Thomas Floyd
@thomasfloyd.bsky.social
Journalist for The Washington Post. Writing about theater, movies, television, comedy, soccer and other scattered things.
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Thomas Floyd
@thomasfloyd.bsky.social
· Nov 28
The mind behind ‘Knives Out’ keeps pumping out capers. Here’s his secret.
With his latest Benoit Blanc movie “Wake Up Dead Man,” Rian Johnson has ‘dun it again.
www.washingtonpost.com
“He’s an incredibly important director, and I don’t mean that lightly,” Daniel Craig says. “Wherever the industry is heading … having someone like Rian around means that great movies are still going to get made.”
Profiling “Wake Up Dead Man” filmmaker Rian Johnson:
Profiling “Wake Up Dead Man” filmmaker Rian Johnson:
“He is the leading man in one of the biggest franchises of all time, yet he also exists as someone comparatively unknown to many people.”
In Monday’s Post: My profile of “Avatar: Fire and Ash” star Sam Worthington, the Australian actor who is happy to be the mega-franchise’s unrecognizable hero.
In Monday’s Post: My profile of “Avatar: Fire and Ash” star Sam Worthington, the Australian actor who is happy to be the mega-franchise’s unrecognizable hero.
December 22, 2025 at 1:30 AM
“He is the leading man in one of the biggest franchises of all time, yet he also exists as someone comparatively unknown to many people.”
In Monday’s Post: My profile of “Avatar: Fire and Ash” star Sam Worthington, the Australian actor who is happy to be the mega-franchise’s unrecognizable hero.
In Monday’s Post: My profile of “Avatar: Fire and Ash” star Sam Worthington, the Australian actor who is happy to be the mega-franchise’s unrecognizable hero.
Reposted by Thomas Floyd
Sam Worthington is the top-billed star of two of the three highest-grossing movies of all time.
But over the past decade, he has sneaked into stealthy anonymity.
But over the past decade, he has sneaked into stealthy anonymity.
The star of ‘Avatar’ is surprisingly anonymous. He isn’t blue about it.
Sam Worthington, returning to anchor “Fire and Ash,” is happy to be the mega-franchise’s unrecognizable hero.
wapo.st
December 20, 2025 at 12:00 AM
Sam Worthington is the top-billed star of two of the three highest-grossing movies of all time.
But over the past decade, he has sneaked into stealthy anonymity.
But over the past decade, he has sneaked into stealthy anonymity.
“I always like anonymity. Having a blue avatar face, it may not get you nearly as recognized — but I’m not in it for that.”
Sam Worthington, the self-described introvert returning as Jake Sully in “Avatar: Fire and Ash,” is happy to be the mega-franchise’s surprisingly unrecognizable star.
Sam Worthington, the self-described introvert returning as Jake Sully in “Avatar: Fire and Ash,” is happy to be the mega-franchise’s surprisingly unrecognizable star.
The star of ‘Avatar’ is surprisingly anonymous. He isn’t blue about it.
Sam Worthington, returning to anchor “Fire and Ash,” is happy to be the mega-franchise’s unrecognizable hero.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 19, 2025 at 2:45 PM
“I always like anonymity. Having a blue avatar face, it may not get you nearly as recognized — but I’m not in it for that.”
Sam Worthington, the self-described introvert returning as Jake Sully in “Avatar: Fire and Ash,” is happy to be the mega-franchise’s surprisingly unrecognizable star.
Sam Worthington, the self-described introvert returning as Jake Sully in “Avatar: Fire and Ash,” is happy to be the mega-franchise’s surprisingly unrecognizable star.
Joined "The Julie Mason Show" today to discuss my favorite films of 2025 — you can give the segment a listen right here:
Thomas Floyd on His Favorite Movies of 2025
With Julie Mason
sxm-publish-clips.content-ingest.siriusxm.com
December 16, 2025 at 3:36 AM
Joined "The Julie Mason Show" today to discuss my favorite films of 2025 — you can give the segment a listen right here:
Reposted by Thomas Floyd
The FIFA Peace Prize, explained ⬇️
December 9, 2025 at 4:46 PM
The FIFA Peace Prize, explained ⬇️
"Sketch comedy and pop songwriting go so hand in hand. ... Setup, punch line — that’s like verse, chorus."
Caught up with Matt Rogers before the inimitable actor takes his festive set of comedy songs — branded this year as "Christmas in December" — to 9:30 Club.
Caught up with Matt Rogers before the inimitable actor takes his festive set of comedy songs — branded this year as "Christmas in December" — to 9:30 Club.
Comedian Matt Rogers would like to be your ‘prince of Christmas’
In the time-honored tradition of Mariah Carey, he’s on tour belting holiday tunes. Only his are hysterical.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 9, 2025 at 4:50 PM
"Sketch comedy and pop songwriting go so hand in hand. ... Setup, punch line — that’s like verse, chorus."
Caught up with Matt Rogers before the inimitable actor takes his festive set of comedy songs — branded this year as "Christmas in December" — to 9:30 Club.
Caught up with Matt Rogers before the inimitable actor takes his festive set of comedy songs — branded this year as "Christmas in December" — to 9:30 Club.
Hopped on “Post Reports” with @avarwallace.bsky.social and Rick Maese to discuss FIFA, Donald Trump and the World Cup draw. Give it a listen here:
Get ready for Trump’s World Cup - The Washington Post
President Donald Trump took center stage at the 2026 World Cup draw Friday at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. The event mapped out the road to the soccer tournament this coming summer and marke...
www.washingtonpost.com
December 9, 2025 at 1:27 AM
Hopped on “Post Reports” with @avarwallace.bsky.social and Rick Maese to discuss FIFA, Donald Trump and the World Cup draw. Give it a listen here:
Reposted by Thomas Floyd
A portrait of the Kennedy Center, ten months after Trump's takeover. The latest from @janaykingsberry.bsky.social and me.
www.washingtonpost.com/entertainmen...
www.washingtonpost.com/entertainmen...
Donald Trump’s Kennedy Center is showier, emptier and more political
In 10 months, President Donald Trump has transformed the Kennedy Center. Now comes his biggest night yet: the Kennedy Center Honors.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 7, 2025 at 3:21 PM
A portrait of the Kennedy Center, ten months after Trump's takeover. The latest from @janaykingsberry.bsky.social and me.
www.washingtonpost.com/entertainmen...
www.washingtonpost.com/entertainmen...
Now that the World Cup draw is complete and the schedule is set, I broke down the USMNT’s familiar opposition, the tournament’s toughest groups, the most tantalizing matchups and more
Analysis | The World Cup groups are set. Here’s who has the toughest (and easiest) path.
The USMNT is in Group D, in which it will face some familiar foes. Here’s what else to know about the World Cup draw and schedule.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 6, 2025 at 11:47 PM
Now that the World Cup draw is complete and the schedule is set, I broke down the USMNT’s familiar opposition, the tournament’s toughest groups, the most tantalizing matchups and more
Reposted by Thomas Floyd
“We’re not taking anyone lightly,” U.S. forward Christian Pulisic said. “They’re all going to be tough games.”
www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...
www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...
USMNT’s World Cup starts to come to life at a draw that sets the stage
The United States will face Australia, Paraguay and a European playoff winner in group stage play when the tournament opens next summer.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 6, 2025 at 12:44 PM
“We’re not taking anyone lightly,” U.S. forward Christian Pulisic said. “They’re all going to be tough games.”
www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...
www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/...
Reposted by Thomas Floyd
The World Cup is getting real. Is the focus on soccer or Trump? From @barrysvrlugawp.bsky.social:
Column | The World Cup is getting real. Is the focus on soccer or Trump?
The president has a knack for making things about him. Can we keep that from happening at next summer’s global soccer spectacle?
www.washingtonpost.com
December 6, 2025 at 2:32 PM
The World Cup is getting real. Is the focus on soccer or Trump? From @barrysvrlugawp.bsky.social:
Reposted by Thomas Floyd
Trump brands himself around peace while threatening war.
The "Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace" and his FIFA peace prize arrived as Trump issues new threats and his "Department of War" touts its lethal strikes.
"Orwellian is about the nicest term I can come up with,” @coons.senate.gov told me.
The "Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace" and his FIFA peace prize arrived as Trump issues new threats and his "Department of War" touts its lethal strikes.
"Orwellian is about the nicest term I can come up with,” @coons.senate.gov told me.
Trump wants to be known as a peacemaker while frequently threatening war
The president talks frequently of his desire for more peace. He also likes talking like a warmonger.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 6, 2025 at 2:56 PM
Trump brands himself around peace while threatening war.
The "Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace" and his FIFA peace prize arrived as Trump issues new threats and his "Department of War" touts its lethal strikes.
"Orwellian is about the nicest term I can come up with,” @coons.senate.gov told me.
The "Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace" and his FIFA peace prize arrived as Trump issues new threats and his "Department of War" touts its lethal strikes.
"Orwellian is about the nicest term I can come up with,” @coons.senate.gov told me.
Reposted by Thomas Floyd
The Kennedy Center got its event, FIFA got its audience … and Trump got his prize.
Our report on a World Cup draw unlike other, shaped by the U.S. president's pet projects and personal desires.
Our report on a World Cup draw unlike other, shaped by the U.S. president's pet projects and personal desires.
December 5, 2025 at 10:14 PM
The Kennedy Center got its event, FIFA got its audience … and Trump got his prize.
Our report on a World Cup draw unlike other, shaped by the U.S. president's pet projects and personal desires.
Our report on a World Cup draw unlike other, shaped by the U.S. president's pet projects and personal desires.
The United States will face Australia, Paraguay and a European playoff winner when it opens the World Cup on home soil next summer. Reporting from today’s draw at the Kennedy Center:
At the World Cup draw, Mauricio Pochettino’s USMNT learns its fate
The United States will face Australia, Paraguay and a European playoff winner in group stage play when the tournament opens next summer.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 5, 2025 at 7:46 PM
The United States will face Australia, Paraguay and a European playoff winner when it opens the World Cup on home soil next summer. Reporting from today’s draw at the Kennedy Center:
Reposted by Thomas Floyd
The 2026 World Cup draw is today. At the event — which starts at noon, airs on Fox and will stream on FIFA’s YouTube channel — national teams will learn their opponents for the group stage of next summer’s tournament.
Follow our coverage:
Follow our coverage:
World Cup draw live updates: FIFA’s stage is set, with Trump and soccer in the spotlight
National soccer teams will learn their group stage opponents at the draw for the 2026 World Cup, which will be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 5, 2025 at 4:16 PM
The 2026 World Cup draw is today. At the event — which starts at noon, airs on Fox and will stream on FIFA’s YouTube channel — national teams will learn their opponents for the group stage of next summer’s tournament.
Follow our coverage:
Follow our coverage:
Snag today's Style section for my profile of "Wake Up Dead Man" director Rian Johnson. Among the topics we touched on: How he's making the Benoit Blanc films more personal, the misnomer that he sets out to subvert expectations and, of course, his inspirations in musical theater. wapo.st/4oYNDnb
November 29, 2025 at 7:23 PM
Snag today's Style section for my profile of "Wake Up Dead Man" director Rian Johnson. Among the topics we touched on: How he's making the Benoit Blanc films more personal, the misnomer that he sets out to subvert expectations and, of course, his inspirations in musical theater. wapo.st/4oYNDnb
Overlooked for the 2026 men’s World Cup, D.C. is (as expected) prominently featured in the bid book submitted by U.S. Soccer and its partners for the 2031 women’s World Cup. digitalhub.fifa.com/m/12af6ec142...
November 28, 2025 at 4:45 PM
Overlooked for the 2026 men’s World Cup, D.C. is (as expected) prominently featured in the bid book submitted by U.S. Soccer and its partners for the 2031 women’s World Cup. digitalhub.fifa.com/m/12af6ec142...
“He’s an incredibly important director, and I don’t mean that lightly,” Daniel Craig says. “Wherever the industry is heading … having someone like Rian around means that great movies are still going to get made.”
Profiling “Wake Up Dead Man” filmmaker Rian Johnson:
Profiling “Wake Up Dead Man” filmmaker Rian Johnson:
The mind behind ‘Knives Out’ keeps pumping out capers. Here’s his secret.
With his latest Benoit Blanc movie “Wake Up Dead Man,” Rian Johnson has ‘dun it again.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 28, 2025 at 12:05 AM
“He’s an incredibly important director, and I don’t mean that lightly,” Daniel Craig says. “Wherever the industry is heading … having someone like Rian around means that great movies are still going to get made.”
Profiling “Wake Up Dead Man” filmmaker Rian Johnson:
Profiling “Wake Up Dead Man” filmmaker Rian Johnson:
Trinity Rodman is out of contract. Can the Washington Spirit keep her amid interest from abroad? Rodman, Aubrey Kingsbury, Tierna Davidson, Rose Lavelle and Emma Hayes weigh in on this inflection point for the #NWSL.
Trinity Rodman needs a new contract. Can the Spirit keep her?
NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman said her league will “fight” to keep the U.S. national team star amid interest from abroad.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 23, 2025 at 8:12 PM
Trinity Rodman is out of contract. Can the Washington Spirit keep her amid interest from abroad? Rodman, Aubrey Kingsbury, Tierna Davidson, Rose Lavelle and Emma Hayes weigh in on this inflection point for the #NWSL.
“I think it’s a big shock. This group completely believed that we would win. There was really no scenario where we didn’t lift that trophy today.”
The Washington Spirit’s run ends again in the NWSL final — this time against Rose Lavelle and Gotham FC. Reporting from PayPal Park:
The Washington Spirit’s run ends again in the NWSL final — this time against Rose Lavelle and Gotham FC. Reporting from PayPal Park:
Spirit’s run ends again in NWSL final, this time vs. Rose Lavelle and Gotham FC
The star U.S. midfielder scored in the 80th minute for the New Jersey-based team as Washington fell, 1-0, for the second straight year.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 23, 2025 at 6:52 AM
“I think it’s a big shock. This group completely believed that we would win. There was really no scenario where we didn’t lift that trophy today.”
The Washington Spirit’s run ends again in the NWSL final — this time against Rose Lavelle and Gotham FC. Reporting from PayPal Park:
The Washington Spirit’s run ends again in the NWSL final — this time against Rose Lavelle and Gotham FC. Reporting from PayPal Park:
Checking in from PayPal Park, where there are no surprises in the Washington Spirit lineup for tonight’s #NWSL final against Gotham. Here are the starters:
Kingsbury; Morgan, Bernal, McKeown, Wiesner; Santos, Hershfelt, Bethune; Kouassi, Cantore; Monday
Rodman is available off the bench.
Kingsbury; Morgan, Bernal, McKeown, Wiesner; Santos, Hershfelt, Bethune; Kouassi, Cantore; Monday
Rodman is available off the bench.
November 23, 2025 at 12:29 AM
Checking in from PayPal Park, where there are no surprises in the Washington Spirit lineup for tonight’s #NWSL final against Gotham. Here are the starters:
Kingsbury; Morgan, Bernal, McKeown, Wiesner; Santos, Hershfelt, Bethune; Kouassi, Cantore; Monday
Rodman is available off the bench.
Kingsbury; Morgan, Bernal, McKeown, Wiesner; Santos, Hershfelt, Bethune; Kouassi, Cantore; Monday
Rodman is available off the bench.
Reposted by Thomas Floyd
No pro franchise in town has leaned into the District, its residents and the issues they care about the way the Spirit has.
Column from @barrysvrlugawp.bsky.social
Column from @barrysvrlugawp.bsky.social
Column | How the Washington Spirit embraced the soul of D.C.
During an anxious time in the nation’s capital, the NWSL team and its fans cemented a bond.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 21, 2025 at 4:38 PM
No pro franchise in town has leaned into the District, its residents and the issues they care about the way the Spirit has.
Column from @barrysvrlugawp.bsky.social
Column from @barrysvrlugawp.bsky.social
Greetings from PayPal Park, where Spirit Coach Adrián González confirmed that defender Gabrielle Carle (hamstring) will not be available to play in the NWSL final. That's not a surprise — Carle was jogging on the side with Andi Sullivan and not participating in training today.
November 21, 2025 at 8:15 PM
Greetings from PayPal Park, where Spirit Coach Adrián González confirmed that defender Gabrielle Carle (hamstring) will not be available to play in the NWSL final. That's not a surprise — Carle was jogging on the side with Andi Sullivan and not participating in training today.
The #USMNT ended 2025 with a rotated squad, a stunning 5-1 rout of Uruguay and some fiery words from Mauricio Pochettino.
Reporting from Tampa, I broke down what that means for the World Cup squad and offered an updated projection for the final 26-man roster.
Reporting from Tampa, I broke down what that means for the World Cup squad and offered an updated projection for the final 26-man roster.
Analysis | The USMNT ended 2025 with a bang. Who should make the World Cup roster?
Coach Mauricio Pochettino, whose team rolled to a 5-1 win over Uruguay on Tuesday, has some tough decisions to make.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 19, 2025 at 2:52 PM
The #USMNT ended 2025 with a rotated squad, a stunning 5-1 rout of Uruguay and some fiery words from Mauricio Pochettino.
Reporting from Tampa, I broke down what that means for the World Cup squad and offered an updated projection for the final 26-man roster.
Reporting from Tampa, I broke down what that means for the World Cup squad and offered an updated projection for the final 26-man roster.
Greetings from Tampa, where the #USMNT has made nine changes: Freese; Freeman, Trusty, McKenzie; Dest, Berhalter, Morris, Tolkin; Tillman, Luna; Wright.
Storylines to watch …
— Freeman gets a shot at right center back.
— McKenzie and Trusty’s audition.
— Can Wright build off the Australia game?
Storylines to watch …
— Freeman gets a shot at right center back.
— McKenzie and Trusty’s audition.
— Can Wright build off the Australia game?
November 18, 2025 at 10:58 PM
Greetings from Tampa, where the #USMNT has made nine changes: Freese; Freeman, Trusty, McKenzie; Dest, Berhalter, Morris, Tolkin; Tillman, Luna; Wright.
Storylines to watch …
— Freeman gets a shot at right center back.
— McKenzie and Trusty’s audition.
— Can Wright build off the Australia game?
Storylines to watch …
— Freeman gets a shot at right center back.
— McKenzie and Trusty’s audition.
— Can Wright build off the Australia game?