''Better Things'' may refer to:In music:Other uses:
"Better Things for Better Living... Through Chemistry", a slogan used by the DuPont company since 1935
"Better Things", a poem by George MacDonald
Film and television
2008 film
''Better Things'' is a 2008 British drama film written and directed by Duane Hopkins in his feature debut. Set in the rural Cotswolds of present-day England, the film weaves together multiple interconnected narratives exploring themes of isolation, drug abuse, fractured relationships, and personal loss among young people and the elderly. It premiered at the 2008 Cannes Film Festival in the International Critics' Week sidebar, where it was nominated for the Camera d'Or.[1][2]The story unfolds through nine vignettes involving 18 characters, focusing on the lives of adolescents and young adults grappling with heroin addiction and its consequences, alongside elderly figures confronting grief and mortality. Central figures include Ruby (Rachel McIntyre), a young woman whose overdose death reverberates through her circle, her boyfriend Mark (Liam McIlfatrick), and friend Sid (Che Corr), whose relationships are strained by substance abuse and emotional disconnection. The film's non-linear structure highlights the indifferent beauty of the countryside, amplifying the characters' despair and fleeting moments of intimacy.[2][3][4]Production was handled by UK-based Third Films in co-production with Germany's Flying Moon Filmproduktion, with funding from Film4 (£258,033.50 in equity and license fee) and the UK Film Council (£312,033.50 in equity), keeping the budget under £1 million. Filming took place in the Cotswolds region to capture the authentic rural setting. Producers Samm Haillay and Rachel Robey emphasized Hopkins' background in the area, drawing on his short films for a realist style with cinematography by Lol Crawley. The cast largely consisted of non-professional actors from the local community, many with personal experiences of drug issues, to enhance authenticity.[5][6][4][7]Critics praised the film's atmospheric realism, innovative sound design, and visual poetry, with a consensus highlighting its unflinching portrayal of rural decay akin to social realist traditions. It holds a 90% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 20 reviews, though audience scores are lower at 33%, and an IMDb average of 5.1/10 from 762 users, reflecting its bleak tone. The film won the FIPRESCI Award for Best Film at the 2008 Stockholm International Film Festival and Best Cinematography at the Kiev International Film Festival, while receiving positive festival notes for Hopkins' direction.[8][9][7][3]Following its Cannes premiere, ''Better Things'' received a limited UK theatrical release in 2008 through Metrodome Distribution, with international screenings at festivals like Edinburgh, Toronto, and AFI Fest. It later became available on VOD in select markets via IFC Films.[2][4]
TV series
Better Things is an American comedy-drama television series that follows Sam Fox, a single mother and working actress navigating life in Los Angeles as she raises her three daughters—Max, Frankie, and Duke—while caring for her eccentric aging mother, Phil. The show explores themes of motherhood, female autonomy, career challenges in Hollywood, and the complexities of aging through Sam's unfiltered perspective on family chaos and personal growth. Created by Pamela Adlon and Louis C.K., it draws semi-autobiographical elements from Adlon's own experiences as a divorced mother of three daughters in the entertainment industry.[10][11][12]The series premiered on FX on September 8, 2016, and concluded after five seasons on April 25, 2022, comprising 50 episodes across 10 per season. Adlon, who stars as Sam, co-wrote the pilot with C.K. and took on directing duties starting with season 2, helming all episodes from that point onward to infuse the show with her personal vision. Following the 2017 sexual misconduct allegations against C.K., Adlon severed ties with him and assembled a writers' room for season 3 including Sarah Gubbins, Joe Hortua, Robin Ruzan, and Ira Parker, which continued through the final seasons to emphasize authentic voices. Executive producers included Adlon, C.K. (for seasons 1-2), M. Blair Breard, and Dave Becky (until season 2). The production highlighted Adlon's multifaceted role, blending humor and heartfelt drama in a style reminiscent of her voice work on shows like Californication.[13][14][15][16]The main cast features Pamela Adlon as Sam Fox, with Mikey Madison portraying the rebellious teen Max, Hannah Riley (formerly known as Hannah Alligood) as the middle child Frankie, Olivia Edward as the youngest Duke, and Celia Imrie as the free-spirited Phil. Recurring and guest stars added depth, including Diedrich Bader as Sam's agent Rich and notable appearances by actors like Julie Bowen and Bradley Whitford in season 1. The ensemble captured the raw dynamics of multigenerational family life, with Adlon's performance earning praise for its authenticity.[17][18][19]Season 1 (2016) introduces the Fox family's everyday struggles, from teenage rebellion to elder care, establishing Sam's resilient yet exasperated worldview. Season 2 (2017) deepens interpersonal relationships, exploring emotional bonds amid career setbacks. Season 3 (2019) shifts focus to Sam's professional life in Hollywood, highlighting industry absurdities and personal reinvention under Adlon's full directorial control. Season 4 (2020), influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic, examines isolation and family tensions during lockdown. The final season 5 (2022) provides emotional closure, resolving arcs with themes of letting go and forward momentum, culminating in Sam's journey toward self-acceptance.[20][21][22]Better Things received widespread critical acclaim for its honest portrayal of single motherhood and women's experiences, holding a 98% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 166 reviews and a 7.9/10 on IMDb from nearly 20,000 users. Adlon garnered Primetime Emmy nominations for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series in 2017 and 2018, along with Critics' Choice and TCA nods; the series also won a Peabody Award in 2016. By 2025, it continues to be lauded for influencing female-led comedies, inspiring discussions on authentic storytelling in shows like Hacks and The Bear, with retrospectives highlighting its enduring impact on representations of aging and family.[23][13][24]The series originally aired on FX in the United States, with episodes available for streaming on Hulu the day after broadcast; internationally, it streams on Disney+ in regions like the UK and Canada. All seasons remain accessible on Hulu and Disney+ as of 2025, ensuring ongoing availability for global audiences.[25][10]
Music
Songs
Several original songs titled "Better Things" have been released by artists across genres, often exploring themes of optimism, personal growth, and moving forward from adversity. These tracks span hip-hop, K-pop, indie rock, and indie pop, contributing to diverse musical landscapes without direct ties to classic rock influences.AAP Rocky's "Better Things," released in 2015 as the closing track on his debut studio album *AT.LONG.LAST.AAP*, is a hip-hop song that reflects on the complexities of fame, fleeting relationships, and substance use.[26] Produced by Frans Mernick, the track features a sample from Bobby Caldwell's "Carry On," creating a smooth, introspective R&B-infused beat that underscores Rocky's raw lyrical delivery about seeking elevation amid chaos.[27] The song's cultural impact lies in its candid portrayal of celebrity pitfalls, resonating within hip-hop's tradition of vulnerability, and it garnered attention for explicit references that sparked discussions on artist accountability.[28]In 2023, South Korean girl group aespa—consisting of members Karina, Giselle, Winter, and Ningning—released "Better Things" as a standalone English-language digital single on August 18, under SM Entertainment.[29] This synth-pop and dance track emphasizes self-empowerment and progression beyond a toxic past relationship, with lyrics boasting newfound confidence and a futuristic music video aligning with the group's broader metaverse-inspired "kwangya" concept, where virtual avatars (æ) interact in digital realms.[30] It debuted at number 50 on South Korea's Circle Digital Chart and reached number 24 on the U.S. World Digital Song Sales chart, marking aespa's expansion into global English markets while maintaining their signature electronic production.BROCKHAMPTON's "BETTER THINGS," from their 2022 album TM released on November 18, serves as a hip-hop and rap collective piece centered on themes of personal evolution and quiet reflection amid the group's impending hiatus.[31] Featuring lead vocals from Matt Champion over a fuzzy, keyboard-driven melody, the track captures the band's chaotic yet introspective energy, contrasting earlier high-energy works with a somber tone that highlights emotional maturity. As part of TM, their self-proclaimed final album, it encapsulates BROCKHAMPTON's DIY ethos and diverse membership, influencing fan discussions on queer-inclusive hip-hop collectives and the band's role in modern boy-band reinvention.[32]The indie rock band Winter Break included "Better Things" on their self-titled debut album, released May 19, 2015, via Asian Man Records.[33] In the punk and emo-infused track, lyrics address overcoming long-held fears and disappointments through commitment, as in lines about a worthwhile "seven hour trip" defying past letdowns, evoking resilience in interpersonal dynamics.[34] The song's raw, melodic style fits the Southern California trio's shift toward confident, dynamic punk, earning praise for blending '90s influences with fresh emotional depth in the indie scene.[35]Ralph Castelli's "Better Things," from his 2017 self-titled E.P. released September 3 on Bandcamp, is an indie pop track with folk undertones focusing on resilience and forward momentum.[36] The song urges against dwelling on potential regrets—"Don't you dwell on what you think could be"—promoting self-reliance and new beginnings, delivered in a gentle, acoustic-driven arrangement that highlights themes of emotional independence.[37] As part of Castelli's early solo output, it contributed to his niche following in indie circles for introspective, lo-fi storytelling.[38]
Albums and singles
The Kinks' "Better Things," written by Ray Davies, appears on their 1981 album Give the People What They Want, a rock record that reflects themes of hope and resilience amid personal and societal challenges.[39] The song's optimistic lyrics, including the line "Here's wishing you the bluest sky," contributed to its enduring appeal as a staple in the band's discography.[39] Released as a single on June 19, 1981, in the UK and later in November 1981 in the US, it reached No. 46 on the UK Singles Chart and No. 92 on the USBillboard Hot 100.[40][41]Pearl Jam has performed live covers of the Kinks' "Better Things" in an acoustic style, notably during their 1994 set at Shoreline Amphitheatre and throughout the 1990s tour dates, showcasing the song's adaptability to grunge-inflected interpretations.[42] The band later included a studio version on their 2011 fan club single, further cementing its place in their repertoire of classic rock tributes.[43]In 2023, South Korean group aespa released "Better Things" as a digital single on August 18, followed by a physical single album featuring solo member versions with photocards (such as editions for Karina and Winter) and variants including sped-up and slowed + reverb tracks. The release, produced under SM Entertainment, contributed to aespa's strong 2023 sales performance, with the group surpassing 3 million album units sold domestically that year.[44]Other notable recordings with similar titles include iann dior's 2022 rap and R&B album on to better things, released January 21 via 10K Projects, which explores themes of personal growth across 15 tracks, including "holding on" and features from artists like Lil Uzi Vert.[45] Additionally, German composer Ralph Heidel issued the instrumental album anyways.onto better things on February 21, 2025, blending jazz, electronic, and electroacoustic elements in a fusion style recorded with collaborators like Finn Ronsdorf.[46]
Other uses
Advertising slogan
The DuPont Company's advertising slogan "Better Things for Better Living... Through Chemistry" was introduced in 1935 by the advertising agency Batten, Barton, Durstine & Osborn to rebrand the corporation amid public criticism of its explosives production during World War I, positioning it as a promoter of innovative consumer products.[47] The full phrase emphasized chemical advancements that improved daily life, such as the development of nylon stockings in 1938 and Teflon coatings in the 1940s, which were highlighted in promotional campaigns to symbolize modern convenience and progress.[48]Throughout its history, the slogan appeared in print advertisements, radio broadcasts like the Cavalcade of America series starting in 1935, and major expositions, including the 1939 New York World's Fair exhibits, such as DuPont's pavilion, that collectively drew nearly 10 million visitors and the 1964 New York World's Fair exhibit featuring a musical revue titled "Wonderful World of Chemistry."[47][49] It became emblematic of post-World War II industrial optimism, extending beyond DuPont to influence architecture, urban planning, and building trades promotions of synthetic materials in the 1950s and 1960s, while also starring in television commercials into the 1990s.[47] In 1982, DuPont shortened the slogan by dropping "Through Chemistry," and by 1999, amid growing environmental scrutiny over chemical pollution, it fully retired the phrase, replacing it with "The miracles of science" in 2000 to signal a shift toward sustainable innovation.[50]The slogan profoundly shaped public perceptions of chemistry as a force for societal betterment, fostering consumer enthusiasm for petrochemical products during the mid-20th century boom, but it later faced backlash for downplaying industrial hazards.[47] Post-2000s criticisms intensified with revelations of DuPont's role in PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid) contamination from Teflon production, leading to multimillion-dollar settlements for health and environmental damages in communities like Parkersburg, West Virginia, where the slogan was ironically invoked to highlight corporate deception.[51] As of 2025, the phrase is referenced in discussions of corporate sustainability, contrasting DuPont's current net-zero emissions goals by 2050 with its historical promotion of unchecked chemical expansion.[52]A common variant, "Better Living Through Chemistry," emerged as a shorthand in the late 20th century and permeated counterculture, often ironically endorsing psychedelic drug use in the 1960shippie movement and later in electronic dance music scenes.[53] It inspired titles like Fatboy Slim's 1996 album Better Living Through Chemistry, which blended big beat tracks with the phrase's optimistic yet subversive connotations.[54] The variant has been parodied in media, notably the 2014 dark comedy film Better Living Through Chemistry, starring Sam Rockwell, which uses the slogan to satirize small-town ennui and pharmaceutical excess without direct ties to DuPont's campaigns.
Literature
"Better Things: Materials for Sustainable Product Design" is a 2024 guidebook by Daniel Liden that serves as a practical resource for designers seeking eco-friendly alternatives in product development, addressing common issues like greenwashing through evidence-based material recommendations.[55] Liden, a product designer with over 15 years of experience in independent consultancy and roles at global brands such as Nokia and Lenovo, draws on his expertise to demystify sustainable options.[56] Published by Quercus in collaboration with Laurence King Publishing, the book emphasizes circular economy principles to reduce environmental impact.[57]The content is organized into chapters covering key material categories—plastics, textiles, metals, ceramics and glass, wood, and paper—where Liden examines innovations like bioplastics derived from renewable sources and recycled fabrics from post-consumer waste.[58] A dedicated section on waste recovery and material circularity highlights strategies for repurposing discarded items, supported by real-world case studies such as furniture crafted from industrial waste to demonstrate feasible applications in design practice.[59] These examples underscore the book's focus on actionable insights rather than theoretical ideals, aligning with the broader sustainability movement's push for informed material choices in manufacturing.[60]Reception has been positive among design professionals, with reviewers commending its clear structure, insightful guidance on material selection, and visually engaging presentation as essential for color, material, and finish (CMF) work in sustainable contexts.[57] Described as a "delightful contribution" to sustainability discussions, it provides a condensed yet informed overview that aids education in eco-design, influencing practitioners in product and architectural fields by 2025.[55]Beyond Liden's work, "Better Things" appears as the title for various shorter literary forms, including collections of essays and short stories with minor references in anthologies, often exploring introspective or transformative themes. For instance, "Better Things: 6 Short Stories" by Ashlee Craft (2018) compiles narratives centered on mental health and love, offering personal reflections through fiction.[61] No major novels carry the exact title, though the phrase resonates in 2020s self-help literature on personal improvement, such as goal-setting guides that encourage aspiring to enhanced life outcomes.[62]
Rating 7.9/10 (19,764) An actress raises her three daughters while juggling the pressures of working in Hollywood and being a single parent.Full cast & crew · Episode list · Better Things · Parents guide
Dec 17, 2021 · The fifth and final season of its comedy written, directed and produced by and star Pamela Adlon will premiere at 10 pm Monday, February 28. It also will ...
Apr 18, 2022 · When is the 'Better Things' series finale? According to Deadline, the final season of Better Things will conclude on April 25, 2022. In another ...
May 6, 2022 · Adlon's FX series, which just wrapped up its final season, centers on a single mom of three who's also trying to help her elderly mother and keep her acting ...
Rating 98% (166) "Better Things" is about Sam Fox, a single mother and actor, raising her three daughters in Los Angeles, while also caring for her mother. It is a comedy with ...Season 1 · Season 3 · Season 2 · Season 5
Better Things. by Duane Hopkins · 2008 Selection. UK 2008 1h33 IN ENGLISH. World premiere Competition Feature Film. Better Things is a multi-narrative ...Missing: awards nominations
May 18, 2008 · Boasting 18 characters and half as many storylines, Duane Hopkins follows his prizewinning shorts with visually distinctive first feature ...Missing: reception | Show results with:reception
Jan 22, 2009 · A cloud-cover of sadness and pain gathers for this sombre film from British director Duane Hopkins, a social-realist study of drug addiction.Missing: production cast
May 17, 2008 · Hopkins elicits affecting performances from a mostly non-professional cast, with elderly cast members especially strong as the episodic ...Missing: reception | Show results with:reception
Camera d'Or - Cannes Film Festival 2008. Michael Powell Award - Edinburgh International Film Festival Diesel Discovery Award - Toronto International Film ...Missing: premiere | Show results with:premiere
Rating 90% (20) The Dardennes brothers meet Mike Leigh in Brit writer/director Duane Hopkins excellent feature debut about drugs and doomed lives in the Cotswolds. Content ...Missing: production reception
Rating 5.1/10 (762) Better Things: Directed by Duane Hopkins. With Rachel McIntyre, Emma Cooper, Liam McIlfatrick, Che Corr. A group of young people grow up together in a small ...Missing: reception | Show results with:reception
Aug 9, 2016 · Better Things is a semi-autobiographical vehicle for Adlon, as Louie is for CK. It centers on Sam (Adlon), a working actor with no filter trying to earn a ...
Sep 1, 2016 · With help from Louis C.K., Ms. Adlon has her own show on FX, “Better Things,” loosely based on her real life as a divorced mother of three ...
Cast · Pamela Adlon. Pamela Adlon · Mikey Madison at the 2025 Academy Awards. Mikey Madison · Hannah Riley. Hannah Riley · Olivia Edward. Olivia Edward · Celia ...
Cast & Crew ; Pamela Adlon · Sam Fox · Creator, Actor, Executive Producer ; Louis C.K. · Creator ; Celia Imrie · Phil · Actor ; Mikey Madison · Max · Actor ; Hannah Riley.
Rating 95% (57) Discover reviews, ratings, and trailers for Better Things: Season 1 on Rotten Tomatoes. Stay updated with critic and audience scores today!Critics Reviews · Episodes · More Like This
Rating 100% (22) Discover reviews, ratings, and trailers for Better Things: Season 4 on Rotten Tomatoes. Stay updated with critic and audience scores today!
Rating 100% (23) Discover reviews, ratings, and trailers for Better Things: Season 5 on Rotten Tomatoes. Stay updated with critic and audience scores today!Critics Reviews · Episodes · More Like This
Jun 22, 2022 · BETTER THINGS (FX). Pamela Adlon's dramedy ended its five-season run in vintage form, as a celebration of our literal families and the ...
Better Things Lyrics: Uh, don't give a fuck about your man / I'm just seein' what it's hittin' for (Bitch, I'm sayin') / How you frontin' on the kid though?
May 27, 2015 · A$AP, you might have found yourself taken aback by a very explicit insult on an otherwise great song called “Better Things.” Here's Rocky's rant ...
Aug 21, 2023 · ... aespa delighted MYs with the release of new track “Better Things.” Equal parts summer kiss-off and chill breakup anthem, the song sees the K ...
On the drum and percussion sound-assisted dance-pop track, aespa leave their former lover and brag off with their new attitude about being able to do better ...Missing: themes | Show results with:themes
Nov 18, 2022 · BETTER THINGS Lyrics. 26.3K. Track Info. Produced by Kiko Merley, Matt Champion & Baird. Written by Matt Champion, Kiko Merley, Joba, Kevin ...
Nov 18, 2022 · “BETTER THINGS” is similarly a moody and somber, with a fuzzy filter over a soft keyboard melody. Matt Champion croons for someone who will ...
Better Things by Winter Break, released 19 May 2015. ... Your money reaches the artist quickly and fairly · View the full album. 2 tracks, 5 minutes. Digital ...Missing: song | Show results with:song
Rating 9/10 · Review by Johnathon1069May 19, 2015 · With the new name came a new sound, combing tempo changes and shifts in dynamics with a more melodic and confident vocal style. Despite ...
Better Things Lyrics: If I left you to your own devices / Would you take ... When did Ralph Castelli release “Better Things”? Who wrote “Better Things ...
Better Things. The Kinks. Give the People What They Want19812:45. Lyrics ... I know that better things are on the way. Here's hoping all the days ahead.Missing: positions | Show results with:positions
Jun 27, 1981 · Latest chart stats about BETTER THINGS - peak chart position, weeks on chart, catalogue number, week-by-week chart placement and latest ...
Better Things by The Kinks (1981) hit #92 on the Billboard Hot 100. Listen, view chart stats, read trivia, rate the song, and join the discussion on ...
Dec 31, 2014 · Better Things - Pearl Jam (The Kinks Cover) Live. 727 views · 10 ... Live at Shoreline Amphitheatre (1994). Wolfgang's Classic Rock•419K ...
Jun 15, 2012 · Pearl Jam - Better Things 2011 Fan Club Single Written by Ray Davies Here's wishing you the bluest sky, And hoping something better comes ...Missing: 1990s | Show results with:1990s
Jan 21, 2022 · on to better things Tracklist · is it you Lyrics · complicate it Lyrics · V12 (Ft. Lil Uzi Vert) Lyrics · I might Lyrics · heavy Lyrics · dark angel ( ...
Jun 6, 2006 · This article traces the migration of the slogan “better living” from its inception in 1935 as an attempt to clean up the corporate image of Du ...
The DuPont Company's famous slogan, "Better things for better living through chemistry," was the cornerstone of an advertising campaign for nylon and ...
Sep 30, 1999 · The firm vows to reduce its emissions of greenhouse gases by 2010 to 65% below the levels in 1990, while keeping energy use flat. DuPont ...Missing: slogan concerns
Aug 11, 2015 · In this series, Sharon Lerner exposes DuPont's multi-decade cover-up of the severe harms to health associated with a chemical known as PFOA, or C8.Missing: slogan criticism
Jul 22, 2025 · DuPont today published its 2025 Sustainability Report detailing the progress made toward achieving its 2030 Sustainability Goals.Missing: slogan | Show results with:slogan
DuPont advertising campaign slogan “Better Living Through Chemistry,” which has been seized upon by club culture as a slogan advocating drug use. Modifying ...<|control11|><|separator|>
Cook's reinvention as Fatboy Slim, and the release of Better Living Through Chemistry in 1996 and You've Come A Long Way, Baby in 1998, catapulted him into ...
Aug 1, 2017 · Daniel Liden is a designer with more than fifteen years of experience of working with materials and processes at global brands like Nokia and Lenovo.
In Better Things: Materials for Sustainable Product Design, Daniel Liden seeks to tackle the lazy 'greenwashing' terminology we see every day, providing a guide ...
In stockThe book comprises six chapters devoted to material categories - plastics, textiles, metals, ceramics and glass, wood and paper - and a seventh chapter ...Missing: fabrics | Show results with:fabrics
Better Things Materials For Sustainable Product Design. materiais. Uploaded by ... Daniel Liden: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. Daniel Schvarcz: 1, 2. Dim ...
Jan 29, 2024 · In Better Things: Materials for Sustainable Product Design, Daniel Liden seeks to tackle the lazy 'greenwashing' terminology we see every ...