10 new movies and shows to watch in October 2023

Horror aficionado Mike Flanagan, famed for his chilling series like The Haunting of Hill House, The Haunting of Bly Manor, and Midnight Mass, is back with a spine-tingling new project titled The Fall of the House of Usher. This fresh limited series draws inspiration from Edgar Allan Poe’s classics, particularly the eponymous short story. It centers around a morally dubious pharmaceutical mogul grappling with his inner ghosts as his offspring meet gruesome fates. The show boasts a star-studded lineup featuring talents such as Carla Gugino, Bruce Greenwood, and Mark Hamill.

Moreover, October is set to unveil some eagerly awaited cinematic gems. David Yates’ biting crime satire Pain Hustlers shines with Emily Blunt and Chris Evans playing pharma reps caught in a web of crime. In Chloe Domont’s steamy thriller Fair Play, Alden Ehrenreich and Phoebe Dynevor of Bridgerton fame portray an engaged couple whose love is tested amidst workplace promotions and power plays. Additionally, Bill Burr leaps into the director’s chair with Old Dads, a comedy about three best friends navigating midlife crises after selling their business to hip millennials, starring Bobby Cannavale and Bokeem Woodbine.

Netflix continues to roll out fan favorites with new seasons of the captivating Lupin with Omar Sy and Nick Kroll’s unabashedly bold Big Mouth. Keep an eye out for intriguing new series like Neon and Everything Now that will captivate audiences this October.

1. Lupin season 3

Netflix is set to welcome back France’s most charming rogue, Assane Diop (Omar Sy), this month. This time around, he’s making his way back to the dazzling city of Paris. When we last left Assane, he was evading law enforcement, wrongfully accused of murder by Hubert Pellegrini (Hervé Pierre), a prosperous businessman who had previously orchestrated the unjust imprisonment of Assane’s father. Now, as France’s most sought-after fugitive, the debonair thief opts for a low-profile lifestyle, hoping that his disappearance will ensure his son’s safety. But before he fades into obscurity, he’s plotting his boldest theft yet. However, escaping the past proves more challenging than anticipated, and an unforeseen comeback guarantees that Assane’s grand plans won’t unfold as seamlessly as he’d hoped.

2. Beckham

David Beckham is one of the most distinguished footballers in history and a global sensation who significantly influenced the pop culture scene for an entire era. During the early 2000s, it was nearly impossible to flip through a newspaper or fashion periodical without encountering his image. However, this docuseries delves deeper than the headlines and legendary sports moments, offering a glimpse into the man behind the fame. With insights from Beckham himself and his nearest and dearest, the series traces his extraordinary journey from modest roots to international football superstardom. This glamorous biographical documentary is a must-see for Manchester United enthusiasts and anyone who ever brought a picture of Beckham to their childhood barber.

3. Everything Now

Sophie Wilde, who recently made waves in the summer’s horror sensation Talk to Me, is poised to showcase her acting prowess further in Everything Now. This British teen comedy-drama is slated for a Netflix release on October 5. The narrative kicks off with 16-year-old Mia Polanco (played by Sophie) attempting to resume her regular life after a stint in the hospital battling an eating disorder. Suddenly plunged back into a world rife with peer pressure and social media demands, Mia crafts a bucket list of typical teenage experiences as she strives to reclaim lost time and regain her balance. With its quirky yet relatable storyline, Everything Now seems destined to feature on future lists of top underrated Netflix shows.

4. The Fall of the House of Usher

Mike Flanagan’s latest Netflix offering, a gothic drama, marks his final project with the streaming giant (at least for the time being) as he transitions to Prime Video. Thankfully, Flanagan appears to be leaving on a high note with The Fall of the House of Usher. Drawing inspiration from Edgar Allan Poe’s eponymous short story, the series has already garnered glowing reviews from critics. This eight-part miniseries revolves around Roderick (Bruce Greenwood) and Madeline (Mary McDonnell), siblings who have established a pharmaceutical empire. However, the company’s dubious underpinnings came to light when the successors of the Usher dynasty started dying under mysterious circumstances. Blending Flanagan’s signature horror style with elements of dark comedy, The Fall of the House of Usher ensures

5. Fair Play

In Fair Play, Emily (Phoebe Dynevor) and Luke (Alden Ehrenreich) form a dynamic duo, both carving out careers at the same fiercely competitive financial firm in New York. As they privately celebrate their engagement, a sought-after promotion looms, potentially causing a rift between the smitten couple. As the balance of power starts to sway in their personal and professional lives, their relationship isn’t the only thing that takes a hit. The real cost of success becomes glaringly apparent as both Emily and Luke reveal a disconcerting ambition for triumph.

6. Bodies

Upon discovering a corpse on the bustling streets of London, it initially appears to be just another day at the office for Detective Amak Okafor. Yet, this isn’t your ordinary case—the same individual has surfaced in not one but three distinct eras: the foggy backdrop of 1890’s Victorian London, the tumultuous skies of 1941 during World War II, and a futuristic vision of 2053. As each time period reveals more clues, a dark plot begins to emerge, one that poses a grave threat to the whole of the UK. Bodies masterfully weaves elements of a murder mystery with a police procedural and a dash of historical drama, creating a captivating blend. Starring Shira Haas, Kyle Soller, and Stephen Graham, this show is bound to keep you guessing with its abundance of unexpected twists—arguably making it one of Netflix’s most twist-filled adventures.

7. Life on Our Planet

Billed as a “revolutionary nature docuseries” by Netflix, ‘Life on Our Planet‘ is the brainchild of executive producer Steven Spielberg and the acclaimed team behind ‘Our Planet.’ With the soothing voice of Morgan Freeman guiding us through, this documentary unfolds the epic saga of life’s relentless quest not just to exist but to thrive on Earth. Although our planet currently hosts around 20 million species, this number merely represents a fleeting moment in time. Astonishingly, 99% of Earth’s previous inhabitants have vanished into the annals of history. ‘Life on Our Planet’ delves into the fascinating journey of these extinct creatures who once shared our vast, azure world.

8. Old Dads

In the fresh Netflix comedy ‘Old Dads,’ Bill Burr wears multiple hats as co-writer, director, and star. The film centers around three close-knit friends (played by Burr, Bobby Cannavale, and Bokeem Woodbine) who embark on the journey of fatherhood in their later years, grappling with a world that’s evolving at breakneck speed. Things take a twist when they decide to hand over their business to a team of millennials, forcing them to demonstrate their adaptability to the new era. While this movie promises to be a boisterous comedy, it also carries a warm heart. Fans of Burr’s stand-up performances will find it particularly appealing, as it bears all the hallmarks of his cherished observational humor.

9. Pain Hustlers

Emily Blunt stars as high school dropout Liza Drake, who is urgently seeking employment while balancing the demands of motherhood. She lands a job at a struggling pharmaceutical start-up in a nondescript strip mall in Central Florida—a decision that hardly seems like a smart career choice. More daunting than her overly enthusiastic boss (played by Chris Evans) is the suspicion that the company’s operations might not be entirely above board. Before long, Liza finds herself entangled in a dangerous racketeering plot with potentially lethal outcomes. Directed by David Yates, renowned for his contributions to the Harry Potter series, ‘Pain Hustlers‘ is a vibrant crime drama drawing clear parallels with Martin Scorsese’s iconic ‘The Wolf of Wall Street.’

10. The Devil on Trial

‘The Devil on Trial‘ is a chilling true crime documentary that recounts the only instance in U.S. legal history where demonic possession was officially invoked as a defense in a murder case. Back in 1981, Arne Cheyenne Johnson made the astounding assertion that he was under demonic control when he murdered his landlord, Alan Bono. This extraordinary claim caught the attention of renowned paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren and even inspired the latest Conjuring movie. This Netflix documentary delves into the events preceding the murder, the trial, and its aftermath, featuring firsthand narratives from those most intimately connected to the case, including Johnson himself.

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