Stuck? Don’t worry. We have the goods for today’s New York Times Strands. If you are chasing hints for Wordle or Connections, you can find those on the main hub, but for now, let’s focus on this grid. It’s a simple theme, really. Fun to hunt, mostly. The real headache is the unscrambling part.
The Theme: Hollywood
Here is the deal with today’s puzzle, number 849.
The theme is “And… action!”
Or if you prefer the gossip route, just think Hooray for Hollywood. You are looking for movie terms. Nothing abstract. Nothing hidden deep in academic theory. Just film sets and credits.
Quick Wins to Unlock Hints
Need to get the game to talk to you? Find any three words that are at least four letters long. It does not matter what they are, technically, as long as they are valid and they fit the grid. Once you nail three, Strands hands over one of the theme words like a favor.
Try these. They worked for us, but you might see others. It doesn’t matter.
- TOUR
- WORE
- STOP
- POTS
- STORE
- TORE
- PORE
- ROAR
- CATS
- EDIT
Find those? Or don’t. Find what you want.
The Real Answers
The goal isn’t just the theme. It is everything. You must use every single letter on the board. That includes the spangram, which spans from one side to the other, usually acting as the anchor. There are six standard answers besides that long runner.
- CAST
- CREW
- EDITOR
- WRITER
- DIRECTOR
- PRODUCER
Did you find the Editor before the Producer? Does it matter?
The Spangram
It is hiding in plain sight. Well, mostly.
THATSSHOWBIZ
It starts near the bottom right. Look for that T. Four letters away. Then you just follow the wind, so to speak.
How to Actually Solve These Things
- Add an S. You found WARE? Look for WARES. Found CAT? Check for CATS. It’s the lowest hanging fruit.
- Play with neighbors. Found WILL? Look around. Is there an S nearby for SILL? An E for BELL?
- Guess to get lighted up. Still stuck on a theme word after it gives you the letters? Guess three random four-letter words. The puzzle will literally highlight the correct theme letters in sequence. It is cheating? Maybe. But it’s allowed.
Some people hate this feature. Others? They use it every single day. What about you?
The rules change on you, subtly, sometimes you realize there isn’t a fixed number of theme words. I used to think it was always eight. It is not. Just clear the board.
