For her first Sydney stop on the Ma Vie World Tour, Doja unleashed the full spectrum of her manic pop-rock-princess persona at Qudos Bank Arena – a hybrid of performance art, cartoon villainy, and an ‘80s fever dream.

Her look alone set the tone. A cherry-red mullet. A bedazzled, low-cut zebra-print bodysuit. Leopard-print gloves clashing intentionally – gloriously – with lavender stockings that shimmered as she prowled across the stage. It was a wink to the glam eras of David Bowie and Tina Turner, filtered through her own brand of unapologetic chaos. Her makeup only amplified the theatrics: every smirk, grimace, and wide-eyed stare channelled the unhinged charisma familiar from her many chaotic livestreams.

The staging matched the madness. A blocky neon construct, flanked by a live jazz band, created an atmosphere that felt like Studio 54 colliding with a cyberpunk theatre set.

Even from the seated sections, no one stayed seated for long. The arena pulsed with bodies – swaying, jumping, sweating, shrieking – all hungry for Doja. Her vocal range shape shifted effortlessly: velvety jazz (bolstered by an insanely talented ensemble), guttural rock belts (with Demons as a standout), and the rapid-fire pop-rap that first launched her into stardom. Classics like Streets, Tia Tamera, and Agora Hills arrived in freshly twisted arrangements – funk breakdowns, punk-edged riffs – surprises lurking at every turn.

At one point, a lone cow costume bobbed above the crowd, sending OG fans of MOOO! into near-feral applause. Opening act Sailorr had set the mood earlier in the evening with a hazy, bass-heavy set that slotted perfectly into Doja’s universe.

What makes Doja so magnetic is ultimately her playfulness – that deviant, chameleonic charm that turns chaos into performance art. She’s a manic diva, a multi-hyphenate force, a pop icon who refuses to stay in one lane.

Raving reviews from me? Absolutely. She’s one of the best in the business.

The post Inside Doja Cat’s first Sydney show for her ‘Ma Vie’ tour appeared first on RUSSH.

When Terakes spoke to RUSSH for our 20th-anniversary November issue last year, there was a quiet mention of what was coming next. Today, those plans are coming into fruition. Terakes debuts Eros: Queer Myths for Lovers, a bold, sensual reimagining of ancient Greek myths – stories carried through their Cretan heritage, and stories they always suspected contained more than the pared-back versions we were taught. In Terakes’ hands, these myths break open as queer, tender, furious, and imaginative stories. Gods walk beside mortals, bodies shift form, desire becomes both compass and catalyst. The result is stories vividly alive, hot-blooded, poetic, and sharp.

Below, we speak with Zoe Terakes on their Cretan heritage that drew them to creating Eros: Queer Myths for Lovers, their favourite author, and a book everyone should read at least once.

Eros: Queer Myths for Lovers reimagines ancient myths through a queer, modern lens. What drew you to Greek mythology as a foundation for exploring queer identity and love?

Definitely my heritage. My family is from Crete, an island between Greece and North Africa, with Southern Italy on the left and Turkey on the right. I have been drawn to the mythology of my people since I was really little. Queerness and transness are entrenched in the bones of these myths. But because our mythology has largely been documented by cis, heterosexual men, the queer and trans stories have been folded down, smaller and smaller, until it is almost impossible to see them at all. I made it my duty to excavate these stories, our stories, with the queer and trans experience at the forefront.

Many of the stories blur boundaries between gods and mortals, gender and form. What does divinity mean to you?

Divinity, like myth, is something I don’t see as separate to us. I believe our Angels walk among us. I think all divinity, gods, monsters, are much closer to us than we think. I think there is actually much less space between myth and reality than we think, I believe that ancient myths play out around us all the time, for all time.

How did your experience as an actor influence your voice and rhythm on the page?

I actually found it quite helpful as a way to get inside the head of a character. Being an actor, to me, means focussing on the details of a person; where they sit in your body, where their voice comes from when they speak, etc. So being able to use that as a way in to the characters in my book was really helpful.

You’ve said Eros: Queer Myths for Lovers’ is inspired by your Cretan heritage. How did connecting with your ancestry influence the book’s creation?

Well, I think it just made the space between myself and what I was writing about almost non-existent. For instance, the first story in the book tells the myth of Iphis, a young trans boy living in ancient Crete. Living inside a story that is so old, yet almost uncannily relatable, was pretty magic. I definitely feel closer to myself and to the old stories of my island as a result of it.

A post shared by zoe terakes (@zoeterakes)

What are you currently reading?

I just finished reading City of Night by John Rechy, a Mexican American author who was kicking around the gay hustling scene in the 60s. The book moves from New York City, to San Francisco, then to Chicago, then ends in New Orleans, Louisiana. It exposes the queer, hedonistic underbelly that pulsed through those cities. And I’ve just started reading In the Dream House by Carmen Maria Machado, which I’m loving so far.

What is your favourite book of all time?

Oh God, this is such a hard question to answer. Both Loaded and Merciless Gods by Christos Tsiolkas would be up there. And also, all of Camila Sosa Villada’s work. The Queens of Sarmiento Park and I’m a Fool to Want You are such living, breathing books. She is such a visceral writer. I just love her.

What literary character do you most identify with?

Oh! That’s a cool question. The first time I read Stone Butch Blues, I was in total disbelief at how relatable the protagonist’s experience was. I think so many transmasc folks have that experience reading Feinberg’s work. It is devastatingly relatable. Also, the ten-year-old narrator in Andrea Abreu’s Dogs of Summer. There is a hunger and a longing and a shame in her that I felt so deeply as a queer kid. It is an extraordinary book.

What is a book that changed your life?

Lou Sullivan’s Diaries, We Both Laughed in Pleasure, floored me. I read it almost cover to cover on a solo camping trip on Worimi Country. Lou kept diaries from when he was a kid, right up until the days before he died of AIDS. He was a gay trans man and his ability to remain in pursuit of joy, wonder and expansion, even in the face of death, is incredibly moving. Also, I know it’s a play, but Angels in America by Tony Kushner cracked my brain open and made me realise the kind of art I want to make.

Growing up, the best book on your bookshelf was?

Holding the Man by Timothy Conigrave. It was the first book I read that was set in Sydney, around the area I grew up in. It obviously wrecked me, but it also gave this promise of a queer community that, at the time, seemed totally out of reach.

Your favourite living author is?

Fuck, that’s really hard. I’d have to say Camila Sosa Villada. She is a trans, Argentine woman and as I said before, you can almost feel blood pumping through her work. It’s the closest I have ever come to being fully Jumanji’d. I was sucked in.

What is a book everyone should read at least once is?

The Faggots and Their Friends Between Revolutions by Larry Mitchell. It is written in parables, fables and little manifestos. Published in 1977, the book describes an empire in decline, then introduces us to the faggots, the women, the queens, the women who love women, and the fairies, who are all resisting and organising against the world order of men. It is one of those golden pieces of writing that we are so lucky to have access to. When the current pervasive fascism feels insurmountable, this book illuminates the way forward, like a little Angel with a trumpet, showing us the way home.

The post Zoe Terakes on their debut novel ‘Eros: Queer Myths for Lovers’, book that changed their life and favourite author appeared first on RUSSH.

Brown Butter Caramel Apples

A post shared by Sarah Fennel (@bromabakery)

Cherry Pie

A post shared by Hailee Catalano (@haileecatalano)

Sticky Ginger Cake

A post shared by Cristy Sharp (@cristysharp_)

Chestnut Pavlova

A post shared by James Zarsadiaz (@jamesiseating)

Sticky Date Pudding

A post shared by Notorious Foodie (@notorious_foodie)

Christmas popcorn

A post shared by Sarah Jade (@sarah___jade__)

Mini Christmas Puddings

A post shared by Isa, Cake Designer (@isabellita_bakes)

Pecan Pie Truffles

A post shared by Aimee Shugarman (@shugarysweets)

Raspberry Rugelach

A post shared by bonappetitmag (@bonappetitmag)

Christmas Sugar Cookies

A post shared by Gemma Louise Miles (@_gemmalouisemiles)

Santa Cheesecake

A post shared by Noa Williams (@noaawilliams)

Gingerbread Cookies

A post shared by Erika | NYC content creator (@thepancakeprincess)

Caramilk Christmas Crack

A post shared by Khanh (@khanhong)

Chocolate Truffles

A post shared by Fitwaffle | Eloise Head (@fitwaffle)

Christmas Cheesecake

A post shared by Nagi & Dozer – RecipeTin Eats (@recipe_tin)

Mince Pies

A post shared by Emma Petersen (thefitlondoner) (@emmapetersen)

Chocolate Sponge Cake

A post shared by Sasha Dean (@theneutral_abode)

Miso and Lime Poundcake with Fig Jam

A post shared by Gabbriette (@gabbriette)

Blood Orange and Cinnamon Butter

A post shared by THOMAS STRAKER (@thomas_straker)

Pear and Pecan Pie

A post shared by Pierce Abernathy (@pierceabernathy)

In the instance baking isn’t up your alley, you can find an extensive list of gifts for all your nearest and dearest, with out Christmas gift ideas, for a myriad of gift guides of just about everything one could give.

If you’re after something more targeted, you can check out our guides for Christmas gifts for dads, or for mums, or for your sister. If you’re in need of inspiration for a significant other, you could try our gift guides for her, for him, for a girlfriend or a boyfriend. Perhaps you’re looking to splurge, in which case, take a look at our luxury Christmas gift guide, or maybe you’re on the other end of the spectrum, and need to find some steals for under $100, in which case, we have you covered. There isn’t anything we haven’t thought of this Christmas at RUSSH.

The post Oh so sweet: 20 Christmas baking treats that are better than a gift appeared first on RUSSH.

What is Rover?

Rover is a newly-launched streaming platform built exclusively for short films, described by its creators as “the new home for short films, built to ungatekeep filmmaking.” Instead of treating shorts as secondary to feature-length work, Rover positions them at the centre of the viewing experience. The platform wants to elevate short-form storytelling and make it accessible to everyone – not just festival attendees, industry insiders, or those who happen to know the right links.

A post shared by Rover (@rover.stream)

What can I find on Rover?

On the platform, you’ll find a curated selection of festival-winning and festival-calibre shorts from around the world – works that have screened at major festivals, including Cannes and Sundance. The offering is ever-changing, with new films being added to the platform each week. It’s  a space where award-winning filmmakers, emerging voices, and storytellers can sit together, offering audiences a diverse catalogue of short films. Besides the shorts themselves, you’ll also have access to screenplays.

Where can I subscribe to Rover and how much is it?

You can visit their website to subscribe for only $2.99 a week at Rover.stream. While the platform is still new and details like subscription tiers or regional availability may continue to roll out, Rover already presents itself as a much-needed home for one of cinema’s most underrated formats.

The post Everything to know about Rover – the newest streaming platform for short films appeared first on RUSSH.

About a week ago, I hit shuffle on my Spotify playlist, expecting the usual familiar loop. But to my surprise, it actually took a dive. One moment I was listening to Guess by Charli XCX and Billie Eilish, and the next, I was swept away by Harry Styles’ Fine Line. It was like falling down a rabbit hole of nostalgia, pulling me back to his last tour. I was right there again, caught in the thrill, baptised by water from his bottle, and anticipating which song would he sing next. I couldn’t help but wonder… will we ever get moments like that again?

But thanks to the most passionate fandom of all time, we’ve uncovered some images that have caused whispers that a fourth album is on the horizon. Whoever coined the phrase, “the devil works hard, but Kris Jenner works harder,” clearly hasn’t encountered Harry Styles’ fans, because boy do they work hard. Hard enough that, without them, we wouldn’t have a new, very niche, genre of cinema, ‘Harry Styles fan-fiction’, that even Anne Hathaway has participated in. Meanwhile, as the world microanalyses his movements in hopes to see a glimpse of a sign, the only indication we’re getting is he might be learning a thing or two from Paul Mescal. The short shorts, the mullet, hanging out with Taylor Swift’s opening acts. I will be honest, this is a lot to handle right now.

But is this fourth album certain? As certain as Balthazar troublemaker James Corden always popping up in Harry Styles’ relationships? Not exactly, but here’s what we’ve found.

Will there be a fourth album?

According to an Australian radio show, absolutely. On Fifi, Fev, and Nick, it was reported that Styles has completed the work in full, and not only is he planning a 2026 world tour, but also wrote the entire album on a typewriter. Not the details we were expecting, but hey, we’ll take them.

Perhaps a more credible source, Ed Sheeran said backstage at the BRIT awards earlier this year that he had “heard a little bit” of Styles’ new work. Oh, to be a fly on the wall… Despite saying he has “no idea when it comes out,” Sheeran assured us that the new work is “quality.”

Elsewhere, there’s been quite a few sightings of Styles with other artists that suggest some collaborations might be brewing. Among them, artist and producer Fred again.., HAIM, and Olivia Dean. And most recently he has been spotted in Germany reunited with his Love on Tour bandmates, tour manager Jeff, and producer Kid Harpoon. Whether he’s rounding up the gang to write the album, perform together, just hanging out with some friends, is anyone’s guess.

When would the new album be released?

It is interesting times I must say. And if the Reddit threads are correct, where some conspire and assure they have a ‘close inside source’, are confident that we should be expecting an EP by January 2026 and a full album by March. Some fans are even urging for us to “start saving those coins” for a possible tour in the middle 2026 even further whispers of a residency in Wembley. Where multiple fans have even noticed when spotting Harry and asking for a picture with him, he has asked to take one with them on his digital camera. Is this all part of the album art, will it be in a promo video, or will the next album be called Harry’s Gallery? Others too, have pointed to the pattern of his previous albums being released every two to three years, as an indication that the end of 2025 early 2026 might be the more realistic time for when we hear HS4.

A post shared by C (@harrystheantidote)

The most recent sighting’s have been with Zoe Kravitz exiting and entering a recording studio in New York City on multiple occasions – most recently on the 18th of October. Could he be making some final touches to the album, or perhaps it’s all still in the early planning stages? Only time can tell.

But then again, Harry Styles was just spotted running a marathon in Tokyo just a few months ago. Perhaps he is collecting life experiences and endorphins as songwriting inspiration. And while nothing is confirmed yet, this information is going in the one direction that we like. Stay tuned here, for any updates on the album, possibly at the end of next month…

Image : 1

The post Don’t Worry Darling, Harry Styles’ fourth album is on the way… appeared first on RUSSH.

It’s been some time since Apple stopped adding these extras to iPhone boxes, but their absence feels freshly relevant as wired headphones stage something of renaissance. Once considered a tech relic, the wired headphone has become a bit of a cultural statement. It was about practicality, but has since become more of a personality trait.

Wireless Bluetooth headphones have been around for nearly a decade now – a symbol of innovation when they first emerged. Today, they’re everywhere. Seen most on TikTok, where trends reflect a growing fascination with imperfection and tactility. But that same nostalgia seems to be rippling through the zeitgeist at large. In fact, nostalgia might just be the trendiest thing out there. Fashion has already gone through Y2K maximalism, indie sleaze, and Tumblr-era, but now tech is following the same wash-and-rewear pattern.

You’ve probably noticed it too – wired headphones are everywhere. Over the past year especially, they’ve reemerged across fashion and media. Jacob Elordi has been spotted on coffee runs in Paris with his wired headphones, while Addison Rae wears hers in her music video Headphones On. Fashion IT-girls like Bella Hadid and Zoë Kravitz have both been photographed in their off-duty street style. Even Pierpaolo Piccioli’s first campaign for Balenciaga leaned into the look, featuring model Mona Tougaard wearing wired headphones as she lay in bed – the campaign was a visual embodiment of effortless utility and refined allure.

A post shared by C (@harrystheantidote)

When you analyse celebrity style – in an age where most have stylists – their choices are filtered through PR teams and ultimately designed to sustain a narrative. Street style becomes simply an extension of that performance. For the likes of Bella Hadid and Lily-Rose Depp — the reigning cool girls — that narrative often reads as low-effort; a carefully constructed kind of anti-luxury.The decision to wear a $29 pair of wired headphones instead of a $249 wireless pair feels less like convenience and more like intent. A fashion statement disguised as nonchalance; a new way to signal distinction, where today, luxury itself, has become too common.

Whether chosen without a thought or a deliberate style statement, there’s undeniably a cultural tension to the rise of relics like wired headphones. A costume of sincerity, you could call it. The performance of not performing. Jacob Elordi’s offhand remark when asked about being performative – “I think people need to get out more maybe” – could just as easily describe a longing for something unfiltered in an overly-curated world. In a society where everyone is searching for individuality, even rebellion can become can become another trend.

A costume of sincerity, you could call it. The performance of not performing.

Sociologists call it conspicuous anti-consumption, or the inverse of flaunting wealth. The way celebrities wear thrifted T-shirts with couture skirts, or wired headphones paired inconspicuously with a Bottega Veneta Andiamo bag. It’s a visual shorthand for being both above and outside the mainstream.

But I think you could also view this shift as an itch for reconnection and authenticity. Technology and the surge of generative AI is fusing reality and simulation. This new technology has indeed given us unprecedented innovations, capabilities and connection, but ironically it’s also introduced distance. A reality where people update an app before they can use their toothbrush, have their “smart fridge” write a grocery list, find kinship in internet forums over the real world, and talk out their problems to ChatGPT rather than a friend.

Sometimes progress distances us from what’s real and reliable; and the return of the wired headphones might subtly represent a yearn for literal, real-world, tangible connection. While Bluetooth headphones promise the freedom of no strings attached, the concept is tangled with dependencies of charging, pairing, ecosystems and battery life. Where a wired headphone might limit you physically, it gives you that dependable control. I could almost say in all of this, paradoxically, that in its constraint lies a kind of freedom.

Sometimes progress distances us from what’s real and reliable; and the return of the wired headphones might subtly represent a yearn for literal, real-world, tangible connection.

Over seven years of using AirPods myself, I am constantly losing them, dropping them, and have spent an annoying amount of time looking for and charging them. And so I’ve started to miss the ritual and intimacy of the wire. The soft pull against your jacket, the little knot you untangle before listening. It forces you to pause and take a moment, that you could say tech keeps trying to erase. So when I see people, even celebrities, wearing them I get it a bit more now. I’ll still keep using my AirPods (until I lose one, again), but maybe next time I’ll reach for the wired ones instead.

The post Why is everyone plugging back into wired headphones? appeared first on RUSSH.

It was that sheer shock in the cinema that made me think. Milk – a formerly wholesome and nutritious elixir – has curdled its way into becoming Hollywood’s favourite prop. Once a symbol of childhood innocence, somewhere along the way, milk has become cinematic shorthand for discomfort – making audiences squirm at the contrast of wholesome dairy showing up in the hands of someone capable of doing wrong. It’s cinematic irony in liquid form. As a 2017 analysis noted, everyone from Hannibal Lecter to the villains in Jordan Peele’s Get Out has used milk to twist purity into sinister – a glass of moral rot disguised as calcium.

Maybe that’s why watching Oscar Isaac sip continuously on a glass of full cream milk feels stranger, and more transgressive than any act of cinematic violence.  If you’re in need of a film that will quench the thirst for something creamy, you’re in luck. Pour yourself a glass of full cream milk and peruse our 10 favourite films that will do just that. The best films to feature milk, below.

1. Frankenstein

2. Babygirl

3. Get Out

4. No Country for Old Men

5. Rebel without a cause 

6. A Clock Work Orange

7. Inglorious Bastards

8. Pulp Fiction

9. Napoleon Dynamite 

10. Barbie 

The post Got milk? How milk curdled its way into becoming film’s favourite prop appeared first on RUSSH.

Whether you’re shopping for an astrology lover who loves a touch of luxury in their life, or a loved one who is wanting to understand the theology behind their naval charts you’ll find something for everyone on this list of the best astrology Christmas gifts.

1. Dusk Awestruck Star Sign Candle

2. Sportsgirl Zodiac Hair Clip

3. by Charlotte 18k Gold Vermeil She is Zodiac Necklace

4. The Secret Language of Birthdays by Gary Goldschneider

5. Swarovski Zodiac Figurine

6. Slip Zodiac Pure Silk Sleep Mask

7. Wildflower Zodiac Phone Cases

8. HACIPUPU The Constellation Series Figurines

9. lrjrizzo Gold Tarot Cards

10. Natasha Denona Roxa Palette

11. Astrology Atelier By DAN300 Zodiac Candle

12. Custom Night Sky Museum Grade Print

13. Pandora Zodiac Charm

14. ECO. Zodiac Essential Oils

15. Retro Zodiac Baby Tee

16. Uncommon Goods Glow in the Dark Zodiac Art

17. Zodiac Star Sign Custom Engraved Lighter

18. Magic of I 2026 Astrological Planner

19. Michael Hill Diamond Accent Zodiac Pendants

20. Homart Zodiac Safety Matches

21. Zodiac Tapestry Blanket from Etsy

22. Water Sign Wall Art

If the person you’re shopping for is not all that fussed when it comes to the celestial, there’s no need to fear – we have you covered regardless of what type of Christmas shopping you’re trying to tick off your list. If you’re buying for someone who has their finger firmly on the fashion zeitgeist, look no further than our gift guide for the fashion obsessed. Alternatively, if you’re shopping for that tricky friend who seems to have everything, but you’re still hoping to impress with your gift, take a look through our selection of pieces that will always leave a mark.

No matter who you happen to be buying for, if there’s one thing we absolutely recommend, it’s to culminate your Christmas gifts list early and make the most of the Black Friday Sales. There will be more than a few tempting offers across your favourite labels on that day, and it’s a great way to not only stay on top of you Christmas shopping, but also score a great deal too.

If however, like many of us, you leave your Christmas shopping till the last minute, we have a gift guide that will cover you too – courtesy of RUSSH editor in chief, Jess Blanch – who has shared her favourite last minute Christmas gifts you can shop now.

The post 21 zodiac-themed Christmas gifts for the astrology lovers among us appeared first on RUSSH.

The boy in question? Drew Starkey – with his North Carolina accent sweet enough it might cause me a toothache. If you weren’t already familiar with Starkey from his recent starring role in Luca Guadagnino’s Queer, you might also recognise him from HAIM’s music video earlier this year. The trio of sisters enlisted the actor to star in the video for their single ‘Relationships’, as the on-again-off-again boyfriend of Danielle. Needless to say, we’ve watched it more than a few times since the video dropped earlier this year.

Drew Starkey stars in HAIM’s “Relationships” music video. pic.twitter.com/KwAxTUxnyH

— Drew Starkey Updates (@DrewStarkeyUPD) March 12, 2025

Up next, we’re gearing up to see Starkey star opposite another genetically blessed actor: Margaret Qualley. The duo have been paired up in King Snake, set to begin production imminently. He’ll also be lending his talents to the silver screen with Anya Taylor Joy, playing her husband in the hotly anticipated series, Lucky.

Starkey is also responsible for bringing troubled villain Rafe to life in Netflix’s hit series Outer Banks. And with a fifth and final season confirmed to be en route — and plenty of footage circulating the internet of the cast in the lead up — we’re prepared to become ensnared Starkey’s charming personality (and of course, accent) all over again.

He’s the actor with a captivating presence both on and off the screen, effortlessly drawing us in with his undeniable charm. If you haven’t already, it’s time to take notice — because Drew Starkey is just getting started.

About Drew Starkey

Born in November 4, 1993 the Scorpio born actor only started doing acting professionally when he was 22 years old. Currently, he’s promoting his latest film, Queer, where we plays Daniel Craig’s love interest. Before his breakout role in Outer Banks, he made notable appearances in films like Love, Simon and The Hate U Give. Growing up doing theatre, he’s self-described as being a shy kid and that performing on stage was his way of expressing himself.

The oldest out of his four siblings, and also an uncle now, Starkey is known for his athletic background and his passion for music. Growing up he played baseball and basketball, as well as piano and guitar. He graduated from Western Carolina University in 2016, where he studied English and Theatre. It was after university that he moved to Atlanta with two friends, and started to audition for acting roles.

A post shared by Drew Starkey (@drewstarkey)

He’s a Loewe boy…

One of the most formidable ways we have been receiving Drew Starkey content is through Loewe’s social media platforms. Personal Q&A’s, campaign videos, live streams of him entering their fashion week shows, and more. He even starred alongside Daniel Craig in the brand’s spring summer 2025 campaign.

A post shared by Drew Starkey Info (@drewstarkeyinfo)

A post shared by Drew Starkey Nation (@drewstarkeypics)

He’s a style icon in-the-making…

Starkey has recently been spotted sitting front row at the fashion weeks, rocking his signature hooped earring and shaved blonde head. First at Prada in Milan, and then Loewe in Paris – the first of many shows he’ll attend, we expect. Exuding a rugged masculinity, and perhaps recently with his grown out buzz cut, a mini mullet, we can’t help but go feral over his effortless chic look. And it’s not just us, as one fan commented under a recent post “does he do weddings? Specifically mine”.

A post shared by Drew Starkey Nation (@drewstarkeypics)

A post shared by Jonathan Anderson (@jonathan.anderson)

A post shared by Drew Starkey News (@dstarkeynews)

Feature image: one, two.

The post Drew Starkey is not only rocking the screen, but our minds too appeared first on RUSSH.

It is a bit paradoxical – on one hand, streaming platforms insist the future of cinema belongs in our homes, and the comfort of pausing and playing at will, personalised algorithms, and the on-demand ease of never leaving the sofa. Where, on the other, those same companies stage carefully orchestrated theatrical runs for their most prestigious titles, often in heritage theatres that embody the very communal rituals they once dismissed as “outdated”.

So, what’s the big deal about theatrical releases?

The theatrical release as a cultural moment

A cinema date can still transform a film into a cultural moment, and nothing showed this more than the double release of Barbie and Oppenheimer on 21 July 2023. What looked like a coincidence in scheduling became ‘Barbenheimer’. A meme, a movement, a shared moment. Audiences dressed up, screenings sold out, and TikTok’s were made. Data confirmed what the queues already suggested, that box office sales spiked that July.

It was a measurable surge. As theatrical release creates anticipation, urgency, and that feeling of watching it now or never. Streaming, with all its convenience, cannot replicate the electricity of being part of a moment everyone else is living in too.

Artistic integrity and the cinema experience

And more simply, directors create for theatres not laptop screens. Christopher Nolan shot Oppenheimer on IMAX 70mm, a format that picks up more detail and requires a larger screen to display that art. Actor Elizabeth Olsen, has admitted in an interview she won’t work with projects without a theatrical release.

And call it cliche, but a film projected in surround sound, unfolding in the dark, feels different to one paused halfway through on a tablet. That casual recommendation from a friend of “it’s a film you have to see in the cinema” is all too real. It hits different. And we all won’t truly appreciate that until it’s too late.

Economics and survival of cinemas

Over the years due to streaming, cinema’s release windows have shrunk from months to weeks. Cinema operators now lobby for a minimum 45-day theatrical run to preserve viability. The Independent Cinema Office warns that without such protections on release periods, theatrical release and cinemas as we know it, will become extinct. Well known heritage cultural anchors in Australia, like the Ritz in Sydney, built in 1937, still run both digital and celluloid.

The streaming paradox

Which brings us back to the question of, what’s the big deal about theatrical releases?

Well, cinema is still a badge of seriousness. It signals prestige, credibility, and awards potential. Even Netflix, whose CEO once suggested bypassing theatres altogether, is rolling out Noah Baumbach’s Jay Kelly theatrically before its December 2025 streaming debut. Due to the Oscars still requiring a theatrical release that grants cultural legitimacy.

Why it matters for audiences

Theatrical release safeguards cinema as a shared experience. ‘Barbenheimer’ proved it as people coordinated outfits, swapped memes, and filled theatres together. There was joy in simply being there, writing that first Letterboxd review, in being part of something.

If films bypass theatres entirely, we risk losing the calendar of collective anticipation of the opening-night buzz. What remains would be fragmented, solitary viewing, scattered across sofas.

Theatrical release is integral to the art, the business, and the audience. That’s why directors and actors fight for it, why heritage theatres fight to survive, and why even streaming platforms still bow to it. Elizabeth Olsen said it best, that cinema is about people gathering “to see other humans, be together in a space.” If the big screen disappears, we risk losing not just how we watch movies, but what movies mean.

The post What’s the big deal about theatrical releases? appeared first on RUSSH.