#FIRSTLOOK: “PHONY” COMING TO HULU ON DISNEY+

Today, Disney+ released the official trailer and key art for the upcoming Hulu Original series “Phony.” The series premieres on Tuesday, October 20, 2026 in Canada on Hulu on Disney+.

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“Phony” is a coming-of-age mystery about a teenager who wakes up in the hospital after a car accident to discover his mom – his only parent and his best friend – appears to have been replaced by an impostor.

The series stars Connie Britton as “Ellen”, Sam Nivola as “Sonny”, Meera Syal as “Sharla”, Grace Brennan as “Mallory”, Mahaela Park as “Chloe”, Maliq Johnson as “Vogel” and Colter Lee as “Weldon”.

Nick Paley wrote and directed the first episode and executive produces the half-hour series with co-showrunner Anthony King (“Jury Duty Presents: Company Retreat,” “The Afterparty”), series star Connie Britton, Charlie Alderman (Charlie’s Production Company), and Drew Goddard and Sarah Esberg (Goddard Textiles). Andrea Massaro (Goddard Textiles) serves as a co-executive producer. The series is produced by 20th Television.

Robust parental controls ensure that Disney+ remains a suitable viewing experience for everyone in the family. Subscribers can set access limits on mature content and create PIN-protected profiles alongside the already existing Junior Mode profiles to give parents and guardians peace of mind.

ABOUT DISNEY+

Disney+ is the dedicated streaming home for movies and shows from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic, along with The Simpsons and outside the U.S., general entertainment brand Hulu. As the flagship direct-to-consumer streaming service from The Walt Disney Company, Disney+ serves as a connection point for audiences around the world with an unmatched collection of award-winning general entertainment and gold-standard family programming. With unprecedented access to Disney’s long history of incredible film and television entertainment, it is also the exclusive streaming home for the newest releases from The Walt Disney Studios. Subscriptions also include access to the Disney+ Perks loyalty program including special discounts, everyday savings, and early access to exclusive experiences that only Disney can offer. For more, visit disneyplus.com, or find the Disney+ app on most mobile and connected TV devices.

#TIFF25: DAY NINE (WRAP) – SAM NIVOLA, BOBBY FARRELLY, MOLLY SHANNON AND MORE

so hard to believe we’re reached the end of tiff50! what wondrous ride it’s been and we thank you so much for joining us along the way! we really enjoy every time someone who reads the site, taps our shoulder to say “hi” and we hope we continue being able to connect with you. we’re here year-round for you!

some highlights from day nine, plus some thoughts on films we saw!

•bobby farrelly
•molly shannon
•sophie telegadis
•finn harry
•aidan laprete
•sam nivola

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until next year!

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)

#TIFF25: “DRIVER’S ED” REVIEW

By Amanda Gilmore

Director Bobby Farrelly’s latest is an endearing romantic comedy that pays homage to the classic 80s comedies we’ve loved.

It follows high school senior Jeremy (Sam Nivola) whose relationship has become a long-distance one due to his girlfriend Samantha (Lilah Pate) attending college as a freshman. After a call that may or may not be the break-up call, he impulsively plans to make a grand romantic gesture to keep her. He steals his driver’s education car with the three other students inside and heads to her campus. But will he make it before his principal (Molly Shannon) and driving instructor (Kumail Nanjiani) catch them? And if he does, will Samantha still want the relationship?

Driver’s Ed is a fun teen rom-com that brings us back to young love. How intense it feels, but how fleeting it all is. Nivola plays the lovelorn Jeremy with empathy. He’s a young man holding out hope when those around him are aware that hope is probably lost. The group of driver’s ed students forced to come along on his love quest is an impressive ensemble of young talent. Particularly, Aidan Laprete, who plays drug dealer/stoner Yoshi. Laprete delivers a brilliant deadpan performance that also gives layers to this usually stereotypical character.

The real scene stealers are Shannon and Nanjiani. Their years of talent and charisma playing off-beat characters if perfectly suited to these quirky high school tropes. Shannon is at her typical best, and Nanjiani performs the driving instructor as a bright light of positivity while literally going through the worst time in his life. We just wish there were more time with them.

Overall, Driver’s Ed is a cute road-trip Rom-Com that we may feel like we’ve seen before…but hey, don’t fix something that isn’t broke.

Driver’s Ed screens at TIFF:

Fri. Sept 12 at 9:30 PM at Roy Thompson Hall

Sat. Sept 13 at 3:00 PM at VISA Screening Room at the Princess of Wales

Sun. Sept 14 at 9:05 AM at Scotiabank Theatre Toronto