on digital from Magnet Releasing, we have an exclusive preview of Sleep that you can watch right now!

"Sleep follows newlyweds Hyun-su and Soo-jin (Jung Yu-mi), whose domestic bliss is disrupted when Hyun-su begins speaking in his sleep, ominously stating, “Someone’s inside.” From that night on, whenever he falls asleep, Hyun-su transforms into someone else, with no recollection of what happened the night before. Overwhelmed with anxiety that he may hurt himself or their young family, Soo-jin can barely sleep because of this irrational fear. Despite treatment, Hyun-su’s sleepwalking only intensifies, and Soo-jin begins to feel that her unborn child may be in danger. A new thriller from director Jason Yu, who worked with Korean legends Bong Joon-ho and Lee Chang-dong before making his debut film, Sleep world-premiered in Cannes’ Critics’ Week."

Written and Directed by Jason Yu

Starring Lee Sun-kyun, Jung Yu-mi

Magnet...

Jason Yu’s Sleep is about a woman, Soo-jin (Jung Yu-mi), whose husband, Hyun-su (Lee Sun-kyun), suffers from a sleeping disorder that may or may not be supernatural in origin. As the newlyweds are pushed to the breaking point, Wu’s film does a fine job of toying with our expectations about whether or not a malevolent force is actually at play here, managing to make the possibility that there isn’t feel every bit as thrilling as the possibility that there is.

Sleep generates much of its tension from observing the couple’s responses to Hyun-su’s problem. At first, the disorder manifests as self-harm, with Hyun-su scratching his face so badly that he’s let go from one of the few jobs that the nascent actor has landed. But as Hyun-su’s behavior grows more erratic, he begins to direct his violent impulses elsewhere, like at the family dog,...

You may or may not be familiar with the term "sleep divorce," in which a couple decides to sleep in separate areas of the home or different residences altogether. Some reasons for this include perennial bugbears like snoring, body heat, insomnia, and the simple fact that sleep is, for many, a vulnerable time that should, if possible, be preserved. Conversely, many couples share their shutdown time, powering through the myriad disruptions just because love, and its symbolic representation through shared rest, is stronger than any potential awkwardness or simply all they know. At the center of Jason Yu's directorial debut, Sleep, expectant parents Soo-jin (Jung Yu-mi) and Hyeon-soo (Lee Sun-kyun) are dealing with sleep issues, and the due date is fast approaching.

Hyeon-soo sleepwalks. In his sleep, he utters an ominous phrase -- "Someone's inside" -- that might be a line he learned for a role. But it might not.

Stars: Jung Yu-mi, Lee Sun-kyun, Kim Gook-hee | Written and Directed by Jason Yu

Just when you think it’s nigh-on impossible to put an original spin on a possession / exorcism story, along comes Korean chiller Sleep, from writer-director Jason Yu, previously an Assistant Director to Bong Joon-ho. Creepy, darkly funny, and filled with great moments, it’s -ahem- a sleeper hit in the making.

Set in present-day South Korea, the film begins in a high rise apartment, where newly pregnant office worker Soo-jin is awakened by her snoring actor husband Hyun-su. Suddenly, he sits bolt upright and announces, “Someone’s inside”, before promptly going back to sleep again.

Soo-jin investigates but finds nothing other than a nicely timed jump scare involving the cute family dog Pepper. However, Hyun-su continues to act strangely, first by scratching his face in his sleep and drawing blood, and later by sleepwalking and eating the contents of the fridge.

Acclaimed author Stephen King is known for finding filmmakers he likes to work with and forming fruitful collaborations with them. The Life of Chuck is the latest adaptation of one of King’s stories by Doctor Sleep and Gerald’s Game filmmaker Mike Flanagan. Although it’s different than what one might expect from both Flanagan and King, this is a beautiful, profound, lovely film.

The Life of Chuck Review

Based on a short story by Stephen King, The Life of Chuck tells the story of an ordinary man named Charles Krantz through three chapters in his life, examining the many people he touched throughout the years. Adapting short stories into feature films can be difficult, but King’s writing is so rich and dense that there is plenty of material to pull from.

Like the short story, Flanagan’s script is structured in reverse chronological order. It’s an...

Arri has published the Alexa 35 Showreel for 2024. This showreel aims to demonstrate the cinematographic diversity of projects shot on the Arri 35, from blockbusters to indie commercials, and also to show the camera’s stunning imagery and dynamic range. Check it out.

Alexa 35 + Xelmus Anamorphic: Test Shots The Alexa 35 Showreel 2024: From blockbusters to indie films

As stated by Arri: We are proud to present the new Alexa 35 showreel, highlighting the wide variety of productions and looks that have been captured with the camera. Thank you to all the cinematographer for their contributions. Featuring a global mix, the showreel includes not only major blockbusters but also indie films, TV series, commercials, music videos, and art projects. The visual styles and aesthetics are incredibly diverse, crafted by talented directors and DPs using various lenses, lighting setups, production designs, and postproduction techniques, not to mention different features of the Alexa 35, such as Extended Sensitivity modes and Arri Textures.

Yu Yu Hakusho's Hiei comes to life once more in a breathtaking new sculpture from Kotobukiya. The updated figure is being released internationally -- great news for fans of the Yoshihiro Togashi-created franchise.

Per retailers such as BigBadToyStore, acclaimed action figure and toy developer Kotobukiya has officially released its new "Yu Yu Hakusho ArtFX J Hiei 1/8 (Version 2) Scale Figure." The statue stands at 9.65 inches tall and is the latest addition to Kotobukiya's acclaimed Art J line of non-articulated anime figurines. The sculpture features Hiei from Yu Yu Hakusho's "Dark Tournament Saga" and sees the diminutive demon calling upon his powerful Dragon of the Darkness Flame technique in the heat of battle.

Related Yu Yu Hakusho Gets New High-End Jewelry Collection for International Pre-Order

A new series of classy Yu Yu Hakusho chain rings showcase the brand through natural cut stones and charms related to the anime's four main heroes.

The 2024 Creative Arts Emmy Awards took place this weekend, with ceremonies on Saturday and Sunday evening. Scroll down for the results in all 99 categories.

On September 7, 50 awards were given out for the best achievements in nonfiction, reality, and variety fare. Another 49 awards were handed out on September 8 for comedy, drama, limited series and telefilms. The final Emmys will be doled out on September 15 during the primetime ceremony on ABC.

See Creative Arts Emmys 2024: Watch our Saturday live coverage revealing reality, variety, documentary, nonfiction winners as they happen

Sunday, September 8 Acting

Comedy Guest Actor

X – Jon Bernthal, “The Bear” (“Fishes”)

Matthew Broderick, “Only Murders in the Building” (“Co Bro”)

Ryan Gosling, “Saturday Night Live” (“Host: Ryan Gosling”)

Christoper Lloyd, “Hacks” (“The Deborah Vance Christmas Spectacular”)

Bob Odenkirk, “The Bear” (“Fishes”)

Will Poulter, “The Bear” (“Fishes”)

Comedy Guest Actress

Olivia Colman, “The Bear” (“Forks”)

X – Jamie Lee Curtis, “The Bear” (“Fishes”)

Kaitlin Olson,...

Having screened in Cannes and Toronto, among a number of other festivals around the world, and netting a number of awards in Korea especially, Jason Yu’s feature debut “Sleep” is a rather smart horror film that was inspired by real cases of sleepwalking disorder patients.

Magnet Releasing will release Sleep in theaters and on digital September 27th, 2024

Soo-jin and Hyun-ju are a happily married couple. Hyun-ju is an actor waiting for his big break while his wife, who is always as supportive as she can be, is quite eager as she is expecting their first born. One day, however, as Hyun-ju wakes up, utters “Someone’s inside”, and it is this phrase that kicks off a series of terrific events. It seems that he is suffering from some intense sleeping disorder, which has him initially scratching his face erratically one night, eating raw meat and eggs out of the fridge the next one,...

In September 2023, Weekly Shonen Jump magazine launched a new manga called Kagurabachi -- an epic dark fantasy tale that rapidly amassed a large following among the publication's readers. Now, Shonen Jump's next generation has taken home Kadokawa's prestigious "Next Manga" award, further cementing its popularity and bringing it one step closer to an official anime adaptation.

As detailed on Oricon, "Tsugimanga" ("Next Manga") is a "user-participation" award that aims to find which up-and-coming series is most likely to become Japan's next smash hit. Every year, avid manga readers are invited to cast votes for a pre-selected pool of titles. Out of Kadokawa's 8,212 eligible titles, Takeru Hokazono's Kagurabachi overwhelmingly won first place among print publications with 101,836 total votes. In contrast, the second place winner, Welcome to Demon School Iruma-Kun!: Episode of Mafia, received 33,033 user votes. Lagging behind in third place is Tsumiki Ogata & the Strange, Everyday Life, which received 30,384 votes.