The future of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power is uncertain, but canceling it is not a simple option for Prime Video. Sources indicate the company would have to pay as much as 40 million dollars to the Tolkien Estate if they decide to halt the project. While this figure sounds astronomical, it is actually lower than the cost of three episodes from the first season.

The fantasy series was announced as Amazon's flagship prestige project with a total investment of about 1 billion dollars. However, the outcomes did not meet expectations. Each episode cost approximately 20 million, but only a limited number of viewers completed the first season. In the United States, only 37 percent of viewers finished season one, while the international figure was slightly higher at 45 percent. Season two saw even lower viewership numbers, even though a larger percentage of that smaller audience did watch the series in full.

Disappointing Results

Despite the disappointing figures, work is still underway on a third season. Prime Video has not yet announced a premiere date, but production is in full swing. Analysts are questioning why the series continues to receive a follow-up given its high costs and limited success.

One literary agent previously stated that Amazon paid "far too much" for the rights. According to him, it would be better to cancel the project and invest in other series instead. Meanwhile, the original decision-makers at Amazon are no longer accountable, raising the question of who would suffer reputational damage in the event of a cancellation.

Risk For Prime Video

With the huge investment, The Rings of Power remains a tricky issue. Stopping it would cost millions, but continuing requires even more budget without any guarantee of success. For Prime Video, the stakes are higher than just viewer ratings: prestige and the credibility of the platform also play a role in the decision-making process.

The new Netflix series Monster: The Ed Gein Story, released today, is igniting fierce debates. Particularly, Charlie Hunnam's portrayal of serial killer Ed Gein is under fire, facing accusations that the show sexualizes and romanticizes the perpetrator.

The Monster series by Ryan Murphy has previously seen its share of controversies. It all began in 2022 with Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story, which garnered enormous viewership but also faced harsh criticism from victims' families. The follow-up about the Menendez brothers sparked further division, due in part to controversial scenes and statements from those involved. Nevertheless, viewership remained high, with Dahmer still considered one of Netflix's biggest successes.

Criticism Of Hunnam And The Trailer

The third season focuses on Ed Gein, the infamous grave robber and murderer from the 1950s. The trailer shows Hunnam partially undressed and touching a corpse, which many viewers find too much to handle. Online complaints contend that the series is trying to make "serial killers seem cool". Some even criticize Hunnam for describing Gein in interviews as one of the "more gentle monsters", which did not sit well with many.

Opponents call it tasteless and inappropriate, especially given that Gein's gruesome acts directly affected victims and their families. Critics emphasize that the real-life perpetrator lived in miserable conditions and bore no resemblance to the character the series portrays.

Defense And Support

However, many viewers are also curious about Hunnam's performance and the thematic approach. Supporters argue that Monster previously sparked difficult conversations about society's fascination with serial killers and how the media depicts them. They believe the series touches on why audiences continue to watch despite the horror.

When you look at the current most popular films on IMDb, it's no surprise that gems like One Battle After Another and Weapons are at the top. However, there is a South Korean action hit that is making waves worldwide.

It turns out that Samagwi (translated to Mantis) has risen nearly 3000 spots on the 'Most Popular Movies' list. It is rare for a film to suddenly surge in popularity like this, yet Samagwi currently holds the 12th position among the most popular films on IMDb.

Plot

Samagwi is set in the same universe as Kill Boksoon, the successful South Korean action thriller, making it particularly appealing to fans of the genre. The story follows an elite mercenary named Mantis who returns from vacation, only to learn that Cha Min-gyu, the head of MK Enterprise, has died.

Mantis decides to leave the company and start anew with other colleagues. Dok-go, Mantis's mentor and one of the founders of MK Enterprise, returns after Min-gyu's death to take over the business and tries to lure Mantis back in his own way.

Why So Popular?

The film's popularity seems to stem from a combination of different factors. The action is raw and stylish, yet serves to enhance the emotional tensions and relationships between the characters.



Additionally, Netflix and social media are providing a significant boost: clips and reactions are going viral, driving curiosity among a global audience. Now that the action thriller is available on the streaming giant, everyone can enjoy it.

On the day the film is released on Netflix, the streaming service has released a second official trailer for the larger release of Steve. This indicates that Netflix has great confidence in the film. Check out the footage below and decide for yourself if this film is for you.

Cillian Murphy stars in the role of Steve. Also featured in major roles are Tracey Ullman, Jay Lycurgo, Simbi Ajikawo, and Emily Watson.

Personal Quest(s)

At the beginning of the trailer, we see a boy jump on the hood of a car while Murphy's character attempts to drive away. This immediately sets the tone of the movie. Later in the trailer, we hear lines such as

''I can see that something is wrong with you'' and ''Sometimes I just want to start over and not mess it up.'' It becomes clear that the film explores personal quests.

Cast And Release

The film, directed by Tim Mielants, is written by Max Porter and is based on his 2023 novella Shy. Steve is available on Netflix from today, Friday, October 3rd.

Unfortunately, prices are rising with streaming services like Disney+. Switching to a different subscription might seem more affordable. However, will you be subjected to many ads?

Fortunately, Disney provides the answer: it's quite manageable. Their cheaper subscription, Disney+ Standard with Ads, comes with commercials during most films and series. These ad breaks also appear while watching those films and series, and you cannot skip the ads.

Ads On Everything

Disney also shows ads with the other subscriptions: Disney+ Standard and Disney+ Premium. In those cases, ads are played before or after your streaming choice, but not during.

But... you might want to check if the content you wish to watch is available in junior mode. For the youngest viewers, Disney removes all ads across all subscriptions. Using that junior mode could be quite convenient.

Use That Junior Mode

To activate this mode, you must first create a profile. It’s worth noting that Disney can show ads to older children up to 18 years old. However, this will be adapted according to the age of the profile being used.

Netflix has announced that the new western series The Abandons will be available starting December 4. It is a grand production set in the Oregon Territory during the 1850s, a time when families risk everything to hold on to their land.

The cast features big names like Gillian Anderson, Lena Headey, Nick Robinson, Lucas Till, Ryan Hurst, Lamar Johnson, Michiel Huisman, Toby Hemingway, Aisling Franciosi, and Patton Oswalt. Together, they bring to life a story where ordinary people confront powerful and corrupt adversaries who want to take their land away from them.

Conflict Between Families

At the center of the series are two very different families. On one side is a wealthy clan, bound by blood and privilege. On the other is a makeshift community of orphans and outcasts who have stayed together only through love and necessity. Despite their differences, the families become increasingly entwined.

The plot revolves around a series of crimes, a dangerous secret, a forbidden love, and a piece of land that turns out to be rich in silver. These elements bring tension and conflict as the families are forced to either cooperate or fight each other.

Creators Behind The Scenes

The Abandons was filmed in Calgary and was created by Kurt Sutter, known for Sons of Anarchy. Although he led the production, he unexpectedly stepped away from the project just before its completion. Other producers, including Chris Keyser, Robert Askins, Stephen Surjik, Otto Bathurst, Emmy Grinwis, and Jon Pare, ensured the series was finished completely.