Entertainment
Time Traveling TV Destroys Society In Brilliant Sci-Fi Thriller
By Robert Scucci
| Published
In Back to the Future, Marty McFly steals music from Chuck Berry, assuring everybody that their kids are going to love it. 2022’s LOLA steals this joke from Back to the Future, but this time we get a big band rendition of The Kinks’ “You Really Got Me.” That could sound like lazy writing, but now that I think about it, it’s actually kind of brilliant.
The whole movie takes place in 1940s London, as World War 2 continues to escalate. Thanks to the titular device, a television set that can play broadcasts from the future, our protagonists may actually be aware of Back to the Future, and want to have their own moment paying homage to something nobody else knows exists.
It’s not all fun and games in LOLA, though, because we learn how dangerous precognition can actually be when you can simply turn on a TV and see how much the future changes once you start calling the shots. One day you’re stealing somebody’s intellectual property before they’re even known for it (or as I call it, “reverse plagiarism”), and the next you’re relaying military strategy to government officials, wondering if you could use the device to win the war with minimal casualties.
While I’ll admit that LOLA’s time travel logic is hard to wrap your head around, it wins some serious points as a period piece. If you didn’t know better and caught it on TV without any context, you might actually think it was a production from the 40s or 50s.
A New Way To Channel Surf
LOLA centers on two orphaned sisters named Thom (Emma Appleton) and Mars (Stefanie Martini), who live alone in the remote English countryside. Always the tinkerer, Thom realizes she’s created a time machine of sorts, but it’s not the kind that can transport physical matter. This particular time machine is a TV set that can watch broadcasts from the future, and the sisters mostly use it to discover new music. This is how Mars discovers David Bowie, and probably how Thom learns about The Kinks.
The sisters don’t use the device for much else until the threat of invasion breaks out around them, when they realize they can warn civilians about incoming raids, potentially saving thousands of lives. When discovered by the military, Thom and Mars are confronted by Lieutenant Sebastian Holloway (Rory Fleck Byrne), who, with the help of his superior, Cobcroft (Aaron Monaghan), grants them access to military frequencies.
Right away, we see the positive impact Thom and Mars have on the war. German strikes are intercepted, and countless casualties are prevented thanks to their LOLA device. But suddenly, David Bowie no longer exists, and Mars is horrified to learn that fascist pop sensation Reginald Watson (Shaun Boylan) is dominating the airwaves.
Making matters worse, when Mars and Lieutenant Holloway become romantically involved, Thom begins alienating them, often spending long stretches of time with her TV time machine, altering the future in ways that are irreversible and horrifying.
Brilliantly Shot
I’m not going to get too bogged down with the time travel semantics in LOLA because it sticks to its own internal logic, and it does it well. It doesn’t overexplain the causality chain, so you’re allowed to just sit back and watch how the characters cope with the kind of responsibility that’s been bestowed upon them.
What’s far more interesting is how LOLA was shot. It’s a strange mix of found footage and conventional filmmaking, shot entirely in black and white. While I would love to see how well this movie pops in full color, it’s better this way because of how archival footage is used. We get real shots of people in the streets, along with wartime footage from the 40s, all of which integrates seamlessly into the storytelling.
When I looked up the credits to see who was playing Hitler and Churchill because they looked like their identical twins, I was shocked to find out I was just watching real-life footage folded into this fiction to sell the illusion.
LOLA is a tight, 79-minute sci-fi thriller that has so much fun with its set and sound design. It feels like a piece of lost media in the best possible way, like writer-director Andrew Legge was actively working in the 50s, and this was his sci-fi revisionist history film about the previous decade. As of this writing, you can stream it for free on Tubi, and if you’re a fan of time travel paradoxes and classic rock, this one’s just begging to be watched.
Entertainment
The smartest language lessons still start with human experts
TL;DR: Get Babbel Language Learning for life for just $159 through July 31 and unlock all 14 languages with one purchase.
Language learning usually starts with good intentions. The trick is sticking with it long enough to order dinner confidently, ask for directions without panicking, or actually hold a conversation.
That’s where Babbel truly shines. Through July 31, you can get lifetime access for a one-time $159, giving you unlimited access to 14 languages without worrying about another recurring subscription.
Mashable Deals
Babbel keeps lessons short — just 10 to 15 minutes — making it much easier to fit learning into a lunch break, commute, or quiet evening at home. The lessons focus on real-life conversations, covering everything from travel and dining to shopping and business situations, so you’re learning phrases you’re actually likely to use.
Plus, the biggest win is that the lessons were created by 100+ professional linguists, not just bots.
Mashable Trend Report
The platform also includes an AI Conversation Partner for speaking practice, speech recognition technology to help improve pronunciation, personalized review sessions to reinforce what you’ve learned, and offline access so you can keep studying without an internet connection.
More than 15 million people worldwide have used Babbel, and the app holds an impressive 4.6-star rating on the App Store.
Whether your goal is planning an overseas trip, connecting with family, or simply learning something new, Babbel offers a flexible way to build practical language skills at your own pace.
A lifetime of Babbel Language Learning is available for just $159 (reg. $299) through July 31, making it an easy way to invest in a skill you can keep using for years.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
Entertainment
Meta avoids another trial over social media harms as teen plaintiff drops lawsuit
Meta has skirted another jury over claims its platforms are facilitating a youth mental health crisis.
The company was set to go to trial in the Superior Court of California for the County of Los Angeles next week, but the 15-year-old plaintiff, referred to as R.K.C, has now dropped the lawsuit.
“In light of the overall successful result of the litigation and his concerns about enduring a grueling weeks-long trial, he has elected to withdraw his claims against Meta. He’s ready to close this chapter and focus on his recovery and engage in therapy as he aspires to have a normal life,” attorneys for R.K.C. said in a statement.
Lawsuit says AI tool disproportionately places Black prisoners in maximum security in Ontario
According to the lawsuit, R.K.C. said he became addicted to social media over the last seven years, and linked his anxiety and depression to extensive time online. Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube were also named in the initial lawsuit, but the companies reached settlement deals with R.K.C prior to going in front of the jury.
Mashable Light Speed
“Days after settling with other social media companies, the plaintiff dropped his case against Meta, the only remaining defendant, without receiving any payment,” a Meta spokesperson said following the news. “The claims never held up, and this outcome makes clear that we will not back away from defending ourselves against baseless lawsuits.”
Meta’s spokesperson said the facts of the case could not prove that the company’s platforms caused R.K.C.’s mental health struggles. Meta previously called attention to the fact that R.K.C. had not spent significant amounts of time on Meta platforms, like Facebook and Instagram, in a Motion for Summary Judgment. The company also said they could not verify that R.K.C. had a long-standing account history on Meta platforms.
In March, Meta and YouTube were ordered to pay $6 million to another teen plaintiff who accused multiple social media companies of knowingly investing in design features that would hook users, despite knowing of their potential harm. The jury found the two companies liable for mental health-related harms caused by negligent design features and “social media addiction.” It was the first time a jury found social media companies responsible for the psychological effects of their platforms on teens.
At the time, Meta said it was appealing the decision. The company has faced multiple lawsuits brought forth by teens, parents, school districts, and state leaders. “Teen mental health is profoundly complex and cannot be linked to a single app,” a Meta spokesperson said following the March verdict. “We will continue to defend ourselves vigorously as every case is different, and we remain confident in our record of protecting teens online.”
Entertainment
NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for July 23, 2026
The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you’re a frequent flyer.
Connections is the one of the most popular New York Times word games that’s captured the public’s attention. The game is all about finding the “common threads between words.” And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we’ve served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.
If you just want to be told today’s puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for today’s Connections solution. But if you’d rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.
What is Connections?
The NYT‘s latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications’ Games section. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there’s only one correct answer.
If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.
Mashable Top Stories
Here’s a hint for today’s Connections categories
Want a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:
-
Yellow: Rounded
-
Green: Nervous Nancy
-
Blue: Catch a flight
-
Purple: Math words
Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today
Here are today’s Connections categories
Need a little extra help? Today’s connections fall into the following categories:
-
Yellow: Spherical things
-
Green: In an anxious state
-
Blue: Parts of an airport
-
Purple: Ending in geometry terms
Looking for Wordle today? Here’s the answer to today’s Wordle.
Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today’s puzzle before we reveal the solutions.
Drumroll, please!
The solution to today’s Connections #1138 is…
What is the answer to Connections today
-
Spherical things: BASEBALL, GLOBE,
-
In an anxious state: EXCITED, FEBRILE, FRENETIC, INTENSE
-
Parts of an airport: PINS, SNAPS, TWEETS, VINES
-
Ending in geometry terms: APPOINT, DEPLANE, FELINE, JANGLE
Are you also playing NYT Strands? Get all the Strands hints you need for today’s puzzle.
If you’re looking for more puzzles, Mashable’s got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Not the day you’re after? Here’s the solution to yesterday’s Connections.
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Entertainment
Time Traveling TV Destroys Society In Brilliant Sci-Fi Thriller
By Robert Scucci
| Published
In Back to the Future, Marty McFly steals music from Chuck Berry, assuring everybody that their kids are going to love it. 2022’s LOLA steals this joke from Back to the Future, but this time we get a big band rendition of The Kinks’ “You Really Got Me.” That could sound like lazy writing, but now that I think about it, it’s actually kind of brilliant.
The whole movie takes place in 1940s London, as World War 2 continues to escalate. Thanks to the titular device, a television set that can play broadcasts from the future, our protagonists may actually be aware of Back to the Future, and want to have their own moment paying homage to something nobody else knows exists.
It’s not all fun and games in LOLA, though, because we learn how dangerous precognition can actually be when you can simply turn on a TV and see how much the future changes once you start calling the shots. One day you’re stealing somebody’s intellectual property before they’re even known for it (or as I call it, “reverse plagiarism”), and the next you’re relaying military strategy to government officials, wondering if you could use the device to win the war with minimal casualties.
While I’ll admit that LOLA’s time travel logic is hard to wrap your head around, it wins some serious points as a period piece. If you didn’t know better and caught it on TV without any context, you might actually think it was a production from the 40s or 50s.
A New Way To Channel Surf
LOLA centers on two orphaned sisters named Thom (Emma Appleton) and Mars (Stefanie Martini), who live alone in the remote English countryside. Always the tinkerer, Thom realizes she’s created a time machine of sorts, but it’s not the kind that can transport physical matter. This particular time machine is a TV set that can watch broadcasts from the future, and the sisters mostly use it to discover new music. This is how Mars discovers David Bowie, and probably how Thom learns about The Kinks.
The sisters don’t use the device for much else until the threat of invasion breaks out around them, when they realize they can warn civilians about incoming raids, potentially saving thousands of lives. When discovered by the military, Thom and Mars are confronted by Lieutenant Sebastian Holloway (Rory Fleck Byrne), who, with the help of his superior, Cobcroft (Aaron Monaghan), grants them access to military frequencies.
Right away, we see the positive impact Thom and Mars have on the war. German strikes are intercepted, and countless casualties are prevented thanks to their LOLA device. But suddenly, David Bowie no longer exists, and Mars is horrified to learn that fascist pop sensation Reginald Watson (Shaun Boylan) is dominating the airwaves.
Making matters worse, when Mars and Lieutenant Holloway become romantically involved, Thom begins alienating them, often spending long stretches of time with her TV time machine, altering the future in ways that are irreversible and horrifying.
Brilliantly Shot
I’m not going to get too bogged down with the time travel semantics in LOLA because it sticks to its own internal logic, and it does it well. It doesn’t overexplain the causality chain, so you’re allowed to just sit back and watch how the characters cope with the kind of responsibility that’s been bestowed upon them.
What’s far more interesting is how LOLA was shot. It’s a strange mix of found footage and conventional filmmaking, shot entirely in black and white. While I would love to see how well this movie pops in full color, it’s better this way because of how archival footage is used. We get real shots of people in the streets, along with wartime footage from the 40s, all of which integrates seamlessly into the storytelling.
When I looked up the credits to see who was playing Hitler and Churchill because they looked like their identical twins, I was shocked to find out I was just watching real-life footage folded into this fiction to sell the illusion.
LOLA is a tight, 79-minute sci-fi thriller that has so much fun with its set and sound design. It feels like a piece of lost media in the best possible way, like writer-director Andrew Legge was actively working in the 50s, and this was his sci-fi revisionist history film about the previous decade. As of this writing, you can stream it for free on Tubi, and if you’re a fan of time travel paradoxes and classic rock, this one’s just begging to be watched.
Entertainment
The smartest language lessons still start with human experts
TL;DR: Get Babbel Language Learning for life for just $159 through July 31 and unlock all 14 languages with one purchase.
Language learning usually starts with good intentions. The trick is sticking with it long enough to order dinner confidently, ask for directions without panicking, or actually hold a conversation.
That’s where Babbel truly shines. Through July 31, you can get lifetime access for a one-time $159, giving you unlimited access to 14 languages without worrying about another recurring subscription.
Mashable Deals
Babbel keeps lessons short — just 10 to 15 minutes — making it much easier to fit learning into a lunch break, commute, or quiet evening at home. The lessons focus on real-life conversations, covering everything from travel and dining to shopping and business situations, so you’re learning phrases you’re actually likely to use.
Plus, the biggest win is that the lessons were created by 100+ professional linguists, not just bots.
Mashable Trend Report
The platform also includes an AI Conversation Partner for speaking practice, speech recognition technology to help improve pronunciation, personalized review sessions to reinforce what you’ve learned, and offline access so you can keep studying without an internet connection.
More than 15 million people worldwide have used Babbel, and the app holds an impressive 4.6-star rating on the App Store.
Whether your goal is planning an overseas trip, connecting with family, or simply learning something new, Babbel offers a flexible way to build practical language skills at your own pace.
A lifetime of Babbel Language Learning is available for just $159 (reg. $299) through July 31, making it an easy way to invest in a skill you can keep using for years.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
Entertainment
Meta avoids another trial over social media harms as teen plaintiff drops lawsuit
Meta has skirted another jury over claims its platforms are facilitating a youth mental health crisis.
The company was set to go to trial in the Superior Court of California for the County of Los Angeles next week, but the 15-year-old plaintiff, referred to as R.K.C, has now dropped the lawsuit.
“In light of the overall successful result of the litigation and his concerns about enduring a grueling weeks-long trial, he has elected to withdraw his claims against Meta. He’s ready to close this chapter and focus on his recovery and engage in therapy as he aspires to have a normal life,” attorneys for R.K.C. said in a statement.
Lawsuit says AI tool disproportionately places Black prisoners in maximum security in Ontario
According to the lawsuit, R.K.C. said he became addicted to social media over the last seven years, and linked his anxiety and depression to extensive time online. Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube were also named in the initial lawsuit, but the companies reached settlement deals with R.K.C prior to going in front of the jury.
Mashable Light Speed
“Days after settling with other social media companies, the plaintiff dropped his case against Meta, the only remaining defendant, without receiving any payment,” a Meta spokesperson said following the news. “The claims never held up, and this outcome makes clear that we will not back away from defending ourselves against baseless lawsuits.”
Meta’s spokesperson said the facts of the case could not prove that the company’s platforms caused R.K.C.’s mental health struggles. Meta previously called attention to the fact that R.K.C. had not spent significant amounts of time on Meta platforms, like Facebook and Instagram, in a Motion for Summary Judgment. The company also said they could not verify that R.K.C. had a long-standing account history on Meta platforms.
In March, Meta and YouTube were ordered to pay $6 million to another teen plaintiff who accused multiple social media companies of knowingly investing in design features that would hook users, despite knowing of their potential harm. The jury found the two companies liable for mental health-related harms caused by negligent design features and “social media addiction.” It was the first time a jury found social media companies responsible for the psychological effects of their platforms on teens.
At the time, Meta said it was appealing the decision. The company has faced multiple lawsuits brought forth by teens, parents, school districts, and state leaders. “Teen mental health is profoundly complex and cannot be linked to a single app,” a Meta spokesperson said following the March verdict. “We will continue to defend ourselves vigorously as every case is different, and we remain confident in our record of protecting teens online.”
Entertainment
NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for July 23, 2026
The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you’re a frequent flyer.
Connections is the one of the most popular New York Times word games that’s captured the public’s attention. The game is all about finding the “common threads between words.” And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we’ve served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.
If you just want to be told today’s puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for today’s Connections solution. But if you’d rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.
What is Connections?
The NYT‘s latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications’ Games section. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there’s only one correct answer.
If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.
Mashable Top Stories
Here’s a hint for today’s Connections categories
Want a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:
-
Yellow: Rounded
-
Green: Nervous Nancy
-
Blue: Catch a flight
-
Purple: Math words
Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today
Here are today’s Connections categories
Need a little extra help? Today’s connections fall into the following categories:
-
Yellow: Spherical things
-
Green: In an anxious state
-
Blue: Parts of an airport
-
Purple: Ending in geometry terms
Looking for Wordle today? Here’s the answer to today’s Wordle.
Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today’s puzzle before we reveal the solutions.
Drumroll, please!
The solution to today’s Connections #1138 is…
What is the answer to Connections today
-
Spherical things: BASEBALL, GLOBE,
-
In an anxious state: EXCITED, FEBRILE, FRENETIC, INTENSE
-
Parts of an airport: PINS, SNAPS, TWEETS, VINES
-
Ending in geometry terms: APPOINT, DEPLANE, FELINE, JANGLE
Are you also playing NYT Strands? Get all the Strands hints you need for today’s puzzle.
If you’re looking for more puzzles, Mashable’s got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Not the day you’re after? Here’s the solution to yesterday’s Connections.
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