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Switch Up Your Skincare Routine With the INKEY List on December 20, 2023 at 4:05 am Us Weekly

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It can be difficult to determine a skincare routine that works best for you. There are so many brands and even more products to choose from. It can make your head spin. While you should always consult a professional if you’re looking to start something drastic or introduce products like retinol into your everyday product lineup, you can usually find starter kits from most skincare lines to get you going with a basic routine to see if their products work for you. That way, you don’t have to spend a bundle on your first cleanser, toner, moisturizer, or other goodies only to have them not work out.

Related: 22 Best Face Moisturizers for Dry Skin

Quench your skin’s thirst with these moisturizers that are specifically designed for dry skin — details here

The INKEY Intro Routine is an affordable set of some of The INKEY List’s award-winning products to get you started with the brand. It comes with a 5-piece routine that comes with everything you need to not only get to know The INKEY List, but to help you kickstart your own skincare routine and which products to use, which ones to prune, and which you may want to eventually add. It comes with the Oat Cleansing Balm, Hyaluronic Acid Serum, Omega Water Cream, Polyglutamic Acid Dewy Sunscreen, and Tripeptide Plumping Lip Balm. Best of all, it’s only $29 at The INKEY List.

 

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The INKEY List

Get the INKEY Intro Routine for just $39 at The INKEY List! Please note, prices are accurate at the date of publication, December 19, 2023, but are subject to change.

This set makes it ridiculously simple for you to start a regular skincare routine without all the guesswork. Cleanse your skin thoroughly, and then use the included serum to lock in the all-important moisture your skin needs to glow and stay plumped up. Hydrate your pout with the lip balm, then use the ultra-hydrating, oil-free moisturizer to lock in hydration. Finally, top it all off with SPF for no-nonsense sun protection.

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Related: Skin Feeling Dry and Dull? Check Out the Best Moisturizers for Sensitive Skin

It can be frustrating when your skin feels dry and tight. A good moisturizer is often all it takes to restore and maintain soft, vibrant skin. But if you have sensitive skin, it can be hard to know which moisturizers are suitable and which could cause irritation.

This post will help you with just that. We’ll be discussing the best moisturizers for sensitive skin, as suggested by experts and customer reviews. We’ll also be covering what to look out for when choosing a moisturizer, so you can avoid any potential skin irritations. Read on to find out the perfect moisturizer for your skin type!

Comparing the Best Moisturizers for Sensitive Skin in 2023

BALM OF GILEAD Manuka Honey Cream – Best for Healing Skin Conditions

BALM OF GILEAD Manuka Honey Cream is formulated with an exclusive blend of essential oils including Manuka, Bergamot, Tea Tree, Frankincense, Eucalyptus, and Geranium. This cream is able to not only treat sensitive skin, but also help people who deal with eczema, psoriasis, and dermatitis. 
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The Manuka Honey and Oil infusion has a soothing effect on those with dry and itchy skin. It can safely be used for everyone, regardless of age or gender. Not only that, but it is also AIP (autoimmune protocol) friendly and can be used for all skin types! 

This collection is made with New Zealand’s exclusive Manuka honey (UMF 16+) and enriched with vitamins A, C, D, E, and K to foster additional skin nourishment. It is abundant in antioxidants making it a great choice for anti-aging care as well. The cream is non-greasy so it does not leave behind residue and is made with natural ingredients. So say goodbye to dry and irritated skin and enjoy instant relief with Manuka Honey Skin Healing Cream.

Pros
Non-irritating formula for sensitive skin 
Provides relief from eczema, foot fungus, and other ailments
Heals rashes, red patches, flaky skin, and inflammation 
Softens and moisturizes dry skin on the face and feet
Contains antibacterial properties to help reduce scarring
Cons
Could be expensive for some users

Aveeno Calm + Restore Moisturizer – Best for Cleansing and Moisturizing

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Introducing Aveeno Calm + Restore Oat Gel Facial Moisturizer for Sensitive Skin – a lightweight gel-cream designed to specifically address the needs of sensitive and irritated, dry skin. This product is both alcohol-free, dye-free, phthalate-free, and non-comedogenic.

This daily face moisturizer instantly hydrates and soothes the skin while replenishing its moisture barrier. What’s more, it is formulated with prebiotic oat as well as feverfew and is safe for sensitive skin.

Aveeno Calm + Restore Oat Gel Facial Moisturizer is a great addition to your regular skincare routine as it has cleansing qualities as well as provides an extra boost of moisture and protection. Dermatologists have recommended it for those struggling with dry or sensitive skin. The product’s lightweight consistency makes it equally suited for combination skin types that require a more balanced approach to moisturizing. Plus, it’s paraben- and fragrance-free.

Pros
Gentle and moisturizing on the skin
Lightweight gel texture 
Little to no smell 
Helps reduce redness and irritation 
Non-Comedogenic (won’t clog pores) 
Not drying and non-irritating 
Helps keep skin moisturized in cold, dry weather 
Cleans deep into pores
Cons
Not suitable for gluten-sensitive skin
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Solimo Ultra Moisturizing Skin Cream – Most Budget-Friendly

Solimo Ultra Moisturizing Skin Cream is designed to deeply nourish and hydrate dry and sensitive skin while also being budget-friendly. It is dermatologist-tested and fragrance-free.

If you like Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream, Solimo Ultra Moisturizing Cream is an excellent alternative as it has been formulated to provide similar results with a texture that is light and easily absorbed.

Not only does this cream soothe and moisturize, but it also contains important ingredients such as antioxidants that help protect your skin from free radicals and other environmental stressors. It is non-comedogenic so it won’t clog pores and is safe to use on all skin types. Another great feature of this product is that it is not tested on animals and is made in the U.S.A. 

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Overall, Solimo Ultra Moisturizing Skin Cream for Dry & Sensitive Skin is a great choice if you’re looking for a deeply hydrating moisturizer without any harsh chemicals or fragrances that can irritate delicate skin types.

Pros
Very moisturizing
Lightweight, non-greasy texture
Affordable price compared to competitors
Gentle on sensitive skin
Promotes healthy and glowing skin
No scent or alcohol, reducing drying effects
Cons
Hardens upon sitting for significant periods of time 

DearKlairs Rich Moist Soothing Cream – Best for Irritated Skin

The DearKlairs Rich Moist Soothing Cream helps restore hydration balance to dry skin, while also acting as a cooling relief to heated skin, reducing redness and making pores less visible. 
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The formulation of this product features several enhanced ingredients that make it especially effective, including Shea butter, ceramide 3, and lipidure. These natural ingredients help reduce irritation, support long-term hydration, and increase elasticity. This cream is entirely free of animal testing, as well as many common irritants such as parabens, steroids, artificial fragrances, and artificial colorings.

In addition to the standard-size version of this product, DearKlairs also offers a miniature version for those who desire a smaller amount for travel or those who want to try it before committing to the full-size product. The texture is lightweight and gentle on the skin. 

All in all, DearKlairs Rich Moist Soothing Cream is an outstanding choice for anyone with sensitive skin seeking a fresh start every day. Its natural ingredients replenish moisture in the skin while calming redness and irritation. Best of all, it comes in a convenient mini size so you can keep your favorite product with you on the go!

Pros
Hydrates and smoothes skin gets rid of dry patches 
Lightweight on the skin blends easily and quickly
Feels very calming on sensitive skin 
Unscented and vegan-friendly 
Moisturizes without feeling heavy or sticky 
Keeps skin hydrated all day long 
Does not cause acne breakouts 
Very gentle on the skin but extremely moisturizing 
Helps reduce redness overnight
Cons
Not hydrating enough for those living in very dry climates 
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Vanicream Daily Facial Moisturizer – Best for Clean Ingredients

Vanicream Daily Facial Moisturizer is formulated without common irritants and is both lightweight and gluten-free. It contains five key ceramides, hyaluronic acid, squalane, and glycerin, all of which work together to provide superior hydration without clogging pores. 

It is free of dyes, fragrance, masking fragrance, lanolin, parabens, and formaldehyde releasers; making it a great choice for those who want to avoid these ingredients. The mild formula has also been tested and deemed desirable by dermatologists.

This daily moisturizer comes with clear instructions for use: apply as needed to the face day or night. It comes in a convenient container that is small and easy to travel with, making it the perfect choice for on-the-go moisturizing. The fast-absorbing, lightweight formula makes Vanicream Daily Facial Moisturizer a great choice for those wanting superior hydration without any stickiness.

Pros
Non-comedogenic 
Non-greasy
Lightweight 
Doesn’t burn sensitive skin 
Works well with other skincare products 
Brightens skin and reduces redness 
Affordable
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Cons
Cannot be used with all types of skin

What to Look for When Buying a Moisturizer for Sensitive Skin

When on the hunt for a moisturizer to treat your sensitive skin, there are many considerations to take into account. This buyer’s guide will provide insight into the key features of a suitable moisturizer for sensitive skin, such as non-comedogenic properties, free from fragrance, and nourishing and healing ingredients. 

Non-Comedogenic

Non-comedogenic moisturizers are formulated in such a way that they are unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts. The ingredients list should be checked to ensure that comedogenic oils and waxes such as coconut oil, cocoa butter, lanolin, and mineral oil are not present. 

Suitable for Sensitive Skin

As sensitive skin is easily aggravated by strong ingredients or fragrances, it’s important to choose a moisturizer with non-irritating and non-allergenic properties. It’s also important to make sure the product is free from synthetic fragrances or dyes.  

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Gentle Hydration

To avoid dryness or further irritation, it’s essential to look for a product with gentle hydrating ingredients that won’t strip the skin of its natural oils or disrupt its delicate balance. Ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin are good examples as they draw in moisture from the environment without dehydrating the skin.  

Omegas

Omega fatty acids like omega -3, -6, and -9 are beneficial for sensitive skin as they help repair and protect irritated skin. Related ingredients like linoleic acid, gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) can also be found in effective moisturizers for sensitive skin. 

With Nourishing and Healing Ingredients

Choose a moisturizer with ingredients such as Shea butter, jojoba oil, aloe vera extract, Vitamin E, chamomile extract, cucumber extract, and oat kernel extract to help soften the skin while providing anti-inflammatory effects.  

Paraben-Free/Chemical Free

Parabens and other chemical preservatives are notorious triggers of irritation in those with sensitive skin types so it’s important to check that there are none present in your moisturizer of choice. 

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People Also Asked

Q: What ingredients should I look for in a moisturizer?

A: Look for moisturizers that contain gentle, hydrating ingredients such as ceramides, hyaluronic acid, glycerin, natural oils, and/or shea butter. Also look for products that are free of harsh ingredients like alcohol and fragrance which can cause irritation.

Q: How often should I use moisturizer on my skin?

A: You should use a moisturizer on your skin twice a day: once in the morning and once at night. If your skin is particularly dry or if you are going to be in an environment where it may become dryer, you may want to apply an extra layer of moisturizer during the day.

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Q: Is it possible to use moisture without causing irritation?

A: Yes, it is possible to use moisture without causing irritation by selecting a gentle and hydrating product specifically formulated for sensitive skin. However finding the right product for your specific skin type, as well as seeing the reaction the moisturizer has with other skin products in your routine might take time.

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Q: How can I keep my skin hydrated and prevent dryness?

A: The key to keeping your skin hydrated and preventing dryness is to use a daily moisturizer formulated for sensitive skin, Additionally, you should avoid long hot baths or showers which can strip away the natural oils from your skin. Additionally, you should drink plenty of water throughout the day which will help keep your body hydrated from the inside out. 

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Q: Does my diet make a difference in how my skin feels?

A: Yes! A healthy diet with proper physical activity can help keep your skin looking hydrated and healthy. Additionally, it is important to wear sunscreen every day when outdoors to protect your skin from damaging UV rays which can accelerate signs of aging such as wrinkles or hyperpigmentation caused by sun exposure. 

Q: Are there any specific products tailored to different skin types?

A: Yes! There are many different types of moisturizers available that are tailored to specific skin types including oily, combination, dry or sensitive skin. It is important to select a product specifically formulated for your unique skin type in order to ensure that it will not cause irritation or lead to breakouts due to improper hydration levels or non-compatible ingredients. 

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These products are the perfect way to establish a baseline routine you can follow that should avoid any skin irritation and instead give you a reliable, easy shot at keeping your skin calm and happy, with plenty of moisture. When you’ve used all the mini versions of each item, the idea is to go buy the large ones and lather, rinse, repeat for better skin.

Shoppers call this routine “the perfect starter kit,” with one writing “This whole kit cost less than what I was paying for my moisturizer alone (bought in sale). I was so impressed I have gone on to buy other products to add to my routine.”

Another called it “lots to love,” adding “The kit is pretty inclusive. Hits all the needed items!”

The INKEY List

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Give yourself the tools to transform your skin and find your new favorite everyday product from The INKEY List!

Get the INKEY Intro Routine for just $39 at The INKEY List! Please note, prices are accurate at the date of publication, December 19, 2023, but are subject to change.

Not what you’re looking for? See more The INKEY List products here and don’t forget to check out Amazon’s Daily Deals for more great finds!

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Shop With Us tip: Find the best gifts on Amazon personalized to your shopping history here!

Related: This Anti-Aging Cream Could Improve Your Skin’s Smoothness by 66% in 8 Weeks

We always encourage fellow skincare lovers to splurge on at least one powerful product in their routine. We love a bargain buy, but to truly hop over the ever-growing hurdle of our anti-aging concerns, we need something special to seal the deal. But choosing just one product is hard — what if we choose wrong? […]

Us Weekly has affiliate partnerships. We receive compensation when you click on a link and make a purchase. Learn more!

It can be difficult to determine a skincare routine that works best for you. There are so many brands and even more products to choose from. It can make your head spin. While you should always consult a professional if you’re looking to start something drastic or introduce products like retinol into your everyday product 

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Entertainment

STREAMING PREMIERE · JUNE 13, 2026

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Laughter Meets Inspiration: Our Ladies Show Lands on The Roku Channel

A bold new sketch comedy series for women premieres June 13 across the U.S., U.K., and Canada — arriving on the back of a festival-winning run that has critics and audiences already paying attention.

It isn’t every day a brand-new comedy arrives already wearing a row of trophies. Our Ladies Show does. The seven-episode inspirational sketch comedy series — created, written by, and starring Christin Jezak — begins streaming on The Roku Channel on Friday, June 13, 2026, available free to viewers in the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada.

Produced in partnership with global media services leader Encompass Digital Media, the series sets out to do something rare in today’s streaming landscape: make women laugh out loud and leave them lifted. In a media moment crowded with noise and cynicism, Our Ladies Show is a deliberate counterweight — comedy with a conscience, built for women of every age and background.

A Show Built Around Real Life — and Real Laughs

Each of the seven episodes opens with a monologue from one of the cast members introducing the theme, then rolls into three or more sketches that hit the subject from every comedic angle. The series tackles the things women actually carry: holding grudges, comparison, beauty, patience, gift giving, the importance of community, and dealing with anxiety.

The comedy comes from a place of warmth rather than mockery — a “laugh at ourselves” spirit that runs through a gallery of unforgettable characters: a nosey neighbor, an overwhelmed mom, relentlessly optimistic flight attendants, beauty pageant winners past their prime, and a crew of unruly campers with a counselor who simply cannot hold it together.

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Then the show does something most sketch series don’t. In the final segment of every episode, the cast gathers in a living-room setting and invites the audience in — sharing real inspiration drawn from the theme, the sketches, and their own personal stories. It’s the moment the laughter turns into something that stays with you.

The Women Behind the Show

Our Ladies Show brings together three performers with serious range:

  • Christin Jezak — creator, writer, and star (Miracle at Manchester, Raising Hope, Jimmy Kimmel Live!)
  • Hillary Hawkins — (Primal, Nick Jr.’s Play Along, Gullah Gullah Island)
  • Sarah Hernandez — (Nefarious, Unplanned, House of Payne)

“In a world with so much division and depression, I hope women of all ages and backgrounds will watch this show, laugh, be reminded of how beautiful, unique, and loved they are, and remember how much we need each other.”— Christin Jezak, Creator & Star

Already a Festival Favorite

The series’ recurring long-form sketch, Neighborhood Watch, didn’t arrive quietly. Originally released as a web series and revamped for Our Ladies Show with new footage, sound, and music, it has been sweeping the festival circuit:

  • 🏆 Best Webseries — 2026 New Media Film Festival (Los Angeles)
  • 🏆 Best Web/TV Series — Paris Film Awards
  • 🏆 Best Web Series — Dallas Movie Awards
  • 🏅 Additional wins at the London Movie Awards, Florence Film Awards, and Hollywood Gold Awards
  • 🎬 Official Selection — 2026 Harvard Divinity School Film Fest
  • ⭐ Finalist — Houston Comedy Film Festival
  • 📣 Three nominations — 2025 Content Christian Media Conference, including Best Actress in a TV and Web Series nods for both Christin Jezak and Sarah Hernandez

Where and When to Watch

Our Ladies Show premieres Friday, June 13, 2026, streaming on The Roku Channel — the home of premium and free entertainment — in the U.S., U.K., and Canada. All seven episodes deliver the series’ signature blend of sharp sketch comedy and genuine encouragement.

Click Here To Get Tickets

Watch the trailer now on your platform of choice:

For more information, visit www.ourladiesshow.com and follow @ourladiesshow on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.


About Christin Jezak

Christin Jezak has worked for over 15 years in the entertainment industry. She created and stars in Our Ladies Show and the award-winning web series Neighborhood Watch. She produced the EWTN TV program For the Sake of the Gospel and the all-women web series Ladies Keepin’ It Real, played Dr. Sam in Miracle at Manchester (starring Dean Cain, Daniel Roebuck, and Eddie McClintock), and voices Agnes in the podcast Confessions of a Catholic Single. She held a lead role in a short film for NTT Data directed by Academy Award–winning cinematographer Janusz Kamiński, has co-starred on Raising Hope, and appeared in Jimmy Kimmel sketches and a Grubhub Super Bowl commercial.

About The Roku Channel

Roku pioneered streaming on TV and is the #1 TV streaming platform in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico by hours streamed (Hypothesis Group, Dec. 2025). The Roku Channel is the home of premium and free entertainment, alongside Roku’s Howdy and Frndly TV services. Roku is headquartered in San Jose, California.

About Encompass Digital Media

Encompass Digital Media is a global managed services company — technology-driven, software-defined, and people-powered. Trusted by world-leading broadcasters, networks, sports rights-holders, and OTT platforms, it processes over 25,000 hours of content daily, serves 850 channels to 84 countries, distributes over 243,000 live events annually, and reaches 400 million radio listeners weekly worldwide. Learn more at www.encompass.tv.

Media & Interview Requests: To interview creator Christin Jezak or the cast, contact Christin at cjezak@p2ptheatre.com.

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What Filmmakers Should Actually Steal From Euphoria

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Most of the talk about Euphoria asks one question: was it realistic? That’s the wrong question if you make films. The better one is simpler. How did Sam Levinson get an audience to feel addiction from the inside? And what did it cost him to end the show the way he did?

Strip away the noise and Euphoria is a clinic in three choices: point of view, style, and the ending. Here’s what’s worth taking — and what isn’t.

1. Put the Camera Inside the Character

Most shows about drugs watch from across the room. Euphoria doesn’t. When Rue is high, the camera is high too. Walls breathe. Floors tilt. Time skips. You’re not watching her — you’re stuck inside her head.

That’s the lesson: point of view is a decision you make with the camera and the cut, not a mood you add later in color. Levinson builds it into the lens, the blocking, and the edit.

So before you shoot a scene through a character’s eyes, ask one thing on set: whose eyes is this lens standing in for? Then make every cut respect that.

2. Your Style Has to Mean Something

The glitter. The slow push-ins. The impossible club lighting. Euphoria‘s look got copied everywhere. That’s the trap.

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The style worked because it carried weight. The beauty wasn’t decoration — it was the lie addiction tells you, the reason the next high looks worth it. The camera made self-destruction gorgeous on purpose.

The copies missed that. A thousand music videos took the look and left the meaning behind, and you can feel how hollow they are. So here’s the test: if your signature style could be swapped onto any other project and still “work,” it’s not a style. It’s a filter. Every choice should have a reason behind it.

3. The Ending Tells the Audience What It All Meant

When Euphoria ended for good in Season 3, Levinson killed Rue — an accidental, fentanyl-laced overdose. He called it “the honest ending,” saying he wanted to tell a true story about addiction and grief in a time when one mistake can be the last one. Reportedly, that wasn’t the original plan; the death of Angus Cloud, who played Fezco, changed the script.

Forget whether you agree with the choice. Study how it works. An ending is the last instruction you give your audience about how to read everything before it.

By ending on consequence instead of recovery, Levinson reframed seven years of beautiful chaos as a story about cost — not a celebration of it.

It’s also the show’s most debatable move, and that’s worth noticing too. A show that spent years making pain look beautiful had to fight to make that pain land as loss. Did it earn the ending, or enjoy the wreckage too long to stick it? Smart filmmakers will disagree — and that argument is exactly what a good ending is supposed to start.

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What Not to Take

The neon grief is the most copied part. It’s also the least useful. Take the surface — the colors, the slow-mo, the trauma-as-texture — and you get the costume without the body.

The real craft is underneath. Commit your camera to a real point of view. Make every stylistic choice earn its place. Treat your ending as the point of the whole thing. Do that, and your work won’t look like Euphoria. It’ll do what Euphoria did.


This piece touches on addiction and substance use. If you or someone you know is struggling, support is available through the SAMHSA National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357.

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How a 22-Person Film Crew Each Walked Away With $300,000

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In the spring of 2020, with Hollywood shut down and most film workers suddenly out of a job, Zendaya made a movie in a single house with a crew of 22. The film was Malcolm & Marie. What happened to that crew afterward is the part worth paying attention to — and it’s quietly become a blueprint indie filmmakers are borrowing five years later.

Instead of paying everyone the standard flat day rate and sending them home, Zendaya structured the production so the crew owned a piece of it. They received “points” — a share of the film’s revenue.

When Malcolm & Marie sold to Netflix for roughly $30 million, those points turned into real money. Because one point typically equals 1%, a single point on that sale was worth around $300,000.

For a crew used to being paid by the day, that’s a life-changing number.

The Math That Makes It Click

The reason points are so powerful is that their value scales with the film, not with your hours on set:

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  • At $30 million in revenue, 1% equals $300,000
  • At $50 million, 1% equals $500,000
  • At $100 million, 1% equals $1 million

Now hold that against traditional indie crew pay, which runs roughly $300 to $800 per day. A 20-day shoot totals somewhere between $6,000 and $16,000 — full stop, no upside, no matter how well the film does. The points model flips the entire logic: you stop getting paid for time and start getting paid for success.

This Isn’t New — It’s Just Newly Accessible

Backend deals are how the biggest names in Hollywood get rich. Robert Downey Jr. reportedly earned tens of millions from his Avengers: Endgame backend; Keanu Reeves made a fortune off The Matrix through profit participation. The leverage to demand that kind of deal has always belonged to A-list stars.

What changed with Malcolm & Marie is who got a seat at the table. Zendaya didn’t reserve the points for herself and a couple of producers — she extended them to the crew, the people she described as laying the tracks and doing the heavy lifting. That’s the shift indie filmmakers are now studying: ownership as something you share down the call sheet, not hoard at the top.

Why Indie Filmmakers Should Care

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Independent films usually run on budgets between $50,000 and $500,000, where labor can eat up 40% to 60% of total costs. That creates a permanent squeeze: how do you attract genuinely skilled people without torching the budget before you’ve shot a frame?

Equity is the pressure valve. Offering ownership instead of higher upfront pay lets you reduce immediate production costs, attract more experienced collaborators, and — maybe most importantly — build a team that actually wants the film to win.

How to Apply It to Your Own Project

You don’t need a $30 million Netflix sale for this to work. Say your budget is $250,000 and your revenue goal is $500,000, making 1% worth $5,000. Instead of stretching cash thin across every line item, you might offer 1% to a cinematographer, 1% to an editor, and 1–2% to a producer. You preserve cash during production and hand your key people a real reason to overdeliver.

Ownership Changes How People Show Up

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A stake rewires behavior. People who own a piece of the outcome stay sharper on set, pitch in on marketing and promotion without being asked, and stay invested long after wrap. That last part matters more than it sounds — a crew that’s financially tied to the film becomes part of its distribution engine, not just its production.

Read the Fine Print

Equity is not a salary, and it’s honest to say so. Malcolm & Marie worked because it sold to Netflix at a high price — that’s the upside scenario, not a guarantee. If a project underperforms, points can be worth little or nothing. So if you use this model, do it cleanly: define revenue participation explicitly in contracts, spell out recoupment structures so everyone knows who gets paid and in what order, and offer partial upfront payment where you can to balance the risk. The whole thing runs on trust, and trust runs on transparency.

The Bigger Picture

What Zendaya pulled off with a 22-person crew in one house pointed to something larger about how creative work gets valued. In an industry where funding is the hardest wall to climb, ownership has become its own currency. You may not control access to millions in financing — but you fully control how value gets shared on your set. And that, more often than not, is the difference between a film that stalls in development and one that actually gets made.

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