With all the delays and postponements, the sources I use to compile this list have not been great about staying on top of the fluctuating release dates. I am doing my best to cross-check the titles but I’m certain that at least a few titles have been incorrectly listed. So, my apologies if there was something you were looking forward to that didn’t actually get released. Now, just because October is winding down doesn’t mean that the ball stops rolling. I thought it was a “slow” week but there are another 20+ new releases this week.
New In Theaters
Five Nights at Freddy’s (Peacock)
Director(s): Emma Tammi | Writer(s): Scott Cawthon, Seth Cuddeback, Emma Tammi, Chris Lee Hill, Tyler MacIntyre
Stars: Josh Hutcherson, Piper Rubio, Elizabeth Lail
I have seen trailers for this one way more than I would have expected. I understand this is the Halloween weekend release and the studio wants it to do well, but it also feels like Willy’s Wonderland already beat them to the punch a couple of years ago and that movie had Nic Cage. I will probably check this one out but I won’t be in a rush.
Freelance
Director(s): Pierre Morel | Writer(s): Jacob Lentz
Stars: John Cena, Alison Brie, Alice Eve
Looking to capitalize on the action-comedy appetite that saw movies like The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent and The Lost City have surprising success, this gives us the R-rated John Cena which has really caught on in recent years. I have seen this trailer quite a bit as well and I really hope the one is saving its best stuff for the actual movie because this trailer isn’t particularly funny. I like what Cena has done recently enough to give this one a chance, but if it weren’t him I don’t know how much grace I’d give.
Inspector Sun (and the Curse of the Black Widow)
Director(s): Julio Soto Gurpide | Writer(s): Rocco Pucillo
Stars: Jesús Barreda, Andrea Villaverde, Catherina Martínez
See what I mean about all the mixed-up dates. This trailer even says it’s out on October 13th, but it got bumped a few weeks down the line until now. Is it just me or do a lot of the characters look like they are from The Addams Family? It can’t be a coincidence but is this even a “spooky” movie? I have no idea. But if you add bugs with some familiar visual identities I guess that’s enough to call it a Halloween film.
Limited Release
*The Killer – Editor’s Pick*
Director(s): David Fincher | Writer(s): Andrew Kevin Walker, Alexis Nolent, Luc Jacamon
Stars: Michael Fassbender, Tilda Swinton, Charles Parnell
David Fincher is a very good and consistent filmmaker and I am glad to see the Michael Fassbender resurgence this year plus Tilda Swinton equals a pretty easy yes for me. I’m way in on this. However, I just want to be able to get to the theater without seeing another “Fincher Rankings”. Wish me luck.
Holy Frit
Director(s): Justin S. Monroe | Writer(s): Justin S. Monroe, Ryan M. Fritzsche, Gillian Fritzsche
I did not expect to be as captivated by this idea as I am. Set the religious symbolism and preconceived notions about the church itself aside, I’m interested in the journey of this artist who is clearly dealing with some kind of imposter syndrome having to take on the biggest project ever of its kind. That is a very human story, especially in the creative community, and that’s what I am interested in.
Deep Rising
Director(s): Matthieu Rytz
Stars: Jason Mamoa
Another documentary from the same distributors, this one takes us to the bottom of the ocean. It has the benefit of capturing some incredible visuals at the bottom of the ocean which are bother serene and utterly terrifying. I also can’t help but be a little tickled that they got Aquaman to do the narration. That’s a smart move.
Beyond Utopia (Oct. 23rd)
Director(s): Madeleine Gavin
Stars: Barbara Demick, Il-Sung Kim, Jong-Il Kil
The documentaries are out in force this weekend and there may not be a better one than this. We hear about North Korea a lot in our news cycle. Maybe not so much right now, but it’s been a hot topic of international politics for some time now. Seeing something like this, shot from the inside out, is going to be a rough experience on multiple levels but I got goosebumps watching this trailer. I will find a way to see this one.
Four Daughters
Written & Directed by: Kaouther Ben Hania
Stars: Eya Chikhaoui, Tayssir Chikaoui, Zine El-Abidine Ben Ali
This might be, collectively, the best week for documentaries this year and this one uses the hybrid approach of blending the real-life story with actors to fill in the gaps. What happens when those actors become part of the story as well? That’s what we are going to find out here as a family tries to reconcile the disappearance of two of their daughters/sisters.
Under the Boardwalk
Director(s): David Soren | Writer(s): David Dobkin, Lorene Scarfaria, David Soren
Stars (voices): Bobby Cannavale, Michael Cera, John Magaro
I don’t recall the last time I saw “Nickelodeon Movie” at the beginning of a film, but this one has a really good voice cast. I am not the target demographic and this seems like a summer movie, not a Halloween flick, but if you are looking for something family-oriented then this might be your top option.
Boudica: Queen of War (+VOD)
Written & Directed by: Jesse V. Johnson
Stars: Olga Kurylenko, Clive Standen, Peter Franzén
Apparently, there is quite a bit of movies and TV that focus on this character but this is the first I am hearing of her. I like Olga Kurylenko and I like the makeup and costume design here, so I am hopeful that it’s better than what I’ve read so far.
Suitable Flesh (+VOD)
Director(s): Joe Lynch | Writer(s): H.P. Lovecraft, Dennis Paoli
Stars: Heather Graham, Judah Lewis, Barbara Crampton
I love the Kenny G-style romantic jazz that accompanies this trailer because it lets you know the kind of tone this movie wants to set. I don’t know if it’s directly connected to Glorious but it’s in the same Lovecraft universe (I think) and I really enjoyed that one. Anyway, I’m all in on Heather Graham getting to do some sexy-crazy-demented shit like this! Really good supporting cast too with Barbara Crampton, Bruce Davison, and Johnathon Schaech. Let’s go!
After Death
Director(s): Stephen Gray, Chris Radtke | Writer(s): Stephen Gray
Stars: Koko Marhsall, Michael Jovanovski, Kate Duffy
Back on the documentary train, I was hopeful that this was an examination of the actual science behind near-death experiences because that is interesting. However, the whole “this message is too important” thing at the end is right out of the Sound of Freedom playbook. If I were a gambling man, I wouldn’t be surprised to see “the movie they don’t want you to see” in the not-too-distant future. I don’t begrudge people their faith, but this not-so-subtly coded movie about the promise of the afterlife comes across as very disingenuous when this guy pops up over the last 90 seconds of the trailer.
The Canterville Ghost
Director(s): Kim Burdon, Robert Chandler | Writer(s): Cory Edwards, Giles New, Keiron Self
Stars: Freddy Highmore, Hugh Laurie, Toby Jones
It’s a big week for animated releases and this one is on brand for Halloween weekend. This was another one with an incorrect release date, but I am guessing that’s because the trailer is a bit older. If you want a spooky movie for the kids, this is likely the one.
Alan and the Rulers of the Air
Written & Directed by: Markus Cook
Stars: Leanne Johnson, Joseph Moreland, Rich Lewis
Based on the title, I would have put my money on this movie being about some kids in pilot school but boy would I have been wrong. Apparently, this is a courtroom drama about a teen who helps his pastor cast a demon out of a local politician. This strikes me as pretty transparent and the acting on display in the trailer doesn’t come across as convincing either.
Fingernails
Director(s): Christos Nikou | Writer(s): Christos Nikou, Stavros Raptis, Sam Steiner
Stars: Jeremey Allen White, Riz Ahmed, Jessie Buckley, Annie Murphy
This has been a wonderful year for…let’s call it…lo-fi Sci-Fi. Stories where the science fiction element is at the core but the films are character-driven. I’ll watch whatever Jessie Buckley does but this cast is excellent with Jeremy Allen White, Annie Murphy, Luke Wilson, and Riz Ahmed helping bridge the gap between rom-com and sci-fi drama. I’m in.
The Holdovers (NYC/LA)
Director(s): Alexander Payne | Writer(s): David Hemingson
Stars: Paul Giamatti, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Dominic Sessa
Agitated and aggravated Paul Giamatti is the best Giamatti. He’s teaming up with Alexander Payne (Sideways) again and focusing on just a couple of interesting characters lends itself to the kind of storytelling that Payne does so well. This one is very limited right now, but I’ll see it if I can.
Streaming & Digital
My Friend Tommy (VOD/Digital Oct. 24th)
Written & Directed by: Nam Stankovic
Stars: Azzyland, Cherie Chan, Nem Stankovic
Based on the description, I thought I would find this more charming but this seems pretty exploitative. I understand the wanting to help your friend part, but if that’s your motivation then why put together a documentary film crew to make a movie about it? I hope Tommy is able to get what he wants out of life but I don’t know if I am going to watch this.
Milli Vanilli (Paramount+ Oct. 24th)
Director(s): Luke Korem
Stars: Sabrina Salerno, Diane Warren, Downtown Julie Brown
I was not a big Milli Vanilli fan, but even I knew the crazy scandal about some of the biggest pop acts in the world not actually performing their music. Someone thought they were going to be able to get away with that for a long time though, and Rob Pilatus and Fabrice Morvan just happened to be the faces of it. I bet this one is fascinating.
Burning Betrayal (Netflix Oct. 24th)
Director(s): Deigo Freitas | Writer(s): Sue Hecker
Stars: Louise D’Tuani, Camilla de Lucas, Giovanna Lancellotti
I see that the trailer is age-restricted but a sexy thriller with motorcycles is nothing to hide behind any restrictions. Anyway, the trailer doesn’t do much besides hit you with implied style, sex appeal, and some loosely formed mystery that holds it all together.
Yellow Door: ’90s Lo-Fi Film Club (Netflix)
Director(s): Lee Hyuk-rae
Stars: Bong Joon Ho, Ren Hanami, Ahn Nae-sang
As someone who created and runs a film club of my own, this one has a lot of personal appeal for me, and seeing how all these friends used it as an opportunity to learn and grow just warms my heart. Plus, now that Bong Joon Ho is an Oscar winner, it’ll be fun to look back at that era. I’m in.
Sister Death (Netflix)
Director(s): Paco Plaza | Writer(s): Jorge Guerricaechevarría
Stars: Aria Bedmar, Almudena Amor, Maru Valdivielso
Call me a heretic, but I prefer my religion in film to be horror-related. The music for this trailer is pretty great and it looks pretty intense. It kind of reminds me of Saint Maud which was a pretty well-received horror film from a few years ago. That Netflix couch bonus is a big plus too as I will likely not venture out to the theater this weekend and chip away at what’s available to stream at home. I’m in.
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