Latest news with #TheShadow
New Paper
20-07-2025
- Sport
- New Paper
Rocket Boy returns to winning ways in Cosmo C race
IPOH - Rocket Boy, who was disappointing in his last run on June 8, bounced back to his best when he claimed his third win from five starts in the RM26,000 (S$7,800) Cosmo C race (1,400m) at Ipoh on July 19. Trained by Ismadi Ismail, the Capitalist four-year-old was settled in fourth spot by regular rider How Yang, while last-start winner Wilamara (Wong Kam Chong) sat on his outside. Not long after straightening, Rocket Boy ($18) took over the lead from pacemaker Black Thorn (Ganeesh Munusamy). Wilamara began motoring home steadily from the 200m to give Rocket Boy a run for his money, but the latter managed to stave off the challenge and score with a length to spare. Black Thorn finished another 2¼ lengths away in third. The winning time was 1min 24.09sec for the 1,400m on the long course. Assistant trainer Yan Weng Kuan said the longer break of six weeks was intended for Rocket Boy. "After his last run, we wanted to keep him fresh," he said. Taking a sit in the race has also reaped rewards for Yang, who has ridden the Lau Teik Kip-owned gelding in all his five starts in Ipoh. "As it was his first attempt over 1,400m, we decided to settle just off the pace and waited for the straight to make our bid," he said. Known as Worx in Australia, Rocket Boy has won twice over the 1,200m and 1,300m in 12 starts Down Under. Trained in Kuala Lumpur by Richard Lim, The Shadow ($18) has completed a hat-trick of wins on the Ipoh track in the RM20,000 Class 5A contest (1,400m). The Dissident eight-year-old won five races at Kranji, with his first three wins under Michael Clements and his last two under Lim. It was on May 11 when Lim first sent The Shadow to Ipoh and he finished fourth in a Class 5A race (1,400m). But it has been three wins on the trot - all over 1,400m - for him at Ipoh since. After bowling along in third, The Shadow (Harmeet Singh Gill) ranged alongside Discretely Red (Haikal Hanif) and D'Great Magic (Shazmin Sudin) at the 300m, and kicked clear to win by 2¾ lengths from Boss Nine Nine (Wong Kam Chong), who missed the start but still stormed home for second. Yet, three successive wins in Ipoh did not mean connections were looking at bigger races for him at Sungai Besi. "No, his owners (Team Cheval Stable) want him to run in Ipoh," said Lim. Ipoh trainer Khor Peng Hwa has landed his first treble in Malaysia - with Retallica ($17), Brotherly Love ($24) and Crazy Love ($14) - since his training career kicked off in late April. TURFONLINE
Daily Mail
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Award-winning crime drama is finally free to stream - as critics gush over 'irresistibly creepy' scenes in rave reviews
An award-winning crime drama has finally been made free to stream after its rave reviews from critics and infamous creepy scenes. The series, called The Shadow, which was first broadcast in Germany in 2023, has been quietly added to Channel 4 's streaming site by bosses. Actress Deleila Piasko plays the lead role of young journalist Nora who is placed on an assignment in Vienna. However, things quickly take a turn when a beggar on the street stops Nora and chilling tells her she will kill a man. While the reporter initially ignores the warning from the stranger, a number of incents that occur starts to unsettle Nora. A teaser synopsis of the drama simply reads: 'Journalist Norah hears a prophecy that she will kill a man, then unfathomable events begin to dog her steps. What is happening?' The six-part series is an adaption of author Melanie Raabe's best-selling novel with the same name, which was published five years ago. Critics and viewers have given the twisted series glowing reviews, with Open Book branding it 'irresistibly creepy'. On review website IMDb, one user described the show as 'a meticulously crafted psychological thriller, distinguished by its atmospheric storytelling and compelling performances.' Another user, who scored the show a respectable 9/10, said it is 'testament to the potential of television as a medium for nuanced, character-driven narratives'. The Shadow even scooped a gong, bagging the Audience Choice Award at the German Seriencamp Festival in 2023. Meanwhile, fans have also 'binge-watched in one sitting' a crime drama that is also available to stream for free on BBC iPlayer. The four-part series, titled The Black Forest Murders, was recently acquired by the broadcaster. Based on the non-fiction book SOKO Erle by Walter Roth, the German show takes inspiration from the criminal cases of two murdered women in southern Germany. The fictional series stars Nina Kunzendorf as Senior Detective Barbara Kramer and Tilman Strauß as Thomas Riedle, amongst others. A synopsis reads: 'The clock is ticking... When a woman is bludgeoned to death, detectives face mounting pressure to crack the case and catch a killer. 'Intense crime drama inspired by real-life cases.' BBC boss Sue Deeks previously said: 'The Black Forest Murders is an authentic and compelling crime series focusing on the work of a meticulous investigative team. 'As well as being a gripping murder mystery, the series offers a detailed look at the challenges of solving complex crimes, and the psychological toll on those involved in such high-stakes investigations.'
Daily Mirror
29-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Channel 4 quietly adds 'must-see' drama that leaves viewers 'thrilled'
The Shadow, a psychological thriller based on Melanie Raabe's novel of the same name, is now available to watch for free on Channel 4 after it was praised by viewers Channel 4 has made all six episodes of the gripping crime drama The Shadow available for free, much to the delight of UK viewers. The series, hailed as an unmissable addiction, is based on Melanie Raabe's 2021 novel and introduces us to journalist Norah, portrayed by Deleila Piasko, who seeks a fresh start in Vienna. A stranger's eerie prophecy that she will murder a man named Arthur Grimm within six weeks haunts her upon arrival. Despite initially dismissing the ominous prediction, Norah finds herself entangled in a web of memory gaps, anonymous threats, and mounting paranoia. She is tormented by questions about her sanity, her capacity for murder, and the reasons behind these events, reports the Express. Deleila leads a cast featuring Andreas Pietschmann, Luisa-Celine Gaffron, Vietha Luong, Julia Anna Grob, and Christoph Luser. The show's blurb tantalises with: "Journalist Norah hears a prophecy that she will kill a man, then unfathomable events begin to dog her steps. What is happening?" Following its premiere in Germany in 2023, the series was lauded for its "thrilling" psychological depth and quickly became a "must-see". Winning the Audience Choice Award at the German Seriencamp Festival in 2023, Channel 4's Walter Presents didn't hesitate to snap up the rights. One viewer was effusive in their praise, saying: "The story is gripping, thrilling, full of twists and turns, many facets, and surprises. Excellent entertainment, as tense as the daily heat in Vienna, which lasts for six weeks until August 13th, and creates a special atmosphere as the series culminates in its grand finale. You practically sweat along with it. The images and the camera capture the story excellently; you're an eyewitness yet still in the dark. Highly recommended!" Another chimed in with: "The story has many twists and turns, maintaining the suspense until the epic finale. I'm thrilled." "Wow! What a great psychological story for entertaining and exciting hours of TV. Mysterious moments and great actors make this series a must-see for all fans of the genre," enthused a third, while another added: "Super exciting! I couldn't tear myself away from the TV. The ending was completely unpredictable."
Metro
28-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
All six episodes of 'irresistibly creepy' crime drama available to stream now
Looking to escape the heat? Well, why not watch a new supernatural crime drama that's sure to send a chill down your spine? As of today (June 28), all six episodes of The Shadow are available to stream on Channel 4. This haunting crime drama follows a young journalist called Norah (Deleila Piasko) on assignment in Vienna. Sounds pretty good, right? Well, things take a sinister turn when a strange beggar warns Norah that she will kill a man sometime in the future. Not feeling particularly homicidal, the young writer ignores the warning, that is, until strange things start occurring. Can Norah avoid her murderous fate? Well, you'll have to watch to find out. First released in Germany back in 2023, the series is an adaptation of Melanie Raabe's internationally bestselling 2020 novel of the same name, which was branded 'irresistibly creepy' by Open Books. The TV series has similarly glowing reviews. In their 10/10 IMDb review one user described the show as 'a meticulously crafted psychological thriller, distinguished by its atmospheric storytelling and compelling performances.' Meanwhile, another user gave the series 9/10 and said The Shadow was a 'testament to the potential of television as a medium for nuanced, character-driven narratives.' High praise indeed! However, that's not the only accolade the show has earned; it won the Audience Choice Award at the German Seriencamp Festival in 2023, and Kino magazine gave it 4.5 stars. More Trending Meanwhile, DWDL's critic Timo Niemeier wrote in his review, 'the creators went to great lengths in the first five episodes to keep viewers guessing as long as possible about what actually happened, the story is resolved almost perfectly at the end.' If, however, The Shadows sounds a bit spooky for you, or if you like the heat, there are other streaming options available this weekend. Season 4 of The Bear has just dropped on Disney Plus. Season four has been called a return to form by critics, and it's currently sitting at a respectable 82% on Rotten Tomatoes. Our own valiant TV Editor Sabrina Barr reviewed The Bear season 4 for Metro, and in her three-and-a-half-star review, she wrote that while she enjoyed this fourth outing, she was 'left wanting more'. View More » The Shadow is streaming now on Channel 4. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you.
Observer
04-06-2025
- Health
- Observer
An Omani Novel That Delves Into the Depths of Human Anxiety
By Arwa al Hashimi In the quiet, sun-drenched villages of Oman, a pioneering voice emerges from the desert sands—Zahran Alqasmi, whose novel Al-Ru' (meaning 'The Shadow') is redefining contemporary Middle Eastern literature. Unlike conventional narratives rooted in political upheaval or cultural revival, Alqasmi's work plunges deep into the labyrinthine corridors of the human psyche, inviting readers into a landscape haunted less by external conflicts and more by the intangible fears that reside within us all. Al-Ru' is not a story told with shock or spectacle but a delicate exploration of fear as an enduring presence. At its heart is Mahjan, a modest school bus driver living in a remote Omani village, who, seeking solace and purpose, tends to his late mother's neglected farm. His act of reclamation begins innocuously—a simple scarecrow built to keep away pests. Yet, this unassuming figure, which Mahjan christens Al-Ru', morphs into something far more complex: a symbol of dread that slowly infiltrates his consciousness and, through his eyes, the entire community. The novel's brilliance lies in its poetic restraint. Alqasmi does not elevate fear into grotesque horror but gently reveals its subtle power—how it seeps into solitude, distorts perception, and ultimately isolates the individual. The scarecrow, crafted with care, becomes more than mere straw and cloth; it embodies Mahjan's suppressed anxieties, ancestral guilt, and universal vulnerability. As the story unfolds, Alqasmi deftly explores how societal reactions—whispered accusations of sorcery, suspicion, and madness—serve as reflections of collective fear and intolerance. In contrast to Middle Eastern writers like Syrian novelist Nihad Sirees, whose works tend to address societal upheaval and political dissent directly, Alqasmi's Al-Ru' offers an inward journey. Sirees' narratives are often woven with sharp critique of authority, presenting societal struggles in loud, confrontational tones. Conversely, Alqasmi employs a quiet, lyrical voice—one that whispers rather than shouts, inviting introspection rather than activism. His novel shares thematic kinship with Hanan al-Shaykh's explorations of internal conflict and mental disquiet, yet it remains rooted distinctively in Omani rural life, a setting that embodies tradition, isolation, and resilience. But how does this compare with international literature on internal fear and shadowy spectres of the mind? Consider Shirley Jackson's The Haunting of Hill House, a quintessential modern Gothic that examines haunted spaces and psychological fragility. While Jackson's haunted house is an externalised projection of inner turmoil, Alqasmi's Al-Ru' transforms the internal fears into an externalised entity—an embodied shadow that haunts not just Mahjan but, more broadly, societal perceptions of normalcy and madness. The comparison highlights how different literary traditions grapple with fear—some viscerally external, others subtly internalised—and yet both remain compelling in their exploration of human fragility. Alqasmi's distinctive achievement is weaving local Omani customs and landscapes into a narrative that resonates on a universal level. The palm groves, dusty paths, and village rituals anchor the story in a tangible reality, yet the psychological undercurrents elevate it into a reflection on the fragility of the human mind and the universality of fear. Through minimal but deliberate language, Alqasmi crafts a lyrical, contemplative style that allows readers to step into Mahjan's world—seeing, feeling, and questioning alongside him. His prose, measured and evocative, echoes the slow unfolding of internal chaos. Silence becomes a powerful motif—what is left unsaid, what is implied beneath the surface, and how the absence of words can be more telling than their presence. The novel's pacing mirrors Mahjan's internal unraveling; it invites readers to dwell in uncertain spaces and contemplate the shadows they themselves carry. What elevates Al-Ru' beyond a mere psychological novel is its subtle critique of societal response to deviation and difference. The community's suspicion and fear of Mahjan's creation reflect broader themes of alienation and otherness—a mirror to how societies often reject what they do not understand. This dynamic is echoed in Flannery O'Connor's Southern Gothic tales, where outsider figures and internal fears are central. Yet, where O'Connor's stories grit and shock with their intense symbolism, Alqasmi's prose exudes quiet power, whispering truths in a tone more contemplative than confrontational. Thus, Zahran Alqasmi's Al-Ru' stands as a landmark example of Middle Eastern literature's evolution—an intricate dialogue between tradition and modernity, locality and universality. It elevates the genre of psychological fiction with its poetic subtlety and cultural depth, positioning Alqasmi among contemporary writers who dare to explore the unspoken fears lurking beneath the surface of everyday life.
