Entertainment
The Sci-Fi Time Loop Action Thriller On Netflix That Keeps You Guessing
By Steven Nelson
| Published

Diving headfirst into the realm of time loops and futuristic chaos, ARQ makes its mark on Netflix with Robbie Amell leading the charge. While it may not have reinvented the sci-fi wheel, it weaves a tale of déjà vu that might just captivate those looking for a speculative thriller to fill their evening.
The film begs the question: How many times would you want to relive the same day if the fate of the world rested on your shoulders? Whether you’re a fan of mind-bending narratives or just in it for Robbie Amell’s performance, ARQ awaits your click on the Netflix queue.
A Fresh Twist On A Familiar Motif

ARQ plunges viewers into a near-future dystopian world where energy is scarce, and society teeters on the brink of collapse. At the center of this chaos is Robbie Amell’s character, Renton, an engineer who invents a machine named “ARQ,” capable of producing unlimited energy. But with great power comes great danger. The ARQ inadvertently causes a time loop, making Renton and his ex-lover, Hannah (Rachael Taylor), relive the same perilous day repeatedly.
As masked intruders break into Renton’s secure lab to steal the ARQ, the time loop becomes both a curse and a blessing. Each loop offers Renton and Hannah another chance to outwit their adversaries and protect the machine, but it also forces them to confront their unresolved past and the tangled emotions that come with it.

The film smartly plays with the time loop narrative, using it not just as a sci-fi gimmick but as a vehicle to explore character depth, evolving strategies, and shifting alliances. As the loops progress, secrets unravel, and the line between friend and foe blurs, making the audience question each character’s true intentions. This time loop device, reminiscent of movies like Groundhog Day but with a darker, more intense twist, keeps viewers on their toes, eagerly anticipating Renton and Hannah’s next move.
ARQ garnered mixed reviews from critics. While the time loop concept was intriguing to many, some felt the execution lacked depth or originality. The strong performances from Robbie Amell and Rachael Taylor were commended, with many pointing out that their chemistry elevated the film. However, criticisms often centered on the movie’s pacing and its struggle to escape the shadow of other more iconic time loop narratives.
Low Budget, High Concept

While ARQ‘s ending leaves the door cracked open for a continuation, it will probably never receive sequel treatment due to its mixed reception. Still, the film’s universe and its energy scarcity premise leave plenty of room for other stories set within the same world.
There’s also room to further explore the characters’ backstories and the larger implications of the ARQ technology itself. But as of now, there’s been no official word on a sequel, and whether one ever happens would likely depend on audience demand and Netflix’s interest. If anything, ARQ stands as a reminder of how sci-fi can tackle real-world anxieties through speculative storytelling, even if the execution doesn’t always land perfectly.

ARQ ultimately represents both the risks and rewards of high-concept indie sci-fi. It may not have reached the same heights as other time loop movies, but its mix of futuristic tech, energy crises, and shifting character dynamics still makes for a compelling watch.
Robbie Amell’s performance, paired with the film’s grim vision of a collapsing world, gives sci-fi fans plenty to latch onto. Despite its flaws, ARQ remains an engaging Netflix thriller that keeps audiences questioning what’s really happening with each reset. If you’re looking for a twisty time loop story that keeps you guessing, it’s still worth adding to the queue.
Entertainment
Google Pixel 11: Every rumor, leak, and confirmed fact ahead of Made By Google
Samsung just announced a bunch of fancy new phones, but don’t relax just yet. Google has a big product launch just around the corner too, and we’re keeping a close eye on the latest Pixel 11 leaks, rumors, and official teasers.
The Android maker has already confirmed that it will announce the next batch of Pixel phones in August. That means we have just a matter of weeks until the follow-up to the Pixel 10 lineup is unveiled, so you’d better get prepared in the meantime. Here is everything we know about the Google Pixel 11 right now.
Google Pixel 11: Release date and price
The first part of this is easy because Google isn’t keeping the Pixel 11 launch window a secret. At 6 p.m. ET on Aug. 12 in New York City, Google is holding a Made By Google event where the Pixel 11 lineup will be shown off for the first time, and Mashable will be there reporting live.
Last year’s event was hosted by Jimmy Fallon, for some reason, so you never know what to expect this time. You can watch Made By Google live on YouTube, or follow the news as it happens on Mashable. The phones should be on store shelves or in your hands less than a month after that.
As with last year, we expect to see four phones: the base Pixel 11, a Pro and Pro XL model, and a Pro Fold model.
Regarding price, we live in a RAMageddon world, so it sounds like there may be some mild price increases in the works. We don’t know the official figures yet, but a recent Amazon leak (which we will return to throughout this piece because, holy mackerel, what a leak!) gave us these figures:
-
Google Pixel 11: $899
-
Google Pixel 11 Pro: $1,099
-
Google Pixel 11 Pro XL: $1,299
-
Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold: $1,899
Unfortunately, all of those are increases year over year compared to the Pixel 10. The Pixel 11, Pixel 11 Pro, and Pro XL are all $100 more to start than they were a year ago. Meanwhile, the Pixel 11 Pro Fold, if this leak is to be believed, will cost $400 more than the Pixel 10 Pro Fold. Ouch.
Google Pixel 11: What’s up with Pixel Glow?
Before we get into detailed (and unconfirmed) specs for each device, there’s basically one noteworthy design change that we expect to see across all four devices this year. According to both leaks and some imagery on Google’s own pre-order page, Google is going all-in on something called Pixel Glow with the Pixel 11 series.
In terms of design, that means the horizontal camera bar seen on previous Pixel phones will change a little bit to accommodate a new multi-colored light module. This module will use lights of different shades to notify you of things like incoming messages, presumably while your phone is turned over and you don’t feel like looking at a screen.
Mashable Light Speed
Google actually gave everyone an official sneak peek at Pixel Glow a couple of weeks before the event. In a brief teaser video that shows part of a Pixel 11 Pro, you can see a small, multi-colored light in the camera bar. While the video is very brief and vague, it’s clear from the video that we are looking at Pixel Glow.
Google Pixel 11: Base model rumored specs
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
The aforementioned Amazon leak included since-removed store pages for each device in the Pixel 11 family, with colors and specs galore. Let’s start with the base Pixel 11, whose array of color options has been reported with different names, but basically comes out to black, gray, pink, and green. Another leaker called MysticLeaks posted a bunch of alleged specs on Telegram.
Based on both of these leaks, these could be the specs for the base Pixel 11:
It’s worth noting that there are some small discrepancies between what Amazon posted and what MysticLeaks reported for all of these devices, especially regarding display resolution and battery size. When in doubt, this article is going by what was posted on Amazon.
The display, battery, and selfie camera specs all come from the Amazon leak, while the Tensor G6 chip would make sense as the natural follow-up to the Tensor G5 chip in last year’s Pixel flagships. At the time of publication, there don’t seem to be any credible leaks regarding the other camera specs for the base Pixel 11, aside from what’s listed above.
None of the above is horribly surprising or all that different from the Pixel 10, either. All signs are pointing to a pretty incremental upgrade cycle in 2026, Pixel Glow aside.
Google Pixel 11 Pro and Pro XL: Rumored specs
Google is also reportedly planning on two Pro variants, as in previous years. The color options here are reportedly called Olive, Obsidian, Canyon, and Fog. Here is what both Amazon and MysticLeaks had to say about the regular Pixel 11 Pro:
And here are the reported specs for Pixel 11 Pro XL. The XL is usually just a bigger, slightly improved version of the Pro:
The main attraction here, at least as it relates to year-over-year changes, is that Google seems to be offering a new 12GB RAM variant of the Pro devices. Prior to this year, they just came with 16GB RAM. Perhaps models with less storage capacity will only come with 12GB this year as a way to save money on the manufacturing end of things.
Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold: Rumored specs

Google isn’t folding from the competition.
Credit: Joe Maldonado/Mashable
Lastly, Google is making another foldable this year, if every leak is to be believed. Here are the reported specs for the Pixel 11 Pro Fold, which could have color variants called Obsidian and Olive:
This is the one we know the least about, sadly. Given Samsung’s recent excellence in the foldable field and the rumored price increase for the Pixel 11 Pro Fold, it’s going to have to do a lot to impress in a crowded market. We’ll find out together on Aug. 12.
Remember: Mashable will be reporting live from the Made By Google event, so keep checking back for the latest Pixel 11 news, leaks, and rumors.
Entertainment
New York sues Kalshi, claiming its unlicensed gambling
On Friday, New York state filed a lawsuit against prediction market platform Kalshi, claiming that it’s operating as an “unlicensed gambling business.”
The Office of Attorney General Letitia James found that Kalshi is an illegal prediction market that exposes New Yorkers to “serious personal and financial risk,” according to a press release. The lawsuit seeks fines, the forfeit of all illegal gains, and restitution to members.
The suit claims that Kalshi’s prediction markets meet the legal definition of gambling “because the outcomes of the events on which its users are betting are uncertain and outside the control of the bettor or hinge on a game of chance.” But the platform hasn’t obtained a license from the New York State Gaming Commission. It also states that Kalshi is available to adults aged 18-20, while New York law requires users to be at least 21 to bet on sports.
“Kalshi has chosen to ignore New York’s gaming laws, which exist to protect consumers, prevent problematic gambling, deliver funding for critical public services, and ensure that every company plays by the same rules,” New York Governor Kathy Hochul said in the press release. “This choice has consequences, and working closely with Attorney General James, New York is taking action to stop this illegal behavior and bring Kalshi into compliance, because no company is above the law.”
Mashable Light Speed
“No matter what they call themselves, prediction markets like Kalshi are gambling platforms, plain and simple. By ignoring our laws, Kalshi is running an illegal operation and harming New Yorkers in the process,” James said in the press release. “We are taking them to court to uphold our laws and protect New Yorkers.”
Friday’s lawsuit comes after New York sued Coinbase and Gemini for similar allegations in April. It also comes after Kalshi sued New York state in Oct., according to CNBC, following New York’s Gambling Commission’s cease-and-desist letter to the company. A judge denied the company’s request for a preliminary injunction and temporary restraining order against the commission in July.
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), an agency of the federal government, has now sued New York, as it considers prediction markets to fall within its jurisdiction. “Rather than seek reasoned answers from the courts, Letitia James and New York seek to force an unprecedented, sudden shutdown of prediction markets nationwide,” CFTC chairman Mike Selig posted on X. “The [CFTC] has already sued to stop this and will continue to defend its jurisdiction.”
“It’s sad to see this type of political theater from the leadership in our own state,” a Kalshi spokesperson said in a statement to CNBC. “States can’t just shut down a federally licensed exchange… We love New York, we love New Yorkers, and New Yorkers love our product.”
Entertainment
Google rolls back AI Google Earth feature a day after launch
After Google added its AI image generator, Nano Banana, to Google Earth on Thursday, it reversed its decision a day later.
Google announced the addition of Nano Banana 2 into its mapping platform, presumably to help users generate infographics about a site, see what it looked like historically, generate real estate ideas, and other use cases. Instead, as 404 Media observed, it made it very easy to inject misinformation into Google Earth, including making it appear like a nuclear strike had hit a location or that protests had taken over Google’s offices.
On Thursday, Google seemed to try to smooth out the kinks, sharing on Thursday night on X that “every image created with Nano Banana in Google Earth includes the SynthID digital watermark, so if someone is unsure about an image, they can ask the Gemini app or use Lens in Search to see if the image was AI-generated.” It also stated that it prevents image creation on “harmful topics.”
Mashable Light Speed
However, come Friday afternoon, Google announced on X that it was removing the feature:
We know that people uniquely trust Google Earth for a reliable view of the world. We’ve seen geospatial professionals using this feature for a range of useful purposes, however we’ve also seen people sharing screenshots of generated imagery that appear to violate our policies. So we’re rolling back this feature in Google Earth while we work on implementing stronger guardrails. It’s important to note that generated images didn’t appear in the main Google Earth experience for others to see and were watermarked as AI generated.
The backlash to the initial decision was quick. Replies to the rollback post on X include Gravity Falls creator Alex Hirsch saying, “You guys are living in a complete bubble. Step outside Silicon Valley for two seconds and you’ll realize no actual human wants AI sludge crammed into every corner of every product. Touch grass. Talk to actual people.”
Another top reply read, “There is 0 chance that no one on your development team didn’t raise exactly this concern.”
Topics
Artificial Intelligence
Google
