At the end of season one, Joel (Pedro Pascal) and Ellie (Bella Ramse) made it to Seattle only for Joel to realize that to create a cure to the cordyceps virus, Ellie had to die, which didn’t work for him. Joel then proceeded to kill all of the Fireflies, including the doctor who was working on the cure. Season two picks up five years after the events of season one. Ellie and Joel’s relationship is strained, but we don’t know why. During a snowstorm we meet Abby (Kaitlyn Denver) when she is rescued by Joel, but unfortunately, she’s hellbent on revenge because Joel killed her father, which leads to a violent confrontation between the two. When Ellie witnesses the violence firsthand, it starts her on her own journey of revenge against Abby.

To me, the best part of season one was the relationship between Joel and Ellie. While I knew that Joel was going to die going into the second season, I didn’t expect it to be so soon. I really would have preferred the season to spend more time with the two of them together; however, I understand that they were trying overall to stay true to the original story of the games. I did appreciate though that they spent an episode with Ellie grieving, and the flashback episode with Joel was the best of the season, perhaps of both seasons. Their time at the museum really showed the connection between the Ellie and Joel. Also, I appreciated seeing the last moments between the two and getting an answer to how much Ellie was aware of Joel’s actions, which apparently doesn’t happen as early in the game, so they could have kept it until the next season, which I personally believe would have been a mistake.

A chance encounter in the desert changes everything when a teenage girl, Renee (Lulu Wilson), discovers a terrifying alien, and they form a special bond when she realizes it’s not anything she expected. Uncovering a secret that could affect both of their worlds sends them on an adventure as she, along with the help of classmate Gil (Trae Romano), race to escape government agents and protect her new friend.

Stars Wilson and Romano, as well as the writer and director of the film, Matthew Loren Oates, recently spoke with SciFi Vision about creating the movie, working with the team at Jim Henson Productions who designed the alien, and more.

The film opens in theaters nationwide starting today.

In Prisoner of War, star Scott Adkins is once again paired with director Louis Mandylor. Most of the story takes place in World War II before the infamous Bataan Death March in the Philippines. Adkins plays British SAS officer James Wright, who is captured by the Japanese and forced to fight soldiers on both sides to the death in order to amuse his captors.  This is a different take on the bravery of combat soldiers during that war. Adkins, who is a skilled fighter and actor, recently spoke with SciFi Vision about working on the martial arts film and detailed the grueling shooting schedule, conditions and more. You may recognize him from one of his many action films, including John Wick: Chapter 4.

Prisoner of War will be released in theaters and on VOD starting tomorrow.

The historical romance drama Outlander: Blood of My Blood is the prequel series to the hugely popular Outlander. A completely new story, it does not follow the book series but rather draws on the world and the characters developed in the novels. The story follows two parallel timelines. The first takes place in 18th century Scotland and follows Jamie Fraser’s future parents, Brian Fraser (Jamie Roy) and Ellen MacKenzie (Harriet Slater), and the second starts in early 20th century England with Henry (Jeremy Irvine) and Julia Beauchamp (Hermione Corfield), Claire Beauchamp’s parents. Their fates soon become intertwined when the Beauchamps travel through time.

In episode seven, which recently aired on Starz, Ellen faces humiliation and likely worse when the Grants demand proof of her virtue after receiving a letter from Lord Lovat (Tony Curran) stating she is impure. Meanwhile, Julia’s struggle with Lord Lovat escalates when he attempts to claim and name her child for his lineage.

Recently, Curran spoke with SciFi Vision about Lovat’s relationship with Julia, whether he believes her child is really his, how long the chaste berry can keep him away, his character’s relationship with his son, if he would be willing to grovel to the MacKenzies if it meant getting his power back, filming intimate scenes, and much more.

Adapted from Erik Axl Sund’s bestselling nordic novel, the six-episode gritty psychological crime thriller, The Crow Girl, premieres today on Acorn TV. The series, which was created, written, and executive produced by Milly Thomas, stars Eve Myles as DCI Jeanette Kilburn. When bodies of young men start turning up, it’s up to Kilburn and her partner, DI Lou Stanley (Dougray Scott) to find the killer. When they discover the body of a missing child, the investigation soon has her crossing paths with psychotherapist Dr. Sophia Craven (Katherine Kelly) and searching for her missing patient Victoria (Clara Rugaard) that may somehow be involved.

Last week, SciFi Vision spoke with Myles not only about working on the dark mystery crime series, preparing for and connecting with the role and more, but also a bit about working on the Doctor Who spinoff Torchwood, what her dream role would be, and more.

The first episode of The Crow Girl is now available to stream on Acorn TV, and new episodes will be available each week.

The newest spin-off of the globally successful series in the NCIS franchise, NCIS: Tony & Ziva, premieres today on Paramount+. When we last left the duo, Ziva David (Cote de Pablo) was seemingly killed, and Tony DiNozzo (Michael Weatherly) discovered they had a daughter, Tali (Isla Gie). It was later revealed that Ziva faked her death to protect Tony and Tali, and the three were reunited. The story picks up in the new series, and Tony and Ziva have been raising their daughter together. But when Tony’s security company comes under attack, they find themselves on the run from both the criminals and Interpol through Europe in search of answers. As they fight to survive and expose who is is behind the cyber attacks, they must learn to trust each other again, perhaps even paving the way for their own unconventional happily ever after.

Recently, stars Weatherly and de Pablo spoke with SciFi Vision about the new series, what it was like stepping back into their characters, whether or not they expected to come back, Tony and Ziva's relationship, what they are excited for fans to see, and more.

The following interview contains spoilers for the season finale

Last night, MGM+ aired the season finale of the series The Institute, which is based on the Stephen King novel. The series follows a group of teens with either telekinesis or telepathy, who are kidnapped out of their homes and brought to the mysterious facility of The Institute where they are experimented on and psychologically tortured in order to strengthen their powers.

In the season finale, four of the teens, Luke (Joe Freeman), Nicky (Fionn Laird), Kalisha (Simone Miller), and George (Arlen So) escaped, and The Institute was brought, literally, to the ground. However, it was revealed through the course of the episode that there are other facilities around the world, leaving it open for the story to continue.

The series was already announced to be renewed for a second season. Last week, SciFi Vision spoke with executive producer and director Jack Bender about what that second season could look like, what it’s been like working with King on the project, how he feels about fans of his series FROM looking for clues in The Institute, whether he’d choose TP, TK, or PC for himself, if he has any of his personal artwork in the show, and more.

The following interview contains spoilers for the season finale

Tonight, the season finale of The Institute aired on MGM Plus. The series, which has already been renewed for a season two, was adapted from the Stephen King novel of the save name. The series follows Luke Ellis (Joe Freeman), a teen prodigy with telekinesis who is kidnapped from his home and awakens at a mysterious facility known as The Institute, where he meets other children and teens with psychic powers, either telekinesis or telepathy, who are experimented on and psychologically tortured to increase their power. Among his allies are Nicky (Fionn Laird) and Kalisha (Simone Miller), who along with Luke and Avery (Viggo Hanvelt) hatch a plan to try to escape.

In the season finale, while Luke has escaped to the outside, he goes back to The Institute to save his friends. The kids connect telepathically with children from other institutes from across the world and are able to get the steel door open. While Luke, Nicky, and Kalisha are able to escape through the tunnels and grab George (Arlen So) on the way out, Avery stays behind with the others to keep open the connection to the other Institutes.

MGM+ Renews Thriller Horror Series THE INSTITUTE for Season Two
 
THE INSTITUTE ranks as the best premiere ever on MGM+
 
From executive producer Stephen King with director and executive producer Jack Bender (Lost, Game of Thrones, Mr. Mercedes, FROM) and writer and executive producer Benjamin Cavell (Justified, The Stand)
 
See Stephen King’s Season Two Announcement HERE.
 
LOS ANGELES— August 22, 2025— MGM+, a premium linear channel and streaming service, today announced that the hit thriller horror series The Institute, based on the best-selling Stephen King novel, has been renewed for an eight-episode second season. From executive producer Stephen King with director and executive producer Jack Bender (Lost, Game of Thrones, Mr. Mercedes, FROM) and executive producer and writer Benjamin Cavell (Justified, The Stand), the series comes from MGM+ Studios. The series will premiere exclusively on MGM+ in the U.S., UK, Germany, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Belgium, Brazil, Mexico, Chile, and Colombia. Amazon MGM Studios Distribution will distribute in all other international territories.
 
The Institute ranks as the best premiere ever on MGM+.
 
Season one starred Ben Barnes (Shadow and Bone, The Punisher, Westworld),  Mary-Louise Parker (Weeds), Joe Freeman and and an ensemble cast that included Simone Miller (Run the Burbs), Fionn Laird (Under the Banner of Heaven), Jason Diaz, and Jane Luk. Casting for Season 2 will be announced at a later date. 
 
“Set free but hunted, new dangers await the escapees from the Institute and I can’t wait,” said Stephen King.

Fans have waited two long years, but at last, the aliens are back! Invasion returns to AppleTV+ on Friday, August 22, for its third season.

Onscreen, it has also been two years since Trevante (Shamier Anderson, Wynonna Earp, John Wick: Chapter 4) and Caspar (Billy Barratt, Responsible Child) brought down the alien mothership. As the season opens, life on Earth has almost returned to normal and the aliens are no longer a threat – or so it seems.

We asked Invasion’s showrunner, Oscar and Emmy nominee Simon Kinberg, how the big time jump changes the story. With just a few minutes to chat, Kinberg also spoke about the tremendous loss and trauma the characters are carrying as they try to move on.

Throughout the conversation, Kinberg promised plenty of action but also hinted at mystery, connection and love.

The third season on Invasion premieres on AppleTV+ tomorrow, with one episode, followed by one new episode weekly, every Friday through October 24.